Classic NES Series: The Legend of Zelda

 Game Boy Advance
Classic NES Series: The Legend of Zelda Image
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

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  • Summary: In this classic NES game, you'll embark on a quest to find the Triforce, slay Ganon, and save Princess Zelda. The Legend of Zelda comes to the Game Boy Advance, complete with all the dungeons, puzzles, and menacing enemies from the original game. As Link, you can brandish a variety ofIn this classic NES game, you'll embark on a quest to find the Triforce, slay Ganon, and save Princess Zelda. The Legend of Zelda comes to the Game Boy Advance, complete with all the dungeons, puzzles, and menacing enemies from the original game. As Link, you can brandish a variety of weapons, including swords, boomerangs, bombs, and arrows. Collect rupees to buy even more weapons and other special items. There are many secrets, hidden passages, and caves to be found in Hyrule--now you can see if you still have what it takes to find them. … Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Pocket Games
    100
    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]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Gaming Age
    91
    The game holds its own despite dated graphics and sound.
  3. GameZone
    90
    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.
  4. netjak
    85
    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.
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Nintendojo
    80
    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.
  6. BonusStage
    78
    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.
  7. GBA Central
    40
    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.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. EBidd
    Feb 16, 2007
    10
    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 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!… Expand
  2. ihatefilm
    Mar 29, 2016
    10
    "It's dangerous to go alone!" Truer words may never have been bleeped and/or blooped onto a CRT television. While it may be hard for those who"It's dangerous to go alone!" Truer words may never have been bleeped and/or blooped onto a CRT television. While it may be hard for those who started later in the series to go back to where it all started; The Legend of Zelda for the NES to this day stands as one of the greatest games, not just of that generation, but of all time.… Expand
  4. DouglasR.
    Jun 9, 2004
    10
    I love this game, everybody HAS to buy it!
  5. WillP.
    Feb 11, 2006
    10
    One of the greatest games in the history of video games.
  6. metacensorship
    Aug 28, 2016
    9
    One of the biggest game franchises ever starts with this story about some twink named Zelda fighting to save some lady with super point earsOne of the biggest game franchises ever starts with this story about some twink named Zelda fighting to save some lady with super point ears from a **** goblin or whatever. But **** I don't even know how this game got so famous, they don't even have guns or killstreaks or anything. What is this, Basic Warfare?… Expand
  7. giannis2001
    Aug 1, 2019
    8
    I actually finished this on Nintendo Switch NES app,which is playable if you have an online membership.I have completed every Zelda gameI actually finished this on Nintendo Switch NES app,which is playable if you have an online membership.I have completed every Zelda game before this xD.I just HAD to play the first one.I actually liked it a lot.Kinda harder tho from other Zelda games.Different kind of hard tho.It was a little different from the new Zelda games.If you are hardcore fan and haven't played it yet(because you weren't born this time xd) give it a try.… Expand
  8. PaulH.
    Aug 16, 2005
    7
    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 15Certainly 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.… Expand

See all 20 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2004
6
#6 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2004
5
#5 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2004