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A Classic! Simply the best game ever on the NES!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 11
Date: November 13, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I am one of a few people that think, that Zelda II: The Adventure Of Link, surpasses it's original (The Legend Of Zelda).

There's something really mystical and magical about every aspect of this game., that was severely lacking in it's predecessor. (That is severely lacking in most games that are on the market today!)

From the moment you turn the game pak on, wonderful, mystical/fantasy music hits, which soon turns eerie and frightening; a sort of a feeling that the land of Hyrule has suddenly changed. It's a nightmare province now; we feel we're in a fantasy within a fantasy. The rest of music, thought the game thoroughly reflects the moods generated. So unlike many other games there's no lost of feeling of what your quest is about, and how you must desperately trying to get rid of this horrendous and fearful evil. Now very few games have that sort of effect on people, I can tell you.

The story is that it's been years since an inexperienced Link had defeated the evil Ganyon (the original game) But now the Ganyon has returned, causing yet more treacherous murder as he tries to overthrow the power of awe inspiring Princess Zelda. Removing six precious crystals from palaces across the land of Hyrule, he uses the powerful wizardry from them to put a sleeping spell on the beautiful Princess Zelda.

Hyrule's only hope is her close and best friend (really her boyfriend!) Link. Now bigger and more mature and skillful. Who sets on, on what feel surely a traitorous and grueling quest.

As you might have gathered from playing Zelda games is that the land of Hyrule is HUGE! Your first main task is to return the six precious crystals to their origins, in six stone statues. Only by defeating the six guardians you will be able to gain access to the seventh palace. Once the palace has it's stone returned the palace will turn to stone! But the first task itself is not at all simple: On your way helpful villagers from town you may want to visit will encounter clues and lot of secret info that is almost essential to your quest. That's not all! You can learn a variety of magic spells and learn new moves with your sword! As well as a complex way of extending life and magic power.

I could go on and on about this game, because the whole game is just so well planned out! I can see that people were put off with this game because of the complex elements during gameplay. It's not just an RPG action adventure scrolling game.

Quite Possibly The Best Game Ever Made for Any System

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: September 07, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I don't know what is wrong with some of my brethren. I do not see how anyone could conceivably award this game less than 5 stars. If you have not played this game before, then ignore the cynics, skeptics, party-poopers and naysayers who ignorantly and stupidly sully this game's rating. Know that this is quite possibly the best video game ever made for any system.

What makes this game so good? The plot is compelling, the characters are well-drawn, the theme music is absolutely and undeniably genius and the game is appropriately challenging--it is difficult, but not too difficult. You will not be able to beat this game quickly, and there will be points in the game where you are frustrated, but the journey will be worth it. One of the greatest experiences of your life will be thrashing Ganon and bringing peace to Hyrule.

Do not pay attention to the nincompoops complaining that this game is 2D. First of all, they're wrong. Much of the game actually IS 3D, particularly when Link travels in Hyrule. Only the battle scenes are in 2D, but this is a good feature, because 2D battles emphasize swordsmanship more. With time you will master the upward thrust, the downward thrust and the jumping swipe. Look for the swordsmen in the villages to teach you these tricks. And, for the final time, ignore the haters of this game. These people have poor judgment and they should be tortured and fed to lions.

