Legend of Zelda video retrospective (part 2)

by Blake Snow { Oct 22nd 2006 at 2:15PM }

Game Trailers has posted part two of their Legend of Zelda video retrospect leading up to the launch of Zelda: Twilight Princess on Wii and GameCube. The second webisode explores A Link to the Past for the SNES (hooray for diagonal movement and spin attacks!) and Link's Awakening for the original Game Boy (hooray jumping!). Tune in, nerd out.

See also: Legend of Zelda video retrospective (part 1)

[Thanks, Koekoenutt]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ejflex @ Oct 22nd 2006 2:28PM

God Bless the Zelda series. Nothing is better.

Paul Gale @ Oct 22nd 2006 2:38PM

Awesome Part 2 Legend of Zelda Retrospective. I'm really looking forward to Part 3, because there lies my favorite game of all time: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Paul Gale
1up.com

Aaron @ Oct 22nd 2006 2:39PM

Does anybody else get goose bumps when they hear the Legend of Zelda theme?

Man, I can't wait until Twilight Princess... Less than a month left...

nick @ Oct 22nd 2006 2:44PM

Yeah i cant wait to get back into the world of Zelda.

Only 28 days left, its so close!

strider_mt2k @ Oct 22nd 2006 2:51PM

My experience with the Zelda franchise is entirely through Game Boy(s)
I never had an NES, and by the time SNES came around I was a little older and alot busier.

Playing "Link's Awakening" was my intro.

It wasn't until years later did I buy an old GBC from a church yard sale for ten bucks that I caught the bug again.
I've since made it a point to find and own all of the Game Boy versions of Zelda.
I just this week took the plunge on a black DS and look forward to "Phantom Hourglass".

It's great to see footage of the game and hear the tinny GB music again!

Masaki @ Oct 22nd 2006 2:58PM

Zelda series is God's gift to gaming.

Here's hoping it never ends :P

Altho, it would be interesting to see a new zelda game starring someoen totally diferent from Link.

Dr Love @ Oct 22nd 2006 3:12PM

Ugh...hurry up TP.

David @ Oct 22nd 2006 3:14PM

Nick, 27 days actually.

Anthony @ Oct 22nd 2006 3:14PM

I'm jealous of the narrator's voice. Such a perfect voice for doing what he's doing.

Anyways... When part 1 came out last week I frantically looked around for part 2 hoping this was old content. Unfortunetly it isn't, and I waited patiently for the second part. Now I'm as eager as ever for the third and hopefully fourth/fifth part.

jose r @ Oct 22nd 2006 3:27PM

when i watch things like these i see my childhood flashing before my eyes. i reminds me of the hardships i went through in beating some of those games. like where were u when u beat starfox on the snes, megaman x, super metroid, mario 3, got to 200 lines in tetris, the feeling you from playing sonic 2 in casino night zone 1 and 2, or playing with bill clinton in nba jam tourney edition... theres alot more but i cant think of them now...i only get those feelings from some games now...double dragon vs battlle toads, ninja turtles in time...yo its endless ..seeing chunli in the first stage of final fight...

Thomas @ Oct 22nd 2006 3:36PM

I've always thought A Link to the Past was the best Zelda game, and my favorite video game. That's probably because it was the first game I actually was able to beat multiple times. I played that game nonstop. Definitely a purchase on the VC for me.

potato @ Oct 22nd 2006 3:42PM

Can't wait for Zelda for the gamecube.

but it's coming out later >:(
I wonder what the strategy behind that was.

Ze Bullet @ Oct 22nd 2006 3:55PM

I have fond memories of beating the first dungeon in Link to the past. This was before I learned the sacred art of using dungeon items on dungeon bosses, so it took a very long time to hack down those jumping staues with my sword.

In any case, this was great. I am filled with nostalgic joys. I think I will play link to the past on my ds lite now.

Mwahahaha

Koekoenutt @ Oct 22nd 2006 3:56PM

I've played the first two Zelda games as a kid, but I remember I switched off with my older brother a lot becuase I was to young to grasp some of the puzzles. I remember it was A Link to the Past that I beat over and over by myself and was really the game that got me into the Zelda series. From there I replayed the old Zeldas and replayed Zelda Link to the Past. Was such an awesome game for it's time. Also very challenging.

I've been playing Zelda: OoT on the Zelda Collections for the GC over again, and can't wait till the next part of the retrospective to cover it. Im disappointed the SNES Zelda wasn't included with the Zelda Collections though, and as someone said before me, defintaly going to be one of the few VC Titles I will get when I get a Wii.

ConstyXIV @ Oct 22nd 2006 3:57PM

@ 6:
Be careful what you wish for...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zelda:_The_Wand_of_Gamelon

Josh @ Oct 22nd 2006 4:27PM

Thomas, I agree in that A Link to the Past is my favorite Zelda game, and of course favorite game ever. It may be that I just have so many memories of my childhood swelled up in that game, and that it is simply such and epic game, but seeing, hearing, playing, whatever, ALttP always gets me very VERY excited. I just love the Zelda series so much. In fact, the very first game I ever played was The Legend of Zelda for NES when I was about two years old, and that was after watching my dad play it so many times. Even my mom played it...

