The Video Game Critic

Hey,

I am sorry but RPG's just look so boring. I have played RISK many times, does that count? I am into FPS, football, survivor horror, adventures, action and side scrolling fighters.

But EVERYONE I know says I must get into these Zelda games. I guess I am hesitant because it looks like a lot of item collecting and something I wouldn't understand while drinking beer late at night. Like now. If I were to get one where should I start? The NES version looks super boring. The SNES version which is A Link To The Past looks like I could possibly enjoy it. And many people rate it as possibly the greatest video game ever! How should a novice like me approach this game? I can't imagine it being more addictive than Snatcher on the Sega CD or RE4 on the PS2. Advice from you Zelda fans? Thanks!

Firstly, Zelda isn't RPG (except Zelda II), it's action-adventure.

Secondly,

Having not finished a 3D Zelda game since the Wii / Gamecube era I wouldn't suggest any of the ones released in the last decade or so. I've tried them, got stuck, and then moved on to other things.

IMHO I'd stick with the SNES one. If you have a 3DS you might find A Link Between Worlds a worthy start. My personal favorite is Ocarina of Time. However, I'm not sure how that would look on today's super large TV screens. The 3DS version might be a worthy option.

The NES one is a bit obtuse without a handy walk through or FAQ as a starter.

ActRaiser wrote:The NES one is a bit obtuse without a handy walk through or FAQ as a starter.

The instruction manual comes with a starter walkthrough to the first dungeon.

You should be ashamed recommending starting anywhere but the original Legend of Zelda.

Gentlegamer wrote:

ActRaiser wrote:The NES one is a bit obtuse without a handy walk through or FAQ as a starter.

The instruction manual comes with a starter walkthrough to the first dungeon.

You should be ashamed recommending starting anywhere but the original Legend of Zelda.

haha, I forgot the original Zelda had a giant map that you could layout and plot things through to help navigate. (It's only been 28 years since I played the original for the first time).

But without that map...goodluck. Hence, why I think the SNES game is much more accessible.

PLEASE REMAIN CALM EVERYBODY! It's okay Matt - you're in a safe place!

Legend of Zelda Link to the Past is definitely the place to start. I personally find some of the 3D Zelda's a little overwhelming because you're wandering all over God's creation. Link to the Past opens small areas up gradually and never leads you on a wild goose chase. Not too difficult but very satisfying.

Never tried playing it with beer, but willing to try!

Start from the beginning, on the NES. The Legend of Zelda still holds up.

That said, A Link to the Past is still a good place to start. You could play it on an SNES, Game Boy Advance/SP/DS, or download it from the Wii EShop. In any form ,it's a great game, the epitome of a classic.

After that, play Link's Awakening. It's a direct sequel to ALttP and is also fantastic. It's a GameBoy/ GameBoy Color game (The GBC version is a special edition with "DX" attahced to the name. Either version is great.

Whether you end up picking the original or ALttP, have fun, and if you get stuck, take a breath, and keep going,

Only one I've played is OoT. I think it's a great game, but it's not the type of game I particularly enjoy.

When I played, I avoided every side quest possible. I know it's not supposed to be that way, but I like linear gameplay just so much more.

VideoGameCritic wrote:PLEASE REMAIN CALM EVERYBODY! It's okay Matt - you're in a safe place!

Love this.

I'm in the same boat, Matmico. I own most of them, and have a desire to someday play them all, but I've never tackled one. When I do, I plan to start at the beginning.

Breaker wrote:I own most of them, and have a desire to someday play them all, but I've never tackled one. When I do, I plan to start at the beginning.

I'm pretty much the same. I own most of the Zelda games but I don't usually play them heavily. Ones that I have sat down and played are Ocarina of Time 3D, Majora's Mask, and ALTTP.