The Legend of Zelda CD-i games: Difference between revisions
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'''''Link: The Faces of Evil''''', '''''Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon''''' and '''''Zelda's Adventure''''' are three [[action-adventure game]]s produced by [[Philips]] for the [[CD-i]] as part of [[Nintendo]]'s ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' video game series. Not designed for Nintendo platforms, the games owe their existence to negotiations related to Nintendo's decision not to have Philips create a CD [[Peripheral|add-on]] to the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]]. During these negotiations Philips secured the rights to use five Nintendo characters in their games for the CD-i, and the development of these games was achieved through the hiring of third party developers. ''The Faces of Evil'' and ''The Wand of Gamelon'' were developed by [[Animation Magic]] and were both released on October 10, 1993 and ''Zelda's Adventure'' was developed by Viridis and was released on June 5, 1994. The games were given little funding or time for completion, and Nintendo provided only cursory input. |
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:CD-i games from ''The Legend of Zelda'' series}} |
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The Philips CD-i did not sell well and the games saw relatively small sales figures. Critical reception for all three ''Zelda'' CD-i titles is unusual in that while largely positive at the time of the games' release, they have seen nearly universal negative criticism since the mid-2000s. This is attributable to the reaction of many gamers to the obscure games' [[full motion video based game|full motion video]] [[cutscene]] when they first became widely available through video-sharing websites like [[YouTube]]. Because the aging early 1990s visual effects of the titles failed to live up to the graphic effects of the 2000s, and because for many fans this was their first experience of the games, the CD-i ''Zelda'' titles have developed [[List of video games notable for negative reception|a critical reputation as particularly poor]] members of the Zelda franchise based largely on animation quality and to an extent on awkward controls. In the eyes of devout hardcore gamers, according to [[Edge (magazine)|''Edge'' magazine]], these games are now considered "tantamount to blasphemy."<ref>''Development Hell''. [[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]. No.120. Pg.81. February 2003.</ref> |
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''Faces of Evil'' and ''Wand of Gamelon'' are played using the side-scrolling view introduced in ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]'', while ''Zelda's Adventure'' has a top-down view reminiscent of the original ''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]''.<ref name="up">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=5&cId=3149883 |title=CDi: The Ugly Duckling |first=Danny |last=Cowan |publisher=[[1UP.com]] |date=2006-04-25 |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref><ref name="Wired">{{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20090401234018/http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/03/gamelife-the--3.html |title=Game|Life The Video, #7: Nintendo and CD-i |last=Kohler |first=Chris |publisher=[[Wired (magazine)]] |date=2008-03-24 |accessdate=2008-04-07|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080501145223/http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/03/gamelife-the--3.html |archivedate = May 1, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> All the CD-i ''Zelda'' games begin with animated [[Full motion video|FMVs]] to illustrate the capabilities of the [[CD-ROM]] format, save ''Zelda’s Adventure'', which begins with live action video.<ref name="Wired"/> |
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==History of the ''Zelda'' CD-i franchise== |
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In 1989, [[Nintendo]] signed a deal with [[Sony]] to begin development of a [[CD-ROM]]-based system known as the "Nintendo PlayStation" or the SNES CD to be an [[Peripheral|add-on]] to the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] that would allow for [[Full motion video|FMV]] and larger games.<ref name="cdioverview">{{cite web |url= http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries.shtml |title=Overview: CDi Series |author=Zelda Elements Staff |publisher=Zelda Elements |date=2008-01-01 |accessdate=2008-04-07 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080306102711/http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries.shtml |archivedate = March 6, 2008}}</ref><ref name="trailers">{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/14537.html |title=The Legend of Zelda Retrospective Zelda Retrospective Part 3 |author=GameTrailers Staff |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |date=2006-10-22 |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> However, Nintendo broke the agreement and instead signed with [[Philips]] to make the add-on, which caused [[Sony]] to spin off their add-on into its own console called the [[PlayStation]].<ref name="Wired"/><ref name="cdioverview"/><ref name="Dumbest">{{cite web |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/june03/dumbestmoments/index17.shtml |title=Nintendo: From Hero to Zero |author=GameSpy Staff |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |date=2008-01-01 |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> Witnessing the poor reception of the [[Sega Mega-CD]], Nintendo scrapped the idea of making an add-on entirely.<ref name="cdioverview"/><ref name="trailers"/> As part of dissolving the agreement with Philips, Nintendo gave them the license to use five of their characters, including Link, Princess Zelda, and Ganon, for games on Philips's console called the [[CD-i]], after the partnership's dissolution.<ref name="trailers"/><ref name="kot">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/history-is-cool!/this-day-in-gaming-june-5th-265907.php |title=This Day in Gaming, June 5th |first=Mark |last=Wilson |publisher=[[Kotaku]] |date=2007-06-05 |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> |
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Contracting out to independent studios, Philips subsequently used the characters to create three games for the CD-i, with Nintendo taking no part in their development except to give input on the look of the characters<ref name="trailers"/><ref name="faceevil"/> based on the artwork from Nintendo's original two titles and that of their respective instruction booklets.<ref name=retrogamer27>''The Making of... Zelda: 'Wand of Gamelon' & 'Link: Faces of Evil'''. [[Retro Gamer]]. Issue 27. p. 52-57. August 2006.</ref> Philips insisted that the development studios utilize all aspects of the CD-i's capabilities including [[Full motion video|FMV]],<ref name="gamelon"/> high-resolution graphics, and CD-quality music.<ref name=retrogamer27/> Because the system had not been designed as a dedicated video game console, there were several technical limitations, such as laggy controls (especially for the standard infrared controller),<ref name="gamelon"/> and numerous problems in streaming-audio, memory, disc access, and graphics.<ref name=retrogamer27/> |
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== ''Link: The Faces of Evil'' == |
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{{Infobox video game |
{{Infobox video game |
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| title = Link: The Faces of Evil |
| title = Link: The Faces of Evil |
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| image = [[ |
| image = [[File:Link facesofevil packaging.jpg|200px]] |
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| caption = Boxart for |
| caption = Boxart for ''Link: The Faces of Evil''. |
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| developer = [[Animation Magic]] |
| developer = [[Animation Magic]] |
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| publisher = [[Philips|Philips Media]] |
| publisher = [[Philips|Philips Media]] |
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| designer = |
| designer = |
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| engine = |
| engine = |
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| released = |
| released = {{vgrelease||NA=October 10, 1993|EU=1993}}<ref name="up"/> |
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| series = ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' |
| series = ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' |
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| genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]] |
| genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]] |
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'''''Link: The Faces of Evil''''', '''''Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon''''' and '''''Zelda's Adventure''''' are three [[action-adventure game]]s produced by [[Philips]] for the [[CD-i]] as part of ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' video game series. ''The Faces of Evil'' and ''The Wand of Gamelon'' were developed by [[Animation Magic]] and were both released on October 10, 1993 and ''Zelda's Adventure'' was developed by Viridis and released on June 5, 1994. |
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Paired with ''Zelda: Wand of Gamelon'' in a simultaneous release, ''Link: The Faces of Evil'' represents the first of the ''Zelda'' games to be released by Philips for the CD-i. Following the traditional Link-saves-Zelda plotline, ''Faces of Evil'' was patterned most closely upon Nintendo's previous [[side-scroller]], ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]''. The game broke new ground in the video game industry by using outsourced [[Russian animation]] to create all cutscenes, and the game received largely positive contemporary reception. The game has not aged well, however. Modern criticism is almost universal in its harsh negativity toward the game and the animated cutscenes have become particular targets of derision. |
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As part of the negotiations related to [[Nintendo]]'s decision not to have Philips create a CD [[Peripheral|add-on]] to the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], Philips secured the rights to use five Nintendo characters in their games for the CD-i. The games were given little funding or time for completion, and Nintendo provided only cursory input. |
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===Gameplay=== |
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The games were [[List of video games notable for negative reception|poorly received by critics]] at release, due to unresponsive controls, and the games have gained notoriety more recently as their [[full motion video based game|full motion video]] [[cutscene]]s have become widely available through video-sharing websites like [[YouTube]]. The Philips CD-i did not sell well and Nintendo rarely acknowledges the games' existence. |
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[[Image:Zeldafacesofevil2.jpg|200px|right|thumb|A screenshot of ''Link: The Faces of Evil'']] |
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The player controls [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]], who must find and defeat "the evil forces of [[Ganon]]", rescue [[Princess Zelda]], and become the hero of Koridai. When the player begins this quest, three areas are initially available, accessible through Gwonam's map. The player can access the areas on the map by moving the on-screen cursor over one of the areas and pressing the selection button (Button One).<ref name="EvilInstructions">{{cite book |author=[[Animation Magic]] |year=1993 |title=Link: The Faces of Evil ''instruction booklet'' |publisher=Philips Media }}</ref> |
