Why Was Zelda 2 So Different?

[@Glowblue1]

I loved Zelda 2 enough to notice there are some factual inaccuracies in this video… some that stood out the most: - Tears of the Kingdom wasn’t the first direct sequel of a Zelda game. Phantom Hourglass was a direct sequel to Wind Waker, and Spirit Tracks was a direct sequel to Phantom Hourglass. - You don’t collect the crystals from the palaces. You get all of them at the beginning and place them in the palaces. There’s a picture of Impa giving Link a chest with the crystals in it in the manual. - Square didn’t return the favor by putting Link’s grave in Final Fantasy. Enix made Dragon Warrior/Quest before Square and Enix merged, so it was a reference, not a reply

[@AlmostSomething]

You are correct, sir! Pinning this comment and thank you.

[@SamVanDam]

The "Here lies Link" thing could be viewed as both a reference and a reply. That line isn't in the original NES version of Final Fantasy. It came in later versions. I'm not for certain if it came about pre or post Enix merger though.

[@Cascadiawoodchippersociety]

I really enjoyed Zelda 2, I don't enjoy the 3D ones. 🤷‍♀️ I also own 3 Tinkle games for my DS. Yeah, these people exist. 😅

[@mathieudoucet1446]

For me there is no Zelda after a link to the past

[@Cascadiawoodchippersociety]

@@mathieudoucet1446 i felt that way until I played the DS and 3DS title.

[@fattiger6957]

Without this game, we never would have gotten the CDI Zelda games (which used a similar, side scrolling design) I don't think anyone wants to live in a world without those wonderful cutscenes!

[@wyldelf2685]

Exactly 👍 , , ""Legend of Zelda faces of Evil"" is a very underated game , yet the cutscenes look like someone on LSD tried to recreate the effect in a video game 😂😂 LoL

[@jamesdumouchel6243]

He isn't collecting the crystals he's placed the crystals.He started his Adventure with them

[@KyogresHideout_Vegito2121]

Majora's Mask was also a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time

[@TTULangGenius]

Not too bad of a production, despite a couple of errors. You've earned a new sub, though, because you put a lot of thought and effort into it! Zelda 2 was actually the first Zelda game I ever played when I was around 10 years old in the early 90s. Despite its difficulty, I had a really fun time playing it and I would rent it as much as I could from the local video store. I didn't beat the game until much later in my mid 20s.

[@_polpon]

I remember this game fondly, sure it was a big departure, but it also had a very unique atmosphere and was an epic adventure.

[@geekstreat]

Theres actually a grave in FF1 that says “ here lies Erdrick”

[@kbramlett6877]

If you think about it, The Legend of Zelda is actually 2 games in 1. Regarding the 2nd quest, practically everything has been rearranged. The location of the Labyrinths and other needed items, like the swords, have been relocated, and the difficulty has been kicked up several notches. As for the Labyrinths, they too are much harder. Now, you must walk through walls, if possible, to obtain hidden secrets, items, and rooms. There are the Red Suns, as I call them, and they permanently disable your sword. That is, until you touch a blue one. And that could be a few screens away. I recall completing the 1st and 2nd quests when I was in my early teens. It was a long, treacherous, and dangerous road to the end, but in the end, I felt like I accomplished something I set out to do.

[@mathieudoucet1446]

Not Zelda 2

[@kbramlett6877]

@@mathieudoucet1446 I know it is not Zelda II because that game has one quest and one quest only. If you actually took the time to read what I stated, you will discover that I was referring to the original LoZ.

[@mncdssctn9110]

Still my favourite Zelda. But then, I’ve always preferred side scrollers over top-down views. It’s no coincidence that besides Zelda 2, the games I played most on the NES was Mario, Castlevania and Mega Man.

[@OMGhangout]

It was my first Zelda game and after playing it I tried playing the first and didn’t care for it. I enjoy both now, but 2 holds a special place in my heart.

[@5gods]

This video was astoundingly good. It makes me feel like I need to give this game another chance. Also.. give us some quizzes in the Community tab!

[@derek15boom]

I really enjoyed Zelda 2 as a kid. I like how it was different from the first game. Not saying it was better, as I like them equally. Great video!

[@jamesdumouchel6243]

I had over ten lives when I went to the final level

[@3DJapan]

3:10 How is this not helpful? It's a peninsula on the map and it's all the way to the east.

[@Jason_Bryant]

Honestly, listening to the overworld music for Zelda 2 fills me with anxiety. I played this game all the way to the end, but I was not happy with many of the changes from the first game. There's definitely good stuff there, but the grinding and the resetting back to the temple make my teeth grind when I think about this game.

[@JCEU21]

During the release of Zelda 2, North America was still in the infancy stages of both the NES and Zelda the franchise and while part 2 was quite the obvious departure from the original, I don't think we realized just how big of a change we experienced. The source material was limited. While the difficulty seemed greater than what we had in the original, I don't believe it was anything but a different type of difficulty. One had the challenge in a new type of exploration with trial and error and the other had a more punch you in the face approach with the enemies. I wouldn't have changed Zelda 2 for the world.

