Rapid Reviews: Six Zelda Games

by Brian Riggsbee

Rapid reviews are exactly what they sound like: quick, short game reviews. For the following Zelda games, I wrote these immediately after playing each one.

  • The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA) - It fits the typical mold of the games that followed ALTTP, in a good way, with just enough differences and fresh elements to keep it fun. The only real negative is that my hat friend is rather irritating, playing the part of the tutorial I never needed and that never seems to end. I particularly enjoyed the fusing of stones as a way to get you to return to previously explored areas (both to do more fusing and to collect rewards). It’s a simple yet pleasurable system. I was a little shocked that there wasn’t that moment near the end where you realize Ganon was involved all along. Nope, no Ganon. And that’s perfectly OK. My favorite “dungeon” was actually Hyrule Town. From the moment you step foot in the town you are teased with hints of secrets at every turn.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (GBC) - Easily one of the best Zelda titles and arguably the best dungeon design of any Zelda game. (Although Skyward Sword is a strong contender.)
  • The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons (GBC) - Playing this back to back with Ages was so much fun. Compared to Ages, Seasons is a bit more action oriented whereas Ages leans more heavily on puzzles.
  • The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS) - The best of Zelda with a unique, new mechanic, and all within the revamped familiar world of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Pure joy.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Switch) — This is easily one of the cutest Zelda games. And with some of the best diegetic sound I’ve experienced in a game. It respectfully doesn’t change up much from the original, providing mostly a facelift, which is all it really needed.
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - (Switch) - Yes, this game is as good as the hype. Yes, the horses are a little wonky, but if that’s the biggest critique I can think of then I’m really digging for negatives. The best parts: exploration is always rewarded. In other words, whenever I think “maybe I can…” the answer is almost always yes.
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