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Gwonam, who aids the player in the quest, tells Link there is no time to pack; his sword would be enough.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=9000 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Link:''' Great! I'll grab my stuff! / '''Gwonam:''' There is no time. Your sword is enough.}}</ref> Consequently, the player is only equipped with a sword and shield at the beginning of the game.<ref name="EvilInstructions"/> The sword is used to attack enemies and fire deadly Power Blasts, and the shield can deflect attacks thrown at the player.<ref name="EvilInstructions"/> The shield is automatically lifted when the player is standing still or crouching.<ref name="EvilInstructions"/> Other helpful tools, such as lamp oil (for lighting a lamp), rope (for climbing) and bombs (which can destroy some obstacles) are available for a price at Morshu's shop in Koridai.<ref name="EvilInstructions"/><ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Goronu Shop |quote='''Morshu the Shopkeeper:''' Lamp oil, rope, bombs. You want it? It's yours, my friend. As long as you have enough rupees.}}</ref> The rubies (known as "rupees" in other ''Zelda'' titles) that Morshu takes as currency can be obtained by defeating enemies.<ref name="EvilInstructions"/> To pick up these gems, the player must strike them with the sword before they disappear.<ref name="EvilInstructions"/> Rubies differ from rupees in that red rubies are worth 1, green are worth 5, and blue are worth 10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/games/columns/60057/The-Hall-of-Shame-09.19.07:-The-Nintendo-Phillips-CD-I-Games.htm |title=411mania.com: Games - The Hall of Shame 09.19.07: The Nintendo Phillips CD-I Games: |last=Chiucchi |first=Vincent |date=2007-09-19 |accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref> whereas in the original games green rupees are worth 1, blue rupees are worth 5, and red rupees are worth 20. |
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==Gameplay== |
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''Faces of Evil'' and ''Wand of Gamelon'' are played using the side-scrolling view introduced in ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]'', while ''Zelda's Adventure'' has a top-down view reminiscent of the original ''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]''.<ref name="up">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=5&cId=3149883 |title=CDi: The Ugly Duckling |first=Danny |last=Cowan |publisher=[[1UP.com]] |date=2006-04-25 |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref><ref name="Wired">{{cite web |url=http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/03/gamelife-the--3.html |title=Game|Life The Video, #7: Nintendo and CD-i |last=Kohler |first=Chris |publisher=[[Wired (magazine)]] |date=2008-03-24 |accessdate=2008-04-07|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080501145223/http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/03/gamelife-the--3.html |archivedate = May 1, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> All the CD-i ''Zelda'' games begin with animated [[Full motion video|FMVs]] to illustrate the capabilities of the [[CD-ROM]] format, save ''Zelda’s Adventure'', which begins with live action video.<ref name="Wired"/> |
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Link's health is measured in "Life Hearts". The number of Life Hearts the player currently has is shown on the upper-left corner of the screen when Link is walking around the island. Although the player begins the game with only three hearts, there are ways to earn more. Each time Link is injured, he will lose at least one-half of a heart.<ref name="EvilInstructions"/> The first two times Link runs out of Life Hearts, the player will be given the option of continuing from near the point where Link's last heart was lost. When Link loses his hearts for a third time, he will be returned to the map, and the player will have to start the level from the beginning. Returning to the map replenishes Link's Life Hearts and lives, and he will retain any items and rubies he picked up.<ref name="EvilInstructions"/> |
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[[Image:Zeldafacesofevil2.jpg|200px|right|thumb|A screenshot of ''Link: The Faces of Evil'']] |
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===Plot=== |
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=== ''Link: The Faces of Evil'' === |
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The story begins in [[Hyrule Castle]] where a bored [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]] (the series' [[protagonist]]) discusses with King Harkinian the prospects of new adventure.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Link:''' Gee! It sure is boring around here. / '''King Harkinian:''' My boy, this peace is what all true warriors strive for. / '''Link:''' I just wonder what Ganon's up to.}}</ref> Soon Link's hopes are fulfilled as Gwonam the wizard arrives on a [[magic carpet]] and tells them that [[Ganon]] (the series' [[antagonist]]) has taken over the far-off island of Koridai.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Gwonam:''' Your Majesty, Ganon and his minions have seized the island of Koridai.}}</ref> Gwonam explains that according to a prophecy, only Link can stop him.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Gwonam:''' It is written: only Link can defeat Ganon.}}</ref> Link is transported to Koridai and the wizard shows him the fabled island's giant stone statues known as the Faces of Evil which Link must conquer.<ref name="Wired"/><ref name="cdioverview"/><ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Link:''' Wow! What're all those heads?! / '''Gwonam:''' These are the Faces of Evil. You must conquer each.}}</ref> During Link's time in Koridai, Princess Zelda is kidnapped by Ganon and is imprisoned in his lair.<ref name="faceevil">{{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20090314052202/http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries_foe.shtml |title=Overview: Link: The Faces of Evil |author=Zelda Elements Staff |publisher=Zelda Elements |date=2008-01-01 |accessdate=2008-04-07 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071011064124/http://zeldaelements.net/cdiseries_foe.shtml |archivedate = October 11, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Firestone Lake |quote='''Ganon:''' In the darkest nightmare hour, when not moon nor sun has risen, I take Zelda through my power. I shall keep her in my prison.}}</ref> |
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The player controls [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]], who must find and defeat "the evil forces of [[Ganon]]", rescue [[Princess Zelda]] and become the hero of Koridai. When the player begins this quest, three areas are initially available, accessible through Gwonam's map. The player can access the areas on the map by moving the on-screen cursor over one of the areas and pressing a certain button.<ref name="EvilInstructions">{{cite book |author=[[Animation Magic]] |year=1993 |title=Link: The Faces of Evil ''instruction booklet'' |publisher=Philips Media }}</ref> |
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Questing to rescue the Princess and to liberate Koridai, Link is sent by the Ice Queen to Fortress Centrum to retrieve the Treasure of Death.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Serigon Caves |quote='''Ice Queen:''' Before you face the foul fiend Ganon, you must conquer Fortress Centrum, where the Treasure of Death is hidden. Bring it to me. Begone.}}</ref> At the fortress, Link finds what appears to be a sleeping Zelda. Once awakened, however, the figure transforms into Goronu, a shapeshifting necromancer who works for Ganon. After defeating Goronu, Link retrieves the Crystal of Reflection, which allows his shield to reflect curses.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Serigon Caves |quote='''Ice Queen:''' This shield both sword and spear reflects, but cannot stop the vilest curse. This crystal makes the shield reflect, cursing the curser with twice the curse.}}</ref> Link then proceeds to defeat Ganon's minions, which include the revived Goronu, the anthropomorphic pig Harlequin, the armored pyrokinetic Militron, the three-eyed wolfgirl Lupay, and the gluttonous cyclops Glutko, from which the Book of Koridai is retrieved. A translator named Ipo, who can read the Book of Koridai, reveals that the Book itself is enough to defeat Ganon.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Nortinka |quote='''Ipo the Reader:''' Listen. Such is the power of the Prince of Darkness that he can kill with a single look. Attacks against Ganon will prove fruitless unless Link attacks with the sacred book.}}</ref> |
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|title=411mania.com: Games - The Hall of Shame 09.19.07: The Nintendo Phillips CD-I Games:|last=Chiucchi|first=Vincent|date=2007-09-19|accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref> |
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After trekking through Ganon's Lair,<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Ganon's Lair}}</ref> Link finally reaches Ganon, who attempts to recruit Link with the promise of great power and the threat of death.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Ganon's Lair |quote='''Ganon:''' Join me, Link, and I will make your face the greatest in Koridai, or else you will ''die!''}}</ref> Link imprisons him in the Book of Koridai<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Ganon's Lair |quote='''Ganon:''' No! Not into the pit! ''It burrrns!!''}}</ref> and then awakens the sleeping princess Zelda. Gwonam appears and congratulates Link on imprisoning Ganon. He shows Link a recovering Koridai and declares him the island's hero. However, Zelda refuses to kiss him as a reward.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Ending sequence |quote='''Gwonam:''' Well done, Link! Ganon is once again imprisoned. Come. Look. Already Koridai is returning to harmony. The birds are singing! Isn't it beautiful? / '''Link:''' Golly! / '''Gwonam:''' As it is written, you, Link, are the hero of Koridai! / '''Link:''' I guess that's worth as kiss, huh? / '''Princess Zelda:''' Ha! / '''Link:''' I won!}}</ref> |
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Link's health is measured in "Life Hearts". The number of Life Hearts the player currently has is shown on the upper-left corner of the screen when Link is walking around the island. Although the player begins the game with only three hearts, there are ways to earn more. Each time Link is injured, he will lose at least one-half of a heart.<ref name="EvilInstructions"/> The first two times Link runs out of Life Hearts, the player will be given the option of continuing from near the point where Link's last heart was lost. When Link loses his hearts for a third time, he will be returned to the map, and the player will have to start the level from the beginning. Returning to the map replenishes Link's Life Hearts and lives, and he will retain any items and rubies he picked up.<ref name="EvilInstructions"/> |
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===Development=== |
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===''Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon''=== |
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''Faces of Evil'' was one of the first two Nintendo-licensed games released on the Philips CD-i (together with ''Wand of Gamelon'').<ref name="up"/> The game was given the relatively low budget of approximately $600,000 and the development deadline was set at a little over a year — time which would have to be split between the development of ''Faces of Evil'' and ''Wand of Gamelon''.<ref name=retrogamer27/><ref name="gamelon"/> It was decided by [[Animation Magic]], the [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]]-based development team led by Dale DeSharone, that the two games would be developed in tandem and would share the same graphics engine to more efficiently use the budget.<ref name="developer">{{cite web |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/zeldacdi/zeldacdi.htm |title=Zelda: Wand of Gamelon / Link: Faces of Evil - Phillips CD-I (1993) |first=John |last=Szczepaniak |work=[http://www.hardcoregaming101.net Hardcore Gaming 101] |date=2008-01-01 |accessdate=2010-02-04}}</ref> The animated cutscenes were created by a team of four animators from Russia (led by Igor Razboff) who were flown to the United States for the project.<ref name=retrogamer27/> These games marked the first time that Russian outsourcing had been utilized by an American company — a move that was only possible due to the somewhat thawed political climate after the [[fall of the Berlin Wall]].<ref name=retrogamer27/> The rest of the development team included three programmers (all previous employees of [[Spinnaker Software]]), one musician (Tony Trippi), and freelance-writer Jonathan Merritt who created the scripts and designs.<ref name=retrogamer27/> Under DeSharone's direction, game development progressed similarly to that of his earlier-directed title, ''[[Below the Root (video game)|Below the Root]]'', a game which Retro Gamer's John Szczepaniak has suggested may have served as a forerunner of sorts.<ref name=rg27roots>''The Making of... Zelda: 'Wand of Gamelon' & 'Link: Faces of Evil' - Roots of Origin''. [[Retro Gamer]]. Issue 27. p. 55. August 2006.</ref> Background designs were created by local Cambridge artists, and voice-acting was entirely produced by local actors from the [[American Federation of Television and Radio Artists|AFTRA union]].<ref name=retrogamer27/> |