[@mathieudoucet1446]

Zelda 1 second quest was harder than Zelda 2

[@SomeGuy712x]

I'll always think fondly of Zelda II for its unique gameplay, even if there are some flaws with it, but it's a game I don't mind coming back to play again from time to time. (9:03) "You now prossess Dracula's Rib." Classic. (11:11) "Call of Duty 196: The Calliest of Duties" gave me a good laugh. (11:25) When you go to show #6 on that list, the end cards pop up at the exact same time and obscure where it would show the first Legend of Zelda and its sales number. Would it be possible to change the end cards' appearance timing so that doesn't happen, maybe by delaying them by 5 seconds?

[@Artofficial1986]

My favorites are OOT, WW and BOTW. I was born the same year the first Zelda was released.

[@greyfox4577]

Maybe because the next logical step was to create a sequel that felt like an upgrade? I remember playing the Zelda and did not necearily like the overhead view but somehow the game was engaging and better than a lot of the overhead games out there at the time. I then played Zelda II and the graphics or presentation definitely felt like an upgrade, the only major problem was that it was extremely difficult and that was the reason it was not as popular. Remember when Zelda II came out there was no franchise there was no overhead predetermined way games should be, it was only the second game so they could have taken it any way they wanted to, had the second one been more popular then the overhead one would have been the odd one out of the bunch and they probably would not have returned to that style for the SNES one.

[@_OCPGAMING]

I think it needs to be stated for those that haven't played the game yet and are worried about the difficulty. You get the Life spell in the third town you visit, it's also the third spell you get. They give it to you before the first big difficultly spike, Death Mountain. So it's not later in the game you get the spell, and just like other RPG's out there, of course visiting a town refills your health, this is not a detriment to the game.

[@CplEthane]

I played Zelda II for the first time in like 30 years (battery still works!) I started a new game, and like every other middle-aged adult who picks up this game again, Death Mountain was a breeze. First time, blew right through it, got the hammer, got $200, etc etc. Like every other kid in the 80s, Death Mountain was the bottleneck slog like the Marsh Cave for Final Fantasy. Somehow it got easier between now and then, because my gaming skills have not improved over the past few decades in the slightest.

[@-RAYZ-]

They use dollars in Hyrule?

[@rickard234]

Wait, the save state battery still works??

[@seantaylor424]

Trying new things is brave, but I don't think rampant experimentation is a better approach to sequels than assembly line reproduction. While something like CoD can get repetitive, it always gives its fans something they want, but something like Zelda 2 came so out of left field that I could see another series trying the same thing and tanking itself because it didn't have enough of a foundation in people's minds to let them latch onto it. I think Majora's Mask did a good job of keeping the gameplay (and assets) players were familiar with but radically changed how that gameplay is used. Alternatively, a spin-off game like Legacy of Kane from Blood Omen (hope I got those titles right) can make the changes easier to swallow because the character is different, even though the franchise can still adopt those innovations in future games.

[@mattmcconnell4814]

Fascinating, I had no idea this story was so deep.

[@TheElephantRoom1]

This was the first Zelda I played when I was a kid. The other games are weird; this one's normal. 🙂

[@jamesdumouchel6243]

You forgot you can find fairies in this game to heal

[@Lightstrikers]

the down thrust is still my favorite move. NO OTHER game has it. (DarkSouls and GoW can suck some linked balls) 5:02 it is not a failure. it is still one of my favorite game of all time; great rpg, great exploration, great story, great action.

[@PhilipMurphy8]

Great video, thanks for the Zelda content

[@MCastleberry1980]

I think too many people focus on what Zelda II ISN'T instead of what it is. It's strengths are that it's one of the best action RPGs on the NES with plenty of challenge but is very fair once you figure out the systems and best ways to beat enemies. Funny enough, talking about taking big risks on sequels, Nintendo did that again with BotW being a massive departure from the Zelda formula and it was a huge hit.

[@joed9305]

Zelda 2 was an amazing game. Still one of my favorite hands of all time.

[@tubeincompetence]

Zelda 2 was great for its time. But I admit I'd probably pick up Zelda 1 before Zelda 2 today. Mostly because it's friendlier (easier). but a few tweaks and it would at least be more tempting to play it again. :)

[@MikeQuinn71]

This is definitely my favorite Zelda game... I've spent many frustrating hours playing it. 😅

[@mikeytappe]

My favorite game in the franchise.

[@SamVanDam]

I've watched enough Zelda 2 speedruns to know that you don't HAVE to complete the palaces in order!

[@cloud9savagehenry]

I loved that game. Still love that game. Have finished it several times on multiple systems. And as far as the big N... NOT repeating with a sequel? Do you want to talk about Majoras mask or Tears of the kingdom?

