The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Video Game Review)

Video Game Review
The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past
Super Nintendo
1992
Developed by: Nintendo
Published by: Nintendo

If there was any series that people had really big expectations for after the release of the Super Nintendo, it was The Legend of Zelda. Super Mario World was the largest Mario game to date with much upgraded visuals. Unlike Mario, which was a linear experience, the open-world nature of Zelda had people salivating at the potential experiences that could happen. Nintendo did not disappoint and with The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, offered one of the best action-RPG experiences on the system.

The game stars Link, although not the same one from the NES games. Link is awoken one night by the voice of Princess Zelda begging for help. Link runs to Hyrule Castle to save the Zelda which has been taken over by the evil wizard Agahnim. After sneaking Zelda away to a sancutary, Link is asked by Zelda to find three mythical pendants so that he can wield the legendary Master Sword to fight the evil wizard. After travelling through Hyrule and obtaining the three pendants, Link gains possession of the Master Sword and goes after Agahnim. At this time, Zelda has been kidnapped again and as Link enters Agahnim’s chamber, Agahnim teleports Zelda to the Dark World; which is a parallel world to Hyrule. Link battles Agahnim in a showdown on top of Hyrule Castle. After Agahnim’s defeat, Link is transported to the Dark World.

Ganon is an evil thief that had gained control of the Triforce many moons ago. The Triforce is an extremely powerful artifact that grants the wishes of those who possess it. Ganon’s evil heart has transformed the once Golden Land into the demented Dark World. The wise men of Hyrule were able to trap Ganon in the Dark World and protect Hyrule from his evil. However, now that Agahnim has captured and sent the seven maiden descendents of the wise men (Zelda being the final one) to the Dark World, the seal has been broken. It is up to Link to find the seven crystals that act as the prison for the maidens to be able to face-off against Ganon, defeat him once and for all, and gain control of the Triforce to restore things back to normal.

Controls are very well done on the SNES controller. The d-pad moves Link around Hyrule’s terrain. The B button swings Link’s sword. The Y button uses the item that’s been selected from Link’s inventory. The X button calls up the map and the A button performs various actions like read and pick up items. The start button pulls up the inventory screen and the select button pauses and allows the game to be saved. The controls work well although there is the odd time where the d-pad movement isn’t as responsive as desired; especially near narrow pathways. There’s going to be the odd time where Link will control like a drunk and he’ll make it a point to fall down the nearest pit. Thankfully, it happens few and far between but it would have been better for this not to happen at all. However, executing attacks with the face buttons are very easy and alternating between the sword and the second weapon during intense battles feels effortless.

The graphics look really good. In fact, outside some of the later games on the system like Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario World: Yoshi’s Island, this is one of the best looking games on the system. The world of Hyrule looks gorgeous with everything looking as detailed as possible (or at least as much as possible for a 16-bit console). Even the little things have incredible detail like shadows in the Lost Forest and the moving eyes on the enchanted trees. It makes it feel like Hyrule is a living, breathing world.

The sound is also amazing. The classic Zelda tune sounds incredible. At times, it’s easy to forget that it’s a bunch of midi sounds coming from the grey box and not a full symphony. Most of the music of this game is timeless. There are a couple of sound effects that feel like there wasn’t much effort put in towards their development; like the sound of a soldier that has been alerted by Link’s presence. Some of the effects sound dull and unimaginative. However, for the most part, the sound of the game is very pleasing to the ears and does an outstanding job complimenting the gameplay and the graphics making which makes for one engaging experience.

A Link to the Past is a game the defies normal convention. Those who hate RPG games can still enjoy it because it isn’t of the you-hit-me-then-I-hit-you variety. The action is intense. It also spits in the eye of Nintendo games being cute, cuddly, and adorable to the point of inducing vomiting. This Zelda game can have some downright ugly creatures. The story is fantastic and more engaging than some Hollywood films. The game is near-perfect.

But it isn’t perfect. Although the puzzles in the game are quite creative, when there are areas of the game that don’t have any or don’t require much intelligence, the game becomes rather bland. Some dungeons are more an exercise in progression and item hunting than anything else. The Dark Forest dungeon in the Dark World is lame in the sense that I was able to bowl through it with little difficulty and didn’t even have to enter into some of its rooms. It tries to be difficult with multiple entrances but once you find the dungeon’s item, the map, and the compass (which isn’t that hard), you can make a beeline for the castle’s boss without much difficulty. There are other castles that don’t pose much of a challenge and are feel a bit flimsy like the Desert Castle in the Light World. When there are no puzzles to solve, it feels like A Link to the Past is a bit light on gameplay.

Then again, when you’re surrounded by puzzles, the game shines. The Water Temple, the Ice Temple, and Turtle Rock are all impressive dungeons that require quickness with the sword and the mind. The Tower of Ganon is a stellar castle that is incredibly challenging due to all the traps. The game is really creative in some of the puzzles crafted which requires you to be quite cunning in finding the solution. It’s not trying-to-solve-a-Rubik’s-Cube-blindfolded difficult but this isn’t a game where you can run straight through hacking and slashing with the Master Sword and expect a quick victory.

That is, with one notable exception; the final fight with Ganon. From a cinematic perspective, it’s pretty cool. However, it feels a little anticlimactic in that it isn’t all that difficult. It kind of feels like a cheap victory. I would have thought that someone who has control of an object with incredible power like the Triforce wouldn’t be defeated in a matter of seconds. Regardless, even though it’s not an epic battle in terms of difficulty or even duration, it still feels monumental. Before the battle and after Ganon’s defeat, the game is able to present an atmosphere that makes it feel extremely special.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is an incredible game. It is one of the best in the series and is a masterpiece of action-RPG games. However, it does have its issues. It could have been more well-rounded and the final battle could have been more challenging (especially considering the level of difficulty of the final dungeon). Still, it is a fantastic game where most should do themselves a favour and play it for themselves. Nintendo has made the game available throughout the generations on the portable platforms and on home consoles; most recently on the Wii through the Virtual Console service. It is a remarkable 2D action-RPG and it a strong addition to anyone’s library.

☆☆☆☆