Electronics & Computers Deals here!
GameSpot editors' review
-
CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 11/12/2004
- Updated on: 11/15/2004
- Released on: 10/25/2004
- Originally published on GameSpot: Classic NES Series: Zelda II (Game Boy Advance) Review
Originally released in 1988, Zelda II was something of a shocker. The NES offering took the top-down dungeon-crawling of the original and turned it into some kind of crazy side-scrolling, action RPG hybrid. While the game was a huge hit, history hasn't been especially kind to it, with seemingly countless people writing this sequel off as the "black sheep" of the series. While feelings about the game are definitely more mixed these days than they were when it was first released, the one sure thing is that its scattershot design hasn't aged particularly well. As a result, this Game Boy Advance rerelease of the original NES offering isn't so hot.
Zelda II puts you back in the shoes of Link, who is trying to both save Zelda (this time she's asleep) and prevent the return of the evil Gannon. You'll accomplish these tasks by visiting a handful of palaces and defeating the bosses therein. The story is contained mostly in the manual, because the only other text comes from villagers who have little of importance to say to you.
Story aside, Zelda II is dramatically different from the other early games in the series. While it still gives you an overworld, of sorts, you don't really do anything here other than move around to different places on the map. If you stray from the well-worn paths between areas, you invite random encounters. Entering a fight, a town, a cave, or just about anything else drops the game into a side-scrolling perspective that gives off more of a Mario vibe than a Zelda one. This means the combat is more about properly attacking and defending high and low attacks.
Continue reading
Classic NES Series: Zelda II (Game Boy Advance):
%20Game%20Boy%20Advance%20Game%20reviews%20-%20CNET%20Reviews&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/game-boy-advance-games/classic-nes-series-zelda/4505-9975_7-31006747.html){kind=small}