Why is zelda so popular

Sure, they've had a few embarrassments like the CD-i games , but no one really counts those. Zelda is the series that set the foundations for the modern RPG, as well as the Hack'n'Slash genre of games. I can't think of any person who has played a Nintendo-made Zelda game and didn't go "Hey! This is a good game! The games that go under the "nerdy" category only got there because and I quote from a Halo junkie "Well, they're set in castle ages, with knights, magic, and weird weapons that belonged to people.

Not to mention, [and here's the really sad part] there's no shooting or multiplayer. No game is fun unless you're competing against actual humans and not an easily-predictable AI. SuperGleeok64 For the Greater Good. Joined Apr 3, Location That place you can never find. Rytex said:. Not to mention, there's no shooting or multiplayer. Joined Apr 10, Location CA. I think because the series has always revolutionized video games.

If you go back to the first Zelda game on the NES, it was the first open-world nonlinear game to ever be released. This really influenced the way games were designed and changed everything. Then you get to Ocarina of Time and how that game influenced games during the time, being the first 3D open-world game. It's still considered by many to be the greatest game of all-time.

Most Zelda games have always tried something outside the box to great success. Majora's Mask and it's time travel gameplay, Twilight Princess and it's motion controls, etc. The Zelda series has been consistently good with every release and has remained popular throughout it's history. Let's see why. The first thing to say is that each Zelda installment is one of a kind.

No two games will be the same, even if the mechanics are similar. This makes the games feel non-repetitive at all, but not experimental enough to drastically modify the "soul" of the game.

Precisely, since its first installment in , we met a hero, known as Link, who would undertake a dangerous journey through a fantastic world. There he had to recover fragments of the Triforce in order to rescue Princess Zelda. By implementing RPG action in a medieval world, a result was achieved that would later be the inspiration for many video games. Basically, Zelda generated the legacy of exploration and adventure, where each sector could have a secret to discover, while the story also manages to trap, being immersed in a halo of mystery and bravery.

Each game generated a challenge for users, as they had to enter unique dungeons, with powerful enemies, which generated epic and very varied battles. At the same time, the adventure and exploration factor is one of the keys to each of its video games, since players who dare to investigate each corner of the world are always rewarded.

All this results in the generation of a unique harmony between trials, challenges and enemies, in addition to an exciting plot and an incredible world to discover, which manages to convey unique sensations.

All Zelda games start with the same premise: the world was created, evil existed, and a hero was born to save the world guided by a wise figure. As with many creation stories, there was nothing but chaos in the beginning until someone intervened—in this case, three someones.

The three goddesses Din , Nayru , and Farore descended from the heavens together and created order out of the chaos, resulting in the land of Hyrule. Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom, creates law and reason throughout the land of Hyrule. Farore, the Goddess of Courage, creates life throughout Hyrule. Farore creates virtually every living thing, as well as the grassy landscapes and fruitful trees. Farore is most often associated with Link.

Once the three goddesses complete their respective tasks, they ascend back into the heavens, leaving the golden Triforce in their place. The Triforce, composed of three golden triangles, is a symbolic emblem for the land of Hyrule. The three golden pieces were left in the care of another goddess, Hylia. It is said that anyone who possesses the Triforce will have their deepest desires come true. Hylia could not wield the power of the Triforce, because goddesses are not allowed to wield all three powers together.

According to The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia, a person who wishes to use the Triforce for their will must have full mastery of all three attributes courage, wisdom, and power.

If the person who touches the Triforce does not have full mastery over these three virtues, then the Triforce will split into three pieces. Whoever touches the Triforce will then be left with only one piece that personifies what the person values most. Once the land of Hyrule is created, the Era of Hylia comes and, with it, a fruitful and prosperous land. However, many demons also rose up from the new land, including Demise , the Demon King.

The goddess Hylia and the humans win the battle and seal Demise away so that he cannot take over Hyrule again. Hylia tried to use the Triforce to end Demise once and for all, but as long as she remained a goddess, she could not use the full power of the Triforce.

So Hylia renounces her status as a goddess and plans to be reborn as a human. In the meantime, a mysterious figure from the Sheikah tribe, Impa , is entrusted with protecting the sealed prisoner until the goddess is reborn. After thousands of years, the goddess Hylia is reincarnated into you guessed it Princess Zelda. Another is born with the Spirit of the Hero—Link. Watching Link age in most Zelda installments also helps add weight to the games. As Link matures into a truly awesome hero, it causes the player to feel like his story arc is worthwhile, like Link is heading toward something important.

The granddaddy of all video games. The combination of dungeons, innovative yet simple combat, quirky characters, and humor all come together to keep players entertained for hours. Modern games can learn a ton from these four aspects of Zeld a. If Nintendo developers follow these lessons from Legend of Zelda. For more Zelda, check out our month-long Spotlight celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the franchise.

Zach Riggs is a freelance writer and photographer in Atlanta, Georgia. At 5 years old he became a hardcore gamer, nerd, and boy genius give or take. Zach blogs consistently at wzachriggs. Connect with us. Share Tweet. Simplicity Ocarina of Time — simple beginnings, simple conflict, simple resolution.