The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

 Game Boy Advance
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 727 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 651 out of 727
  2. Mixed: 47 out of 727
  3. Negative: 29 out of 727
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  1. JesseR
    Jan 18, 2010
    10
    Out of all of the pre-Ocarina Zelda games, A Link to the Past is definitely the best. The depth of the game, including both its Light and Dark world, as well as the many secrets and items found, make it one of the best Zelda titles there is. The sheer number of dungeons and difficulty of the game make it one of the longer Zelda games I
  2. davenbettridge
    Jun 28, 2011
    10
    One of greatest adventures I under took in my late childhood was playing The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past! Many claim that Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the best Zelda game, and while indeed it is excellent, the real masterpiece that Ocarina was built from is A Link to the Past. The gamed design, gameplay, art design, quest design, dungeon layout, themes, items, pacing, and story allOne of greatest adventures I under took in my late childhood was playing The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past! Many claim that Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the best Zelda game, and while indeed it is excellent, the real masterpiece that Ocarina was built from is A Link to the Past. The gamed design, gameplay, art design, quest design, dungeon layout, themes, items, pacing, and story all were set out here that Ocarina and the later Zelda titles would follow. When I finished this game over a summer while young I felt as if I had finished a great quest, an epic journey. There have been few games that brought this level and feeling of satisfaction. But this game is not a masterpiece because I enjoyed it as a child, Zelda: A Link to the Past is one of the best crafted and designed action/adventure video games of all time with or without nostalgia.… Expand
  3. Puddle
    Dec 12, 2002
    10
    I simply love this game!!!!!
  4. LukeH.
    Jan 7, 2003
    10
    This game is the greatest game ever made! It was tremendous on the SNES and i've played many many games on many many other systems since, and no game even comes close to a Link to the Past.
  5. M.B.
    Feb 15, 2003
    10
    Link to the past is the best Zelda game ever, but i don't know anyone else with a gameboy advance and the same game, so i can't play four swords...I just wish that they made something so that you could play Four Swords with computer players.
  6. Jeimz
    Jan 21, 2012
    10
    I cant decide on my favorite Zelda game, being an avid fan of the series, but this one seems to be leading the race right now, there's just nothing negative about this game. I enjoyed every dungeon and every boss battle, the old graphics don't inhibit it, if anything it makes the game better. I recommend this game to just about everyone.
  7. gameswipe42
    Sep 27, 2015
    9
    The best Zelda game, no doubt. Great story and characters. Hyrule has always been one of my favorite Nintendo settings. Definitely goes down as one of Nintendo's greatest. Link Between Worlds is a great successor to it.
  8. Barnes1987
    Mar 6, 2017
    10
    My favorite game of all time. This game came out on the Super Nintendo in 1991 and set the real standard for all future Zelda games. The very definition of MASTERPIECE!
  9. LordBaniTV
    Aug 5, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's one of my favourite Zelda Games ever. Sometimes a little random and in the later half you're mostly just running from dungeon to dungeon but the dungeons and overall Gameplay are pretty fun regardless. If you haven't yet, you need to experience this game yourself, just give it a it's a classic!… Expand
  10. RZaga
    Jan 31, 2020
    10
    The very best game on the SNES and one of the best of the Zelda series. Getting new items felt immensely good and keeps the gameplay fresh and interesting. The dungeons had so many difficult puzzles and challenges but accomplishing them and figuring out the solutions brought out a great feeling of satisfaction. The world was fun to explore as well, with surprises and secrets lurking aroundThe very best game on the SNES and one of the best of the Zelda series. Getting new items felt immensely good and keeps the gameplay fresh and interesting. The dungeons had so many difficult puzzles and challenges but accomplishing them and figuring out the solutions brought out a great feeling of satisfaction. The world was fun to explore as well, with surprises and secrets lurking around every corner.

    It's a game you'll find yourself spending hours on at a time, and will give you a feeling of joy you can't experience on any other game.    … Expand
  11. illumi3602
    Jul 5, 2020
    9
    It's no surprise that this game has mostly positive reviews since this the game that first develop the legend of zelda formula. i spend 25 hours to finish the game and 100 percent it and it's quite a hard
    game right after you reach the dark world, enemies start doing double or triple the damage and bosses are way harder. i manged to die quite a lot in this game but i will still recommend    It's no surprise that this game has mostly positive reviews since this the game that first develop the legend of zelda formula. i spend 25 hours to finish the game and 100 percent it and it's quite a hard
    game right after you reach the dark world, enemies start doing double or triple the damage and bosses are way harder. i manged to die quite a lot in this game but i will still recommend it to play on the switch or wii shop, i don't know if it's on the wii u.    … Expand
  12. bergcamp101
    Oct 5, 2020
    9
    Even in 2020 it would be a masterpiece. And it was released in 1991! Should I say more...
  13. quizzyrascal
    Jul 1, 2014
    10
    THIS....IS.....THE.....BEST......ZELDA....GAME......EVER! Yes it is. ... it really is. Every Zelda game since this came out is based on it. Yes in Ocarina you can ride a horse, yes in twilight princess you can change into a wolf but essentially with all of those you're playing this game with better graphics.

    The graphics on this when it came out on the snes were superb, they've aged    THIS....IS.....THE.....BEST......ZELDA....GAME......EVER! Yes it is. ... it really is. Every Zelda game since this came out is based on it. Yes in Ocarina you can ride a horse, yes in twilight princess you can change into a wolf but essentially with all of those you're playing this game with better graphics.

    The graphics on this when it came out on the snes were superb, they've aged very well as has the gameplay as has the musc.

    If you like Zelda and haven't played this, PLAY IT.

    If you have played this before PLAY IT AGAIN

    If you've never played any Zelda game PLAY THIS ONE.

