The Legend of Zelda NES Review: The Adventure That Started It All

The Legend of Zelda is the game that started it all. Before Ocarina of Time, before Breath of the Wild, there was this. A gold cartridge, a simple story, and an adventure that changed gaming forever.

I first played The Legend of Zelda when I was a kid, and I was terrible at it. I got lost constantly, I died repeatedly, and I loved every minute of it. This is a game that respects your intelligence, and that's rare.

The Freedom is Revolutionary

The Legend of Zelda doesn't hold your hand. You're dropped into Hyrule with a sword and a shield, and you're on your own. No tutorials, no waypoints, no hand-holding. Just exploration and discovery.

This freedom was revolutionary in 1986. Most games were linear. The Legend of Zelda said "here's a world, explore it." That philosophy still influences game design today.

The Dungeons Are Challenging

The dungeons in The Legend of Zelda are challenging. They're mazes filled with enemies, puzzles, and secrets. You'll get lost, you'll die, and you'll learn. That's the point.

Each dungeon has its own personality. The first dungeon teaches you the basics. The later dungeons test everything you've learned. The final dungeon is a gauntlet that tests your mastery.

The Items Are Meaningful

Every item in The Legend of Zelda matters. The boomerang stuns enemies. The bow lets you shoot arrows. The raft lets you cross water. The ladder lets you cross gaps. Every item opens up new possibilities.

The item progression is perfect. You start with basic tools, and you end with powerful weapons. The progression feels natural, and every new item feels like a game-changer.

The Exploration is Rewarding

Hyrule is full of secrets. Hidden caves, secret shops, heart containers—there's always something to find. The game rewards exploration, and that makes exploring fun.

I've played this game dozens of times, and I still find new secrets. That's the mark of great game design.

The Music is Iconic

Koji Kondo's soundtrack is legendary. The overworld theme is one of the most recognizable video game tracks ever composed. The dungeon theme is haunting. The boss theme is intense.

The music enhances every moment. It's simple, but it's effective. The overworld theme makes exploration feel epic. The dungeon theme makes exploration feel dangerous.

Why It Still Holds Up

The Legend of Zelda holds up because it's timeless. The graphics are simple, but the gameplay is solid. The story is minimal, but the adventure is epic. It's a game that focuses on what matters: fun.

Modern games might have better graphics and more complex stories, but The Legend of Zelda has something they don't: simplicity. It's a game that does one thing perfectly: adventure.

For Collectors

The Legend of Zelda is essential for NES collectors. The gold cartridge is iconic, and the game is still in demand. Loose carts go for $20-$40, CIB $80-$150.

The game has held its value because it's still fun. People want to play this game, and they want to own it. That's the mark of a true classic.

Final Thoughts

The Legend of Zelda is the game that started it all. It's the game that created the action-adventure genre, and it's still one of the best. If you've never played it, you're missing out on gaming history.

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