Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (Nintendo, 1988)

It bothers me that people commonly refer to this game as an embarrassment to the Zelda series. This game is absolutely spectacular. Game play is flawless. Of all the games in the Zelda series, Adventure of Link displays the best interpretation of the land of Hyrule. It has plains, forests, swamps, deserts, along with towns and palaces; the best depiction of Hyrule out of all the Zelda games. In addition, of all the Zelda games, this is the one that is most similar to a RPG. For example, you have to collect Experience Points to level up your character, and the land in which you travel is similar to that from an RPG. Maybe that's why this game is so widely criticized: because it's different from the traditional Zelda game. Still, I loved every minute of this title, and recommend it to any gamer who can appreciate a great game.

They all call this the "Black sheep of Zelda games" for a reason.
It is a sidescroller (the only one of its kind in the series)
Now, if you are a Zelda fanatic such as myself, you have to get past the differences and try to gain a feel for the gameplay control.
It is harder than the others until you get used to the fighting sequence, and Link utilizes magic meters & spells more like the common D&D style RPGS.

I write media reviews for my local newspaper, and on Friday I always do an old school game.
I basicly compair this Zelda title to "Halloween 3" if you know what I mean.
Not like the rest, it has to grow on you.
Overall, it IS Zelda, so give it a chance.

WELL THIS WAS A GREAT GAME AND STILL IS.ANYONE WHO DID NOT LIKE THIS SHOULD HAVE SOMEONE GO ZELDA ON THEM.UNLIKE THE FIRST ZELDA,IT'S A NEW SIDE SCROLLING PLAY. OVER 2 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLD WIDE SO THAT MEANS SOMETHING.THE LAND OF HYRULE IS IN CHAOS ONCE AGAIN.AS LINK YOU'LL BE SENT ON A TREACHEROUS JOURNEY TO RETURN SIX PRECIOUS CRYSTALS TO THEIR ORIGINS IN SIX STONE STATUES ONLY BY DEFEATING THE GUARDIANS OF THE SIX PALACES WILL YOU GAIN PASSAGE TO THE SEVENTH PALACE AND WAKE THE PRINCESS ZELDA FROM HER SLEEPING SPELL.YOU HAVE 13 MAIN AREAS OF THE LAND OF HYRULE TO EXPLORE.IN THIS ZELDA YOU CAN USE MAGIC,YOU CAN GAIN EXPERIENCE POINTS,AND GAIN LEVELS LIKE AN RPG.ALSO RAISE YOUR HP POWER,YOUR SWORD POWER AND MAGIC POWER.YOU WILL FIND A WHOLE LOT OF ITEMS TO HELP YOU ON YOUR QUEST LIKE THE RAFT AND THE HAMMER.THEY ARE VERY COOL.YOU CAN USE THE HAMMER ANYWHERE TO BREAK TREES AND ROCKS. YOU SHOULD TRY THIS COOL ADVENTURE,YOU WILL LIKE IT,AND THE COOL BOSS SHADOW LINK.

Zelda is a classic ranchise, it's undeniable. Zelda II is often considered the black sheep of the franchise, due to it's 2D combat sequences. Personally, I think it plays just fine. It might be different from the other Zelda games, but it's a good game in it's own right. Any serious fan of vintage Nintendo gaming needs to own a piece of this video game history.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is often considered the black sheep of the Zelda family and is shunned by some as a poor game because of how much different it is from every other Zelda title. Nintendo abandoned the "bird's eye view" that they used in "The Legend of Zelda" and every subsequent 2D Zelda game since and went to a side scrolling view. The game was also more RPGish. You had to acumulate experience points by defeating enemies to boost your stats. Even though it is very different from any other Zelda experience you've ever had I recommend giving it a try. It's different, in a good way. While I am glad Nintendo decided to go back to the bird's eye view perspective, the side scrolling works with this game. Zelda II introduced the up and down stab, and plenty of names, items, and enemies that you'll probably recognize that have been used in later Zelda games. The game is extremely challenging because you are only given three lives, once their gone you start back at the beginning and must find your way all the back to where you were to continue your quest. It's not the best Zelda ever, but it is a solid title and a piece of Zelda history. So if you're into Zelda games, give this one a try.

This game is flat out one of the best games ever period. Way better than the first one more addictive better music better graphics better story line. I know this review is not helpful, I don't feel like getting into every little detail. I'm writing this just to say this game kicks ASS. This game is WAY underated it's A shame.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link was far less fun than the Zelda before it. It was now your average mediocore NES game. I think that it was a big mistake to make the game a side scroller. Also, the dungeons weren't as magical, and the enemies easier. Although it did have good music in the game, the game it self was a C-

this game is fun but its really boring c++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Had the chance to pick up my second factory sealed game, and what a game to grab! Although I'm not sure I will ever open it....if I did, I'd have to make a YouTube video of it.

