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[MarkMclovin]

Playing Zelda 2 will put some hairs on your balls.

 

[Rambler]

It's one of the few Zelda games that's actually exciting and satisfying to play.

 

[cartman414]

I beat it a couple summers ago. It's decent I guess. The overworld gameplay is a bore and not nearly as expansive as you might think/hope. The dungeons range from kinda interesting to terribly uninspired. Good music though. Also Ganon's game over laugh reminds me of Soda Popinski.

Overall, there are better games that play similarly. Check out Faxanadu.

Also definitely don't skip Four Swords Adventure. Play it with friends.

I don't know what you're talking about. Faxanadu is super janky compared to Zelda II. Nice aesthetics, but sloppy, sloppy execution.

Anyways, whether you want to play it in or out of sequence depends on what you're up for. In which case I'd partition it by 2d/3d/etc. rather than chronological order to begin with.

One of my favorite games, despite its flaws. Which disappointingly have never been remedied by a followup/remake. I hope that remake idea that was planned back in the SNES days gets revisited.

 

[hotcyder]

Nope, but that's just my opinion

 

[XaosWolf]

Zelda II is definitely the odd one out of the series. It's the only one that doesn't follow the rules even when things went 3D. Still worth a try considering how easy it is to get hold of.

As for the others:
Minish Cap - Definitely. Same goes for the other Gameboy titles. All of them are great.
Phantom Hourglass - The repetitive tower gimmick does get a little old by the end, so you CAN skip this if you want to.
Spirit Tracks - Much better than Phantom Hourglass, one of the best overworld theme in the franchise and Zelda is your companion throughout. However there is no on-foot overworld to explore and the magical instrument is the worst in the series by far.

I can't comment on Four Swords Adventures as I never owned it because I thought it was multiplayer only.

 

[ivanthebearable]

Yeah it's a lot of fun, I'd say.

I played through most of it when they gave it for free for Ambassador 3DS owners. It's fun though it's extremely difficult. I used lots of save states to help things, since I don't like difficult games much and it alleviated a lot of would-be frustration.

I recommend it if you don't want to tear your hair out at some of the harder sections (such as Death Mountain, yikes that's a tough area)

 

[Sanctuary]

I'd put it up there with Simon's Quest in terms of ambiguity. But at least it's not Deadly Towers bad.

 

[Drazgul]

I honestly didn't think much of the original Zelda games back in the NES days, there was always something better to play.

 

[PKrockin]

Zelda II - Yes, but use a FAQ/guide and abuse suspend points/save states. No need to suffer through it aimlessly - it's really only fun if you know what you're doing and where you're going IMO.

The townspeople tell you everything you need to know to progress, as far as I remember. You don't need a guide.

I'd put it up there with Simon's Quest in terms of ambiguity. But at least it's not Deadly Towers bad.

WTF, absolutely not. It's true that both games require you to talk to people to find out what to do. But, see, in Zelda 2, they actually do tell you what you need to know. They don't lie or give you misleading information.

 

[Afrocious]

I don't know what you're talking about. Faxanadu is super janky compared to Zelda II. Nice aesthetics, sloppy, sloppy execution.

And as much as I loves me some Link's Awakening, please quit hijacking the discussion. I don't go into every, say, Final Fantasy 7 thread telling people to play 6 or 9 instead.

Anyways, whether you want to play it in or out of sequence depends on what you're up for. In which case I'd partition it by 2d/3d/etc. rather than chronological order to begin with.

One of my favorite games, despite its flaws. Which disappointingly have never been remedied by a followup/remake. I hope that remake idea that was planned back in the SNES days gets revisited.

I basically want to go through the whole series and take note of how the design of the games changed over time.

 

[Transistor]

I would LOVE for Nintendo to make a new Zelda II style Zelda game.

 

[Sanctuary]

I basically want to go through the whole series and take note of how the design of the games changed over time.

The pinnacle is still A Link to the Past. It's also not hard on the eyes.

 

[cartman414]

I basically want to go through the whole series and take note of how the design of the games changed over time.

Zelda II is definitely the odd one out if nothing else.

 

[Afrocious]

Zelda II is definitely the odd one out if nothing else.

I definitely did notice that.

Eh we'll see. Regardless, the OG LoZ has to be played first.

And I have no idea how I forgot Oracle of Ages and Seasons. They're def getting played.

I've played through all of the Zelda games save for those DS ones, og LoZ, and Zelda 2. Also forgot about Link Between Worlds. Haven't played that one either. I hear it's good.