Really, the Zelda series is what keeps me playing games. The thrill of each new major release is astounding.

striderhayasa @ Oct 22nd 2006 4:35PM

I still think Zelda is one of the best series ever made. It's not perfect but what has worked for it, works damn well. Wind Waker is such an under appreciated Zelda title. It took me a long time to get into it but once I did, it turned out to be an excellent adventure with a great ending. That particular Zelda doesn't star Link and could easily be branched off into its own series since Hyrule is no more, (under the ocean actually) Ganondorf is encased in stone under the sea with the Master Sword stuck in his forehead. This would be a great opportunity to introduce and develop new characters and story ideas.

I'm not sure which is my favorite. I loved Ocarina of Time. I love the look of Ganon at the end but hated the way you had to beat him. (Hit him on the tail? C'mon Nintendo even you have to admit that was some childish @#$& for such a great game). Majora's Mask is awesome for its darker tone even though.
Wind Waker is just awesome from open to close...a lot like Metroid Prime.

I don't think I would be into gaming like I am if it wasn't for Nintendo.

striderhayasa @ Oct 22nd 2006 4:39PM

I edited my comment wrong...sorry about that

I meant to say

Majora's Mask is awesome for its darker tone even though
the final battle with the actual Mask was suspect. Too much comedy for such an apocolyptic scenario.

Crazylink @ Oct 22nd 2006 4:42PM

@ Aaron

I get goosebumps when I hear the Zelda theme, or any great nintendo song.

Grant @ Oct 22nd 2006 4:57PM

striderhayasa, what do you mean Wind Waker doesn't star Link? It stars Link just as much as any other Zelda game...

PhoenixJ @ Oct 22nd 2006 5:04PM

It stars a boy who ceremonialy wears a green tunic. He's the successor to Link.

blu3steel @ Oct 22nd 2006 5:05PM

Oh the good ol' days. A Link to the Past/Ocarina of Time were definately my favorites. They both have strengths and weaknesses so it's hard to say which is my favorite, but put together they are my favorite games of all time. Hearing the tinny snes A Link to the Past music brings a flood of memories back to my head. I never got into Majora's mask sadly. I've heard it's as good as Ocarina but I never wanted to play it because I didn't like being Link as a boy.

Oh how I long for the days when I could sit in front of a console playing Zelda all day, dream about it at night, wake up early and play all day again without feeling guilty.

birdman @ Oct 22nd 2006 5:44PM

Yes, Zelda IS God's gift to gaming.

Now if only they can make the next zelda after TP fully interactive like slashing swords with the controller and such. That would be radical, tubular, and awesome!

rockintom99 @ Oct 22nd 2006 5:59PM

Ah, link's awakening. The first Zelda game I played through, though the one puzzle in the second dungeon stumped me for about a year (where you have to kill the 3 enemies in order). Otherwise, one of the best.

Pedro @ Oct 22nd 2006 6:08PM

Yes, this video series is top-notch.

Does Ninty have a hand in this or was this for something like G4 TV before it became craptacular and unwatchable?

Grant @ Oct 22nd 2006 6:17PM

"It stars a boy who ceremonialy wears a green tunic. He's the successor to Link."

There are several "Links" throughout the Zelda series. The one in WW is just as much a "Link" as any of the others. Some of the Links are the same one in two or three games, but there are many Links spread throughout the series regardless.

FuzzyPickles @ Oct 22nd 2006 6:17PM

Like everyone else, I'd have to say A Link to the Past and Ocarina are my favorite two games of all time...

But, my favorite dungeon is the fourth one of Majora's Mask.

BTW, my friends and I always pronounced Majora with the spanish J "ma-hor-uh"... but on the video he says it with a hard J... have I been wrong this whole time?

striderhayasa @ Oct 22nd 2006 6:29PM

@ grant

Thanks for the clarification. It's kinda lame though. that's one thing I never liked about Zelda. The story as a whole isn't coherant. I would hope for Link...the hero, not Link, the icon that other characters aspire to become.

It's like Capcom making a new character for Devil May Cry four that's not Dante but he looks and fights like Dante. It's a lame ass cop-out. If a new character is going to be introduced in any given series, then make it a NEW character.

But it doesn't matter at this point. LOZ: TP is already paid for and my Wii preorder. I'll be playing it on launch day regardless.

Etheo @ Oct 22nd 2006 6:39PM

My first encounter with LoZ was Ocarina of Time, which got me absolutely hooked into the series. Since then I've chased after and played A Link to the Past, Majora's Mask, Minish Cap, Wind Waker, and tried a little of Four Sword Adventure. I even got a Gamecube just because of Twilight Princess. Needless to say I was quite pissed about the delay and eventual Wii scheme, but that's another story to tell another time.

