Classic NES Series: The Legend of Zelda

 Game Boy Advance
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 119 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 93 out of 119
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 119
  3. Negative: 5 out of 119
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  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 is always on the list! Infinite replay! Long live The Legend of Zelda!
  2. WillP.
    Feb 11, 2006
    10
    One of the greatest games in the history of video games.
  3. evanbiddulph
    Jan 4, 2011
    10
    Here's my Top 50 games of all time:

    The Legend of Zelda a Link to the Past
    Super Metroid
    The Legend of Zelda
    Metroid Prime (Trilogy)
    Banjo-Kazooie
    Resident Evil 4
    Tetris DS
    Words with Friends (Scrabble)
    Super Mario Galaxy
    Mike Tysonâ
  4. St33rpike
    Jul 18, 2012
    10
    For one of the first adventure games, it's amazing how much they got right with this one. The saving system makes sense; the combat is fun and challenging; the difficulty increases gradually; the items are cool; there's a "leveling" system because of increased power and better weaponry, yet this doesn't become a distraction like it does in some games; and, it started an incredibly strongFor one of the first adventure games, it's amazing how much they got right with this one. The saving system makes sense; the combat is fun and challenging; the difficulty increases gradually; the items are cool; there's a "leveling" system because of increased power and better weaponry, yet this doesn't become a distraction like it does in some games; and, it started an incredibly strong series. This is probably the best adventure game for the original NES, and is still fun to play.… Expand
  5. Jacer200
    Aug 11, 2013
    10
    This is for the 3DS version. This is a classic nostalgia game. Over all you can complete the game in about 5 hours but will give you a life time of joy. This game is the ultimate grand daddy of all action-adventure games. You can not call yourself a gamer if you haven't played this game. This game is being sold for $5 on the Nintendo e-shop and is worth every penny.
  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 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?
  7. DouglasR.
    Jun 9, 2004
    10
    I love this game, everybody HAS to buy it!
  8. MP83
    Aug 10, 2005
    10
    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. =)
  9. AlanB.
    Apr 19, 2006
    9
    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.
  10. JesseR
    Jan 18, 2010
    7
    This is the game that started it all. It really is a true classic, and sure, the graphics are a bit old, but you have to remember that this game is from 1987. One of its biggest drawbacks is how ridiculously hard it is; I
  11. JoshuaL.
    May 26, 2004
    10
    The Legend of Zelda is hands down the best gaming series in the world! And the fact that they are re-releasing it for the GBA just Rocks!! I hope to see Zelda II also! Good Job Nintendo for one of your best ideas to date!!! (now what about Mario RPG for GBA!?)
  12. 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 15 bucks, actually I only got it for 7 dollars so I don't feel cheated the least bit.
  13. JeffG.
    Jan 25, 2006
    8
    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!
  14. Starfighters76
    Aug 4, 2012
    10
    I have dying to play the legend of zelda on the NES but i certainly did not expect the game on GBA which was very good. The normal mode is a bit repetitive but fun. the game could last you a month no more it was too fun in the beginning but a bit too hard for newbies i have not tried a link to the past but I'm gonna very soon out of 10 i would rate this 18
  15. bonnin40
    Feb 18, 2013
    7
    This is a really awesome, bang on port of the classic nes title. same great music, same legendary gameplay, this is truly the stuff of legend. the only reason why my score is so low, is because its just a straight up port, no more, no less.. Thats obviously a good thing, as they dont try to change a good thing, rather they release it as is, and i wouldnt have it any other way. Basic,This is a really awesome, bang on port of the classic nes title. same great music, same legendary gameplay, this is truly the stuff of legend. the only reason why my score is so low, is because its just a straight up port, no more, no less.. Thats obviously a good thing, as they dont try to change a good thing, rather they release it as is, and i wouldnt have it any other way. Basic, simple, classic gameplay, and one of the best ways to experience the beginning of the master works known, as the legend of zelda series.… Expand
  16. TaraDarveaux
    Jun 5, 2014
    10
    This wasn't the first Legend of Zelda game I played, but it is a classic, and it is great. VERY hard at some points, and so unforgiving, but you'll feel really accomplished when you finish it. Stick it out, and utilize those fairies and potions.
  17. 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 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.
  18. Samsararan
    Jan 7, 2018
    10
    This game has 30 years all and has all the concepts of the Zelda series that we are playing right now. You can start this game I see it for yourself. The genius of this game is so big that i have to score whit no less than a 10.
  19. giannis2001
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    This game gave birth to the best franchise in gaming. It brought so many new things that changed gaming in general. I will always love this game.
  20. RZaga
    Jan 28, 2020
    8
    The game that revolutionized the adventure genre. This game aged extremely well, still giving players giddiness whenever they explore something new.