A diiferent Zelda game, but still worthy of the name Zelda

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: February 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Many will say this game is not worthy of the name Zelda, but I say they are just afraid of change. Many people playing Zelda II might expect a clone of the original Zelda, but at what point in the rest of the Zelda series has that ever happened? Every new Zelda game has added some new element to the gameplay, and changed the story. This is the only one to be a direct sequel, and it changed the gameplay drastically.
For those not familiar with Zelda II, the basic idea is that Princess Zelda has been placed into a deep sleep by an unknown person. The only thing that can wake her is the Triforce of Wisdom. (If you remember Zelda I, Ganon had the Triforce of Power, and Link collected the Triforce of Courage.) The triforce of Wisdom is securely locked away in the Golden Palace. But Link can't just walk in the front door of the palace. He must first break the magical seal around the palace. He does this by placing six crystals in statues scattered throughout Hyrule. Each statue is in a palace, guarded by some VERY difficult bosses. That's really all there is to the story.
The gameplay is the part that seems to cause the most grumbling among the nay-sayers. I won't lie, it is VERY difficult, because it focuses on sword-fighting, and you don't get to fall back on some other weapon if you suck with the sword. But if you can master the basics of sword fighting, the rest of the game is just about finding your way, and discovering an enemy's weakness. There are many helpful characters in the game, who give you ample hints to get you pointed in the right driection. You still have to solve the puzzles, and find a lot of things yourself, but how fun would it be if they spelled the answers out for you?
There is a level-up system using experience points which is unique for the Zelda series, and if you try to go straight to the first palace from the get-go, you will die quickly, and often. But, like many of the Final Fantasy style RPG's, you can always earn XP in random battles, and beef yourself up at will. So you CAN make the game easier, with minimal effort if you go to the right places.
Some have said that if you finally manage to beat it, you're dissappointed by the ending. I say, it's 8-bit! What did you expect? A DVD-quality animatic? Anyone who's ever felt their pulse pounding when they approach a boss in any game, and felt the rush of joy when they stomp that boss into the ground will be able to feel the same feeling when they beat Zelda II. The game is difficult enough that just beating it is a badge of honor.
Replay value? Some games in the RPG genre lose a lot of their appeal when you know all the puzzles, and know where all the extras are. But not Zelda II. Combat is challenging enough that the game can still be fun the second time, or even the 20th time through. Sure, it took me almost a month to beat it the first time, and now I can do it in about 6 hours, but I still enjoy it every time.
I urge anyone who's passed this title over because of negative reviews to take another look at it. Pick yourself up a copy, and play it. I don't mean just a half-hearted attempt either. Give it a chance to either shine or fail on its own merits. Stop comparing it to the rest of the series, and give this amazing game a chance! If you really didn't like it, you're only out a few bucks right? and you can propably resell the game.

what r u people on???

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 7
Date: August 07, 2001
Author: Amazon User

zelda 2 is arguably the best in the zelda series!! its quite different from all the others but that makes it better!! the only rpg game i actually like man i cant believe yall people giving it 2 stars and that....... nintendo outta release a zelda all stars with both nes games, the snes game and maybe the first gameboy game. that would be tight!!

Side Scrolling Zelda is still great!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 5
Date: September 02, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Super Mario Brothers must have been a much bigger seller than the original Zelda, because Zelda II is a side scrolling action game with a bit of map / role playing involved. Don't let that throw you off, it is still an excellent game, that has challenge and far better graphics than the original! There are six palaces to conquer, with lots of old enemies, new tricks and lots of new faces. Once you beat the game, then you have a whole new second quest to beat! This game has hours of intrigue and challenge, but its for regular Nintendo!

very difficult, but a great game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: June 25, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Zelda II: The Adventures of Link is the direct sequel to one of my favorite games of all time - The Legend of Zelda. Zelda II expands on the story, having a grown up Link fighting to save the princess (who has been cursed into sleep) and Link is also trying to stop the forces of evil from reviving Gannon (the bad guy from the first Zelda game).

While the first Zelda game was a straight adventure game, Zelda II mixes in RPG elements in how you search the towns, talk to people and try to discover what to do and where to go next. When you are in the overworld, you control link from the top down and this is very similar to an RPG. As you walk, you get into random battles (which are partially avoidable) and the action is now side-scrolling. You can fight with your sword and cast magic. Throughout the game Link levels up as he gains experience and can earn more magic points, health, or strength.

This is one of the more difficult Zelda games and it was only until I replayed the game a couple years ago that I was finally able to make my way through the final dungeon to defeat the game (I could never find my way to the last boss). Even with the advanced difficulty, this is a stellar game and fully lives up (or helps to set up) the Zelda dynasty and is part of the reason why this is such a well respected and beloved video game franchise.

Zelda II is a brilliant game.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: June 13, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Zelda II is different. I will admit right off the bat that this game may not be for everyone. When it was released, it recieved a lot of negative feedback because it was not what people were expecting from a "Zelda" game. This game, at it's heart, is an action-sidescroller, and a VERY difficult one at that.

