If you have played one Zelda game then you have played them all. This statement while not exactly true is something that I often hear as a fan of the Zelda series. The gameplay formula, after so many years, has remained largely intact. However despite this lack of change, gamers have continued to flock towards the series and veterans of the Zelda franchise, including myself, continue to immerse themselves into Link’s latest adventures.
Now this is not an article with the intention of bashing the Zelda games or the formula of the Zelda games themselves. Though there are several concepts that I would love to see in the next Zelda game I actually cannot find much room for improvement in the series.
Each Zelda game, while largely similar to the others in the series, have all brought something new to the table. Some of these features have absorbed into franchise regulars while others have faded into obsurity.
This article will take a look at the Top Three features of an old Zelda title that has never been implemented into a later game.
3. Link’s Awakening Temporary Upgrade Items
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Link’s Awakening was the first Legend of Zelda game that I ever played. After playing through the game I was of course hooked and had to play more. However one of the things that I noticed in the other Zelda titles, or should I say I noticed the lack of, was the absence of upgrade items.
In Link’s Awakening there was two items that enemies would randomly drop. There was the Guardian Acorn which would reduce the damage Link would take by half for a period of time. And there was the Piece of Power which would double the damage that Link dealt and would send enemies flying. Each upgrade would be automatically activated upon touching them and the music would change to a unique tune for the item’s duration.
Since Link’s Awakening there has been no item quite like this. There are some tunics, items, and some spells that offer similar effects but none that have been a temporary item upgrade. Perhaps I just miss sending Keese flying across the screen, but I would like to somehow see this feature implemented into a new Zelda game.
I would like to note that there were similar items in the mini-game Four Swords that was released as an extra on the A Link to the Past Gameboy Advance remake. However Four Swords was not a full length game or one that the majority of Zelda fans got to enjoy due to its multi-player requirements using the Gameboy Advance connector cable.
2. Ability to Re-Fight Bosses
One of the best parts of all Legend of Zelda games are the challenging and action packed boss fights. With the exception of a couple of bosses, it is impossible to re-fight any of Hyrule’s biggest and baddest without restarting the game entirely and working your way through. The only bosses that could be replayed was the last boss of each game as most of the games would not save it after you completed the game but before doing so allowing gamers to replay the last boss of the game.
Majora’s Mask was the exception to this rule. With the ability to go back in time by three days, Link was able to actually redo every aspect of the game almost. Dungeons could be resolved and bosses vanquished again. Going back and using new items and equipment on an old boss was fun and it would be nice to be able to do so in other Zelda titles.
Thankfully the Ocarina of Time 3DS remake will be including a boss mode of the sorts where gamers can battle it out with the bosses of each dungeon after defeating them
1. Ring Modifiers in the Oracles
The Oracle games are the often overlooked gems of the Zelda franchise. Despite being passed upon by many gamers, the two Oracle games scored high reviews and brought a lot of new concepts to the Zelda series. One game focused on solving puzzles through time where the other featured the ability to control the seasons. Those two ideas alone were mostly new to the series but the Oracles brought much more to the series as well.
Both Oracle games had some of the most unique items in any Zelda title to date. Some of the most interesting additions were the Rings. At the beginning of the game Links is given a ring by the local jeweler Vasu. As the game progresses Link obtains a wide variety of rings that all perform different functions. Some of the rings makes Link stronger and enables him to deal more damage. Others increases the distance items can be thrown, the duration items last for, and much more.
There were literally more than 50 different rings in the two games that all granted Link different abilities. The game was made much more interesting by the means of these rings. Since they could easily be swapped on and off gamers were able to modify how the game went at their own will. Feel like an extra challenge? Then put on one of the rings that would curse Link and make him weaker. Find the boss too hard? Then double Link’s attack power or his defense.
Overall these three features were great additions to their respective games. Though simple in concept, these gameplay elements vastly improved the overall gaming experience. Perhaps some of these ideas will be used in future games. Skyward Sword has already presented new ideas that is sure to improve the Zelda series. We have seen a new energy meter that controls Link’s ability to run and climb. Possibilities are endless and in the end it is up to Nintendo to improve the Zelda games as they see fit.
