Classic NES Series: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

 Game Boy Advance
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 78 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 78
  3. Negative: 15 out of 78
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  1. Juggernaut920
    Jan 28, 2013
    10
    The difficulty of this game turns a lot of people off. This isn't your typical Zelda game. With that being said, it revolutionized the franchise, using a few of the aspects still seen today. The fact that it doesn't exactly "feel" like future Zelda's is not a bad thing.
  2. GuyWhoDoesStuff
    Nov 10, 2013
    10
    This game is brutally difficult. However it is also brutally fun its an absolute blast to play and it's five dollars on the virtual console so go buy it
  3. Simobros17
    Oct 25, 2015
    10
    E' molto bello......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
  4. camussetien
    Dec 22, 2015
    10
    I do not understand the bad reputation of this game ... it is wonderful !!!!! To my taste a lot and enjoy me ..... honestly, I am convinced that the people who give such low notes have not played enough with him , an adventure game fledged and extreme difficulty, especially in his last palace, a huge world , a variety of enemies , magic , lunges , perfect gameplay, secrets in every cornerI do not understand the bad reputation of this game ... it is wonderful !!!!! To my taste a lot and enjoy me ..... honestly, I am convinced that the people who give such low notes have not played enough with him , an adventure game fledged and extreme difficulty, especially in his last palace, a huge world , a variety of enemies , magic , lunges , perfect gameplay, secrets in every corner , good music , in short, easily meets all the requirements you may be required to zelda .

    No comprendo la mala fama de este juego...es una maravilla!!!!! A mi me gusto muchisimo y disfrute como pocas veces.....sinceramente, estoy convencido que la gente que le da unas notas tan bajas no han jugado lo suficiente con él, un juego de aventuras en toda regla y de dificultad extrema, sobre todo en su ultimo palacio, un mundo enorme, variedad de enemigos, magias, estocadas, una jugabilidad perfecta, secretos en cada rincon, buena musica , en fin, cumple con creces todos los requisitos que se le puede exigir a un zelda.    … Expand
  5. Jacer200
    Aug 18, 2013
    8
    This review is the the 3DS eShop. Wow I just got done beating this game and my the palms of my hands are still sweaty. This is an awesome game to play. Not to mention how stinking hard it is. I was using virtual console saves and the game was still kicking my but. Just to get through to the next section in certain dungeons was a win. I don't know how anyone could have beaten this gameThis review is the the 3DS eShop. Wow I just got done beating this game and my the palms of my hands are still sweaty. This is an awesome game to play. Not to mention how stinking hard it is. I was using virtual console saves and the game was still kicking my but. Just to get through to the next section in certain dungeons was a win. I don't know how anyone could have beaten this game going into the Great Palace on three lives. But I finally finished a game I have always wanted to beat.… Expand
  6. GamecubeLover
    Jul 27, 2016
    10
    If I rated the NES in metascore I would rate this a 77/100. But the GBA port is better and another plus is you can play it almost anywhere and the game is good in general.
  7. Apolo13
    Sep 6, 2012
    0
    I like The Legend of Zelda games, but not this one. The gameplay is too different from the other games of the franchise, just like western Super Mario Bros. 2. Also, it's difficulty is extremely high even for it's time, making it rather a frustrating than a fun experience. I recommend almost every Zelda game except this one.
  8. Watermelon789
    Jun 27, 2012
    6
    As a HUGE fan of TLOZ , the biggest flop started with Zelda II , and I'm not saying it's wrong at all but it doesn't feel like a true TLOZ experience . Even with this port , it doesn't do anything significantly dramatic to make it better. Still for TLOZ fans it's worth a try .
  9. tarodnet
    Dec 30, 2011
    10
    Oh, yes, my favourite Zelda for one reason: the first Zelda I played long time ago!