[@krisreddish3066]

I think 2 was the hard one, that is why. There had to be that one that was different and upped the difficulty a bit right? By going side scroller they could put stuff from much harder games into it. I used to play it once a year with friends, to see who could get the farthest. I rarely beat it as I run out of steam right before the final few fights. That was intended for replayability. While I remember liking the first Zelda more, I have for sure played the 2nd one more.

[@marveloussoftware4914]

3:19 not helpful? Well i guess gems are not helpful to you.

[@ZachAttackIsBack]

Rented the first Zelda a couple times when I was a kid and was not impressed. Had no clue what to do. Didn't even rent Zelda 2. Watching this video, I think child me made the right call.

[@jankjason]

I played through Zelda 2 and 100%ed it for the first time last year, I actually do favor it.

[@bigpeopleareold]

Zelda 2 was weird for me. It's the only game I played in the series. I didn't want a video game system after the NES. But the first time I played it, I was creeped out over it, as a 9 year old kid. I asked my father if we could exchange it (for my first choice, Punchout :) ) but nope ... my brother and I eventually beat it. Just looking at scenes of it create vivid associations around playing that for hours :) Only one or two other games had that effect on me when growing up. edit: even the warning label on the back creeped me about about the battery when I got it :)

[@-RAYZ-]

But nope.....You cannot return video games. Especially back then.

[@5gods]

bookmarked and will watch tomorrow. It's night in Vietnam.

[@mattkidroske]

Nice video! Personally i enjoyed Zelda II but definitely prefer the Link's Awakening style

[@ZapatosVibes]

Despite being the black sheep, I still love it. Maybe its the kid nostalgia speaking but hey :)

[@wyldelf2685]

I was in Elementary school when ZELDA 2 was released , , , id play it for hours on end , i loved it , ,i decided it was not defeatable early on and any friend who says they have beaten Zelda 2 was simply a sad Liar 😂 but i would keep Playing ZELDA 2 anyway because i would try to last longer and go farther than my previous attempts 😮😊😊 plus it tied into the Animated Legend of Zelda cartoon part of the "Super Mario Bros Super Show" hee hee hee "Well Excuuuuuuuse Me Princess" 😂🎉😂❤ great video man 🏆 as you can tell im quite Huge ZELDA 2 fan 👀🎃😸🍕👍👍

[@ceefusjenkins2281]

I just shared this with my cousin who said Zelda 2 was better when we were kids.. he was wrong. 😂

[@mathieudoucet1446]

Because back in the day's they weren't just copying the same game over and over again because they had success.... (ubisoft)

[@zachtwilightwindwaker596]

Zelda 2 is too damn hard. I needed a mod to make it more playable. 3:11 I think there's a video that explains what that clue might be. 6:47 Didn't know Final Fantasy took place in Hyrule. I actually like Castlevania 2 and got the best canon ending. Castlevania 2 is the first Metroidvania in this series.

[@marcellachine5718]

Zelda 2 is a great game. Anyone that thinks it's difficult should just put down their controller. It's very satisfying completing the game without the candle, and not picking up any heart or magic containers.

[@matthewpere1975]

Shadow link was kinda hard thr first time u meet him that's about it

[@ssssssstssssssss]

Little kids (7+) could handle more difficult games at the time. They weren't so used to having their hands held.

[@one7decimal2eight]

Born in 78. Everyone talked about Zelda 1 on the bus and playground. Zelda 2 came out and everyone hated it. We tried to like it. But it was a piece of crap.

[@GoatTheGoat]

Mario not Merry-o.

[@steve.b.23]

You should hear how he pronounces Wario in his video about Nintendo puzzle games.

[@GoatTheGoat]

@@steve.b.23 I don't understand why people mispronounce Mario. The games literally have audio of it being pronounced correctly right in them. Mario 64 has "It's me, Mario!"

[@jamesdumouchel6243]

I'm not sure if you know this or not but square. didn"t make dargon quest

[@floridascratcher6190]

Was my favorite game

[@Tigerhawk1981]

Zelda 2............ Zelda 1 you have a sword, Zelda 2 a small knife, just look at it, its a knife

[@steakslave]

I've always felt the same, especially if you look at the reach of most of the enemies' swords. If Nintendo ever gave this game the remake treatment, that's one of the things I hope they would fix.

[@Riz2336]

Never played this one much, it just didn't appeal to me as a kid

[@sheepdog_81]

Best game ever imo! ❤

[@dosop8936]

Never stop making these videos. Even though I'll never replay these games but to see you knock them out is the best

[@OvercookedOctopusFeet]

Zelda 1 to Zelda 2 = terrible change, same as Castlevania 1 to Castlevania 2. Just two examples of poor decision making.

[@joncederqvist4337]

Castlevania 2 > Castlevania 1

[@OvercookedOctopusFeet]

@@joncederqvist4337 ? Simon's Quest is terrible imo

[@Kahless_the_Unforgettable]

Zelda 1 is one of the best games of all time. Zelda 2..., isn't.