The Legend of Zelda, the mysterious birth of a legendary saga | Documentary/Analysis Zelda 1 (NES)

[@krisfrederick5001]

It's impossible to imagine our lives without Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda. And it all came from a kid exploring the woods in Japan on his own, just like we did. Thank You Shigeru Miyamoto. You and your teams are beyond Legends. ❤❤❤🗡

[@Imozart0341I]

I thought he said he got the idea from watching the Tom Cruse movie “legend” which is legend of Zelda

[@kaih6560]

You explored the japanese forrests?

[@D-Fens_1632]

While American programmers certainly existed in the 70s and 80s and made valuable contributions and innovations to the industry, it's curious how video games are almost uniquely Japanese in origin. Miyamoto seems like a personable, charismatic type but generally the few photos you see of those guys they look like these average looking, reserved, nerdy types. And you have to consider they were born not long after their country was firebombed from the sky and how their parents lived through that. Miyamoto was born only 7 years after the atom bombs were dropped. To think they rebuilt an infrastructure to where computer nerds were putting out Space Invaders in the 70s and creating historical games like Mario and Zelda in the early 80s is pretty incredible. God bless em for it.

[@chronossage]

And then they did it again with Mario 64 and Zelda ocarina of time.

[@customsongmaker]

​@@D-Fens_1632the United States built their infrastructure

[@adzard-wd1pj]

These docs are insanely good, and you just came out of nowhere it seems like!

[@aegean_444]

Get ready for more ;)

[@fusionspace175]

This is an english translation channel of already existing foreign language docs, there is a main channel with a lot more subs.

[@caturiges]

​@@fusionspace175Thanks for pointing it out. Now I have a good reason to practice my french lessons.

[@CatFish107]

It's written and produced by a LLM artificial "intelligence "

[@ludo44]

@@fusionspace175 and the original is AMAZING...

[@OYME13]

I've always found it absolutely astounding and wonderful, that the acutely iconic title screen music for LoZ was created in a single night. What a marvelous nugget of history. I dare say that OG Zelda's title screen music might still be unbeaten to this day, sans perhaps the title screen music for Ocarina of Time.

[@carloseduar2]

First documentary I've experienced that actually captures how revolutionary Zelda I was. Great job!

[@ChezRG-YT]

It's an english translation of a french channel probably by the guy himself.

[@MrRigamortis86]

Can u link french version ? ​@ChezRG-YT

[@MrRigamortis86]

So the voice is a bot?

[@TheOriginalHeisenberg]

04:50 Well Sir, you absolutely nailed it. I'm 46 years old watching videos about this game I absolutely cherish, you've left your mark!!!❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

[@mielthesquid6536]

I didn't understand the channel at first but it's a french channel translated in english! That's a very bright idea, hopefully will bring a way bigger audience, these analysis are very good!

[@danielalvarez0]

Oh that makes sense now

[@daphtpunk09]

I wondered because it sounded like AI text to speech with how words are pronounced but yeah it makes sense now. Solid information and a great presentation!

[@one7decimal2eight]

I remember getting this game when it came out when I was about 10. I spent many hours looking at the story in the instruction manual when I was bored. That artist did a good job. I recognize the parts of that manual in this video...35 years later.

[@MaidenHell1977]

To this day, no one knows the identity of the artist that drew those stunning panels.

[@Dr.Succ0]

@@MaidenHell1977WHAT 😭

[@trendmassacre8423]

@@MaidenHell1977 That artist was pretty...baked when he created a lot of the panels.

[@Retroman8077]

Don't forget level 5 in the second quest where u don't get the dungeon item unless u walk through the wall inside the triforce room. Damn took me a trip to bradlees stores to find a early Nintendo power to figure it out. What a summer. I was playing Zelda 15 feet from the lake with a speedboat and water-skis but I chose to sit on the sun porch and play Zelda. Sure enough I left the final screen saying this ends the story on for hours so all my 20 cousins could see I was the champion. Then I spent the rest of the summer beating kid Icarus and rygar

[@mielthesquid6536]

this secret encapsulated the Second Quest, making you "think outside the box" about what the original game taught you.

[@Retroman8000]

​@@mielthesquid6536I hear u there

[@shlomophobe5582]

Eruga was a PITA if you didn’t boost your Attack and Assail

[@jeremiahwindsor6114]

Ive seen maybe half a dozen videos on the development of LoZ and this is by far the most comprehensive. Subbed.

[@MM-ig1iv]

Them spiders off to the right of the start area were money bags! They'd always give a lot of coins.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

Tektites and leevers. ❤

[@Retroman8077]

OCTOROKS!!!!!