    Ok. Really. This Zelda is a good game with lovely unique components. I.e: magic, good length, the possibility of learning techniques, experience points and a lot of places or characters which will be used in other Zelda games.
  10. SirMeowsAlot349
    Aug 8, 2017
    0
    Worst game i have ever played! What really makes me sad is that it's a legend of zelda game! It's way too hard, the enemy's move to fast, and the game is just boring! Don't buy this awful game!
  11. AB
    Nov 8, 2004
    8
    This is the worst Zelda game since the CD-i games by Philips. But that is saying nothing. This is an amazing adventure, but sometimes it just doesn't feel like Zelda.
  12. MP83
    Aug 10, 2005
    7
    Reminds me from Falcom's "Ys III: Wanderers from Ys" game. Both are really different compared to their predecessors. Still, not a bad game, just different.
  13. [Anonymous]
    Oct 27, 2004
    10
    This game will roxors j00r boxers! Go buy it now!
  14. TrueJustice123
    Jul 7, 2014
    7
    Okay, I want to get this out of the way first. No, its not like any other Zelda Game (As of yet). But that doesn't mean it is necessarily bad. Plus, this was the second game, its not like the series had an established formula yet. Also, when Ocarina of Time came out, it was like no other Zelda Game at the time. No one criticized it for that. Okay, that's out of the way. Another complaintOkay, I want to get this out of the way first. No, its not like any other Zelda Game (As of yet). But that doesn't mean it is necessarily bad. Plus, this was the second game, its not like the series had an established formula yet. Also, when Ocarina of Time came out, it was like no other Zelda Game at the time. No one criticized it for that. Okay, that's out of the way. Another complaint is that "It's too hard!" Well, yes, I have never beaten it, but a game being hard doesn't mean it is bad! Dark Souls and Mario Two/The Lost Levels were hard and still are! They were never criticized for that! I honestly don't see what's so bad about this game. It isn't the best Zelda Game by any means, but it isn't bad.… Expand
  15. nervioso2009
    Jul 25, 2019
    4
    Un juego que intentó cosas diferentes y algunas, como la barra de magia se quedaron en posteriores entregas de la saga. Pero en mi opinión el juego es imposible pasarselo en la época sin guía o hoy día sin internet, la dificultad está totalmente rota con enemigos apareciendote de repente en decimas de segundo, y ni la música ni los escenarios, ni tampoco la historia son muy memorables. EsUn juego que intentó cosas diferentes y algunas, como la barra de magia se quedaron en posteriores entregas de la saga. Pero en mi opinión el juego es imposible pasarselo en la época sin guía o hoy día sin internet, la dificultad está totalmente rota con enemigos apareciendote de repente en decimas de segundo, y ni la música ni los escenarios, ni tampoco la historia son muy memorables. Es un juego que jugué porque se llama Zelda pero la verdad que es un estilo muy diferente que no me acabó de convencer.

    4/10    … Expand
  16. Rainman13
    Feb 5, 2016
    10
    Props to this game for not following the path that its revolutionary prequel established. This game tried something completely new and pulled it off well. Incredibly difficult though.
  17. Meta1234
    Apr 25, 2018
    0
    Super difficult, unplayable game. Total failure for me. Zero. What were they thinking when they made this game.
  18. Mielivalta
    Dec 25, 2018
    10
    I played Zelda as a kid and loved it. I replayed it as an adult with my son and we both loved it. Levels are challenging, progression rewarding and music awesome. Unlike some modern AAA titles.
  19. giannis2001
    Sep 7, 2022
    5
    I am in love with Zelda series. But man, I dragged through this game. It's not bad but it's incredibly difficult. I liked the adventure part, the puzzles and how everything is hidden, but the enemies, combat and controls are just atrocious. I played this game on Switch, with the reverse mechanic, and it's the only reason I went to beat it. I would have quit long before. It's literally moreI am in love with Zelda series. But man, I dragged through this game. It's not bad but it's incredibly difficult. I liked the adventure part, the puzzles and how everything is hidden, but the enemies, combat and controls are just atrocious. I played this game on Switch, with the reverse mechanic, and it's the only reason I went to beat it. I would have quit long before. It's literally more difficult than Dark Souls. As much as I love Zelda series, I will admit that this one is aged and not enjoyable. The first one is way better than this.… Expand
  20. Frost_Cube
    Feb 3, 2021
    5
    Absolutely brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!
  21. Tomatonato
    Jan 31, 2023
    2
    I enjoy Zelda 2. Good sequel to a good game. Very well thought out. I love the random encounters.
  22. RetroChedder
    May 15, 2023
    10
    I mean its literally just the legend of Zelda II, it does exactly what it says its going to do, and that is perfect
  23. DaG4mE
    Jun 1, 2023
    4
    Zelda II was notoriously difficult. I played the Nintendo switch digital console version of this game. It was a pain. The enemies are difficult, if you want to pass through dungeons, you better save up on magic. The regular enemies in this game are difficult to deal with and that's not even counting the bosses.
    There is one thing that this game does right: the music. Zelda II's soundtrack    Zelda II was notoriously difficult. I played the Nintendo switch digital console version of this game. It was a pain. The enemies are difficult, if you want to pass through dungeons, you better save up on magic. The regular enemies in this game are difficult to deal with and that's not even counting the bosses.
    There is one thing that this game does right: the music. Zelda II's soundtrack is the only reason its a 4.0 because I literally cannot find anything else that's good about it.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2004
11
#11 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2004
7
#7 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Armchair Empire
    85
    This is the only Zelda game I can think of that used experience points to level-up. Other than that, you're dealing with a typical (and engrossing) Legend of Zelda experience.
    Read full review
  2. GameCube Advanced
    74
    Any game that holds up more than a decade later is definitely one to watch, and Zelda II is one of these games.
    Read full review
  3. Nintendojo
    72
    I have to say that I was surprised how good the game actually was and how badly the game gets trashed nowadays. Sure, it may be the worst in the series of Zelda titles, but it's by no means a bad game.
    Read full review
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