Zelda: Which one should I play first?

[OrochiEddie]

just do them all in order.

 

[SpamYouToDeath]

Four Swords Adventures > all of you


It's just like LTTP, but with pretty effects, a high framerate, and multiplayer support.

 

[smokehouse]

Exactly. Now its just a boring game thats been not only outdone by later iterations of the series, but by similar titles of its and later generations.

People need to realize its okay to dislike old games. Its no different than you trying to play with your favorite toy as a child and finding it completely simplistic and lacking in entertainment.

The funny thing is that I can still play the original Zelda and enjoy myself. Let me ask you this; are you a fan of any of the Zelda titles? The series took a huge turn when it went to 3D so if you like those titles and never played the 2D titles back in the day that I can understand why you don’t like them now.



Remember, your on a retro gaming site,,,we tend to be a bit nostalgic. Want to talk about current titles? Go to an Xbox site…

 

[smokehouse]

Four Swords Adventures > all of you


It's just like LTTP, but with pretty effects, a high framerate, and multiplayer support.

My taint > SpamYouToDeath

 

[Jack Burton]

Well put. I REALLY tried to like OoT back in the day but I played it in 2001 for the first time. I think that might have been my problem; I refused to own a N64 when it came out and missed the crucial time when OoT was new. The horrible graphics and changed gameplay (changed from Link to the Past) really turned me off.

As for Metal gear Solid on the PS1, what a masterpiece, I bought it the day it came out and was blown away.

I own a N64 and try as I may, I still hate the damn thing...

Don't forget that Ocarina of Time is in a higher resolution on the gamecube disc (same textures though). It's hard to go back to the n64 version now. It looks much better.

 

[neo_X7]

Did the NGC version of Four Swords Adventures have Zelda: Link to Past with it, like the GBA version did?

 

[DangerousK]

Am I the ONLY person thats managed to figure out that the original Zelda is REALLY fucking boring?

It depends on when you played the original Zelda.

Everyone I know who like myself played the game in the late 1980s thinks the game is a masterpiece. It really is.

When did you first play it?

If you did play it relatively close to when it came out then it just wasn't your cup of tea so to speak.

How do you feel about A Link to the Past?

 

[Tron]

Just play them in order realy that's the best way to go about it.

 

[Lagduf]

A Link to the Past
Ocarina of Time
Wind Waker

Personally I like Wind Waker a tad bit better then OoT because of it's atmosphere, but OoT is probably the better game.

 

[Loopz]

Naturally Tak, if you have the compilation disc for the Cube this makes this all quite a bit easier. I really think you'll appreciate all the games more if you play them in the order in which they were created.

I actually just played through the original Zelda, and I still find it incredibly fun and engaging. It'll blow your fucking mind how many firsts that game represents. The music is great, there are so many fun little moments and discoveries. The people are right though...if you choose to play it, kick the guides to the curb.

After the first one, it gets a little cloudy. I appreciate Zelda II a lot more than I did when I was a kid, but it isn't for everyone. At least try it though.
The first one and A Link To The Past are fucking essential games though.
LTTP still flat-out amazes. Such good music, good art, good level design, good everything. I really hope that Twilight Princess is the 3D equivalent of LTTP.
I'm playing through Ocarina right now, and it isn't really blowing up my skirt.
Won't pass judgment yet though.

 

[Loopz]

Am I the ONLY person thats managed to figure out that the original Zelda is REALLY fucking boring?

lol

I just played through it, and had a blast.
I'm unemployed right now though, so that may explain it.
Between playing that and nothing but shitty soaps on daytime TV, I feel like I'm ditching school.

 

[Takumaji]

Well... perhaps it would be best to play the games in chronological order, but given that I'm not that good at playing RPGs/action-adventures, this probably would take me a couple of years...

So, I've decidet to buy Wind Waker and track down a copy of the GC Zelda Collection, then I will probably play the games in this order: NES Zelda -> OoT -> WW... hope this isn't going to be too expensive.

There seems to be a controversy about Zelda II/Adventures of Link and Majora's Mask - what's the problem with these games? Some say Zelda II wouldn't be as good as the first one, others love it and rate it as father of modern action-adventures... ?!

And, could anyone direct me to a site with more in-depth infos about all the different Zelda releases? Just came back from browsing ebay and Amazon, which left me a tad bit confused about what systems the Zelda games came out on.

