Why Was the Original Legend of Zelda Never Re-Released?
The Blind Eternities forum
Posted on May 5, 2019, 10:04 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
In 1999, Nintendo re-released Super Mario Bros., one of their best-known games and certainly one of the greatest video games ever made, on the Game Boy Color, having originally released it on the Famicon/NES in 1985. The re-release was enhanced in a number of ways, such as by having bonus features to create new challenges for longtime players, but one of its best assets was the ability to save progress in the game, since the original game did not have a save feature, meaning that it had to be completed in a single session, and, if a player got a game over, they would need to start from the beginning.
When that game was re-released, many players, including me, hoped that Nintendo would do the same for the original Legend of Zelda game, which was only slightly below the original SMB in terms of sheer historical significance and popularity with players, and the reasons for that hope were easy to understand. Super Mario Bros. had 32 levels, but its linear nature and gameplay made it relatively straightforward, and a skilled player could complete the game in a single session (especially if the used the warp zones). However, the original LoZ was a much more complex game than was the original SMB, so completing it in a single session would be considerably more difficult and would take more time, so the ability to save the game would have been a major benefit.
However, Nintendo never did re-release the original Legend of Zelda, which I am certain displeased many players, and I now am wondering why they made that decision. Yes, they did include it in the NES classic edition, but I am referring to it being given the "deluxe" treatment, as was SMB.
What does everyone else say about this? Why did Nintendo never re-release the original Legend of Zelda?
Metroid_Hybrid says... #3
First off, let me start off by wholeheartedly agreeing with you in many ways..
That being said; I think it’s worth noting how vanishingly few (if any) 1st party NES games ever got said “deluxe” treatment in the first place.. Nintendo poured their talent at the time behind the most recognizable & widely available game in the entire NES library.. This also functioned as the obligatory GBC Mario game.. Otherwise Nintendo generally concentrates it’s talent at creating original titles..
Another point you kind of answered yourself; about how the complexity of delivering a proper “deluxe” upgrade comparable to the SMB DX would be overwhelming to the point of being self-defeating, due to the limitations of the hardware..
They did, however, do a DX edition of Link’s Awakening, as well as the original Oracle of Seasons/Ages games (all of which are excellent btw)..
May 6, 2019 12:17 p.m.
Last_Laugh says... #4
The one I wish they'd give the 3ds treatment is A Link to the Past personally. They have a lot of the graphics done already due to the shared nature of A Link Between Worlds.
May 6, 2019 12:23 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #5
Metroid_Hybrid, Nintendo also made a colorized version of Wario Land II, and I have played both versions of that game, as well as both versions of Link's Awakening, but I was not aware that they made new versions of the Oracle games; were those released on a system newer than the Game Boy Color?
May 6, 2019 4:19 p.m.
Metroid_Hybrid says... #6
@DemonDragonJ: Yes, they released several “DX” versions of popular GB games back then. I however was speaking about overhauled NES ports (ala SMB Deluxe). But no as far as newer versions of Seasons/Ages goes (though a 3DS overhaul would be pretty boss).. I was merely pointing out the one DX port & the pair of original Zelda games that were made exclusively for the GBC, as opposed to a “deluxe” rehash of the original..
May 6, 2019 7:40 p.m.
Last_Laugh says... #7
There are repros that put Oracle of Ages and Seasons on a gba cart but they don't even increase the screen size, just the standard gameboy color screen size in the middle of a ds/gba screen. Still nice if you don't own a gbc.
May 6, 2019 11 p.m.
Metroid_Hybrid says... #8
FYI: All GBAs are backwards compatible with GB/C game cartridges..
Also keep in mind that the Oracle of Seasons/Ages games came in transparent cartridges. Therefore, any that you see in a generic grey cartridge is a repro as well..
Last_Laugh says... #2
It was rereleased for Gameboy Advance as part of the classic nes series.
-edit- ok, I actually read the rest of your post, I'm dumb.
May 5, 2019 11:19 p.m. Edited.