A Link to the Past conclusion: The first real Zelda.

Gameplay/Difficulty: 15/20

This game could be tricky, sometimes even frustrating, but never so much so that you didn't want to try again. The control system was easy to learn and intuitive; I liked that the shield blocked attacks without having to do so manually. Swimming was a nice addition and I enjoyed the sideways slash instead of a stab, making it much easier for Link to actually hit things. The spin attack was great, items were easy to use and intuitive to equip, and dungeons were uniquely themed and styled, which kept the game interesting.

The game was limited only really by 2D technology, although despite the top-down view, gameplay was dynamic and made use of levels. I would love to see a remake of this game in 3D.

Music/Sound: 15/20

Link to the Past has an incredibly iconic soundtrack, including the Dark World theme, which is the best overworld music ever. It can get slightly repetitive, but not anywhere near the mind-numbing quality of the first Zelda game. The quality of the sound itself was much better than the previous games, but it was still quite tinny due to sound chip limitations. The amount of music which was shoved on to this cart is genuinely remarkable and there are many memorable and beautifully done tracks. Once again, limited only by its age.

Design/Graphics: 15/20

Absolutely gorgeous graphics for the age of this game, like I mentioned before. Compared to what other companies were putting out at the time, Nintendo made Link to the Past with graphics comparable to games which would come out three or four years later. The colors are vivid and stylized, and the overall feeling of the game is bright and accessible. Unlike the first two Zeldas, objects are easily recognizable and the game is still nice (if not advanced) to look at after almost twenty years. Link to the Past has its own aesthetic style, matched only in cartoony cuteness by Wind Waker over ten years later. 

Charm/Nostalgia Factor: 20/20

A Link to the Past was the first time Zelda really came into its own. With a combination of stunning music, beautiful graphics, and accessible (if challenging) gameplay, A Link to the Past is the first Zelda game that many people my age and a little older can remember. It is truly unique and epic in scale and for that reason is among the very best of classic games.

Story/Concept: 15/20

A Link to the Past introduced new elements to the Zelda franchise, like the presence of the sages and the involvement of Princess Zelda (albeit limited) beyond just being a goal to achieve. NPCs are more involved, giving the world a much richer feel. For the first time, Link is given at least a hint of a backstory through his uncle’s involvement.

While still building on the traditional Zelda storyline, it’s impossible to give A Link to the Past full marks for concept. There is little innovation or originality in the plot, even if it is interesting and easy to understand.

Total: 80/100

A Link to the Past is a fantastic game for its age, both in concept and gameplay. Most of the few issues it has come because of age and technological limitations, and for that reason I would love to see Nintendo do a full remake in the future. Definitely worth playing for gamers young and old.

Now for Zelda: The Adventure of Link!