 

[Ghostshark]

I absolutely love Zelda 2, it was largely different from Zelda 1, but that was before the series became standardized with overhead / 3d. Even so, it's an absurdly difficult game and isn't for everyone.

If the only reason you are quitting is due to being frustrated by the difficulty, you should watch a let's play. That way, you'll experience the game without wanting to destroy a controller.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

Also forgot about Link Between Worlds. Haven't played that one either. I hear it's good.

It's very good. Remember when you get to the dark world in zelda 3 and complete the first dungeon and have a choice of which dungeon to do next? ALBW takes that even further - once you get to a certain point, you can take on the dungeons in any order you want. Loads of fun.

 

[ScientificPizza]

it's more fun than the first game

 

[chaobreaker]

Zelda 2 has enough frusterating apsects about it to not make it an enjoyable game to play, like how getting a game over sends you to the starting point of the world map no matter how much progress you made at that point, forcing you to make long and tedious walks of shame back to where you were initially. The only exception of to this rule was the final dungeon but that is just a slap in the face at that point. Why not implement that everywhere?

 

[XaosWolf]

I definitely did notice that.

Eh we'll see. Regardless, the OG LoZ has to be played first.

And I have no idea how I forgot Oracle of Ages and Seasons. They're def getting played.

I've played through all of the Zelda games save for those DS ones, og LoZ, and Zelda 2. Also forgot about Link Between Worlds. Haven't played that one either. I hear it's good.

Link Between Worlds is fantastic. Uses it's gimmick perfectly throughout. =D

 

[PSFan]

I tip my hat to you sir. Unfortunately, now as an adult with a daughter and a full time teaching job, my time is very limited and I want to experience these games but I don't have the time or inclination to "git gud".

Besides, I'm a firm believer in using them sparingly enough to alleviate the most obtuse design choices (one savestate at the beginning of a temple for example and no more until it's finished) but keeping it difficult enough to make it fun.

I'm sure it is, and props to you for your achievement! I don't have anywhere near that kind of patience, though (especially as an adult with little free time), and could never have enjoyed the game like that. Awesome job!

Thanks. Well, I was 21 when the game came out, so I did beat it as an adult, and I was working a full time job then too, lol. But I know what you mean about time. You should see my backlog. I'd probably use savestates playing it now. It's just one of the most rewarding games to beat without using savestates or cheat codes or anything.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

Zelda 2 has enough frusterating apsects about it to not make it an enjoyable game to play, like how getting a game over sends you to the starting point of the world map no matter how much progress you made at that point, forcing you to make a long and tedious walk of shame back to where you were initially. The only exception of to this rule was the final dungeon but that is just a slap in the face at that point. Why not implement that everywhere?

It's not that tedious.

Absolute maximum it's going to take to get back to where you were is about five minutes, assuming you were deep in death mountain or the maze palace.

 

[DoubleYou]

You have never played Links Awakening and you are wasting time to trying to slog through Zelda 2.

Zelda 2 is ok but to me Links Awakening is one of my fav Zelda experiences ever. Got my auntie from the states to get it for me as it wasn't for sale in Oz at the time.
Game blew my mind, hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Same. I went in expecting a simple Zelda title to kill some time. Instead I got one of the best gaming experiences I've had. I compare all Zelda's to that one.

I would love a remake someday.

On topic: Not my cup of tea but some people seem to really like it.

 

[Eylos]

I played Zelda 2 saturday, then i faced a guy with a Shield that blocks up and down, after dying 6 times i have given up.

I never finished Oracle of ages/Seasons too, so i started Seasons yesterday and i'm enjoying it.

 

[AndyMoogle]

Yes, it's amazing. One of my favorite games in the series. Some call it hard, but it's really not that hard once you get used to the mechanics. Use your shield and learn enemy patterns.

 

[chaobreaker]

It's not that tedious.

Absolute maximum it's going to take to get back to where you were is about five minutes, assuming you were deep in death mountain or the maze palace.

Five minutes is way past my threshold of acceptability.

 

[Lutherian]

ProJared did a great review of Zelda II, lately.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic8g85yoUEI

 

[Scumcore]

The first Zelda I played and IMO the best one. There really is no other game like it and that's a bad thing.

I do love other Zelda games, but Zelda II will always have a special place in my gamer's heart.

(one of the toughest games I've ever played as well)

 

[III-V]

Zelda 2 is really great. The 1st Zelda I replayed again and again.

 

[Blackpuppy]

Thanks. Well, I was 21 when the game came out, so I did beat it as an adult, and I was working a full time job then too, lol. But I know what you mean about time. You should see my backlog. I'd probably use savestates playing it now. It's just one of the most rewarding games to beat without using savestates or cheat codes or anything.

