The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

 Game Boy Advance
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap Image
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89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 56 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 450 Ratings

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  • Summary: Link returns in an all-new Game Boy Advance adventure. When the sorcerer Vaati turns Princess Zelda to stone, the king of Hyrule sends Link on a quest that takes him to all-new locations. Using the power of a mystical hat called the Minish Cap, Link must travel through a fantastic world rifeLink returns in an all-new Game Boy Advance adventure. When the sorcerer Vaati turns Princess Zelda to stone, the king of Hyrule sends Link on a quest that takes him to all-new locations. Using the power of a mystical hat called the Minish Cap, Link must travel through a fantastic world rife with new items, puzzles, and bosses. As Link, you can shrink down to either battle large enemies from within or find secret items. You can also unlock items and solve puzzles by fusing together magic relics.… Expand
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Nintendo E3 2004 Press Conference Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 56
  3. Negative: 0 out of 56
  1. GBA Central
    100
    The game may be short by the franchise's standards, but every minute of it is breathtaking.
  2. GameCube Advanced
    98
    The overworld map -- while bearing minor resemblance to the layout of previous games -- is much larger than you'd think and the dungeons are as big, fiendish and ingenious as ever with a perfect learning curve.
  3. My Gamer
    94
    The graphics, especially when zoomed in, are breath taking and the new remixed classic Zelda tunes fit the game perfectly. Unfortunately, the quest seems to end a little short.
  4. GamerFeed
    90
    Compared to past 2D Zelda titles, Minish Cap is bursting with personality and detail. Little touches, such as the expression on Link's face and accompanying scream as he rides a mine cart, his disheveled hair, the smart-talking Ezlo, the creative new gadgets and detailed environments help to give the game a certain charm.
  5. IGN
    90
    It's a Zelda adventure done right, and fits like a glove within the long line of successful titles in the series across all of Nintendo's gaming platforms.
  6. Pocket Games
    90
    Lots of fresh and tasty new gameplay added to the Zelda mix. [Spring 2005, p.73]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Cheat Code Central
    60
    What I am beginning to find most troubling is the developers penchant for including items and characters from previous games to the point of ad nauseum already. Anyone who has played a Link game will be totally familiar with the numerous items in the game and that's ruined some of the surprise and enjoyment for me.
    All this publication's reviews

See all 56 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 88 out of 98
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 98
  3. Negative: 3 out of 98
  1. doodlerman
    Jun 18, 2011
    10
    One thing I love about the Zelda series that never ceases to impress me, is the fact that each game introduces an entirely new world, even ifOne thing I love about the Zelda series that never ceases to impress me, is the fact that each game introduces an entirely new world, even if the world is one we should be familiar with. Despite being shorter than most Zelda games, I loved the style and lore introduced in this one, as I do with it in most other Zelda games. Sure it was lighter in one sense, but the villain is great and the level design is probably the best I've seen out of all the 2D Zelda games. The story kind of reminds me of a Miyazaki movie and the amount you can do around the world, like in any Zelda game, is vast - and in order to unlock everything due to a certain timescale centered around the completion of dungeons, there's a pretty good replay value to it. Also, at first I was iffy with the fact that your hat talks and acts as your "fairy" character, but in the long run it was very enjoyable factor and also the ability to change size from normal to small and back again was awesome. It's a really good game!… Expand
  2. Neos
    Mar 19, 2008
    10
    why are all the bad reviews by reviewers you never hear of or ones that dont know a thing about video games new york times wtf cheat code why are all the bad reviews by reviewers you never hear of or ones that dont know a thing about video games new york times wtf cheat code central sounds like they should stick to cheat codes. Now to every one who says this game is to hard suck it up the puzzles are a 5 out of 10 vati is a 7 out of ten… Expand
  4. Phuz
    Apr 19, 2020
    10
    Top down Zelda's are the best and this one all though I'm only half through has been great fun. More complex than I expected.
  5. joehi1
    Dec 12, 2017
    9
    The Legend of Zelda The Minish Cap is the best of the portable Zelda games by far. It's wonderful art style and the fluidity of the combatThe Legend of Zelda The Minish Cap is the best of the portable Zelda games by far. It's wonderful art style and the fluidity of the combat within the game reveal such an underrated and amazing entry into the Zelda franchise. The game has an intriguing story surrounding a villain other than Ganon known as Vaati, an while he may not be as strong of an antagonist as Ganon Vaati still does the job. Link's arsenal in this game has plenty of the old weapons fans will know and love, but it also has the brand new items that are completely unique to the Minish Cap. In addition, the unique Kinstone mechanic adds a lot to the game world and is an interesting way to cause the player to have to backtrack. At know no point did I find myself angry that I had to backtrack, only excited to see he new treasure I was going to get, or enemy | was going to face. Despite being shorter than most other main series Zelda games The Minish Cap holds up extremely well with it's bright handheld visuals and it's fantastic gameplay. Any Nintendo fan or Zelda fan that hasn't already played the Minish Cap must definitely try it as soon as possible because it's truly one of the best Zelda games and one of the best handheld games of all time.

    Cons
    Shorter then average Zelda game
    Can be too easy for some players    … Expand
  6. Gugu2423
    Mar 15, 2023
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great game love the boss and how we need to use most of the tools to beat it and how every boss was fresh.
    Finished 03/15/22    … Expand
  7. Jobni
    Feb 14, 2023
    8
    It’s a nice game but not one of my favorites. I don't think it's particularly difficult and I don't think it takes long to complete the game.It’s a nice game but not one of my favorites. I don't think it's particularly difficult and I don't think it takes long to complete the game. The only time I was a little bit challenged was against the final boss. But as always there is a good storyline and it’s fun to play.… Expand
  8. Nachocagna
    Aug 25, 2021
    0
    es imposible pasarse este juego sin una guía, hay partes en la que es imposible saber a dónde ir en partes porque el juego no da indicios,es imposible pasarse este juego sin una guía, hay partes en la que es imposible saber a dónde ir en partes porque el juego no da indicios, ademas es inentendible porque el juego es fácil en su desarrollo pero al final se vuelve imposible de pasar. Curva de dificultad mala, imposible saber que hacer en partes y nada innovador. Muy mal juego.… Expand

See all 98 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2005
2
#2 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2005
2
#2 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2005