Zelda (Game & Watch)
Released in the summer of 1989, The Legend of Zelda Game & Watch is one of the more obscure Zelda games. Commonly confused with the Zelda Watch Game, this is a stand-alone "system" pre-loaded with the single game. It has dual screens (similar to the Nintendo DS), with the bottom screen used for normal battles, and the top screen to show inventory, as well as the map, and to show the upper part of the bosses. It follows the storyline of the original The Legend of Zelda, where you must fight through eight dungeons and obtain the eight shards of the Triforce of Wisdom. The complete game can be unlocked in Game & Watch Gallery 4 for the Game Boy Advance.
Story
- Note: Information is from the Game Manual.
From the instruction manual: "The havoc caused by eight fierce dragons is increasing day by day. These dragons have refused to live in piece with man and are fighting against him to rule the world. Now that your sweetheart Princess Zelda has been kidnapped by the evil dragons, you have resolved to destroy the dragons."
Screens
The Multiscreen system resembles the modern Nintendo DS to the point that some have painted their NDS systems to look like the original Zelda G&W Multiscreen platform.
The Sub Screen: The sub screen doubles as an inventory screen and boss arena, featuring Zelda's prison in the upper left, below which is the players Triforce area, dungeon map, and items list. On the right half of the screen is the area that boss battles with the evil dragons take place.
The Main Screen: The lower of the two screens consist of Link, the enemies, Link's health meter, the enemies' health meter, and the old lady who sounds the system's alarm.
Characters
- Note: Information is from the Game Manual.
Link: The hero of the game. He risks his life and fights to rescue Princess Zelda. Link can perform a sword beam attack when his life meter is full (five hearts). The sword beam is always hits the Goblin and generally makes the fight much easier.
Princess Zelda: Link's sweetheart who was kidnapped by the dragons and locked inside a deep dungeon.
Enemies
The enemies in the game consist of Moblins, which must be defeated by stabbing them repeatedly. They attack at Link by throwing spears, which can be blocked by Link not attacking, thus keeping his shield forward; Ghinis, which launch attacks at Link from behind (which can be blocked by stabbing, placing his shield behind you), and one to four Stalfos, which stand underneath Link and try to swing their swords up at him. (they can be avoided by simply moving out of the way).
The boss of each dungeon is a dragon that has two attacks: slashing Link with its tail; or breathing fireballs at him. Link must dodge the fireballs and slash at its tail to defeat the dragon. This is the only area were Link can use the Tomahawk.
Items
Items are obtained from defeating Moblins. They will drop the item once they are defeated. The different items are as follows:
- Recovery Heart: This classic Legend of Zelda item which recovers one heart.
- Water of Life: Automatically used when Link has zero hearts, reviving him with full health. Essentially a bottle full of auto-life potion. This fills Link's health up to five hearts, allowing Link to shoot beams from his sword.
- Map: Shows you the layout of the dungeon.
- Tomahawk: This weapon is only used in boss battles. It is automatically equipped when Link enters one, and works in the same way as the sword. Its only difference is that it does more damage.
2nd Quest
Like the original The Legend of Zelda, the Zelda Game & Watch has a Second Quest quest. After the ending scene where Zelda is rescued, if the player presses the attack button the Second Quest will start. The Second Quest has quicker enemies and the player's score from the previous game is carried over.
Controls
The controls are as follows:
- Left/Right: Move in the direction of the button pressed.
- Up: Go up a staircase.
- Down: Use the "Water of Life" (above).
- Attack: Attack with whatever weapon Link is using.
Alarm
Like the vast majority of the G&W titles, an alarm could be set in Zelda for use with the watch mode (hence Game & Watch) of the system. When the alarm went off, an old lady with a bell would appear on screen.