[@Retroman8077]

​​@@bezoticallyyours83what the fu$k is a tectite-avgn

[@bezoticallyyours83]

@@Retroman8077 the one eyed spiders

[@RhythmGrizz]

"Spiders" = *tektites "Coins" = * rupees

[@KBXband]

I didnt play the very first Zelda until I was in my late teens. My first Zelda game was A Link to the Past and I remember when Ocarina came out it was the greatest thing I had ever experienced up to that point.

[@andrewmartineau5445]

Great trip down memory lane with this original Legend of Zelda. I first remember playing this game as a kid back in 1987-88. During the first few months of gameplay I died many times in the game as Link. However as I got better at the gameplay I was able to complete both quests without dying with more time spent in the game.

[@BLSFL_HAZE]

I'm positively BOWLED OVER by Miyamoto's genius. What an utterly AMAZING man!

[@cherokeefit4248]

Being born in 1980, I can recall both games but more so two. These two games are iconic.

[@Darkkfated]

Re - 41:00 Screens cleared of enemies DO eventually respawn - it just takes a while. I forget if it's from simply triggering a certain number of screen transitions, or moving a certain distance away from a cleared screen, enemies do come back eventually - but only if you explore a ways away and return later. Which ties back into the "always pushing you to explore" theme.

[@gameusurper]

I was just going to type this. I was going to start with something like, 'What you talkin' 'bout, Willis?' I believe the magic number is eight screens. If you travel to eight different screens and then come back, the enemies will have respawned. UNLESS you killed all but one per screen. Then they do not respawn. Only the single enemy will.

[@Darkkfated]

@@gameusurper Ahh, I forgot about the "leave one enemy alive and the game will remember that forever" trick - it's VERY useful. And I know the 8-screen trick because I had a "money loop" that involved going in circles just to the right of the starting screen until you run out of Leevers, then going up one screen, all the way back to the left, and by then everything reset. It was the fastest way I ever found of killing lots of weak enemies that still had decent chances to drop blue rupees and bombs, allowing me to save up for the Blue Ring whenever I had 10-ish minutes to grind cash (and bombs).

[@gameusurper]

@@Darkkfated Or you can just buy the Candle, get a few bombs, and go grab three of the 'It's a Secret to Everyone' rupee caches worth 100, 100, & 50, and you're gtg :) And also get the three available Heart Containers that only require bombs or the Candle (and not the Raft or Ladder), then get the White Sword, all before entering Level 1. Best start lol!!!

[@kuhatsuifujimoto9621]

he doesn't know the "single enemy" trick...

[@CraigKostelecky]

40:06 Slight correction: if you defeat all of the enemies on the screen, they will eventually respawn. However, if you leave 1 enemy alive, only 1 enemy will respawn each time you come back.

[@paulwill7698]

My favorite memory of this game is watching my dad try to beat it....and this neighborhood kid who was younger then the rest of us ... whenever he'd see a certain blue enemy he would yell "BOMBS!!!".

[@mouseroot8053]

This documentary is amazing, most only cover the stuff we all know about Loz, but this video takes it a step further, had no idea the theme music was composed in a night, had no idea they were uneasy about this release and tbh the second quest has alot more to it that this video did justice that others kinda just gloss over... I had been doing intense games research and this video really helped me see the full picture esp with the Famicom computer system... amazing to think this was a big risk they took and it not only paid off but it started the greatest game series known to mankind.

[@edguty3811]

I was playing this game at my sisters house with a bunch of her friends watching (I’m 10 years older than her) and they were completely shocked when I started burning specific trees and bombing secret entrances for heart containers. Games didn’t hold your hand back then. What a blast it was to show off my antiquated video game skills.😅

[@Retroman8077]

2:33 love how early development had the triforce room in Zelda one with 3 entrances

[@yogidemis8513]

Being a 80s kid was a magical time. All we needed was Nintendo, real breakfast cereal and Saturday morning cartoons and we gone outside to play and had to be home before street lights came on OR ELSE. Good times!!

[@shlomophobe5582]

Great times never to be forgotten

[@skins4thewin]

Lol wow... That is UNREAL that one of the most Iconic theme songs in Video Game history came to be due to a mistake, & was created in a matter of hours! I can't imagine the game having any other Title Screen music other than what we got. Old video game history sure is fascinating!

