The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo's most popular game franchises. And with it comes theories, lore, and questions. My mission at The Sheikah Stone is to find the answers by research, playthroughs, and theories. There have been thousands of questions and theories, but with an 18 game series, there may still be more to discuss, debate, and discover.
To start it all off, we will start with a comparison, an overview of the series. Looking at each quality or downfall. Finding the similarities, or what game did something better. All will be split into categories. We will be looking at the 3D console installments on this stone.
Ocarina of Time
This game is said to be the best Zelda game, but that's what we're here to see. It came out in a time where the best game for Nintendo was Mario (Dark times) and don't get me wrong, I like Mario, but it's not #1. There were huge Zelda fans out there, with only the 2D Pokémon-style games to call Zelda. So when they heard a 3D Zelda game was coming, all the fans exploded. This is what they had been waiting for. And when they played it and saw how good it was, they kept it at #1, even after other games came out. But in the perspective of a person like myself, who played OOT long after playing the newer additions, is it still the best? I still think OOT is a great Zelda game, but what I love most is what it inspired. 6 Zelda games probably wouldn't be here if OOT hadn't been so good.
Majora's Mask
Called by many as the black sheep of the Zelda family, Majora's Mask comes to compete with its beloved prequel. Majora's Mask is the only Zelda game that's a direct sequel. Making a sequel was a risky move, and Nintendo knew that. That's what created this strange and unusual game. They didn't want it to be too much like Ocarina of Time but still follow the same mechanics. So instead of it taking place in Hyrule with a different Link, they decided to use the same lovable hero but set it in Termina. This game is almost opposite of its predecessor.
A whole different atmosphere covers the game, with dark plots and uneasy character models. Yes, I'm looking at you, Happy Mask Salesman. But most are just reused models from OOT. Which could just be Nintendo saving time instead of creating a whole new roster of interesting characters, or it could just give the experienced players an uneasy nostalgic vibe. It made the whole game feel unreal. Like you were playing in a dream. (Not a theory)
So overall, this game set the stage perfectly with a creepy setting, worrying or worried characters, and a heavy plot pressing down on you the whole game as time ticks down to a horrible fate. All of this created what fans loved about Majora's Mask...or was it. You see, when Nintendo tries something new, or anyone for that matter, there is a group that loves the change, and applauds their courage and flexibility. Then there are those who hate it and say they should have stuck with what they know best, and keep the pattern. When Majora's Mask came, it created these two ever arguing groups. I do agree that change isn't always good, sometimes it scores big, and sometimes it sends game franchises spiraling down and never come back. But that's what makes great games. It's the risk and the adventure, and new lands of unexplored game ideas coming together. That's what made Majora's Mask.
A whole different atmosphere covers the game, with dark plots and uneasy character models. Yes, I'm looking at you, Happy Mask Salesman. But most are just reused models from OOT. Which could just be Nintendo saving time instead of creating a whole new roster of interesting characters, or it could just give the experienced players an uneasy nostalgic vibe. It made the whole game feel unreal. Like you were playing in a dream. (Not a theory)
So overall, this game set the stage perfectly with a creepy setting, worrying or worried characters, and a heavy plot pressing down on you the whole game as time ticks down to a horrible fate. All of this created what fans loved about Majora's Mask...or was it. You see, when Nintendo tries something new, or anyone for that matter, there is a group that loves the change, and applauds their courage and flexibility. Then there are those who hate it and say they should have stuck with what they know best, and keep the pattern. When Majora's Mask came, it created these two ever arguing groups. I do agree that change isn't always good, sometimes it scores big, and sometimes it sends game franchises spiraling down and never come back. But that's what makes great games. It's the risk and the adventure, and new lands of unexplored game ideas coming together. That's what made Majora's Mask.
The Wind Waker
Here we go again. When the GameCube came, Zelda saw another installment with another change. This game isn't a black sheep, more like a colorful, cell-shaded, happy sheep. And those groups prepared for war. Wind Waker is a huge change, with cell-shaded graphics and a happier environment. With a less epic story and feel, and upbeat music. But like I said with Majora's Mask, this change was another success. This is all opinion, of course, but I don't think this new look took away anything from the previous games. I actually enjoyed the new mechanics and had a great time playing it. But I can see how it could be disappointing to be awaiting a dark, epic, new Zelda game for the GameCube, and get this joke of a Zelda game with goofy characters, and a kid-like atmosphere through the whole thing.
But this is when Nintendo took a big leap and decided that Zelda was flexible and shouldn't be shackled by what people think Zelda should be. And when I take a step back, I see a beautiful game with amazing music, funny characters, and even dark villains with menacing schemes. If you think of it as a game, not a follow-up of Majora's Mask or OOT, it's not that bad. And don't hate me, but it's actually my favorite Zelda game. And I hope you had as much fun as I did.
But this is when Nintendo took a big leap and decided that Zelda was flexible and shouldn't be shackled by what people think Zelda should be. And when I take a step back, I see a beautiful game with amazing music, funny characters, and even dark villains with menacing schemes. If you think of it as a game, not a follow-up of Majora's Mask or OOT, it's not that bad. And don't hate me, but it's actually my favorite Zelda game. And I hope you had as much fun as I did.