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The player controls [[Princess Zelda]], who must find and defeat [[Ganon]] and rescue both King Harkinian and [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]] to become the heroine of Gamelon. When the player begins this quest, three areas are initially available, accessible through [[Characters in The Legend of Zelda series#Impa|Impa]]'s map. The player can access the areas on the map by moving the on-screen cursor over one of the areas and pressing a button.<ref name="WandInstructions">{{cite book |author=[[Animation Magic]] |year=1993 |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon {{noitalic|instruction booklet}} |publisher=Philips Media }}</ref> |
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=== Reception === |
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At the beginning of the game, the player is only equipped with a sword and shield. The sword is used to attack enemies, fire deadly Power Blasts and communicate with friendly villagers, whereas the shield can deflect projectile attacks thrown at the player. The shield is automatically lifted when the player is standing still or crouching. Other helpful tools, such as lamp oil (for lighting a lamp), rope (for climbing) and bombs (which can destroy some obstacles) are available for a price at the General Shop in Sakado.<ref name="WandInstructions"/><ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Sakado General Shop |quote='''General Shop Merchant:''' Course I'm on your side, but I still have to sell the stuff. Just pick what you want. I'll handle the rubies.}}</ref> The rubies that the Merchant takes as currency can be obtained by defeating enemies. Red rubies are worth 1, green rubies are worth 5 and blue rubies are worth 10. To pick up these gems, the player must strike them with the sword before they disappear, unlike most conventional Zelda games where rupees could be collected by simply walking over them.<ref name="WandInstructions"/> |
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At the time of its release, contemporary criticism was largely positive. ''SNES Force'' magazine described the animated sequences as "breathtaking" and praised the game for its high-resolution graphics and its "brilliant" use of sound and speech.<ref name=SNESForce>Rice, Chris, ed. ''NEWS: ZELDA CDi EXCLUSIVE''. SNES Force. Issue 1. Pg.7. July 1993.</ref> Highly anticipated by the French video game press, [[:fr:Joystick (magazine)|''Joystick'' magazine]]'s development preview of the title described it as a veritable arcade-quality game with stunning graphics and "perfect animation".<ref>''ECTS 93: CDi Philips - Link: The Faces of Evil''. Joystick. No.38. Pp.43-44. May 1993.</ref> The same magazine would ultimately score it a 79%, a few months later, giving particularly high marks for music, sound effects, and play-through time.<ref>''CD TESTS: Link The Faces of Evil''. Joystick. No.44. Pg.192. December 1993.</ref> |
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All three ''Zelda'' CD-i titles have garnered a [[List of video games notable for negative reception|largely negative reception]], however, among modern critics, with ''The Faces of Evil'' and ''Wand of Gamelon'' standing out as the most frequently derided. [[GamesRadar]] named ''The Faces of Evil'' first on their list of "The Top 7... Franchise Embarrassments".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-top-7-franchise-embarrassments/?page=7 |title=The Top 7... Franchise Embarrassments, Xbox 360 Xbox 360 Features |publisher=GamesRadar}}</ref> [[IGN]] described the games as "infamous" and "cheesy";<ref>{{cite web|last=Drucker |first=Michael S. |url=http://dvd.ign.com/articles/655/655002p1.html |title=The Legend of Zelda: The Complete Animated Series - DVD Review at IGN |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=2005-09-30 |accessdate=2010-05-14}}</ref> other reviewers called the animated cutscenes "freakish"<ref name="up"/> and "an absolute joke".<ref name="trailers"/> [[Wired (magazine)|''Wired'' magazine]] said that the animation on the first two Zelda games was extremely simple and stilted and that the graphics had several [[glitches]].<ref name="Wired"/> The voice acting was criticized by [[Zelda Elements]] as jarring.<ref name="faceevil"/> |
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Zelda's health is measured in "Life Hearts". The number of Life Hearts the player currently has is shown on the upper-left corner of the screen when Zelda is walking around the island. Although the player begins the game with only three hearts, there are ways to earn more. Each time Zelda is injured, she will lose at least one-half of a heart.<ref name="WandInstructions"/> The first two times Zelda runs out of Life Hearts, the player will be given the option of continuing from near the point where Zelda's last heart was lost. When Zelda loses her hearts for a third time, she will be returned to the map, and the player will have to start the level from the beginning. Returning to the map replenishes Zelda's Life Hearts and lives, and she will retain any items and rubies she picked up.<ref name="WandInstructions"/> |
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Despite the largely negative reception that the games have received, there have been a few positive reviews as well. Both Danny Cowan of 1UP.com and John Szczepaniak praised ''Faces of Evil'' and ''Wand of Gamelon'' as among the best games on the CD-i. Szczepaniak in particular suggested that several of the gaming magazines that had rated and reviewed ''Wand of Gamelon'' and ''Faces of Evil'' had engaged in hate campaigns having never even played the game.<ref name=retrogamer27/> Cowan's and Szczepaniak's praises drew from the games' detailed, well-drawn in-game backgrounds and "pretty decent" gameplay,<ref name="up"/><ref name="gamelon"/><ref name="developer"/> although both criticized the controls.<ref name="up"/><ref name="developer"/> While the audio was thought to be "average", and not up to the usual Zelda quality by some reviewers,<ref name="gamelon"/> this has been contested by others who have described it as diverse and high-quality with an adventurous upbeat tempo blending electric guitar, panpipes, marimbas, and other unusual instruments.<ref name=retrogamer27/> In a periodical for [[Retro Gamer|''Retro Gamer'' magazine]], Szczepaniak identified the natural comparison of the games by reviewers to the quality of games in the rest of the Zelda series as an improper comparison to make and suggested that when reviewed in their own right the games were actually excellent.<ref name=rg31>''Profile: Dale DeSharone - Highlights: Dale's Top Tips''. [[Retro Gamer]]. Issue 31. p. 75. December 2006.</ref> Contrary to what were described as "lies perpetuated about [''Faces of Evil'' and ''Wand of Gamelon'']," ''Retro Gamer'' described these games as "astoundingly good" and rated them together as number ten in its "Perfect Ten Games" for CD-i. While acknowledging that the games lacked canonicity, the games were praised for exhilarating pacing and superb gameplay design and music. The games' background art was also described as ranging from [[H. R. Giger|Giger]]esque<ref name=retrogamer27/> to [[Monet]]-esque.<ref name=rg32>''Retrospection: Philips CD-i - Perfect Ten Games: Link: FoE / Zelda: WoG''. [[Retro Gamer]]. Issue 32. p. 47. January 2007.</ref> |
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=== ''Zelda's Adventure'' === |
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[[Image:Zeldasadventure1.jpg|250px|right|thumb|A screenshot from ''Zelda's Adventure''.]] |
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Unlike the previous two CD-i ''Zelda'' games, which take the [[side-scrolling game|side-scrolling]] view from ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link|Zelda II]]'', ''Zelda's Adventure'' is played with the same top-down view found in ''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]''.<ref name="IGNZA">{{cite web |url=http://cheats.ign.com/objects/017/017125.html |title=IGN: Zelda's Adventure |publisher=[[IGN]] |accessdate=2008-04-15}}</ref> Playing as Princess Zelda, the aim is to fight through the Seven Shrines of the Underworld to collect the celestial signs, and bring the land of Tolemac to an Age of Lightness.<ref name="IGNZA"/><ref name="MGZA">{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/zeldas-adventure |title=Zelda's Adventure for CD-i |publisher=[[MobyGames]] |accessdate=2008-04-15}}</ref> |
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==''Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon''== |
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Unlike the other two games, ''Zelda's Adventure'' was created by Viridis, an entirely different company, with a change in style and gameplay.<ref name="IGNZA"/><ref name="MGZA"/> Gameplay is very much like the original ''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]]'', with an overworld that allows access to individual dungeons.<ref name="MGZA"/><ref name="zeldasadvent">{{cite web |url=http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries_za.shtml#overview |title=Overview: Zelda's Adventure |author=Zelda Elements Staff |publisher=Zelda Elements |date=2008-01-01 |accessdate=2008-04-07 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080306043728/http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries_za.shtml#overview <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-03-06}}</ref> The [[Full motion video|FMV]] sequences which explain the plot are [[live action]] instead of animated.<ref name="zeldasadvent"/> |
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{{Infobox video game |
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| title = Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |
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| image = [[File:Zelda wandofgamelon packaging.jpg|200px]] |
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| caption = Boxart for ''Zelda: Wand of Gamelon''. |
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| developer = [[Animation Magic]] |
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| publisher = [[Philips|Philips Media]] |
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| designer = |
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| engine = |
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| released = {{vgrelease||NA=October 10, 1993|EU=1993}}<ref name="up"/> |
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| series = ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' |
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| genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]] |
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| modes = [[Single-player]] |
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| ratings = |
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| platforms = [[CD-i]] |
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| media = 1 [[CD-ROM]] |
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| requirements = |
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| input = |
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| italic title = no |
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}} |