It's definitely something to be proud about that's for sure!

 

[petran79]

Playing Zelda 2 will put some hairs on your balls.

Zelda cant get more mature than this.
Ladies that invite you in their home to 'fill' your life bar, enemies with breasts in the last palace, Link and Zelda kissing in the end.

Then Nintendo goes back to blob Link

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

Zelda 2 has enough frusterating apsects about it to not make it an enjoyable game to play, like how getting a game over sends you to the starting point of the world map no matter how much progress you made at that point, forcing you to make long and tedious walks of shame back to where you were initially. The only exception of to this rule was the final dungeon but that is just a slap in the face at that point. Why not implement that everywhere?

If you died right before the last dungeon, that walk off shame probably drained some of your health and health refill. Stuff you needed for the dungeon or shadow link or the end boss.

I probably wouldn't play it now since i have too much to do. It could be brutal. But it's an

 

[Vandole]

I played Zelda 2 saturday, then i faced a guy with a Shield that blocks up and down, after dying 6 times i have given up.

I never finished Oracle of ages/Seasons too, so i started Seasons yesterday and i'm enjoying it.

I was going to suggest playing the game with a FAQ or some kind of strategy guide to help with the labyrinths and the boss fights. The guides in Nintendo Power were practically required for a lot of people playing it when it originally came out, and even the instruction manual offered a few hints and tips. So it's important to level that playing field for a fair experience.

That said if the Darknuts are giving you that much of a problem so early on, it's probably better off to surrender now. Zelda II's difficulty scales up as you progress through the end of the game. If it's bad for you now, it won't get much better.

 

[Yoshi]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking.

Looks like the list will be for now:

Legend of Zelda
Link to the Past
Link's Awakening DX
Ocarina of Time
Majora's Mask
Wind Waker
maybe Phantom Hourglass
maybe Spirit Tracks
Skyward Sword (ugh)

No Twilight Princess?

Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks are considerably worse then zelda 2 imo

they're the true black sheeps of the zelda family, excluding the cdi stuff.

I agree that they are among the weaker Zelda games in recent history, but they still offer way more interesting puzzles than Zelda 2, and quite a few very unique ones as well.

 

[Wolfgunblood Garopa]

Zelda 2 is one of the best games of all time, and up there with LttP as the best Zelda. It has some of the tightest, most responsive controls in a game ever. The problem is that we don't really play on hardware and displays that highlight what a masterpiece Zelda 2 is. We play it on an emulator and LCD screen, which takes away the responsive controls.

 

[Afrocious]

No Twilight Princess?

I agree that they are among the weaker Zelda games in recent history, but they still offer way more interesting puzzles than Zelda 2, and quite a few very unique ones as well.

I forgot Twilight Princess. Yeah that's up there too. I need to sleep.

 

[jimboton]

I think modern games inspired by Zelda 2 are more fun than Zelda 2. Games like Super Win the Game, Castle in the Darkness or Elliot Quest. I'd still play it though, but those 3 are better.

Link's Awakening is the best 2d Zelda, play that first of all..

 

[Afrocious]

I think modern games inspired by Zelda 2 are more fun than Zelda 2. Games like Super Win the Game, Castle in the Darkness or Elliot Quest. I'd still play it though, but those 3 are better.

Link's Awakening is the best 2d Zelda, play that first of all..

No because that's not chronological. LoZ first. I thought I said that in the OP.

 

[Eylos]

I was going to suggest playing the game with a FAQ or some kind of strategy guide to help with the labyrinths and the boss fights. The guides in Nintendo Power were practically required for a lot of people playing it when it originally came out, and even the instruction manual offered a few hints and tips. So it's important to level that playing field for a fair experience.

That said if the Darknuts are giving you that much of a problem so early on, it's probably better off to surrender now. Zelda II's difficulty scales up as you progress through the end of the game. If it's bad for you now, it won't get much better.

I Will try with a guide today later, i liked it, its like a Castlevania Zelda, when i want to rest from Seasons i Will play it.

 

[Venfayth]

I know of plenty of people who think it is fun, but I am not one of them.

 

[PKrockin]

I was going to suggest playing the game with a FAQ or some kind of strategy guide to help with the labyrinths and the boss fights. The guides in Nintendo Power were practically required for a lot of people playing it when it originally came out, and even the instruction manual offered a few hints and tips. So it's important to level that playing field for a fair experience.

A guide might be needed for Zelda 1, but not 2.