    The dungeons can be merciless at times, being extremely difficult and downright insane during some rooms. This only adds to the greatness of the game, as it only motivates you to try again and get better and better. Getting past a difficult    The game that revolutionized the adventure genre. This game aged extremely well, still giving players giddiness whenever they explore something new.

    The dungeons can be merciless at times, being extremely difficult and downright insane during some rooms. This only adds to the greatness of the game, as it only motivates you to try again and get better and better. Getting past a difficult stage always brings out good feelings.

    Some of the screens and enemies on the overworld feel more and more repetitive the longer you play, which sometimes gives you a feeling of "ugh I have to get through this again". This, thankfully, does only little to suck out the fun of this classic game    … Expand
  21. Frost_Cube
    Mar 21, 2021
    7
    Absolutely brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!
  22. MeteoritoDbl1
    Mar 9, 2021
    8
    En mi opinión este juego es un muy gran juego si tenemos en cuenta de que salió en 1986, con todas las limitaciones que eso significa, me parece un título adelantado a su tiempo ofreciéndonos total libertad para hacer lo que queramos y con unos controles muy básicos. Si bien es cierto que hoy en día pueden resultar un poco ortopédicos y no todo lo precisos del mundo, no cuesta nada hacerseEn mi opinión este juego es un muy gran juego si tenemos en cuenta de que salió en 1986, con todas las limitaciones que eso significa, me parece un título adelantado a su tiempo ofreciéndonos total libertad para hacer lo que queramos y con unos controles muy básicos. Si bien es cierto que hoy en día pueden resultar un poco ortopédicos y no todo lo precisos del mundo, no cuesta nada hacerse con ellos.
    Como parte negativa no se puede pasar por alto la poca información que el juego te da, y si, el juego en su versión original venía con una guía en el manual de instrucciones, sin embargo si llegas a perder esa guía estas completamente perdido y es p´rácticamente imposible continuar con la aventura. Es por ello que no le he puesto un 9 al juego.

    Sin embargo a día de hoy esto no es un problema debido a que con simplemente poner el nombre del juego en google ya nos saldrían numerosas guías.

    La dificultad del juego me parece bastante óptima, el juego se puede volver algo más complicado en algunas partes y más fácil en otras, pero por lo general no es un juego que sea imposible, ni tampoco el juego más fácil del mundo.

    Recomendaría el juego sin ninguna duda siempre y cuando se vaya a jugar con una guía, debido a que sin ella la experiencia del juego es bastante mala y podría llevarnos a la impaciencia y desesperación con el juego dando como resultado que apaguemos la consola. Por otro lado la experiencia del juego con guía se vuelve totalmente diferente convirtiéndose este en un juego verdaderamente entretenido y que, sin duda nos va a regalar muchas horas de entretenimiento.    … Expand
  23. grimreapersims
    Sep 7, 2021
    7
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  24. ElRagnarLocro
    Mar 30, 2022
    7
    Juego brillante para su época, probablemente de lo mejor de la NES. Pese a que hoy en día ya no envejeció bien, sigue siendo disfrutable:
    Nota Final: 7.4
  25. FireBroFilms
    Aug 15, 2022
    5
    ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎
  26. ANAKISS
    Sep 1, 2023
    8
    Difficulties of this game are well balanced, but the few puzzles are recognizable just using a guide. At least there are a lot of power ups that can help you making more damages or increase your defense, also the enemies aren't impossible to kill and sometimes they also drop some Heart or rupees
  27. Hate_
    May 31, 2023
    10
    People who don't review this game seriously are stupid. This game is one of the greatest titles for any system. I wish that I could review the original NES one, but they don't have that one on this site.
  28. DaG4mE
    Jun 1, 2023
    7
    The game can be very frustrating to deal with at times (because of the fact there are some things on the over world that might not be so obvious without a guide). That being said, I like the music, the game play is fine. It legit is a decent start to a series that has come out with two recently great games in the last 6 years.

Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2004
7
#7 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2004
5
#5 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. AceGamez
    70
    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.
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. 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]
See all critic reviews »