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Paired with ''Link: The Faces of Evil'' in a simultaneous release, ''Zelda: Wand of Gamelon'' represents the first of the ''Zelda'' games to be released by Philips for the CD-i. Reversing the traditional Link-saves-Zelda plotline, ''Wand of Gamelon'' stars Zelda as she adventures to rescue Link and her father the king who have not returned from their quest. As with ''Faces of Evil'', the game was patterned most closely upon Nintendo's previous [[side-scroller]], ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]'', and again features outsourced [[Russian animation]] for all cutscenes. Despite the game's similarly positive contemporary reception along with ''Faces of Evil'', modern critics have almost unanimously derided and ridiculed the game for its inability to live up to modern expectations with the animated cutscenes again having become a particular target of negative reception. |
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== Plot == |
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=== ''The Faces of Evil'' === |
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Link, the [[protagonist]] of the series, lounges in [[Universe of The Legend of Zelda#Hylian geography|Hyrule Castle]] and complains to King Harkinian that he is bored now that the kingdom of [[Universe of The Legend of Zelda#Hyrule|Hyrule]] is at peace, to which the king responds that peace is "what all true warriors strive for".<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Link:''' Gee! It sure is boring around here. / '''King Harkinian:''' My boy, this peace is what all true warriors strive for. / '''Link:''' I just wonder what Ganon's up to.}}</ref><ref name="faceevil">{{cite web |url=http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries_foe.shtml |title=Overview: Link: The Faces of Evil |author=Zelda Elements Staff |publisher=Zelda Elements |date=2008-01-01 |accessdate=2008-04-07 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071011064124/http://zeldaelements.net/cdiseries_foe.shtml |archivedate = October 11, 2007}}</ref> A wizard named Gwonam visits the King and Link on a [[magic carpet]] and tells them that [[Ganon]] has taken over the far-off island of Koridai,<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Gwonam:''' Your Majesty, Ganon and his minions have seized the island of Koridai.}}</ref> further explaining that, according to a prophecy, only Link can stop him.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Gwonam:''' It is written: only Link can defeat Ganon.}}</ref> Link is transported to Koridai and shown by the wizard the fabled island with giant stone statues known as the Faces of Evil, which he must conquer.<ref name="Wired"/><ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Link:''' Wow! What're all those heads?! / '''Gwonam:''' These are the Faces of Evil. You must conquer each.}}</ref><ref name="cdioverview"/> During Link's time in Koridai, Princess Zelda gets casted by lightning for bringing light to his lair and is kidnapped by Ganon and is kept in his lair.<ref name="faceevil"/><ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Firestone Lake |quote='''Ganon:''' In the darkest nightmare hour, when not moon nor sun has risen, I take Zelda through my power. I shall keep her in my prison.}}</ref> |
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===Gameplay=== |
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Later in his journey, Link is sent to Fortress Centrum to retrieve the Treasure of Death for an Ice Queen.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Serigon Caves |quote='''Ice Queen:''' Before you face the foul fiend Ganon, you must conquer Fortress Centrum, where the Treasure of Death is hidden. Bring it to me. Begone.}}</ref> At the fortress, Link finds what appears to be a sleeping Zelda. Upon awakening her, however, Zelda transforms into Goronu, a shapeshifting necromancer who works for Ganon. After defeating Goronu, Link retrieves the Crystal of Reflection, which allows his shield to reflect curses.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Serigon Caves |quote='''Ice Queen:''' This shield both sword and spear reflects, but cannot stop the vilest curse. This crystal makes the shield reflect, cursing the curser with twice the curse.}}</ref> Link then proceeds to defeat Ganon's minions, which include the revived Goronu, the anthropomorphic pig Harlequin, the armored pyrokinetic Militron, the three-eyed wolfgirl Lupay, and the gluttonous cyclops Glutko, from which the Book of Koridai is retrieved. A translator named Ipo, who can read the Book of Koridai, reveals that the Book itself is enough to defeat Ganon.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Nortinka |quote='''Ipo the Reader:''' Listen. Such is the power of the Prince of Darkness that he can kill with a single look. Attacks against Ganon will prove fruitless unless Link attacks with the sacred book.}}</ref> |
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The player controls [[Princess Zelda]], who must find and defeat [[Ganon]] and rescue both King Harkinian and [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]] to become the heroine of Gamelon. When the player begins this quest, three areas are initially available, accessible through [[Characters in The Legend of Zelda series#Impa|Impa]]'s map. The player can access the areas on the map by moving the on-screen cursor over one of the areas and pressing Button One.<ref name="WandInstructions">{{cite book |author=[[Animation Magic]] |year=1993 |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon {{noitalic|instruction booklet}} |publisher=Philips Media }}</ref> |
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At the beginning of the game, the player is only equipped with a sword and shield. The sword is used to attack enemies and to fire deadly Power Blasts, and the shield can deflect projectile attacks thrown at the player. The shield is automatically lifted when the player is standing still or crouching. Other helpful tools, such as lamp oil (for lighting a lamp), rope (for climbing) and bombs (which can destroy some obstacles) are available for a price at the General Shop in Sakado.<ref name="WandInstructions"/><ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Sakado General Shop |quote='''General Shop Merchant:''' Course I'm on your side, but I still have to sell the stuff. Just pick what you want. I'll handle the rubies.}}</ref> The rubies that the Merchant takes as currency can be obtained by defeating enemies. Red rubies are worth 1, green rubies are worth 5 and blue rubies are worth 10. To pick up these gems, the player must strike them with the sword before they disappear, unlike prior ''Zelda'' titles where rupees could be collected by simply walking over them.<ref name="WandInstructions"/> |
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After trekking through Ganon's Lair,<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Ganon's Lair}}</ref> Link finally reaches Ganon, who attempts to recruit Link with the promise of great power and the threat of murder,<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Ganon's Lair |quote='''Ganon:''' Join me, Link, and I will make your face the greatest in Koridai, or else you will ''die!''}}</ref> but Link turns down his offer by imprisoning him in the Book of Koridai.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Ganon's Lair |quote='''Ganon:''' No! Not into the pit! ''It burrrns!!''}}</ref> Link awakens Zelda and tells her that he had just defeated Ganon, to which she is skeptical.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Ending sequence |quote='''Princess Zelda:''' Why'd you do that? / '''Link:''' I just saved you from Ganon! / '''Princess Zelda:''' You ''did'' not.}}</ref> Gwonam appears and congratulates Link on imprisoning Ganon. He shows Link a recovering Koridai and declares him the island's hero, whereupon Link declares himself to be the victor. However, Zelda refuses to kiss him as a reward.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Link: The Faces of Evil |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Ending sequence |quote='''Gwonam:''' Well done, Link! Ganon is once again imprisoned. Come. Look. Already Koridai is returning to harmony. The birds are singing! Isn't it beautiful? / '''Link:''' Golly! / '''Gwonam:''' As it is written, you, Link, are the hero of Koridai! / '''Link:''' I guess that's worth as kiss, huh? / '''Princess Zelda:''' Ha! / '''Link:''' I won!}}</ref> |
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Zelda's health is measured in "Life Hearts". The number of Life Hearts the player currently has is shown on the upper-left corner of the screen when Zelda is walking around the island. Although the player begins the game with only three hearts, there are ways to earn more. Each time Zelda is injured, she will lose at least one-half of a heart.<ref name="WandInstructions"/> The first two times Zelda runs out of Life Hearts, the player will be given the option of continuing from near the point where Zelda's last heart was lost. When Zelda loses her hearts for a third time, she will be returned to the map, and the player will have to start the level from the beginning. Returning to the map replenishes Zelda's Life Hearts and lives, and she will retain any items and rubies she picked up.<ref name="WandInstructions"/> |
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=== ''The Wand of Gamelon'' === |
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King Harkinian announces his plan to aid Duke Onkled of Gamelon when the latter falls under attack by Ganon,<ref name="gamelon">{{cite web | url=http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries_wog.shtml |title=Overview: Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |author=Zelda Elements Staff |publisher=Zelda Elements |date=2008-01-01 |accessdate=2008-04-07 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080220115512/http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries_wog.shtml |archivedate = February 20, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''King Harkinian:''' Zelda, Duke Onkled is under attack by the evil forces of Ganon. I'm going to Gamelon to aid him.}}</ref> and orders Zelda to send Link for backup in case that he does not return from his mission within a month.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''King Harkinian:''' If you don't hear from me in a month, send Link.}}</ref> He then wonders what's for dinner, which Link gets excited about.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''King Harkinian:''' I wonder what's for dinner? / '''Link:''' Oh boy! I'm so hungry, I could eat an Octorok!}}</ref> A month passes without word from the King,<ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Princess Zelda:''' ''(sighs)'' A whole month gone, and still no word.}}</ref> so Zelda sends Link to find him.<ref name="gamelon"/><ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Princess Zelda:''' Link, go to Gamelon and find my father. / '''Link:''' Great! I can't wait to bomb some Dodongos!}}</ref> |
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=== Plot === |
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When he too goes missing,<ref name="gamelon"/> Zelda ventures off to Gamelon (accompanied by an elderly Impa) to find both Link and the King.<ref name="gamelon"/><ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Princess Zelda:''' Wake up, Impa. We're going to Gamelon. / '''Impa:''' ''(yawning)'' All right, dear. I'll get the Triforce of Wisdom.}}</ref> During Zelda's time in Gamelon, Impa discovers that King Harkinian has been captured, and that Link has engaged in a battle, of which the outcome is unclear.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Sakado |quote='''Impa:''' Oh, my. Your father has been captured! / '''Princess Zelda:''' What about Link? / '''Impa:''' He's been in a terrible fight! I can't tell what happened!}}</ref> As she adventures across the island, Zelda meets many friendly characters and also defeats the villains [[Gibdo]] and Iron Knuckle. She also meets a woman named Lady Alma, who is being held prisoner by [[Wizzrobe]], who in this game is portrayed as an individual character. |
