The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past review

Game: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Platform: SNES
Genre: Adventure (Fantasy)
Developer: Nintendo
AKA: Zelda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Tri-Force (JP)

Reader review by redpyramid

April 24, 2007

The Legend of Zelda series has always been a staple among the gaming community and is an essential franchise of Nintendo. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past has achieved a particularly vast fan following of the series on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It has been raised from mere 16-bit adventure to near cult status. The success and endearment of A Link to the Past is perhaps due to the superior logistics of the Super NES when compared to the original NES. The graphical aspect of ALttP is one of immense proportion, offering players a fantasy world rendered in crystal clear beauty. Perhaps it is the gameplay mechanics of ALttP that make it so readily accessible to a wide range of gamers. Possibly, it is in response to the pristine melodies and ambience of Hyrule’s soundtrack, that ALttP is never far from the true Zelda players’ minds. Whatever the reason, it is clear that The Legend of Zelda has left its mark.

In A Link to the Past, we are introduced to another incarnation of the Hero of Hyrule, Link as he must once again venture to save the Princess Zelda from the clutches of evil in the form of a traitorous wizard named Agahnim. Throughout his adventure, Link will discover many powerful items that will aid him in his quest and he will again be introduced to the evil designs of Ganon and his lust for the Golden Triforce. A Link to the Past is an immensely enjoyable game with many things to do and discover which encourages replay. The game is nearly perfect in gameplay, sound, controls, and most importantly, story.

The gameplay of ALttP is simple enough as it follows the successful formula introduced in the NES original Legend of Zelda. It consists of an immense overworld with many, many cleverly designed dungeons that require true brainpower to solve. The sound in this Zelda game is excellent. From simple sounds such as sword clangs and chicken clucks to moving and thematic musical scores to the trademark melody of an uncovered secret, the sound element in ALttP is excellently executed. The controls in the game handle very smoothly and feel perfectly natural. The game utilizes the SNES gamepad to its full potential leaving the player with a very simplistic and effective gaming experience.

Along with the tried and true gameplay elements, ALttP also introduces a few surprises as far as Link’s basic movements are concerned. In this adventure, Link is able to dash, descend from cliffs in jumping fashion, and even utilize his sword for what has come to be recognized as the trusty sword-spin attack of latter Zelda titles. All of these additions meld amazingly well with an incredibly detailed storyline to deliver one of the most enjoyable fantasy adventures ever. The story of A Link to the Past is truly where this game (and nearly every Zelda title for that matter) truly shines. Second only to the N64 masterpiece, Ocarina of Time, this extension of the series expands upon the mythology of the Hylian universe and the very essence of the mystical Triforce. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is a must own for any Zelda fan and a perfect addition to the Super Nintendo Library.

Rating: 10/10

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