[@graztech]

The only channel in KZbin that I will gladly turn my notifications bell on! Craving for more content Sir Sakharu 🎩

[@danielalvarez0]

Same

[@derrickderita7521]

The best break down of this game I've found on KZbin

[@volbound1700]

From all the stories, Miyamoto sounded like a perfectionist/task master but he was also well respected by the team. I imagine it was challenging working under him but I think most of his team believed in his vision and vice versa. I have heard that when he steps away from work, he can be pretty down to earth and enjoyable.

[@JasonRasmussen]

Such high quality long form videos! Seriously stellar documentaries. Keep up the amazing work. A Metroid development documentary would be great. I'd like to know their mindset when creating it. They really nailed the isolation feel on an 8 bit console.

[@HarmonicWave]

That's what I miss about the original Metroid. There was no map, even of where you've already been; walls or floors that can be bombed in certain spots with no visual clue; a black background that makes it feel like a deep cavern; ominous 8-bit music; even a couple of spots where you can get physically stuck with no way to jump out. You feel alone, trapped, lost.

[@mielthesquid6536]

The first one was rough on the edges but managed to do something no sequels did, the real sense of dread, being lost on a dangerous and hostile planet. It felt like you were not supposed to be there, as if it was not meant for human, totally alien. Of course it's a feeling very hard to keep the more and more the game is polished. The strength of Metroid 1 was also its flaws for many gamers.@@HarmonicWave

[@8BitAssassinTV]

How is this not a million sub channel? I’ve subscribed, your videos are Netflix Documentary quality!

[@JoeCheever]

This video brought me back to the first time I played Zelda and the feeling of adventure I got. Keep up the great work!

[@CarletonTorpin]

This video was full of information I hadn’t learned anywhere else! Thank you for all the work you put into it!

[@weirdsoupcartoonsyeah]

this is great stuff. The history of the development of this game described in the video was amazing. I usually think I know quite a bit about zelda's development but you shed light on it in such a comprehensive way to what I had known before. I instantly subscribed.

[@DeformedLunchbox]

Dude your videos are amazing. I feel like this is a million+ sub channel that I've found in the under 10k sub category. Your voice work is great, your breakdowns and history are comprehensive. I can't wait for you to make more videos. In three videos you have become one of my favourite content creators. Wow.

[@sakharubaguette]

Thank you so much!

[@goldengoat1737]

This game is genius! I played it for ever but got stuck about half way through. Until a friend from school had his older brother come over and showed us everything the master sword bracelet secret rupees. I will never forget that day

[@reinatycoon3644]

Holy crud this was one of the greatest video game documentaries I have ever seen! Great work Sakharu. This game is amazing! I love it to bits. It is one of the most nostalgic games for me.. it goes back to my childhood years.

[@brichan1851]

One of the greatest videos I have ever seen covering The Legend of Zelda. Thank you so much! Instant subscriber. ❤❤❤❤

[@volbound1700]

I played this on my original NES (which I still have and works with this game) as a kid and loved it. I played it this summer when overseas on my Switch and it still holds up. I think Ocarina, Twilight, and Windwaker are better overall games now but the original LOZ is an AMAZING game that every Zelda fan should play. Then again, I also love the second one (Adventures of Link) as well and most people hate it.

[@j.makison1547]

Man, if you keep making docs as high quality as this and the previous N64 one, I see this channel skyrocketing. Just those 2 videos alone seem to have more time and effort poured into them than 99% of other docs I’ve seen on those subjects. Awesome job man!

[@ChezRG-YT]

They are translations of his videos on his main french channel sakharu

[@contrivedresident5917]

Another excellent documentary! I’ve been hard-pressed to find a channel that goes more in-depth into game design analysis than you, while still making it immensely understandable; what a great job of recreating the feel of the original Legend of Zelda experience. Glad to be subscribed!

[@DannyDorito504]

Please keep them coming these docs are the best i have seen.

[@irotinmyskin]

This was such a well thought out, thorough documentary. Congratulations! I am surprised how new your channel is but keep up the amazing work. Zelda was the first game I ever played as a kid back in 87. It blew my mind. Now I am counting the years until I can finally show it and play it with my little son.

[@volbound1700]

Regarding Dungeons and Keys, Level 2 had a ton of keys that you could get. Some where needed for just map and compass but not to complete level. You can come out of Level 2 with 2-3 extra keys giving you inventory for future dungeons. I always did that as a kid. Also, sometimes people played Dungeon 2 first because it is actually an easier dungeon to beat versus the first dungeon. Another cool tip is that there are 3 accessible heart containers on the map when you get bombs. You can literally get the White Sword (2nd sword) before you tackle any dungeon if you get these 3 heart containers.