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King Harkinian announces his plan to aid Duke Onkled of Gamelon when the latter falls under attack by Ganon,<ref name="gamelon">{{cite web | url=http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries_wog.shtml |title=Overview: Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |author=Zelda Elements Staff |publisher=Zelda Elements |date=2008-01-01 |accessdate=2008-04-07 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080220115512/http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries_wog.shtml |archivedate = February 20, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''King Harkinian:''' Zelda, Duke Onkled is under attack by the evil forces of Ganon. I'm going to Gamelon to aid him.}}</ref> and orders Zelda to send Link for backup in case that he does not return from his mission within a month.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''King Harkinian:''' If you don't hear from me in a month, send Link.}}</ref> A month passes without word from the King,<ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Princess Zelda:''' ''(sighs)'' A whole month gone, and still no word.}}</ref> so Zelda sends Link to find him.<ref name="gamelon"/><ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Princess Zelda:''' Link, go to Gamelon and find my father. / '''Link:''' Great! I can't wait to bomb some Dodongos!}}</ref> |
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When he too goes missing,<ref name="gamelon"/> Zelda ventures off to Gamelon (accompanied by an elderly Impa) to find both Link and the King.<ref name="gamelon"/><ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Princess Zelda:''' Wake up, Impa. We're going to Gamelon. / '''Impa:''' ''(yawning)'' All right, dear. I'll get the Triforce of Wisdom.}}</ref> During Zelda's time in Gamelon, Impa discovers that King Harkinian has been captured, and that Link has engaged in a battle, the outcome of which is unclear.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Sakado |quote='''Impa:''' Oh, my. Your father has been captured! / '''Princess Zelda:''' What about Link? / '''Impa:''' He's been in a terrible fight! I can't tell what happened!}}</ref> As she adventures across the island, Zelda meets many friendly characters and battles with many monsters and enemies including the villains [[Gibdo]] and Iron Knuckle. Along her travels Zelda battles the sorcerer, [[Wizzrobe]], to free Lady Alma, who gives Zelda a canteen that she claims Link gave her in exchange for a kiss. |
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On reaching Duke Onkled's palace, Domodai Palace, it is revealed that Duke Onkled has betrayed the King and is working for Ganon.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Dodomai Palace |quote='''Spaniard:''' Duke Onkled betrayed the King! / '''Princess Zelda:''' I know.}}</ref> Zelda storms the palace, kills Ganon's minion Hectan, and saves an imprisoned Spaniard named Fari who used to work for the King. Fari reveals the secret entrance to Onkled's chamber, and when they confront him he reveals the entrance to Reesong Palace, where Ganon has taken residence.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Dodomai Palace |quote='''Duke Onkled:''' D-Don't hurt me, Zelda! I'll tell you the secret way into Reesong Palace. / '''Princess Zelda:''' You better talk fast. / '''Duke Onkled:''' Go all the way left and move the rug. This key opens the gate.}}</ref> |
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Zelda travels to the Shrine of Gamelon to defeating the head-switching chimera Omfak and obtain the Wand needed to defeat Ganon, and she also visits Nokani Forest to obtain the magic lantern needed to clear the darkness around Ganon. Finally at Reesong Palace, Zelda fights Ganon, incapacitates him with the Wand, and rescues her father. Back at Hyrule Castle, Duke Onkled is turned over to the king, begging for mercy. He is arrested and punished by becoming a lowly drudge for the King.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips Media |date=1993 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Ending sequence |quote='''Duke Onkled:''' Please! Your omnipotence! Have mercy! / '''King Harkinian:''' After you've scrubbed all the floors in Hyrule, ''then'' we can talk about mercy! Take him away!}}</ref> Although Link's whereabouts are still unknown, a comment by Lady Alma prompts Zelda to throw her mirror against the wall and as it smashes Link magically materializes, seemingly having been trapped in the mirror. |
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=== ''Zelda's Adventure'' === |
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[[Ganon]] has kidnapped Link and stolen the seven celestial signs, creating an "Age of Darkness" in the kingdom of Tolemac.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda's Adventure |developer=Viridis |publisher=Philips Media |date=1994 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Gaspra the Astronomer:''' And so it was that Gannon, Lord of Darkness, had taken over Tolemac. He had stolen the treasured celestial signs and captured Link!}}</ref> [[Princess Zelda]] learns from the court [[astrologer]] Gaspra (played by actor Mark Andrade) that she must collect the signs to defeat Ganon and save Link. |
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==Development== |
=== Development === |
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''Wand of Gamelon'' was one of the first two Nintendo-licensed games released on the Philips CD-i (together with ''Faces of Evil'').<ref name="up"/> With the relatively low budget of approximately $600,000, ''Wand of Gamelon'' was given a little over a year for completion — time which would have to be split between the development of ''Wand of Gamelon'' and ''Faces of Evil''.<ref name=retrogamer27/><ref name="gamelon"/> It was decided by [[Animation Magic]], the [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]]-based development team led by Dale DeSharone, that the two games would be developed in tandem and would share the same graphics engine to more efficiently use the budget.<ref name="developer"/> The animated cutscenes were created by a team of four animators from Russia (led by Igor Razboff) who were flown to the United States for the project.<ref name=retrogamer27/> These games marked the first time that Russian outsourcing had been utilized by an American company - a move that was only possible due to the somewhat thawed political climate after the [[fall of the Berlin Wall]].<ref name=retrogamer27/> The rest of the development team included three programmers (all previous employees of [[Spinnaker Software]]), one musician (Tony Trippi), and freelance-writer Jonathan Merritt who created the scripts and designs.<ref name=retrogamer27/> Under DeSharone's direction, game development progressed similarly to that of his earlier-directed title, ''[[Below the Root (video game)|Below the Root]]'', a game which Retro Gamer's John Szczepaniak has suggested may have served as a forerunner of sorts.<ref name=rg27roots/> Background designs were created by local Cambridge artists, and voice-acting was entirely produced by local actors from the [[American Federation of Television and Radio Artists|AFTRA union]].<ref name=retrogamer27/> The voice of Princess Zelda was provided by Bonnie Jean Wilbur and the voice of Link by Jeffrey Rath, while additional voices were provided by Jeffrey Nelson, Mark Berry, Natalie Brown, Karen Grace, Josie McElroy, Marguerite Scott and Paul Wann.<ref name=wogcredits>{{cite video game|title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips |date=1993-10-10 |platform=CD-i |version= |level=Credits |isolang= |quote= }}</ref> |
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In 1989, [[Nintendo]] signed a deal with [[Sony]] to begin development of a [[CD-ROM]]-based system known as the "Nintendo PlayStation" or the SNES CD to be an [[Peripheral|add-on]] to the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] that would allow for [[Full motion video|FMV]] and larger games.<ref name="cdioverview">{{cite web |url= http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries.shtml |title=Overview: CDi Series |author=Zelda Elements Staff |publisher=Zelda Elements |date=2008-01-01 |accessdate=2008-04-07 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080306102711/http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries.shtml |archivedate = March 6, 2008}}</ref><ref name="trailers">{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/14537.html |title=The Legend of Zelda Retrospective Zelda Retrospective Part 3 |author=GameTrailers Staff |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |date=2006-10-22 |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> However, Nintendo broke the agreement and instead signed with [[Philips]] to make the add-on, which caused [[Sony]] to spin off their add-on into its own console called the [[PlayStation]].<ref name="Wired"/><ref name="cdioverview"/><ref name="Dumbest">{{cite web |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/june03/dumbestmoments/index17.shtml |title=Nintendo: From Hero to Zero |author=GameSpy Staff |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |date=2008-01-01 |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> Witnessing the poor reception of the [[Sega Mega-CD]], Nintendo scrapped the idea of making an add-on entirely.<ref name="cdioverview"/><ref name="trailers"/> As part of dissolving the agreement with Philips, Nintendo gave them the license to use five of their characters, including Link, Princess Zelda and Ganon, for games on Philips's console called the [[CD-i]], after the partnership's dissolution.<ref name="kot">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/history-is-cool!/this-day-in-gaming-june-5th-265907.php |title=This Day in Gaming, June 5th |first=Mark |last=Wilson |publisher=[[Kotaku]] |date=2007-06-05 |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref><ref name="trailers"/> |
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=== Reception === |
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Contracting out to independent studios, Philips subsequently used the characters to create three games for the CD-i, with Nintendo taking no part in their development except to give input on the look of the characters<ref name="faceevil"/><ref name="trailers"/> based on Nintendo's original two titles and their respective instruction booklets.<ref name=retrogamer27>''The Making of... Zelda: 'Wand of Gamelon' & 'Link: Faces of Evil'''. [[Retro Gamer]]. Issue 27. p. 52-57. August 2006.</ref> Philips insisted that the development studios utilize all aspects of the CD-i's capabilities including [[Full motion video|FMV]],<ref name="gamelon"/> high-resolution graphics and CD-quality music.<ref name=retrogamer27/> As the system had not been designed as a dedicated video game console, there were several technical limitations, such as laggy controls (especially for the standard infrared controller),<ref name="gamelon"/> and numerous problems in streaming-audio, memory, disc access, and graphics.<ref name=retrogamer27/> |
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At the time of its release, contemporary criticism was largely positive. ''SNES Force'' magazine described the animated sequences as "breathtaking" and praised the game's high-resolution graphics and "brilliant" use of sound and speech.<ref name=SNESForce/> Highly anticipated by the French video game press, [[:fr:Joystick (magazine)|''Joystick'' magazine]]'s development preview of the title highlighted the fact that this would be the first of the ''Zelda'' games to feature true voice acting, and described its plot as highly original and the background graphics as a tableaux of great beauty.<ref>''ECTS 93: CDi Philips - Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon''. Joystick. No.38. Pp.43. May 1993.</ref> |