 

[LiveFromKyoto]

I want to like this game, I've been playing it on Wii U, but I kind of hate it. It's not "tough but fair," the entire game is stacked against you. Enemies have as much health as you, but way better weapons (they don't lose their range after one hit). The game asks you to read their patterns, but the reads have to happen within a split second - average goons require as much reaction time as a late game Punch Out!! boxers.

And I've watched how guys do speed runs, exploiting hit boxes with jump slashes etc. Maybe I haven't gotten it down yet, but it seems to have really stringent timing. Like, near Tekken just frame timing or something.

I don't know if there's lag in the Wii U version that makes this worse, but even with save scumming this game seems brutally unfair. The only way I could see winning this on the NES is if you were a kid who only got 2-3 games a year so you had nothing else to do after school than hammer at this for 5 months.

 

[jimboton]

No because that's not chronological. LoZ first. I thought I said that in the OP.

Sorry, you did. What I meant was more like 'if you're only going to play one more 2d zelda-like in your life make sure it's Link's Awakening' or something. Play it in 4th place then. As long as you play it

 

[KittenMaster]

And I've watched how guys do speed runs, exploiting hit boxes with jump slashes etc. Maybe I haven't gotten it down yet, but it seems to have really stringent timing. Like, near Tekken just frame timing or something.

They make playing the game look harder than it actually is. For Iron Knuckles, for example, all you have to do is jump slash at their head without crouching.

 

[Wolfgunblood Garopa]

I want to like this game, I've been playing it on Wii U, but I kind of hate it. It's not "tough but fair," the entire game is stacked against you. Enemies have as much health as you, but way better weapons (they don't lose their range after one hit). The game asks you to read their patterns, but the reads have to happen within a split second - average goons require as much reaction time as a late game Punch Out!! boxers.

And I've watched how guys do speed runs, exploiting hit boxes with jump slashes etc. Maybe I haven't gotten it down yet, but it seems to have really stringent timing. Like, near Tekken just frame timing or something.

I don't know if there's lag in the Wii U version that makes this worse, but even with save scumming this game seems brutally unfair. The only way I could see winning this on the NES is if you were a kid who only got 2-3 games a year so you had nothing else to do after school than hammer at this for 5 months.

There's lag on top of lag. Even the best speedrunners would have a hard time playing on the Wii U.

 

[Yoshi]

I want to like this game, I've been playing it on Wii U, but I kind of hate it. It's not "tough but fair," the entire game is stacked against you. Enemies have as much health as you, but way better weapons (they don't lose their range after one hit). The game asks you to read their patterns, but the reads have to happen within a split second - average goons require as much reaction time as a late game Punch Out!! boxers.

And I've watched how guys do speed runs, exploiting hit boxes with jump slashes etc. Maybe I haven't gotten it down yet, but it seems to have really stringent timing. Like, near Tekken just frame timing or something.

I don't know if there's lag in the Wii U version that makes this worse, but even with save scumming this game seems brutally unfair. The only way I could see winning this on the NES is if you were a kid who only got 2-3 games a year so you had nothing else to do after school than hammer at this for 5 months.

I'm absolutely no fan of the combat focus of Zelda 2 and I agree it is quite difficult, but you are vastly overblowing its difficulty. I've also played through it first on an emulator (Zelda Collector's Edition), though of course on a CRT (I do not own an HDTV and do not plan on changing that) and the game certainly was managable.

 

[Efren is G.O.A.T.]

It's Nintendo's Dark Souls

 

[Chao]

I know that people always say "it's the dark souls of -insert genre here-" but it really reminded me of dark souls when I first played 3 or 4 years ago.

It's tough but not impossible, and you'll need to fight a lot in order to get good.

 

[kizmah]

Do not miss out on Minish Cap. It's not the best Zelda out there but it's a fun and charming little (big) adventure.

 

[LiveFromKyoto]

There's lag on top of lag. Even the best speedrunners would have a hard time playing on the Wii U.

That's kind of sad, but I kind of suspect it's true. I really thought off TV play was finally going to be my chance to beat Punch Out, but it just seemed way harder than I remembered on the NES. Eventually the lag made me quit. I don't have any background with Zelda II (I think the only other time I tried it was briefly on the Gamecube disc), so I don't have a baseline to compare it with, but if the original game didn't feel like this it would explain a lot.

 

[Rambone]

I always remember being disappointed by Zelda 2 as a kid because it felt and played very different from the first one. I think I really disliked the sidescrolling aspect of it. I think I will go back and play it soon just for a nostalgia run. Perhaps when I get my Nintendo Switch?