    Very few games deserve a score of 10 in fact I could count on the fingers of one hand those that do. This is one of them.    … Expand
  14. 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
  15. ConnKon
    Nov 24, 2013
    9
    Perhaps the best GBA game? It's a very good port. I played it on my GBPlayer on the GameCube and this review is for A Link to the Past.

    ALttP is considdered one of the best games OF ALL TIME. Now I first played it in 2002 on the GBA which is also amazing. It has aged really well: the graphics, music and gameplay. Yet it doesn't feel like the full thing after playing Ocarina of Time and    Perhaps the best GBA game? It's a very good port. I played it on my GBPlayer on the GameCube and this review is for A Link to the Past.

    ALttP is considdered one of the best games OF ALL TIME. Now I first played it in 2002 on the GBA which is also amazing. It has aged really well: the graphics, music and gameplay. Yet it doesn't feel like the full thing after playing Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. You can't ask for a better handheld Zelda though! 9.5/10    … Expand
  16. KendylKlownfish
    May 3, 2011
    10
    Another excellent port of another masterful SNES classic in the palm of your hands. Pros: Fantastic graphics and audio; legendary single-player mode; the additional Four Swords is one of the funnest multi-player adventures on the GBA. Cons: The control is a bit touchy; finding two to four friends with a GBA, cartridge, and link is a bit uncommon.
  17. Siul19
    Jan 14, 2019
    10
    A link to the past, the perfect 2D Zelda, amazing controls, story, gameplay, ítems you have everything it can be considered the best game ever but Ocarina of time is as good so i dont know which one is better, but what i know is that is a masterpiece and a must play 10/10 obviously
  18. celderon
    May 17, 2023
    10
    It is easily the best Zelda game, great dungeons good pacing, great exploration, good story and timeless graphics. No modern Zelda game can reach this Masterpiece
  19. ZiggyStardust
    May 6, 2003
    10
    If you haven't played the Super Nintendo version, this is totally the best game you could buy on the gba. It hasn't changed from the Snes version (which is a good thing). The only thing added is a multiplayer game - but it's not usually handy to have 2+ gbas and 2+ carts.
  20. MattR.
    Feb 2, 2004
    10
    The best game ever.It is a must have game.
  21. JackC.
    Jul 7, 2009
    9
    A link to the past is only second to ocarina of time in my opinion. To those criticizing the dated graphics and sound you obviously haven't played the original zelda(It kicks ass even though it's old). But I agree that some items are useless (wtf icerod?) To Steve P.: If you found it too hard you probably shouldn't be playing videogames.
  22. MattG.
    Apr 20, 2003
    10
    This game is very good. I thought it was going to be stupid but it has a lot of action and you dont know what will happen in like other games. All in all this game is probloly my favorite game for GBA SP and im trying to get all my friends to buy it also...(you should to!)
  23. NikF
    May 2, 2003
    10
    Very good game!!!!!!!
  24. LingoBob
    Jan 30, 2004
    9
    This game has everything you could want. I wish the bosses weren't so repetitive though.
  25. JayZ.
    Jul 19, 2004
    9
    One of the best Nintendo games ever created, and A Link to the Past lives up to that title in this GBA version. The thing that I don't like is they took out the Chris Houlihan room, which was real fun to back in the day. And I haven't even had an attempt at playing Four Swords yet, since I can't find a buddy with a GBA and this game. Aside from that, everything is perfect One of the best Nintendo games ever created, and A Link to the Past lives up to that title in this GBA version. The thing that I don't like is they took out the Chris Houlihan room, which was real fun to back in the day. And I haven't even had an attempt at playing Four Swords yet, since I can't find a buddy with a GBA and this game. Aside from that, everything is perfect and flawless. … Expand
  26. WayneW.
    Jan 16, 2005
    10
    I managed to get a freind with the game but it doesnt let the two of us play it says"linking up" and then nothing happens. HELP!!!!
  27. JhonC.
    Jan 30, 2005
    10
    This is the best super mario game ever and zelda sucks!
  28. NathanH.
    Jun 1, 2007
    8
    It's Zelda!! But the graphics are old, the bosses are boring, dungeons easy and short... But it's Zelda!!
  29. Neosmith
    Mar 19, 2008
    10
    To Steve P. this game is not t hard you just suck at playing games you will use the items you get a lot if you play the game to Baby doll what are you talking about "mario cart has better graphics" no its just a different type of game this is a remake of the SNES game Legend of Zelda Link to the past its not a new game its a remake for the people who didn't play this game now to To Steve P. this game is not t hard you just suck at playing games you will use the items you get a lot if you play the game to Baby doll what are you talking about "mario cart has better graphics" no its just a different type of game this is a remake of the SNES game Legend of Zelda Link to the past its not a new game its a remake for the people who didn't play this game now to everyone else the story is solid if you pay attention to enjoy this game you must have a long attention span.… Expand
  30. JordanG
    Sep 21, 2009
    9
    A challenging adventure. This game is 2D adventuring at it's finest. One of the best Zelda titles ever, definately the best 2D one.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2002
1
#1 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2002
2
#2 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
95

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Eurogamer
    100
    An indispensable game, combining arguably the finest RPG/adventure the 16-bit era ever produced (even compared to the likes of Secret of Mana and Final Fantasy VI) with an expertly realised multiplayer rendition of Zelda.
    Read full review
  2. GBA Central
    100
    The adventure is long, involving, challenging and presented to perfection with beautiful graphics and a stunning soundtrack.
    Read full review
  3. GMR Magazine
    90
    Not having to dig out the SNES and clean out the cartridge port is nice enough, but to play this classic game on the bus? Pure Nirvana. [Feb 2003, p.74]
See all critic reviews »