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All three ''Zelda'' CD-i titles have garnered a [[List of video games notable for negative reception|largely negative reception]], however, among modern critics, with ''The Faces of Evil'' and ''Wand of Gamelon'' standing out as the most frequently derided. The magazine ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' ranked ''Zelda: Wand of Gamelon'' the sixth worst game of all time,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seanbaby.com/nes/egm06.htm |title=#6: Zelda: Wand of Gamelon (CDI) |last=Reiley |first=Sean |publisher=Seanbaby.com |date=2007-01-01 |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> and [[GameTrailers]] rated it fifth worst game of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-ten-gt-countdown/15147 |title=Top Ten Best and Worst Games of All Time |publisher=Gametrailers.com |date=2006-11-17 |accessdate=2009-12-27}}</ref> The Star Tribune described the game's voice acting as "laughable"<ref>{{Cite document|page= 4F|title=Game over; Think again before bringing back these vintage titles |first=Randy A.|last=Salas |date=2007-03-04 |publisher=[[Star Tribune]] |url=http://www.vita.mn/story.php?id=12326346 |accessdate=2009-09-23}}</ref> and it was also criticized by [[Zelda Elements]] as jarring.<ref name="faceevil"/> [[IGN]] described the games as "infamous" and "cheesy";<ref>{{cite web|last=Drucker |first=Michael S. |url=http://dvd.ign.com/articles/655/655002p1.html |title=The Legend of Zelda: The Complete Animated Series - DVD Review at IGN |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=2005-09-30 |accessdate=2010-05-14}}</ref> other reviewers called the animated cutscenes "freakish"<ref name="up"/> and "an absolute joke".<ref name="trailers"/> [[Wired (magazine)|''Wired'' magazine]] said that the animation on the first two Zelda games was extremely simple and stilted and that the graphics had several [[glitches]].<ref name="Wired"/> |
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''Wand of Gamelon'' and ''Faces of Evil'' were the first Nintendo-licensed games released on the Philips CD-i.<ref name="up"/> The two games were given the relatively low budgets of approximately $600,000 each and together were given a little over a year to create.<ref name="gamelon"/><ref name=retrogamer27/> It was decided by the [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]]-based development team [[Animation Magic]], led by Dale DeSharon, that the two games would be developed in tandem and would share the same graphics engine to more efficiently use the budget.<ref name="developer">{{cite web |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/zeldacdi/zeldacdi.htm |title=Zelda: Wand of Gamelon / Link: Faces of Evil - Phillips CD-I (1993) |first=John |last=Szczepaniak |work=[http://www.hardcoregaming101.net Hardcore Gaming 101] |date=2008-01-01 |accessdate=2010-02-04}}</ref> The animated cutscenes were created by a team of four animators from Russia (led by Igor Razboff) who were flown to the United States for the project.<ref name=retrogamer27/> These games marked the first time that Russian outsourcing had been utilized by an American company — a move that was only possible due to the somewhat thawed political climate after the [[fall of the Berlin Wall]].<ref name=retrogamer27/> The rest of the development team included three programmers (all previous employees of [[Spinnaker Software]]), one musician (Tony Trippi), and freelance-writer Jonathan Merritt who created the scripts and designs.<ref name=retrogamer27/> Under DeSharone's direction, game development progressed similarly to that of his earlier-directed title, ''[[Below the Root (video game)|Below the Root]]'', a game which Retro Gamer's John Szczepaniak has suggested may have served as a forerunner of sorts.<ref>''The Making of... Zelda: 'Wand of Gamelon' & 'Link: Faces of Evil' - Roots of Origin''. [[Retro Gamer]]. Issue 27. p. 55. August 2006.</ref> Background designs were created by local Cambridge artists, and voice-acting was entirely produced by local actors from the [[American Federation of Television and Radio Artists|AFTRA union]].<ref name=retrogamer27/> The voice of Princess Zelda was provided by Bonnie Jean Wilbur and the voice of Link by Jeffrey Rath, while additional voices were provided by Jeffrey Nelson, Mark Berry, Natalie Brown, Karen Grace, Josie McElroy, Marguerite Scott and Paul Wann.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon |developer=Animation Magic |publisher=Philips |date=1993-10-10 |platform=CD-i |version= |level=Credits |isolang= |quote= }}</ref> |
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Despite the largely negative reception that the games have received, there have been a few positive reviews as well. Both Danny Cowan of 1UP.com and John Szczepaniak praised ''Faces of Evil'' and ''Wand of Gamelon'' as among the best games on the CD-i. Szczepaniak in particular suggested that several of the gaming magazines that had rated and reviewed ''Wand of Gamelon'' and ''Faces of Evil'' had engaged in hate campaigns having never even played the game.<ref name=retrogamer27/> Cowan's and Szczepaniak's praises drew from the games' detailed, well-drawn in-game backgrounds and "pretty decent" gameplay,<ref name="up"/><ref name="gamelon"/><ref name="developer"/> although both criticized the controls.<ref name="up"/><ref name="developer"/> while the audio was thought to be "average", and not up to the usual Zelda quality by some reviewers,<ref name="gamelon"/> this has been contested by others who have described it as diverse and high-quality with an adventurous upbeat tempo blending electric guitar, panpipes, marimbas, and other unusual instruments.<ref name=retrogamer27/> In a periodical for [[Retro Gamer|''Retro Gamer'' magazine]], Szczepaniak identified the natural comparison of the games by reviewers to the quality of games in the rest of the Zelda series as an improper comparison to make and suggested that when reviewed in their own right the games were actually excellent.<ref name=rg31/> Contrary to what were described as "lies perpetuated about [''Faces of Evil'' and ''Wand of Gamelon'']," ''Retro Gamer'' described these games as "astoundingly good" and rated them together as number ten in its "Perfect Ten Games" for CD-i. While acknowledging that the games lacked canonicity, the games were praised for exhilarating pacing and superb gameplay design and music. The game's background art was also described as ranging from [[H. R. Giger|Giger]]esque<ref name=retrogamer27/> to [[Monet]]-esque.<ref name=rg32/> |
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The backgrounds for ''Zelda's Adventure'' were created from videos of scenery near [[California State Route 2|Santa Monica Boulevard]] in [[West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California|West L.A.]], footage of [[Hawaii]] taken from a helicopter, and the developers' vacation photos.<ref name="developing">{{cite web |author=Bas |url=http://cdii.blogspot.com/2007/03/zelda-voyeur-and-man-who-worked-on-both.html |date=2007-03-08 |title=Zelda, Voyeur, and a man who worked on both CD-i projects... |publisher=Interactive Dreams |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> This decision was responsible for much of the games' RAM usage, causing backgrounds to scroll slowly and causing extreme frustration to the game's developers. The CD-i's technical abilities were so limited that the use of one or two kilobytes of system RAM caused arguments amongst the developers.<ref name="developing"/> The composer for ''Zelda's Adventure'' also played the part of Gaspra in the games' cutscenes.<ref name="developing"/> The houses and interiors built for the cut scenes were built as scale models.<ref name="developing"/> Developers have stated they were not influenced by the first two CD-i Zelda games.<ref name="developing"/> ''Zelda's Adventure'' spent two years in [[Software testing|testing]], longer than it took to develop the game.<ref name="developing"/> Much more music was composed for the game than was used.<ref name="developing"/> Developers had difficulty making sure all the areas of the game had proper background masking.<ref name="developing"/> |
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== |
== ''Zelda's Adventure'' == |
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{{Infobox video game |
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All three ''Zelda'' CD-i titles have garnered a [[List of video games notable for negative reception|largely negative reception]] among critics, particularly ''The Faces of Evil'' and ''Wand of Gamelon''. The magazine ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' considered all three games to be among the worst ever,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seanbaby.com/nes/egm06.htm |title=#6: Zelda: Wand of Gamelon (CDI) |last=Reiley |first=Sean |publisher=Seanbaby.com |date=2007-01-01 |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> likewise, [[GameTrailers]] rated ''Zelda: Wand of Gamelon'' as the fifth worst game of all time,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-ten-gt-countdown/15147 |title=Top Ten Best and Worst Games of All Time |publisher=Gametrailers.com |date=2006-11-17 |accessdate=2009-12-27}}</ref> while [[GamesRadar]] named ''The Faces of Evil'' first on their list of "The Top 7... Franchise Embarrassments".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/f/the-top-7-franchise-embarrassments/a-20080107153230741052/g-20060321132945404017/p-7 |title=The Top 7... Franchise Embarrassments, Xbox 360 Xbox 360 Features |publisher=GamesRadar}}</ref> [[IGN]] referred to the games' cutscenes as "infamous" and "cheesy"; other reviewers called them "bizarre" and "an absolute joke".<ref name="up"/><ref name="trailers"/><ref name="IGN">{{cite web |author=Michael S. Drucker |url=http://dvd.ign.com/articles/655/655002p1.html |date=2005-09-30 |title=The Legend of Zelda: The Complete Animated Series |publisher=[[IGN]] |accessdate=2008-04-06}}</ref> The graphics of ''Zelda's Adventure'' were called "blurry and digitized".<ref name="up"/> [[Wired (magazine)|''Wired'' magazine]] said that the graphics were some of the worst ever encountered, and that the animation on the first two Zelda games was extremely simple and stilted and that the graphics had several [[glitches]].<ref name="Wired"/> Another flaw was that the game could not produce both sound effects and music at the same time.<ref name="up"/> The voice acting was criticized as misdirected, amateurish, jarring, and laughable; ''Zelda's Adventure's'' acting was also criticized as unprofessional.<ref name="up"/><ref name="faceevil"/><ref>{{Cite document|page= 4F|title=Game over; Think again before bringing back these vintage titles |first=Randy A.|last=Salas |date=2007-03-04 |publisher=[[Star Tribune]] |accessdate=2009-09-23|postscript= <!--None-->}}</ref> |
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| title = Zelda's Adventure |
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| image = [[File:Zeldasadventure packaging.jpg|200px]] |
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| caption = Boxart for ''Zelda's Adventure''. |
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| developer = [[Viridis]] |
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| publisher = [[Philips|Philips Media]] |
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| designer = |
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| engine = |
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| released = {{vgrelease||NA=June 5, 1994|EU=1995}}<ref name="kot"/> |
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| series = ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' |
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| genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]] |
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| modes = [[Single-player]] |
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| ratings = |
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| platforms = [[CD-i]] |
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| media = 1 [[CD-ROM]] |
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| requirements = |
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| input = |
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| italic title = no |
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}} |
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:CD-i games from ''The Legend of Zelda'' series}} |
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===Gameplay=== |
