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Legend of Zelda, The (Classic NES Series)
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 16 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 8 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre(s): Role-Playing Game, Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: June 7, 2004
Summary
(Also known as "Zelda no Densetsu 1 (Famicom Mini Series)") The game that redefined gaming. Embark on a quest to save Princess Zelda, slay Ganon and find the Triforce in this timeless epic that single-handedly invented the adventure genre. It's part of the NES Classic Series of specially priced legendary games! [Nintendo]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (Classic NES Series)
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Pocket Games
Not only is this the best game of the classic series, it's arguably the best game in the history of the NES. [Summer 2004, p.14]
Cinescape
Perhaps the game with the longest playtime of any released in this series, ZELDA not only features a long quest, but a Master Quest that doubles the length of the game.
Read Full Review >Play Magazine
More than any other game in the Classic NES series, The Legend of Zelda is just as good now as it was back in the '80s. [Aug 2004, p.61]
GameZone
One of the best games to be released on the NES years ago, and even though it is over fifteen years old, it still retains the fun factor as it did back then.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
The graphics show the game's age (released in 1987), but the Legend of Zelda's gameplay stands the test of time, showing why the adventure that introduced Link continues to be a huge influence on game design. [July 2004, p.121]
GamePro
If there is one Classic NES cart to throw your nickel to, it's this one. Trust us on this. [Sept 2004, p.93]
Read Full Review >1UP
A huge, involving quest full of secrets, challenge and bonuses. The intensely difficult Second Quest remains one of the greatest unlockable extras in the history of the medium. And it's all captured beautifully on this GBA cart.
Read Full Review >netjak
The important thing to understand is that you’re getting exactly that, being the version that came out for the NES; you get nothing more and nothing less. More than any of the other NES re-releases, though, The Legend of Zelda is easily worth the $20 investment, despite the lack of updates and occasional slowdown.
Read Full Review >Nintendojo
Zelda has aged rather gracefully compared to some of the games from its time, and it's worth picking up for the portability factor alone.
Read Full Review >GameCube Advanced
This game is definitely the highlight of the collection, and is well worth the money.
Read Full Review >IGN
The value of the game's been diminished a tad due to Nintendo giving it away to GameCube owners last year, so a 20 dollar pricetag just to have it on-the-go might be a bit much to handle. But if the price isn't an object, go for it...the game still holds a ton of play value more than fifteen years after its debut.
Read Full Review >BonusStage
This is a mediocre re-release of a great game that is adequate, yet one can’t help but wonder how great it might have been if Nintendo hadn’t rushed it to the market.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Though the game is old and has been followed up by plenty of other, deeper games in the series, The Legend of Zelda still holds up quite well, making it one of the only games in Nintendo's Classic NES Series that is worth the $20 price tag.
Read Full Review >AceGamez
Whilst it isn't as good as the other traditional Zelda games and lacks many of their features, this is the one that started it all and it is indeed a very enjoyable game. The graphics hold up well but are not incredible, of course.
Read Full Review >GBA Central
But for those of you who have yet to play the NES title, unless you’re extremely curious as to how the Zelda franchise started, you’re better off without this mediocre ‘adventure’. Nintendo, lay this one to rest.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
E Bidd gave it a10:
I completely disagree with GBA Central. Nintendo should NEVER lay this one to rest! When I think back to my top 5 games of all time, this one is always on the list! Infinite replay! Long live The Legend of Zelda!
Alan B. gave it a9:
It's a remake so what do you expect. I like it though because it was so well made before and it stood that way even when it went to the GBA. Good job nintendo keep up the good work.
Will P. gave it a10:
One of the greatest games in the history of video games.
Jeff G. gave it an8:
This is a great game! Classic too, looks beautiful on the GBA. Only reason I gave it an 8 is because at some points it did drive me nutz, mainly with the saving system. But whatever still a must have, especially for thoes of us who plaied it on the original Nintendo!
Paul H. gave it a7:
Certainly has aged, i forgot how hard this game is, I'm expierencing a lot of slow down. still classic zelda though, worth buying for 15 bucks, actually I only got it for 7 dollars so I don't feel cheated the least bit.
MP83 gave it a10:
Very nice game for a very nice price. Actually, I'm really glad that Nintendo didn't re-touched the game and remade its contents. I think it's better this way, since I like my games with pure gameplay, without any storylines to slow down the action. You only need to ignore the outdated graphics and you're good to go. =)
Douglas R. gave it a 10:
I love this game, everybody HAS to buy it!