Twilight Princess
(We will be discussing the GameCube version)
Nintendo went through kind of an "epic" drought for a few years, so we got Twilight Princess, the most epic installment yet. The music and the graphics make fans reconsider what they said about the GameCube having lame Zelda games. It's dark and depressing, heroic and epic. This game held up the Zelda name with an Ocarina of Time-like plot and realistic graphics. The characters were very well developed and each had some sort of backstory. The music was also dark, mixed with a triumphant crescendo through the game as if the music itself was winning the battle.
But some people think they went too far, too dark for Zelda. But Majora's Mask was much darker than this, so I guess it's not. The team worked for two years on the graphics alone, and it wasn't in vain. They look fantastic and gave the fans the game they were expecting from Wind Waker. This is #2 on my list, and I like it more every time I play it.
(We will be discussing the GameCube version)
Nintendo went through kind of an "epic" drought for a few years, so we got Twilight Princess, the most epic installment yet. The music and the graphics make fans reconsider what they said about the GameCube having lame Zelda games. It's dark and depressing, heroic and epic. This game held up the Zelda name with an Ocarina of Time-like plot and realistic graphics. The characters were very well developed and each had some sort of backstory. The music was also dark, mixed with a triumphant crescendo through the game as if the music itself was winning the battle.
But some people think they went too far, too dark for Zelda. But Majora's Mask was much darker than this, so I guess it's not. The team worked for two years on the graphics alone, and it wasn't in vain. They look fantastic and gave the fans the game they were expecting from Wind Waker. This is #2 on my list, and I like it more every time I play it.
Skyward Sword
Of course, when the Wii came out, Zelda fans debated long and hard about which direction Nintendo would go. Dark and epic with good graphics, or happy and adventurous with cell-shaded graphics. Nintendo compromised and came up with something in the middle. The graphics were beautiful but not childish, there were dark moments, but it's not considered a depressing game. They tried to please everyone, but they fell short.
As for graphics, perfect. The story, all right. Characters, sometimes. But they made the mistake of using the Wii Motion Controls. At some points, this works, but they used it so much that with felt like target practice, not an RPG. The enemies positioned their attacks specifically for the Motion Plus, the bosses used it for their puzzles. And overall, it wasn't right. I think with the bombs it felt good. And just swinging the sword was okay, too. But with the flying and positioning the sword just right was trying too hard. And Fi had a good design, but she was more like a nerdy version of Navi then anything else. I didn't play Zelda to have the game tell me what percentage I have of success or the lava-to-land ratio in Eldin. I feel like Han Solo ("never tell me the odds").
But I think this game doesn't deserve half the hate it gets. The graphics were great, not as detailed as Twilight Princess, but more beautiful, and makes the game enjoyable to look at. I don't think some annoying comments from Fi, and Wii Motion Plus is enough to make a game so horrible that fans give up hope on Zelda as a series. It's not the best in any way, but I actually enjoy playing it.
So that's all folks. I don't like having a set list of my top favorites and least favorites because every game contributed to the series as a whole in its own distinct and personal way. And I feel if I have a set list, then I'm less likely to be open to having new favorites or a change of mind later on. But I wanted to have all my starting opinions of the games right off the bat so that there is a solid foundation to delve deeper into the specifics of the games. These are all my personal opinions and findings so I would love to hear what you think of these games. What's your favorite Zelda game? What do direction do you think Nintendo will go next? Comment all and more in the discussion area. Until next time, Happy Adventuring! :)
~Stalfos
Of course, when the Wii came out, Zelda fans debated long and hard about which direction Nintendo would go. Dark and epic with good graphics, or happy and adventurous with cell-shaded graphics. Nintendo compromised and came up with something in the middle. The graphics were beautiful but not childish, there were dark moments, but it's not considered a depressing game. They tried to please everyone, but they fell short.
As for graphics, perfect. The story, all right. Characters, sometimes. But they made the mistake of using the Wii Motion Controls. At some points, this works, but they used it so much that with felt like target practice, not an RPG. The enemies positioned their attacks specifically for the Motion Plus, the bosses used it for their puzzles. And overall, it wasn't right. I think with the bombs it felt good. And just swinging the sword was okay, too. But with the flying and positioning the sword just right was trying too hard. And Fi had a good design, but she was more like a nerdy version of Navi then anything else. I didn't play Zelda to have the game tell me what percentage I have of success or the lava-to-land ratio in Eldin. I feel like Han Solo ("never tell me the odds").
But I think this game doesn't deserve half the hate it gets. The graphics were great, not as detailed as Twilight Princess, but more beautiful, and makes the game enjoyable to look at. I don't think some annoying comments from Fi, and Wii Motion Plus is enough to make a game so horrible that fans give up hope on Zelda as a series. It's not the best in any way, but I actually enjoy playing it.
So that's all folks. I don't like having a set list of my top favorites and least favorites because every game contributed to the series as a whole in its own distinct and personal way. And I feel if I have a set list, then I'm less likely to be open to having new favorites or a change of mind later on. But I wanted to have all my starting opinions of the games right off the bat so that there is a solid foundation to delve deeper into the specifics of the games. These are all my personal opinions and findings so I would love to hear what you think of these games. What's your favorite Zelda game? What do direction do you think Nintendo will go next? Comment all and more in the discussion area. Until next time, Happy Adventuring! :)
~Stalfos
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