One of the amazing things that these two franchises have is durability. The gaming industry is very young. I can only think of three other gaming franchises that have survived as long as these two: Mario, Donkey Kong, and Mega Man. The Final Fantasy series has been around almost as long, but the only similarity in the series is the name. Each game is different. But Zelda has been an icon for almost as long as I've been alive. So to kick start the Zelda side of the discussion here is a brief overview of each game.

The Legend of Zelda:
The original classic for the NES. This was the first game to allow players to save a game without use of a password and one of the first to present non-linear play. Action and adventure of killing enemies with a sword, but also the mental challenge of solving puzzles in 9 dungeons. The search for the legendary Triforce and a showdown with Ganon at the end was the launch of the series. This was re-released with the Zelda: Collector's Edition for GameCube and is available on the Wii Virtual Console.

Zelda II: The Adventures of Link
Sequel to the original. This one introduced use of magic and introduces towns to the story. There was a top-view map adventure as seen in the first but battles were fought in a side-scrolling battle-field. Enemies were tougher and the temples more challenging. This one was weaker than the first overall, but it also introduced a third Triforce to make Power, Wisdom, and Courage. This game was re-released with Zelda: Collector's Edition for GC and is available on the Wii Virtual Console.

A Link to the Past:
Only Zelda game for the SNES. This is the first game with a real story and is considered one of the best games of its generation. An epic score accompanies the great game play. A new collection of items that would become staples to the series including the Hammer, the Hookshot, and Ice and Fire rods. Link acquired various skills with a sword including a spin attack and beam attack. There were a large number of dungeons, 13 in all with challenging puzzles and spectacular boss fights. A showdown with Ganon at the end capped off this classic game. This has been re-released for the GameBoy Advance in a pack with Four Swords, and is available on the Wii Virtual Console.

Link's Awakening.
Released for the original Game Boy. I have not played this game, so I can make few comments.

Oracle of Ages/Oracle of Seasons
These two games released for Game Boy Color complimented each other. Stuff you got in one game could be transferred to the other. I have not played these either so I can say little more.

Ocarina of Time:
Initially released for the N64. This game is considered by many to be not only the best in the series but one of the best games of all time. It introduced Zelda to the 3D world and gave you the first glimpse of Link as an adult. Link gains sword actions including a horizonal slash, a vertical slash, a thrust, a spin attack, and a jump attack. The introduction of the various races: Gorons, Zoras, Gerudo, and Kokiri, would play a large role in the series. The dungeon temples were the most challenging to date, especially the dreaded Water Temple. Bosses were larger and required mastery of the items in your possession. The story is deep as you learn more about the Triforce and Ganondorf. This game is the first in the series to have playable music via the Ocarina. Previous games had flutes with a single tune, but this time you have to memorize various tunes to do different things. Truly a great game that has seen numerous re-releases. The original Ocarina of Time was included in the Zelda Collector's Edition, a special release with Windwaker and on the Wii Virtual Console. This game will show up again further down the list.

Majora's Mask:
Direct sequel to Ocarina of Time also for N64 Link travels to a far away land and finds himself in Termina where the moon is on a crash course slated to strike in three days. Link has a time limit that he must reset to save the land. Same type of items and similar characters to Ocarina. Link must use a collection of masks to transform into a Deku, Goron, or Zora to solve long temples and restore peace. This game was included in the Zelda: Collector's Edition and is on Wii Virtual Console.

Minish Cap:
Sole Zelda game for GameBoy Advance. Link meets a new villain in Vaati and with the aid of a talking cap, Ezlo, Link must solve a new set of puzzles and shrink to epicly miniscule proportions. Great musical score and fine addition to the portable Zelda collection.

WindWaker: Released for GameCube. This has a lot of negative initial reviews due to the cell-shaded, toon-like graphics. Link appears the youngest in the series, when most fans were seeking a more adult-Link. But in spite of that, it quickly grew on people. The adventure of controlling the wind to sail across a vast ocean grew with each passing moment. Link's sword actions are smoother and includes a 'parry attack'. New times including a grappling hook and Deku Leaf, and a multi-target boomerang, make battles fun. Each boss has it's own tune, making them more memorable. And it's capped off by an ultimate sword-to-sword duel with Ganondorf couple with an epic score.

Ocarina of Time: Master Quest
Released with special pre-orders of Windwaker. It's the same game as the original except all the temples have been tweaked. Same maps but the puzzles are MUCH harder. This is not for casual Zelda fans. This is for masters and masters only.

Phantom Hourglass
First Zelda game for the DS. Innovative use of the dual screen and stylus/touch pad. Follows after Windwaker as Link discovers the nature of the Ghost Ship introduced in Windwaker. The main temples are fun but the Temple of the Ocean King gets old quickly because you have to repeat it numerous times. The score is weaker than previous Zelda titles.

Spirit Tracks:
Second game for the DS. Same gameplay as Phantom Hourglass but better story, better temples, better bosses, and better score. And for the first time, Zelda herself becomes your sidekick.

Twilight Princess:
Released for GameCube and Wii. TP is the first game fully with Link as an adult. It has the deepest story and a memorable side kick in Midna. It is the longest game in the series, with the longest temples. Horseback battle is a new aspect as you get several horseback battles. New items make for fun temples. The spinner, ball and chain and dual clawshots make good challenges and very fun bosses. The score is perhaps the best in the series so far and like with Windwaker, ends with a sensational showdown with Ganondorf.

Ocarina of Time 3D
Another re-release of the classic game. Reports have been phenomenal of the new graphics for the game. I have not played as I do not have a DS 3D.