I can't wait to watch part 3, I'll re-live my memory of playing thru OoT! Oh, the climatic final battle and it's engaging story... How is TP gonna top that?

Jason @ Oct 22nd 2006 7:04PM

I grew up with these games, and this retrospective is just amazing. As someone else pointed out, I too, had goosebumps. I didn't realize just how much of a driving force this series of games was, and how revolutionary it's been.
Hyrule forever!

FSK405K @ Oct 22nd 2006 8:51PM

So part 3 will cover the N64 Zeldas, apparently. Then we can expect WW and 4 Swords in Part 4? Part 5 will come out the night before TP is released, with some cool footage? Anyone?

Nick @ Oct 22nd 2006 10:12PM

Link to the Past and OoT were the frikkin coolest.

Omega697 @ Oct 22nd 2006 11:38PM

Wow, this is the first time in a long time that I've read Joystiq comments and not been overwhelmed by trolls and fanboys getting all flamy. Hooray for Zelda for bringing the world together in peace and love!

27 days!

Edog @ Oct 22nd 2006 11:56PM

God this is so good I know that this has been said, but this $#!+ is so good. It almost made me cry.....ok I cryed.

Infil @ Oct 23rd 2006 2:14AM

A section without flamebait... it must be about Zelda. No one hates Zelda. :)

For some reason the video isn't working for me, but I'll find a way to watch it here.

As for dungeons, I loved Snowhead, Great Bay, and Stone Temple dungeons in MM. In fact, in general, I think MM is highly underrated. The time aspect is so incredibly neat (and handled so well). And MM had SO many sidequests... I love that stuff. The main game was fairly short compared to OOT, but the 4 dungeons were rock solid.

I still the best Zelda dungeon of all time is the Forest Temple in OOT, though. I still get goosebumps thinking about the twisted corridor... the two wolves when you first come in... the awesome music, and the absolutely phenomenal boss. It's the best dungeon in a game loaded with AAA dungeons, and that's the highest praise I can give it.

Who else here loved the Forest Temple?

Duskan @ Oct 23rd 2006 5:04AM

My favourite dungeon in Ocarina of Time was the Spirit Temple. The boss (Twinrova) is also friggin amazing. Excellent music and I get a feeling of nostaliga every time I think about it. You are also really excited in that temple because it is the last temple before Ganon's castle. I do have to agree the Forest temple is also great.

OK, I gotta get my GameCube out of the closet again now and fire up Ocarina of Time bonus disc. Relive the good old days!

shivr @ Oct 23rd 2006 5:26AM

My favorite dungeon: Stone tower temple in MM. The music is amazingly addictive, the flipping of the whole level thing and having to use all the transformations and the maze elements and complex puzzles with the built in time limit were just... the feeling you got after reaching the top of that huge ladder just to get to the place. Almost made you dizzy, and the dungeon itself just looked so creepy and ghostly... God I wanna play MM again ;__; Damn my siblings for taking the game with them when my family moved...

Matthew @ Oct 23rd 2006 8:38AM

Even though the characters of Legend of Zelda are amongst my least favourite, I like the games, and I am greatful for the innovations it had to create future games. Just seeing some of this actually made me think of so many games that just have the same look and partially feel. My brother and I played Pokemon (God knows I regret it now) and it's just the same overhead view, just the battles are different.

Thank you for inspiring so many great game designers.

Grant @ Oct 23rd 2006 6:20PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda_series#Nature_of_the_protagonist

n8dogg @ Oct 23rd 2006 11:22PM

I said it before and I'll say it again: Zelda is the only reason why I haven't completely jumped off the Nintendo ship. My Gamecube was SOLEY bought for the series. Oh sure, I played the other stuff, but no amounts of mushrooms, Arwings or Metroids could ever replace the glee I felt when I stabbed Ganon in the head.

eno @ Oct 24th 2006 10:16PM

I am actually re-playing all the zelda games for LoZ:TP thanks to the zelda collectors disk that came with the gamecube that has zelda 1 and 2, ocarina, and majoras mask. I also just got links awakening and the oracles. I still need to get minish cap and then i will have all GOOD zelda games because the 2 that were on that crappy phillips system actually sucked.

snapperdragon @ Oct 28th 2006 11:22AM

Wow, the Zelda series is POWERFUL. I don't consider myself as actually having gotten started with Zelda (recently just started Ocarina), but the music/theme gives me goose bumps already. Should this be happening?

I'm psyched and will work on playing through Ocarina at least (not to mention MM and Windwalkers, if time allows) so that I can be "ready" for TP.

YeerKiller9 @ Nov 5th 2006 3:08AM

"BTW, my friends and I always pronounced Majora with the spanish J "ma-hor-uh"... but on the video he says it with a hard J... have I been wrong this whole time?"

It's pronounced with the hard J. The Japanese name for the game is Majura no Kamen (Mask of Majura). The Japanese pronounce J as a hard J. When the name was localized to the US, they changed it from Majura to Majora, but it would still have the hard J sound.