My Favorite Legend of Zelda Game (It's Probably Not What You Think)

What's you're favorite Zelda game? If asked that question, some people would say Ocarina of Time, while others would say Breath of the Wild. People closer to my age would likely say A Link to the Past, or perhaps the original NES gem that started the whole craze. You may even hear a few people say Wind Waker or even Skyward Sword but rarely, RARELY would you ever hear someone say Zelda 2: The Adventures of Link. Well, except for me that is.

Most of the gaming world views the second installment as the red-headed step-child of the series. In fact creator Shigeru Miyamoto even views the game as the only failure in the series. The complaints against the game are many, the switch to a side-scrolling style of games was too much of a departure from what was established in the first game, the overland map and rpg elements seemed forced in, and of course the game is friggin hard. None of that matters to me, though because the Adventures of Link is easily my favorite game in the series. Once again, I'm realizing that I'm pretty contrary when it comes to the staples of geek culture. 

When I look at this game objectively, I can see merit in all of the aforementioned complaints. The choice to go with a side-scroller instead top-down view was a big departure, the RPG elements were clumsily included and it was punishingly difficult. It should be noted, however, that the game also ushered in many staples of the franchise that still endure. It's the first game where Link has access to magic, it was also the first to implement the aforementioned RPG elements, it was also the first in the series to not include Gannon as the primary antagonist (though he is sort of the MacGuffin). Even though the game was different than its predecessor, it still maintained many of the hallmarks of the Zelda franchise. It was still a semi-open world (though a bit more linear story-wise), Link still was able to acquire all of the neat items (though many were used for different purposes) and of course the music was still fantastic.

However, none of that actually has much bearing on why this game is my favorite. The reason this game is my favorite in the series because ***NOSTALGIA ALERT*** it was the first NES game I ever owned...sort of. It was Christmas, 1988, after years of pestering, my parents finally decided to grant myt wish of buying me a Nintendo. Not only that but they coordinated with my grandparents, who we were visiting at the time, who were going to buy me a game so I'd have more to play than just Super Mario and Duck Hunt. The day came, Christmas, I was excited because I KNEW I was getting an NES. No more would I have to suffer the embarrassment of telling my friends I only played video games on a crappy Atari 2600, or worse...a PC (boy, times have changed for me). I eyed my presents, spotted one that fit the dimensions of an NES box and bee-lined straight to that one. Sure enough, my dreams became reality, it was a Nintendo Entertainment System. My life was complete. Things weren't done, however, as the next present was the one from my grandparents and they said this was to use with my new console. It was certain it was a game, but which one? Super Mario 2? Bubble Bobble? One of the Mega Man games? The possibilities were endless, I clutched the gift with anticipation, tor the wrapping free looked down and saw the box it was...it was... Anticipation?!?!?

For those who don't know Anticipation was a video board game not unlike Pictionary. I'm sure it was a fun game but not for a 12 year old boy. The look of disappointment on my face must've noticeable because my grandmother said "I wasn't sure which one to get you, but you can exchange it if you like." God bless you grandma. 

So, a couple days later (miserable days being laughed at by that stupid dog in Duck Hunt), my dad took me to the mall and at last I would gain my prize. But which game would I get, the possibilities remained endless and this was in the days before trade ins, so whatever game I got, I was stuck with for the long haul. That means it had to be good. I must have spent nearly an hour pontificating over which game to buy, much to my father's consternation (he wasn't a big "mall" person). Finally I had made my decision. I had decided on Faxanadu, a side-scrolling action game that I read about in Nintendo Power. Just as I was about to ask the clerk to pull that game from behind the glass counter, a metallic glint caught my eye. There I saw it, that wonderful golden box with the sword draped across a shield. I was familiar with the previous game, of course, having rented it with my friend months ago. There was something about that box that made me want to buy the game, sight unseen.

 

When I got it back to my grandparents' place I opened the box and there I saw that telltale golden cartridge that screamed to me "Herein lies the gateways to endless adventures." I popped the game in the console (it worked first go, didn't even have to blow in it) and then I heard that music, that classic music that, along with the Super Mario theme has become the theme for the entire industry. That was the start of an obsession for me that didn't stop until I upgraded to a 16-bit console years later. 

I loved that game and I was lucky enough to score a copy of it when I started collecting vintage games recently. It's still frickin hard and I'm not nearly as good at it as I used to be but, man, I still love it.

What a great game.