The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – 800 Points
There is a place in gaming reserved for the absolute best; the games that will live for generations and be forever considered hallmarks of design that all future games will aspire to imitate. I don’t exactly know where that place is, but wherever it is, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past belongs there with the uncontested legends of gaming. It is the Virtual Console’s sole update for this week, but when something this good hits, anything else would be eclipsed. Few remember or realize that this game began its life as a NES title but Miyamoto’s team soon realized early in development that the NES was far too humble of a platform to house this re-imagining and revitalization of Zelda which would serve as the future blueprint for every installment in the series. Thus it was scrapped and restarted as a Super NES title in 1992. Some consider it to be a retelling of the original Zelda or an overwriting that takes all the rough concepts the original introduced both in terms of gameplay and cinematic presentation, and brings it all together in a new and timeless light, while others place it at the end of the current timeline. Its place in Zelda lore will likely always be debatable like the rest of the series, but one thing that cannot be argued is the brilliance of the game’s design and how it immerses you in its world like few others. In the original Zelda, you were given more freedom to roam the world at random and take on dungeons at will in your quest for the collection of Triforce pieces, but the flow of the game was more random as a result. A Link to the Past is the game where Miyamoto perfected the art of leading the player subconsciously from place to place whilst giving you the illusion of total freedom with the inclusion of side quests you could take or leave at your digression. A Link to the Past combined the beloved basic concepts of Zelda I plus the interactive towns and magic system of the radically different Zelda II with a visual flare and simple charm that created a timeless world few had ever imagined, and that has inspired countless adventures since. Add to this one of the most memorable soundtracks ever from the great Koji Kondo that sweeps into your subconscious with symphonic majesty, and you’ve got an unbeatable experience that excels in all possible areas. In many ways, the game seems a tad stereotypical in presentation compared to later installments, but that’s how it is supposed to be. All of the core elements that now make the Zelda series great came from this game: the dark world, sacred realm, master sword, royal family, hookshot, and all so much more. The game strikes a perfect harmony is its design that comes along once in a generation, and the echoing of that harmony can still be heard to this day, and probably always will. A Link to the Past is more than worth your meager 800 Points and is a necessary download for any Wii owner.