Skyward Sword:
Releases Nov 20 in the US. The newest game in the series to include the Wii Motion Plus. Supposedly will have the most realistic sword play yet, and as a fencer, I will know. This game is to set up the events for Ocarina of Time in the series cannon and is slated to have the first orchestrated score in the series. I have this game pre-ordered and will pick it up two weeks from today. The pre-ordered pack comes with a gold Wii remote with Motion Plus and the soundtrack CD.

If any one is interested there is a great 25 years of zelda count down on the website http://www.zeldauniverse.net/ if you scroll down the page you will see the different years.

Skyward Sword is at one week away! I have been waitng for so long and it seems so pormising! Various sites have awarded it with perfect scores and although some sites have given it some average scores (1UP), the game simply looks amazing.

On thing I love about this series it how is treats its visuals as art. Unlike modern games which push the consoles to their limits in terms of horsepower but produce dull visuals that lack very little inspiration Zelda pushes them to greta levels to creat inspiring and creative visuals. Few games do this.

I'm getting my copy a week from Tuesday because that is the soonest I can get to a GameStop. Since mine is pre-ordered, they said they would hold it for two days. So I will avoid long lines and get there in time.

One think Nintendo does extremely well is they focus on making excellent games. Many other games are focused on power and graphics but not on gameplay, replay value, score, and overall gaming quality. That is one the key reasons why Zelda has survived the gaming industry for 25 years. Zelda has gone through many delays in it's release but each time it gets delayed, the game gets better. I'm currently most of the way through Twilight Princess in anticipation of Skyward Sword and I am so pumped for this game.

Some friends of mine want me to start gaming, specifically with the Zelda games, but I don't have the time (or the console). Are any of the games made for computers?

I'm pretty sure you can get emulators for your PC. But I play the consoles, so I don't know for certain. Check out if Nintendo offers emulators for the PC and go from there.

It doesn't release here to next Thursday. so 8 daysish from now. I can't wait to get it.

Not many people have posted here... hmmm.

I got Skyward Sword wo days ago. College has nto allowed me to play much until today, but as for now I am pleased. I don´t like some little details (the lack of a mini map in the lower corner of the screen, saving in bird statued rather than on the menu as in most Zelda titles) but the sowrdplay is fun and the enemies are rather intelligent. The first real boss battle was rather tough I´ll admit and I have been wandering trying to resolkve various puzzles which is greta because the game is celver with its puzzles.

Also, Fi is intriguing. I was not expecting her to be a robotic ghost! Pretty interetsing and for know I am very intrigued on hwo the story will progressed what other items I will find and what toher cretaures I will encounter. It is shaping out well.

I'm trying to avoid spoilers on Skyward Sword. It came out today in the US, but I can't get it until Tuesday. I've only really seen one of the official trailers to Skyward Sword and some of the details of gameplay (such as requiring to strike the enemy at a particular point in the body, whereas in the past it would be just a sword slash anywhere). I'm so excited. My biggest challenge now is finishing two term papers (one is close to being done, and the other is not quite so much) and both are due in two weeks. And after that, my parents and I are moving our house, which could mean significant down time for video games. And I am concerned I will be in the middle of the game when that happens. We'll see what happens when it happens.

I don't get it to Thursday afternoon. I want to play it now.

I have received my copy of Skyward Sword. The soundtrack CD offered with the pre-order is actually a 25th Anniversary symphony CD. So it's not the Skyward Sword soundtrack. But because I am currently in a public school setting (I don't like ear phones.), I have to wait to listen until I get home in about 7 hours. Then I can attempt to play the game, if I'm not too tired and need to go to bed.

The new Gold remote that came with the preorder has the Wii-Motion+ built into the remote. So I don't need the extension. I can't wait to check it out tonight.

My evaluations have concluded. I am so close to holidays, but in the emantime I do not have much thing to do, so I am spending my time with Skywards Sword.

Fencer I also have tried not to get spoiled. I was so close to be spoiled but thankfully I have averted a lot of spoilers and just knnew the basics. The storyline so far is interetsing, it certainly captivates you and is one of the strongest points of the game, as far as I have played. It is simple yet intriguing and it makes you want to play more. The combat is by far the best asset of the game in term of gameplya as for now. Enemies even the most simple ones require a strategy in order to beat, even the bokoblins, the most simple-minded enemies give a challenge! The actually block my attacks! And the finishng move form Twilight Princess is back, one of my favourite abilities in the series. And bosses have been quite challenging, it certainly feels satisfying to mvoe the sword in real time. Even slashing Deku Babas is fun because you have to deal a precise blow in a particular direction.

As far as the graphics go, is the weakest part of the game. I like the charter models, but the artsyle makes some vistas and landmarks look blurry from afar. I knos it is not that important, but it does bug me. Yet, it is not the the point it takes the fun away from the game.

Right now the game is picking up pace... and it is getting better.

I haven't read any of the spoilers. I finally get my copy tomorrow. I hope they haven't messed up my order. I doubt the have but still my luck is never the best.

A couple hours into Skyward Sword, so far I am still adjusting to the controls, but overall I'm quite impressed. The graphics are more of a cross between Twilight Princess and WindWaker, but I'm not disappointed. Game play has taken longer than most Zelda games to figure out, but so far it's pretty cool. Swordplay is the best I've experienced in game play so far and being a fencer, that's big. Enemies do block your attacks, except of course in the direction you need to swing the remote. It's nice to have regular enemies do that, not just Ganondorf in the game finale. I'm hoping for a spectacular sword duel at the end. Music so far is quite majestic. I have sensed orchestrated music which is a first in the series.

So far great game and I can't wait to see more.