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Despite the largely negative reception that the games have received, there have been a few positive reviews as well. Both Danny Cowan of 1UP.com and John Szczepaniak praised ''Faces of Evil'' and ''Wand of Gamelon'' as among the best games on the CD-i. Szczepaniak in particular suggested that several of the gaming magazines that had rated and reviewed ''Wand of Gamelon'' and ''Faces of Evil'' had engaged in hate campaigns having never even played the game.<ref name=retrogamer27/> Cowan's and Szczepaniak's praises drew from the games' detailed, well-drawn in-game backgrounds and "pretty decent" gameplay,<ref name="up"/><ref name="gamelon"/><ref name="developer"/> although both criticized the controls.<ref name="up"/><ref name="developer"/> While the audio was thought to be "average", and not up to the usual Zelda quality by some reviewers,<ref name="gamelon"/> this has been contested by others who have described it as diverse and high-quality with an adventurous upbeat tempo blending electric guitar, panpipes, marimbas, and other unusual instruments.<ref name=retrogamer27/> In a periodical for [[Retro Gamer|''Retro Gamer'' magazine]], Szczepaniak identified the natural comparison of the games by reviewers to the quality of games in the rest of the Zelda series as an improper comparison to make and suggested that when reviewed in their own right the games were actually excellent.<ref>''Profile: Dale DeSharone - Highlights: Dale's Top Tips''. [[Retro Gamer]]. Issue 31. p. 75. December 2006.</ref> Contrary to what were described as "lies perpetuated about [''Faces of Evil'' and ''Wand of Gamelon'']," ''Retro Gamer'' described these games as "astoundingly good" and rated them together as number ten in its "Perfect Ten Games" for CD-i. While acknowledging that the games lacked canonicity, the games were praised for exhilarating pacing and superb gameplay design and music. The game's background art was also described as ranging from [[H. R. Giger|Giger]]esque<ref name=retrogamer27/> to [[Monet]]-esque.<ref>''Retrospection: Philips CD-i - Perfect Ten Games: Link: FoE / Zelda: WoG''. [[Retro Gamer]]. Issue 32. p. 47. January 2007.</ref> |
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[[Image:Zeldasadventure1.jpg|200px|right|thumb|A screenshot from ''Zelda's Adventure'']] |
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Unlike the previous two CD-i ''Zelda'' games, which take the [[side-scrolling game|side-scrolling]] view from ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link|Zelda II]]'', ''Zelda's Adventure'' is played with the same top-down view found in ''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]''.<ref name="IGNZA">{{cite web |url=http://cheats.ign.com/objects/017/017125.html |title=IGN: Zelda's Adventure |publisher=[[IGN]] |accessdate=2008-04-15}}</ref> Playing as Princess Zelda, the aim is to fight through the Seven Shrines of the Underworld to collect the celestial signs, and bring the land of Tolemac to an Age of Lightness.<ref name="IGNZA"/><ref name="MGZA">{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/zeldas-adventure |title=Zelda's Adventure for CD-i |publisher=[[MobyGames]] |accessdate=2008-04-15}}</ref> |
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Unlike the other two games, ''Zelda's Adventure'' was created by Viridis, an entirely different company, with a change in style and gameplay.<ref name="IGNZA"/><ref name="MGZA"/> Level design is very much like the original ''The Legend of Zelda'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]]'', with an overworld that allows access to individual dungeons.<ref name="MGZA"/><ref name="zeldasadvent">{{cite web |url=http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries_za.shtml#overview |title=Overview: Zelda's Adventure |author=Zelda Elements Staff |publisher=Zelda Elements |date=2008-01-01 |accessdate=2008-04-07 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080306043728/http://www.zeldaelements.net/cdiseries_za.shtml#overview |archivedate = 2008-03-06}}</ref> The [[Full motion video|FMV]] sequences that present the plot are [[live action]] instead of animated.<ref name="zeldasadvent"/> |
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These praises, however, were not extended to ''Zelda's Adventure'' which has been described as demonstrating arbitrary and illogical design, sloppy visuals, nearly-nonexistent music, excruciatingly high difficulty, and cumbersome loading and controlling. Gameplay for ''Zelda's Adventure'' has also been portrayed as a trial and error effort to guess which items can be used to defeat which enemy.<ref name=deservdamn>''The Making of... Zelda: 'Wand of Gamelon' & 'Link: Faces of Evil' - Deserving Damnation''. [[Retro Gamer]]. Issue 27. p. 57. August 2006.</ref> In discussing the popular online conception that ''Zelda's Adventure'' is superior to ''Wand of Gamelon'' and ''Faces of Evil'', ''Retro Gamer'' pointed to the top-down perspective as fomenting misinformation regarding the game's similarities to the original ''Zelda'' when in fact the game is not worth playing.<ref name=deservdamn/> Cowan agreed with the criticisms of ''Zelda's Adventure'', describing it as "unplayable" due to the jerky frame rate, unresponsive controls and long load times.<ref name="up"/> Scott Sharkey, also of 1UP.com, described the box art of ''Zelda's Adventure'' as one of the fifteen worst ever made.<ref>{{cite web |first=Scott |last=Sharkey |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3158260 |date=2007-03-30 |title=Hey Covers...You Suck! |publisher=[[1UP.com]] |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> |
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=== Plot === |
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All three games have become collector's items due to their rarity, ''Zelda's Adventure'' in particular, which is regularly sold for over $100, due to being released as the Philips CD-i product line was gradually discontinued.<ref name="up"/><ref>{{Cite document|page= 3|title=Technology: Gamesblog: Yesterday's games could be gold dust to collectors. The games are internet memes on Youtube.|first=Keith|last=Stuart |date=2007-04-19 |publisher=[[The Guardian]] |accessdate=2009-09-23|postscript= <!--None-->}}</ref> [[Nintendo]] rarely acknowledges the CD-i games, and claimed in 2003 that if a player owned a [[Game Boy Player]] and the [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] compilation ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition]]'', that player could play every Zelda game in existence up to that point on the GameCube,<ref>{{cite web |first=Alex |last=Kidman |url=http://www.cnet.com.au/games/gamecube/0,239029723,219116891,00.htm |date=2004-02-08 |title=Legend Of Zelda Collector's Edition |publisher=[[CNET Networks|CNET.com]] |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> which is not true since these three games were not included. |
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[[Ganon]] has kidnapped Link and stolen the seven celestial signs, creating an "Age of Darkness" in the kingdom of Tolemac.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Zelda's Adventure |developer=Viridis |publisher=Philips Media |date=1994 |platform=Philips CD-i |level=Opening sequence |quote='''Gaspra the Astronomer:''' And so it was that Gannon, Lord of Darkness, had taken over Tolemac. He had stolen the treasured celestial signs and captured Link!}}</ref> [[Princess Zelda]] learns from the court [[astrologer]] Gaspra (played by actor Mark Andrade) that she must collect the signs to defeat Ganon and save Link. |
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== |
=== Development === |
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The backgrounds for ''Zelda's Adventure'' were created from videos of scenery near [[California State Route 2|Santa Monica Boulevard]] in [[West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California|West L.A.]], footage of [[Hawaii]] taken from a helicopter, and the developers' vacation photos.<ref name="developing">{{cite web |author=Bas |url=http://cdii.blogspot.com/2007/03/zelda-voyeur-and-man-who-worked-on-both.html |date=2007-03-08 |title=Zelda, Voyeur, and a man who worked on both CD-i projects... |publisher=Interactive Dreams |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> This decision was responsible for much of the game's RAM usage, causing backgrounds to scroll slowly and causing extreme frustration to the game's developers. The CD-i's technical abilities were so limited that the use of one or two kilobytes of system RAM caused arguments amongst the developers.<ref name="developing"/> The composer for ''Zelda's Adventure'' also played the part of Gaspra in the game's cutscenes.<ref name="developing"/> The houses and interiors built for the cut scenes were built as scale models.<ref name="developing"/> Developers have stated they were not influenced by the first two CD-i Zelda games.<ref name="developing"/> ''Zelda's Adventure'' spent two years in [[Software testing|testing]], longer than it took to develop the game.<ref name="developing"/> Much more music was composed for the game than was used.<ref name="developing"/> Developers had difficulty making sure all the areas of the game had proper background masking.<ref name="developing"/> |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
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=== Reception === |
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Like the other two CD-i Zelda games, modern criticism of ''Zelda's Adventure'' has been quite negative. The graphics of ''Zelda's Adventure'' were called "blurry and digitized".<ref name="up"/> [[Wired (magazine)|''Wired'' magazine]] said that the graphics were some of the worst ever encountered.<ref name="Wired"/> The game's acting was criticized as unprofessional. Another flaw that has been identified is that the game could not produce both sound effects and music at the same time.<ref name="up"/> Scott Sharkey of [[1UP.com]] called the box art of ''Zelda's Adventure'' one of the 15 worst ever made.<ref>{{cite web |first=Scott |last=Sharkey |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3158260 |date=2007-03-30 |title=Hey Covers...You Suck! |publisher=[[1UP.com]] |accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> ''Zelda's Adventure'' was released as the Philips CD-i was being discontinued and has become very rare over time, as have the first two Philips Zelda games; ''Zelda's Adventure'' is regularly sold for over $100.<ref name="up"/><ref>{{Cite document|page= 3|title=Technology: Gamesblog: Yesterday's games could be gold dust to collectors. The games are internet memes on Youtube.|first=Keith|last=Stuart |date=2007-04-19 |publisher=[[The Guardian]] |accessdate=2009-09-23}}</ref> Danny Cowan of ''[[1UP.com]]'' called ''Zelda's Adventure'' "unplayable" due to the jerky frame rate, unresponsive controls and long load times.<ref name="up"/> |
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Despite giving positive reviews for ''Faces of Evil'' and ''Wand of Gamelon'' ''RetroGamer'''s John Szczepaniak would not extended them to ''Zelda's Adventure'' which he described as demonstrating arbitrary and illogical design, sloppy visuals, nearly-nonexistent music, excruciatingly high difficulty, and cumbersome loading and controlling. Gameplay for ''Zelda's Adventure'' has also been portrayed as a trial and error effort to guess which items can be used to defeat which enemy.<ref name=deservdamn>''The Making of... Zelda: 'Wand of Gamelon' & 'Link: Faces of Evil' - Deserving Damnation''. [[Retro Gamer]]. Issue 27. p. 57. August 2006.</ref> In discussing the popular online conception that ''Zelda's Adventure'' is superior to ''Wand of Gamelon'' and ''Faces of Evil'', ''Retro Gamer'' pointed to the top-down perspective as fomenting misinformation regarding the game's similarities to the original ''Zelda'' when in fact the game is not worth playing.<ref name=deservdamn/> |
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== References == |
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{{Reflist|30em}} |
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Revision as of 04:23, 8 April 2012
Link: The Faces of Evil, Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon and Zelda's Adventure are three action-adventure games produced by Philips for the CD-i as part of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda video game series. Not designed for Nintendo platforms, the games owe their existence to negotiations related to Nintendo's decision not to have Philips create a CD add-on to the Super NES. During these negotiations Philips secured the rights to use five Nintendo characters in their games for the CD-i, and the development of these games was achieved through the hiring of third party developers. The Faces of Evil and The Wand of Gamelon were developed by Animation Magic and were both released on October 10, 1993 and Zelda's Adventure was developed by Viridis and was released on June 5, 1994. The games were given little funding or time for completion, and Nintendo provided only cursory input.