[@derekrequiem4359]

Well researched and great video essay! Keep up this type of content and I'm sure you'll grow your channel. 😀

[@AB-jt6ic]

Great video. Thank you for making it!

[@jayvee5686]

These are long and the quality of the information is top tier. Keep it up, and you'll have a channel w/ a dedicated fan base in no time

[@brichan1851]

27:40 I like how you talk about the second ad as making the game well known, yet it’s the “Zelda Rap,” that we all remember and what made us all want the game, back in 1987.

[@malaiko7937]

I rarely comment on videos, but thanks for these deep dives. While my girlfriend was having surgery and waiting in the hospital recovering, I've been taking care of our 3 month old and listening to these videos. You have helped me be a little more sane throughout cries, diapers, and baby bottles. Awesome content, awesome narration. Be proud of yourself. I can't wait for the next deep dive.

[@juliobonetti]

O just discovered this channel (through the PS2 doc). What great content. I'll keep watching and already subscribed. This channel is set to greatness and deserves more visibility, no doubt about that

[@CarlyEllie]

Hello there @sakharubaguette! I hold Legend of Zelda as a trully special video game that helped me appreciate the video game media as not only entertainment but also as an excellent interactive story telling media. The video you have shared with us all made me subscribe and wil llikelye see the other videos on your channel. Your work here is really appreciated, great selection on how to present content order and details, details, keep up the great work.

[@TheGunmanChannel]

52:25 "this creates an interesting Link" I see what you did there 😏

[@jmiquelmb]

Great analysis of the game. Regarding the screen transition that could have been turned into free scrolling, I think it has its own benefits and merits and why some game still feature it even when it's not required by hardware limits. By having a clear grid map structure, it's easier to locate yourself in the map since you can visualize each screen easier in your mind.

[@jimcachero]

Incredible….. I was there from the start..at 50 I’m about to start my Tears of the Kingdom…thank you Mr Miyamoto

[@jimcachero]

And Ty for this series!!

[@mattcorley4622]

Wonderful review of this legendary game. I can't begin to explain how exciting it was as an 8yo, new to gaming, to discover and conquer this quest. I've replayed it hundreds of times. It remains the only 10/10.

[@semperaugustus661]

Remember playing this game and every time I would find something new I couldn't wait to go to school the next day and share it with my friends. I always thought this would be my favorite game. But then Link to the Past came out.

[@Huddison]

Now we just need you to make documentaries on the rest of the Zelda Series - Bravo!

[@tylerhart4766]

The OG open world game. This was the start of my exploration obsession in games.

[@CalvinTennessee]

Oh another blissful hour and 15 mins!! So excited! Welcome back!

[@jslemahieu]

This documentary is incredible. Great commentary on the game's design. Keep em coming!

[@jasonmendonca6061]

Subscribed. I can't wait to see what other videos you're going to publish

[@brianm2301]

This was great. Truly appreciated.

[@drakewaterston7447]

Hats off sir, this is a true quality channel

[@Retr0gam1ngR0cks]

Solid work and research! Thank you!

[@Kraviken]

Best documentary about Zelda 1 I have ever seen! :D

[@mike7652]

Old Man in the cave: "It's dangerous to go alone, take hits!" *Presents a bong*

[@PuritanProdcutions]

I wish I could have been a kid in the 80s playing ultimate and Zelda when they came out

[@PuritanProdcutions]

@Mew2Win pc version lol

[@markaitkenguitar]

Outstanding, thank you for this.

[@michaelgeelan778]

So happy to see you've posted another video! 😊

[@descascalatinha]

Keep up your work mate, your videos are amazing. I will be in the wait for whatever you give us next

[@a2406]

What a great documentary about one of the games that defined me as a player! Thanks. Subscribed.

[@Retroman8000]

12:04 look at the map its so much different than the final version

[@dboygreenz]

Simply brilliant!!! Looking forward to your next one ...

[@FlipswitchX]

I love how he was worried about space in the beginning, but they make a legendary game with only 50% of available memory anyway. 🧠💯

[@castjet9898]

You should do one for every Zelda game, I’ll definitely watch that.

[@danielalvarez0]

Agreed

[@seiferblade9180]

Seeing as how this is my favorite game franchise (few games I missed though), this was an amazing and highly informative watch. You got a sub out of me with this one

[@EthanSmith]

Blew my mind when you pointed out that the world feels more alive & real because the monsters dont all stop everything and chase you. It's a world, you could come and go. Someone else could but didnt. You're rising to a challenge, not the destined one.

