The Legend of Zelda Oddities
February 21st, 2011 by Benj Edwards
In honor of The Legend of Zelda’s 25th anniversary, I dug through the historical record and came out with a dozen Zelda oddities for you to enjoy. The result is over at Technologizer with an intro slide designed by Harry McCracken.
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Previous entries in Benj’s “Oddities” series:
Super Mario Oddities
Nintendo Entertainment System Oddities
Game Boy Oddities
Windows Oddities
February 21st, 2011 at 11:45 am
Interesting that you used the grey re-release NES cartridge on slide 6. Per my understanding, that was far more rare that the original gold cart.
I had no idea that was John Kassir in the original Zelda commercial that’s still vivid in my mind after more than 2 decades! I know him best of the voice of the Cryptkeeper on Tales from the Crypt.
Nice slideshow, overall. 🙂
February 21st, 2011 at 11:47 am
The cartridge in slide 6 is actually the original gold one, Mike. I guess it does look kinda gray at that size now that you mention it.
Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
February 21st, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Now that you mention it, I can see how it’s the gold cartridge. A grey cart would be darker. Weird photograph lighting, I suppose.
February 21st, 2011 at 3:14 pm
I just saw this article on slashdot.
http://games.slashdot.org/story/11/02/21/1930238/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Turns-25
February 21st, 2011 at 3:50 pm
That was a great article/slideshow Benj!! The original Legend of Zelda is my favorite all-time game, and you did it some justice. I also learned a few things that I did not know. When you do articles like that, they do not disappoint. Great job!!!
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:36 pm
As a fan of video game music, especially Zelda tracks, I am curious what tracks where removed in the US release of the game.
Also, now I want to go back and read my Legend of Zelda comic book.
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:39 pm
jdiwnab,
The disk version of Zelda didn’t have any extra songs I’m aware of, but the same songs were arranged in a different way because the Famicom Disk System had built-in FM synthesis, which added another sound channel to the overall capabilities of the Famicom. That means there was one extra “instrument” in the song arrangements. Metroid and Kid Icarus also have different arrangements in their original Disk System versions.