When you play this game you see that between the first and the second game there had been great advances in grafics and game design. This game was a break from the designs that had made gaming so popular up to that point. It also gave us a good idea where gaming was headed in the future. This game was the game to get things going as far as I am concerned.

The original Zelda was only to be outdone by this one, not that the whole game is better, just the fact that the graphics have improved by this time, the features were more precise, and there were more options.

More spells, more strength, more magic.... MORE LINK!!!!

I don't care what you say, being ablr to have your life restored in a town, or your magic, for free... that was great. Once again, if you have 1 you should have the other. (Nastalgia got me again.) :)

I was used to the repetitive design of the first Zelda and I got a Link that could kneel and do magic.

The only issue I have with it is a lack of inventory like the candle and the trophy and some item I picked up in a swamp.

It's a great game! It's probably even better with a little guidance from a manual.

Personally I didn't care for the game. It was not even as close to being as good as the first zelda. The game is still ok, but like with zelda one, I was hooked. I couldn't stop playing it, and with zelda II it seemed that I was bored. I have played the game, and got about a 1/4 of the way through it, and I haven't played it since, which was about 2 months ago.

While many fans of the series have shunned this game as being "different" or "messing with the Zelda formula," my answer to them is: isn't that what Nintendo means to do with every new game in the series?

"Zelda II: The Adventure of Link" caries on the legacy of the series (at this point in history there only being two games) by expanding Hyrule into a vast kingdom of towns, forests, deserts, seas, rivers, caves, and dungeons, all for Link to explore on his quest to revive Princess Zelda and stop the evil curse set upon the realm by the Spirit of Ganon).

Nintendo created a 2D side-scroller for the action portion of the adventure and coupled it with an RPG-type overworld, allowing Link to "freely" explore the Realm of Hyrule. When I say "freely," I mean that there are obstacles in his way, such as caves that require candles to see in them, rocks that require hammers to break them, water that requires rafts or "water shoes" to cross, etc. Moreover, monsters attack Link and bring him into 2D side-scrolling environments where he must fight his way out in order to survive (while gaining experience points).

Link starts out with four Health Blocks and four Magic Blocks. He gan get up to eight of them by finding Heart Containers and Magic Potions while on his quest. Moreover, he starts out with an attack, magic, and health level of 1. These can increase when he gains more experience (just as in traditional RPGs).

Magic is used in this game by Link consuming magic spells that he learns from Sages (sometimes he must perform quests, such as attaining items, in order to get the Sage to teach him a spell, such as Shield or Jump). Also, Link can learn special sword techniques that will help him along his way.

In the end, this is a classic Zelda game that is not only an expansive adventure that will take hours to complete but it is really fun to play.

I hope that all fans of the series (and of action/RPGs) will take the opportunity to enjoy this classic example of gaming history!

LOTS OF LABERYNTHS TO GO THRU ,,,,,YOU GET TOTALLY LOST IN THE GAME- WHICH IS A GOOD THING- GREAT ESCAPISM, AND EXPLORING ALL THE AREAS IS QUITE A CHALLENGE..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

This game is pure genius! A true work of art! There is the Cistine Chapel, the Mona Lisa and Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link! You will devote your life to this game, and love every pulse pounding second! But even if you were to spend 3 life times living, breathing, and eating LoZ2:tAoL you could never discover all the subtle nuances and dark secrets it has to offer. We can only bow and quake at its might and hope a little bit of its greatness will rub off onto us. This is THE game that changed the world forever! See what billions of screaming fans have stomped all over each other frothing at the mouth to get there greasy hands on! Run out today and buy this game at any cost. I implore you. You will not regret it. It is an 8 bit revelation, a heavenly instrument that will fill your life with music and color, the likes of which you never thought possible, and once you behold it everything else will seem dull and meaningless. I give it an A-

I was sold a product that does not work!!! Though it was delivered quickly, I feel it should have been tested before it was sold. Now, I have to go through the hassle of trying to get my money back and I lose on the shiping!!!

I am soory it was not the game I wanted. It was not ur fault I did not look close enough to whaat I was buying

I bought it for my kids to play because they love the Zelda games. My son doesn't like it as much as the other Zelda gold.

This is the odd ball from the Zelda series. It does not have the same gameplay like the other Zelda games, but I still enjoy it. It is not the best, but it can entertain for hours.

awesome old school fun game just bings back memories highly recommend this game and i just hope these games will be around for a long time

Este juego es una pieza que no puede faltar en la casa de ningun coleccionista de videojuegos que se respete. Es un clásico de Nintendo y vale la pena adquirirlo. Lo recomiendo 100%.

When i barely played this game i was very young, and i did not like it because it seemed so complicated. but i still kept it because i just liked all the colors it had and man am i glad i did because as i got older i started playing it again and i loved it.eventually i beat it and just ended up losing it somewhere. then recently, i decided to buy a new cart and i still love it even after all these years. i loved it because it was just a whole new concept of zelda with the leveling up,side-scrolling adventure,etc.. The point is that this is a very good game and a must-own for any retro game lover