Having said that, you should definitely try it out. The game uses rpg-zelda-like adventuring, but zooms in for a 2D sidescroll view for combat sequences, and the result is a VERY engaging and creative game. The combat is more complex than most action games, lending a high degree of difficulty to the game. (fighting advanced opponents often involves sword-and-shield combat that required more thinking and reacting than simply "button-mashing.")

The graphics are way better than they have any right to be for an 8-bit game and the music is quite good. (much better than Zelda I's music.) There are only 7 temples, but they are challenging and will take you quite a while to defeat. The last temple is a MONSTER and it's big secret has stumped *many* excellent gamers for years.

The game builds nicely throughout and the gameplay never relents. There are very few opportunites for "metaplay" this game. (metagaming = "programmer-allowed cheating." as in: finding a way to defeat an enemy that the computer cannot possibly defend against.) The final battle is fast and ferocious and the identity of your oponnent will surprise you! (hint: he makes a cameo appearance in Zelda 64! Well, Now you HAVE to try the game, don't you?? :D)

As a fellow game-developer myself, I have to commend Nintendo for their ingenious design of the last temple and in fact, the whole game. This game has rightly become a cult-classic in recent years and should be required material for any action-rpg game fan.

Be warned though, if you are expecting a game like Zelda I or III, you will be surprised, though not necesarily dissapointed.

Highly recommended.

Adventure of Link

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: March 04, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This was one of the first Nintendo games I owned when I received the system for a present when I was about eight years old. It's still a great game even today, when I play it. And it's probably the best Zelda sequel Nintendo made. This was one of those games you played and played until your fingers actually hurt and when you slept, you just still felt like you wanted to play it. The game takes an almost sadistic turn once you cross the ocean to the Eastern Hyrule section near the end of the game, which is one of the greatest challenges in any video game I've ever played. If you're looking for challenge, play this game. If you want an easier Zelda game, I'd say play the third one or any of the Nintendo64 ones, as they are very simple.

Zelda Returns!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: January 03, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Zelda returns!!!! By an 8 year old Zelda fanatic. YOU REALLY HALF TO PLAY THIS WONDERFUL GAME. Yeah yeah most people think this NES game is totally side scrolling like Mario however it's not.
The map is top scrolling :) One side scroller I hate is Star wars Episode 2 attack of the clones. Also some other good games that I would recommend ER disaster strikes, San Francisco rush2049, shadow of the empire, Jedi Power battles, and of coarse the legend of Zelda.

Not quite as classic, but more addictive than Zelda I

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: March 07, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Zelda II has its share of detractors because everything they loved about Zeldas I, III, and the Zelda Game Boy games is absent from this installment. Gone is the bird's eye view combat mode that dominates the other titles. Gone are the intricate dungeon puzzles. In its place is a side-scrolling actioner combined with elements of a classic format RPG (complete with experience points, levels, spells and the rest). I first played this game when I was 12, and my initial reaction at the time was, 'Oh no! What have they done?' Needless to say, 15 minutes later I was hooked. By the time I had completed the game, I liked it better than the first. What it lacks in sheer scope, length, and originality, it far makes up for in terms of challenge. This is easily the most difficult Zelda game of all, which - considering that all future Zelda installments are unbelievably easy - is a good thing.

While I enjoyed this game more, I must admit that the first and third titles demonstrated more ingenuity, originality, and were better produced considering their respective release dates. Zelda II is -barely- recognizeable as a Zelda game in the way we think of one, and part of me suspects that Mr. Miyamoto (the brains behind all other major Zelda releases) was barely involved in this installment. Once you get past the shock of the different format, however, the game easily draws you in. One other disclaimer: I am partial to RPGs, which may explain my preference of this entry. But part of the reason is also inexplicable - there is something more subconsciously fascinating about Zelda II. It's a less monotonous than the other Zeldas, and more bizarre, moody, even random - in some respects it is even comparable to Ultima: Exodus (another classic NES title, released the same year, which I highly recommend to anyone who likes Zelda II). In any case, this title is not to be missed, is worthy of the Zelda name if only for quality's sake, and represents the most challenging entry in a franchise that has lately been lacking in that area.

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