[@rufio.5961]

Ayeeee another one we love this we love you thank you so much

[@bokuboke482]

A superb retrospec of a groundbreaking game! Subbed and await your next upload... =D

[@NorkiNorkiGaming]

I think the "eastmost peninsula is the secret" hint refers to the 100 rupees obtainable in the top right screen of the overworld. Other than that, great video!

[@casjean8904]

ah memories! i was 26 with a little brother. he got the nes for xmas. he played with it a bit, but i was hooked. LOZ was the reason. i have almost every game on every console. The only problem is that i have to play on a small screen due to motion sickness. i hope next console has this option.

[@Retroman8000]

When I worked at toys r us as a purchaser in the 80s the rule was battery games were about +10 dollars more MSRP. You showed Zelda 1 for $45 we easily would have put it at 54.99 I remember printing out the pull tickets for many games. Nintendo was all profit we were making close to 30 percent profit which was unheard of at the time. The only bigger markups was when RC cars hit the scene we made double what we paid for them. Hell I remember when you were allowed to return opened and played video games. I specifically remember people exchanging the wrong games for others. We never checked the boxes or had restock feed back then it was the wild West

[@aaronsnowden6311]

Loved the Legend of Zelda when I was a kiddo. I remember calling my best friend when I found something new and he would do the same. Love the 80's. 😁

[@bantyone5299]

really love this channel. I am up for any interesting stories about nintendo you see fit to document!

[@skins4thewin]

I REALLY wish the Map Creation idea had survived for Legend of Zelda! That is something that really would have given the game replay value & would be something fans would LOVE these days, what with the Internet & whatnot! Imagine being able to play countless huge, custom dungeons for the first Zelda?? I reallllly hope we get a Zelda Maker game one day, similar to the Mario Maker games! I think it would be more successful & fun than Nintendo realizes! If there's one thing I've learned, it's that Nintendo doesn't always have the right idea about things & is sometimes wrong. Could go on & on about that but I won't 😅

[@trendmassacre8423]

I get where you're going with that, LOL!

[@PuritanProdcutions]

I like how you compared dark souls at the end as dark souls is also a game that dosnt directly guide the players and feels unsafe as there is really no villages or safe place besides fire link shrine despite there being npcs

[@kdsanchez2433]

Excellent documentary , I love video game history, 👍🏼👍🏼

[@Luipaard005]

I remember the original box, my oldest sister had one. She showed me how to play it too :) Great documentary!

[@gordon676]

Outstanding job.

[@matttyree1002]

This is a great retrospective! Subbed ;)

[@Retroman8077]

Pacman and donkey Kong officially have scared their faces due to billy Mitchell dragging them through the court system.

[@Zazzicuz]

Incredible documentary!

[@Foodstamp9162]

He changed my life, I can't imagine my life without Mario or Zelda. Maybe its good, maybe it's not. But I had.good memories with my brother while watching him play. And when I played alone. Great games either way, love the new ones but....can't beat the original. As a kid, we had now worries. Anyways, I still love these games

[@Retroman8077]

34:14 the photo shows the dangerous to go alone room with a sword and a boomerang and to choose one, what a screw up. The writing says just a sword in the manual next to it

[@cronstrubzo]

very good docu, very much enjoyed!

[@tim_is_random]

What’s up with the narration at 57:53? Sounds like something got clipped off

[@danielalvarez0]

Good observation. Its an ai voice so that might be part of the problem

[@JohnSmith-zw8vp]

2:30 -- So where's our Zelda Maker? Allegedly Shiggy wanted to do this even BEFORE the first Zelda came out so...where is it?

[@jrockudont]

This is what KZbin is all about. Thank you

[@ujifujimoto212]

Interesting documentary. Some audio issues but quite good.

[@olivercorrodi3340]

great video! instant sub. keep it up

[@86twin]

The thing with the enemies is that in the overworld and labrynth room where all foes aren’t required to be killed to advance, is if you kill all but one, then only that one will spawn when returning to that particular area.

[@RetroFred]

Zelda 1 is not an RPG. It is a game with a progression of power for the player and character. It does contain a few RPG elements, but the only difference between this game and any in the Metroid, God of War, and handheld Castlevania series' is the perspective. Are those games RPGs? No they aren't. It's an action adventure game just like the previously mantioned games.

[@trendmassacre8423]

Zelda 1 was considered an RPG back in the day, maybe not now but was considered such back then!

[@Erdbeerenserver]

I was 6 when this game came out in europe. What a adventure it was!

[@Estus5807]

Hahaha je savais pas que t'avais lancé une chaîne en anglais. Bon courage jspr que tu toucheras plus de monde pour tes rétrospectives ! Keep up the good work and enjoy 🎉