 

[smokehouse]

Try this:
http://www.zelda.com/universe/

Zelda- NES, GBA port, GC collection
Zelda II- NES, GBA port, GC collection
Zelda: A Link to te past- SNES, GBA port
Zelda: Ocraina of time- N64, GC bonus disc, GC collection
Zelda: Majora's Mask- N64, GC bonus disc, GC collection
Zelda: Wind Waker- GC
Zelda: four Swords Adventures- GC

Zelda: Link's Awakening/DX- Gameboy/color
Zelda: Oracle of Ages- GBC
Zelda: Oracle of Seasons- GBC
Zelda: The Minish Cap- GBA

I think that's all of them (except the shit CDi titles).

 

[JHendrix]

You have a way of appreciating older games, say an ability to go back and enjoy a game for when it was released.

If you can put yourself way back and enjoy a NES game, go and play Zelda 1. Burro is right though, the game really has been outdone by its sequels and my reccomendation for this may be off for you since I enjoy the game to this day, but it's probably more nostalgia.

Skip Zelda II, it sucks. I have tried and tried to get into this game, but it's not working for me.

After that the game goes in two directions, top down "Classic" Zelda that are all in the vein of Zelda III: Link to the Past. That game right there is one of the best in the series, possibly the best of these top down style Zelda games. After that there are the GBC and then the GBA games, all of which are quite good.

If you play these you'll definitely get bit by the 16bit bug and will be in heaven.

Then there are the 3D Zeldas. Ocarina of Time is the most worthwhile one, and IMO is the best game in the series. I treat Majoras Mask like Zelda II, just skip it.

Wind Waker is fun, but after playing Ocarina of Time it's a let down. Gameplay wise if falls short. The combat and mechanics are awesome, better than Ocarina of Time, but the game is quite short and the dungeons aren't as good. Also once you get past a certain point in the game you can just tell that what you're left to do before you can complete the game is very much just filler there to extend the game. Very sad since it is a very fun ride.


Overall I'd say go:

Zelda 1
Link to the Past
Ocarina of Time
Wind Waker
Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (GBC Version)
Oracle of Ages (GBC)
Oracle of Seasons (GBC)
Minish Cap (GBA)
Four Swords

Though with Four Swords, as a single player Zelda, it's not that good. But with 4 friends who enjoy the 16 bit style Zeldas, it's awesome. It's not a bad game by yourself, but if you have the opportunity to play it with 4 likeminded individuals, it's awesome.

 

[AppleiDog]

the zelda collection for cube was bought out for the cube in europe but only came with a special mario kart pack. i have the zelda collection very good and it also comes with a little history about the games and 20minute wind waker demo so it is a very very good disc also get a gameboy player so you can play all the zelda's on one machine.

 

[2Dfan]

Zelda 3 > all others.

 

[Takumaji]

Thanks smokehouse and JHendrix, just the info I needed.

Good thinking with the GB player there, AppleiDog, totally forgot about that one... I'm not a huge fan of handhelds so this will definitely save me some trouble.

I just bought a copy of the GC Zelda collection disc for € 30 via ebay buy-now... really looking forward to it.

heh, anyone remember the "fanboy wars" Zelda vs. Phantasy Star? IIRC, PS came out on SMS a few months after NES Zelda, and even tho Zelda was more successful in its first christmas season, PS managed to take a nice bite of the cake... those were the days!

 

[Amano Jacu]

A link to the past (snes or GBA) -> Ocarina (N64) -> Wind Waker (GC)

That's the order I played them and I think it's the best one for a newbie to the series. And I think Ocarina is the best in the series. Fuck the haters.

 

[voodoodoctorx]

A link to the past (snes or GBA) -> Ocarina (N64)(GC) -> Wind Waker (GC)

That's the order I played them and I think it's the best one for a newbie to the series. And I think Ocarina is the best in the series. Fuck the haters.

i been there since the beginning and thats the order id go too

ocarina of time > all

 

[Magnaflux]

Am I the ONLY person thats managed to figure out that the original Zelda is REALLY fucking boring?

That game bored me to tears when it was new.

LttP is where its at.

 

[kernow]

link to the past I guess, although OOT has the story and WW has the presentation.

you're gonna hate them anyway as theres no iori

 

[Takumaji]

you're gonna hate them anyway as theres no iori

 

[kernow]

Sorry man, I just dont think you'll find or see the appeal.

running around with a crap wooden sword and sheild is the essence, hell the developer even does it like at E3 et cetera.

yes...

play LTTP though, I guess.

 

[galfordo]

Start with the original Legend of Zelda for the NES.

Fuck the haters.

 

[Spike Spiegel]

So, I've decidet to buy Wind Waker and track down a copy of the GC Zelda Collection, then I will probably play the games in this order: NES Zelda -> OoT -> WW... hope this isn't going to be too expensive.

Jesus, no. If you can walk away with one thing from this thread, you have to play Link to the Past on SNES. If you can play only one Zelda, let it be that one. Skip the NES one and do LTTP first. Trust me.