The Legend of Zelda turns 25 years-old today. IGN put together a nice anniversary article discussing 25 ways the series is still making a lasting impact on gaming.
The series is my favorite of all video games, and the original NES game is one of my all-time gaming experiences (don't worry Atari Pac-Man and your atrocious graphics, you've not been forgotten). In the days long before the internet and game guides, the only way to save this princess was to keep playing, asking friends, and scouring the pull-out Nintendo Power maps for clues.
In 2007 I wrote an article celebrating 20 years my experience with the original Zelda, It seemed an appropriate day for a repost.
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The Legend of Zelda is my favorite video game of all time. I worked my first newspaper route in the summer of 1987. I put most of month's earnings in my pocket, hopped on my bike, and rode to Wal-Mart to pick up this game. After laying down my $35 (games were cheap in the 80s) I began. It was the first game I played with a battery save, meaning you could actually start each play session at the place you left off (without Metroid's 65-digit code that we always messed up). The puzzles were tricky, enemies were tough (especially the Knights and Magicians), and weapons were legendary, particularly the magic boomerang.
At that time many of my friends were playing the same game (we each had THE video game system popular at the time), so many school recesses and church events were full of strategy discussion and secret finding. Nintendo Power helped with some additional maps and a few hints here and there.
Finally finding Level 9 (best video game music ever) and defeating Gannon were a couple of the more proud moments of my 11 year-old life at the time.
Take any one you want... as long as it's the heart container.
