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Review : Legend of Zelda 2 : The Adventure of Link for Gameboy Advance
Nintendo of America has finally released more Classic NES games for the Gameboy Advance. This time they only released four more NES games for now but I bet that more will be on their way. Japan got a whole bunch more classic Famicom games for GBA.
I have been playing the Adventure of Link and having an absolute blast. I have not played through it since the late 80's. It is a lot harder than I remember but it is a good time.
There was a lot of change between the first and third Legend of Zelda games. The Adventure of Link is the chimera of the Zelda series. It almost a totally different style game that the rest of the series. Instead of an overhead view like the other games the combat in this game is a side scrolling platform action game sort of like Metroid. There is also a multiple life style system like Super Mario Bros. You start off with two extra lives and if you loose your last Link in the bottom of one of the dungeons you start back at the start location and have to fight your way back there.
There is an overhead map mode sort of like the Final Fantasy games but the random encounter enemies are represented on the over world map with little icons. When they catch you then you have a side scrolling fighting sequence. There is also an experience point system. You end up loosing any earned experience points if you dying on your last life before you get to the next experience point level. There are towns in this game unlike the first one and the NPCs end up sending you on several side quests. Also new to this game is a magic spell system where you learn new spells by helping out the NPCs with their problems.
The graphics and animation is good for a second generation NES game but it is pretty simplistic compared to the later games with the upgraded graphic chips. This is pure Shegeru Miyamoto magic and while it is very different than other Zelda games in the series it is still a must play for any serious gamer. You have to have experienced the past games to really appreciate the current generation of Zelda games for Gamecube, GBA and Nintendo DS. It is not the freshest game out there but it really fits the Gameboy Advance.
Jake at November 7, 2004 
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Comments
I dare to say The Adventure of Link is the best Zelda on NES.
All those who wimper around the creative approach of this game I don't understand it simply has the best final boss ever seen in a Zelda game.
Posted by: Jim at November 8, 2004 10:22 AM
Thank you Jake. Now I want to play the game not knowing what it contains. I never wanted to play this game but know I really do! Thanks!
*Note. None of this is sarcasm
Posted by: Mike at November 8, 2004 12:35 PM
Shadow Link is a damn cool boss.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at November 8, 2004 7:51 PM
Yeah after the original Zelda for the NES I hated this one, the side-scrolling bothered me and and I just didnt get it, and I gave up on it pretty quick. But then again I was 6 or 7 years old at the time.
Posted by: phoric at November 9, 2004 5:50 PM
This is a kickass game. i never played it the first go around on nes but i was around back then now its all emulators.
Posted by: a different jake at April 26, 2007 4:11 PM
