NES

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

First, go beat both quests of The Legend of Zelda. Then go pick up this game. If you are only going to own 20 games for the NES this definitely should be one of them. It combines all the best elements of RPGs, adventure games and sidescrollers to provide one of the most fun experiences on the NES.

It's sad that this game wasn't more loved by players. Had it been, Nintendo might have been more encouraged to inject some originality into their other franchises. But even as the black sheep, The Adventure of Link deserves a place among its brothers, and the same respect.

I found the controls confusing at times, especially when it comes to the magic. Also it doesn't feel quite right to initiate a conversation with a townsfolk by hitting them with your sword. In terms of presentation, the graphics are well defined and the triumphant musical score is classic stuff. The third Zelda (Link to the Past, SNES, 1992) returned the series to the overhead style, giving some the impression that Zelda 2 was a misstep for the series. It was not. Zelda 2: Adventure of Link is immensely captivating and addictively fun. If not for the steep difficulty, I might even prefer this to the original game.

It is often called the black sheep of the Zelda series. It is also often called the worst game in the Zelda series. But let me say this; if Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is the worst game in the Zelda series, that is a testament to the high quality of the series as a whole, because it certainly cannot be an insult to this game. Many fans of The Legend of Zelda were outraged by this game, but wrongfully so. This game, as much as any other, deserves to be named as a good entry into the world of gaming.

Adventure of Link the Zelda game that could have been groundbreaking.This game could have been the best nes game ever.Instead this game qualifys under the rank "Good".Now this game would have probaly gotten a even lower score if I wasn't such a hardcore Zelda fan. This game veers away from the traditional overhead view that we have come to expect from our rpg's.

Is this fair? I mean are they allowed to do this? Switch genres mid-franchise? Okay, I get it if you're doing a handheld version or something and you decide to mix things up a bit. But this was a direct sequel. There's a "II" right in the title. And yet Zelda II plays like a completely different game.