The Philips CD-i did not sell well and the games saw relatively small sales figures. Critical reception for all three Zelda CD-i titles is unusual in that while largely positive at the time of the games' release, they have seen nearly universal negative criticism since the mid-2000s. This is attributable to the reaction of many gamers to the obscure games' full motion video cutscene when they first became widely available through video-sharing websites like YouTube. Because the aging early 1990s visual effects of the titles failed to live up to the graphic effects of the 2000s, and because for many fans this was their first experience of the games, the CD-i Zelda titles have developed a critical reputation as particularly poor members of the Zelda franchise based largely on animation quality and to an extent on awkward controls. In the eyes of devout hardcore gamers, according to Edge magazine, these games are now considered "tantamount to blasphemy."[1]
Faces of Evil and Wand of Gamelon are played using the side-scrolling view introduced in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, while Zelda's Adventure has a top-down view reminiscent of the original The Legend of Zelda.[2][3] All the CD-i Zelda games begin with animated FMVs to illustrate the capabilities of the CD-ROM format, save Zelda’s Adventure, which begins with live action video.[3]
History of the Zelda CD-i franchise
In 1989, Nintendo signed a deal with Sony to begin development of a CD-ROM-based system known as the "Nintendo PlayStation" or the SNES CD to be an add-on to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System that would allow for FMV and larger games.[4][5] However, Nintendo broke the agreement and instead signed with Philips to make the add-on, which caused Sony to spin off their add-on into its own console called the PlayStation.[3][4][6] Witnessing the poor reception of the Sega Mega-CD, Nintendo scrapped the idea of making an add-on entirely.[4][5] As part of dissolving the agreement with Philips, Nintendo gave them the license to use five of their characters, including Link, Princess Zelda, and Ganon, for games on Philips's console called the CD-i, after the partnership's dissolution.[5][7]
Contracting out to independent studios, Philips subsequently used the characters to create three games for the CD-i, with Nintendo taking no part in their development except to give input on the look of the characters[5][8] based on the artwork from Nintendo's original two titles and that of their respective instruction booklets.[9] Philips insisted that the development studios utilize all aspects of the CD-i's capabilities including FMV,[10] high-resolution graphics, and CD-quality music.[9] Because the system had not been designed as a dedicated video game console, there were several technical limitations, such as laggy controls (especially for the standard infrared controller),[10] and numerous problems in streaming-audio, memory, disc access, and graphics.[9]
Link: The Faces of Evil
Link: The Faces of Evil | |
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![]() Boxart for Link: The Faces of Evil. | |
Developer(s) | Animation Magic |
Publisher(s) | Philips Media |
Series | The Legend of Zelda |
Platform(s) | CD-i |
Release | [2] |
Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Paired with Zelda: Wand of Gamelon in a simultaneous release, Link: The Faces of Evil represents the first of the Zelda games to be released by Philips for the CD-i. Following the traditional Link-saves-Zelda plotline, Faces of Evil was patterned most closely upon Nintendo's previous side-scroller, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. The game broke new ground in the video game industry by using outsourced Russian animation to create all cutscenes, and the game received largely positive contemporary reception. The game has not aged well, however. Modern criticism is almost universal in its harsh negativity toward the game and the animated cutscenes have become particular targets of derision.
Gameplay
The player controls Link, who must find and defeat "the evil forces of Ganon", rescue Princess Zelda, and become the hero of Koridai. When the player begins this quest, three areas are initially available, accessible through Gwonam's map. The player can access the areas on the map by moving the on-screen cursor over one of the areas and pressing the selection button (Button One).[11]
Gwonam, who aids the player in the quest, tells Link there is no time to pack; his sword would be enough.[12] Consequently, the player is only equipped with a sword and shield at the beginning of the game.[11] The sword is used to attack enemies and fire deadly Power Blasts, and the shield can deflect attacks thrown at the player.[11] The shield is automatically lifted when the player is standing still or crouching.[11] Other helpful tools, such as lamp oil (for lighting a lamp), rope (for climbing) and bombs (which can destroy some obstacles) are available for a price at Morshu's shop in Koridai.[11][13] The rubies (known as "rupees" in other Zelda titles) that Morshu takes as currency can be obtained by defeating enemies.[11] To pick up these gems, the player must strike them with the sword before they disappear.[11] Rubies differ from rupees in that red rubies are worth 1, green are worth 5, and blue are worth 10[14] whereas in the original games green rupees are worth 1, blue rupees are worth 5, and red rupees are worth 20.
Link's health is measured in "Life Hearts". The number of Life Hearts the player currently has is shown on the upper-left corner of the screen when Link is walking around the island. Although the player begins the game with only three hearts, there are ways to earn more. Each time Link is injured, he will lose at least one-half of a heart.[11] The first two times Link runs out of Life Hearts, the player will be given the option of continuing from near the point where Link's last heart was lost. When Link loses his hearts for a third time, he will be returned to the map, and the player will have to start the level from the beginning. Returning to the map replenishes Link's Life Hearts and lives, and he will retain any items and rubies he picked up.[11]
Plot
The story begins in Hyrule Castle where a bored Link (the series' protagonist) discusses with King Harkinian the prospects of new adventure.[15] Soon Link's hopes are fulfilled as Gwonam the wizard arrives on a magic carpet and tells them that Ganon (the series' antagonist) has taken over the far-off island of Koridai.[16] Gwonam explains that according to a prophecy, only Link can stop him.[17] Link is transported to Koridai and the wizard shows him the fabled island's giant stone statues known as the Faces of Evil which Link must conquer.[3][4][18] During Link's time in Koridai, Princess Zelda is kidnapped by Ganon and is imprisoned in his lair.[8][19]
Questing to rescue the Princess and to liberate Koridai, Link is sent by the Ice Queen to Fortress Centrum to retrieve the Treasure of Death.[20] At the fortress, Link finds what appears to be a sleeping Zelda. Once awakened, however, the figure transforms into Goronu, a shapeshifting necromancer who works for Ganon. After defeating Goronu, Link retrieves the Crystal of Reflection, which allows his shield to reflect curses.[21] Link then proceeds to defeat Ganon's minions, which include the revived Goronu, the anthropomorphic pig Harlequin, the armored pyrokinetic Militron, the three-eyed wolfgirl Lupay, and the gluttonous cyclops Glutko, from which the Book of Koridai is retrieved. A translator named Ipo, who can read the Book of Koridai, reveals that the Book itself is enough to defeat Ganon.[22]
After trekking through Ganon's Lair,[23] Link finally reaches Ganon, who attempts to recruit Link with the promise of great power and the threat of death.[24] Link imprisons him in the Book of Koridai[25] and then awakens the sleeping princess Zelda. Gwonam appears and congratulates Link on imprisoning Ganon. He shows Link a recovering Koridai and declares him the island's hero. However, Zelda refuses to kiss him as a reward.[26]
Development
Faces of Evil was one of the first two Nintendo-licensed games released on the Philips CD-i (together with Wand of Gamelon).[2] The game was given the relatively low budget of approximately $600,000 and the development deadline was set at a little over a year — time which would have to be split between the development of Faces of Evil and Wand of Gamelon.[9][10] It was decided by Animation Magic, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based development team led by Dale DeSharone, that the two games would be developed in tandem and would share the same graphics engine to more efficiently use the budget.[27] The animated cutscenes were created by a team of four animators from Russia (led by Igor Razboff) who were flown to the United States for the project.[9] These games marked the first time that Russian outsourcing had been utilized by an American company — a move that was only possible due to the somewhat thawed political climate after the fall of the Berlin Wall.[9] The rest of the development team included three programmers (all previous employees of Spinnaker Software), one musician (Tony Trippi), and freelance-writer Jonathan Merritt who created the scripts and designs.[9] Under DeSharone's direction, game development progressed similarly to that of his earlier-directed title, Below the Root, a game which Retro Gamer's John Szczepaniak has suggested may have served as a forerunner of sorts.[28] Background designs were created by local Cambridge artists, and voice-acting was entirely produced by local actors from the AFTRA union.[9]
Reception
At the time of its release, contemporary criticism was largely positive. SNES Force magazine described the animated sequences as "breathtaking" and praised the game for its high-resolution graphics and its "brilliant" use of sound and speech.[29] Highly anticipated by the French video game press, Joystick magazine's development preview of the title described it as a veritable arcade-quality game with stunning graphics and "perfect animation".[30] The same magazine would ultimately score it a 79%, a few months later, giving particularly high marks for music, sound effects, and play-through time.[31]
All three Zelda CD-i titles have garnered a largely negative reception, however, among modern critics, with The Faces of Evil and Wand of Gamelon standing out as the most frequently derided. GamesRadar named The Faces of Evil first on their list of "The Top 7... Franchise Embarrassments".[32] IGN described the games as "infamous" and "cheesy";[33] other reviewers called the animated cutscenes "freakish"[2] and "an absolute joke".[5] Wired magazine said that the animation on the first two Zelda games was extremely simple and stilted and that the graphics had several glitches.[3] The voice acting was criticized by Zelda Elements as jarring.[8]
Despite the largely negative reception that the games have received, there have been a few positive reviews as well. Both Danny Cowan of 1UP.com and John Szczepaniak praised Faces of Evil and Wand of Gamelon as among the best games on the CD-i. Szczepaniak in particular suggested that several of the gaming magazines that had rated and reviewed Wand of Gamelon and Faces of Evil had engaged in hate campaigns having never even played the game.[9] Cowan's and Szczepaniak's praises drew from the games' detailed, well-drawn in-game backgrounds and "pretty decent" gameplay,[2][10][27] although both criticized the controls.[2][27] While the audio was thought to be "average", and not up to the usual Zelda quality by some reviewers,[10] this has been contested by others who have described it as diverse and high-quality with an adventurous upbeat tempo blending electric guitar, panpipes, marimbas, and other unusual instruments.[9] In a periodical for Retro Gamer magazine, Szczepaniak identified the natural comparison of the games by reviewers to the quality of games in the rest of the Zelda series as an improper comparison to make and suggested that when reviewed in their own right the games were actually excellent.[34] Contrary to what were described as "lies perpetuated about [Faces of Evil and Wand of Gamelon]," Retro Gamer described these games as "astoundingly good" and rated them together as number ten in its "Perfect Ten Games" for CD-i. While acknowledging that the games lacked canonicity, the games were praised for exhilarating pacing and superb gameplay design and music. The games' background art was also described as ranging from Gigeresque[9] to Monet-esque.[35]
Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon
Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon | |
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![]() Boxart for Zelda: Wand of Gamelon. | |
Developer(s) | Animation Magic |
Publisher(s) | Philips Media |
Series | The Legend of Zelda |
Platform(s) | CD-i |
Release | [2] |
Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Paired with Link: The Faces of Evil in a simultaneous release, Zelda: Wand of Gamelon represents the first of the Zelda games to be released by Philips for the CD-i. Reversing the traditional Link-saves-Zelda plotline, Wand of Gamelon stars Zelda as she adventures to rescue Link and her father the king who have not returned from their quest. As with Faces of Evil, the game was patterned most closely upon Nintendo's previous side-scroller, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, and again features outsourced Russian animation for all cutscenes. Despite the game's similarly positive contemporary reception along with Faces of Evil, modern critics have almost unanimously derided and ridiculed the game for its inability to live up to modern expectations with the animated cutscenes again having become a particular target of negative reception.
Gameplay
The player controls Princess Zelda, who must find and defeat Ganon and rescue both King Harkinian and Link to become the heroine of Gamelon. When the player begins this quest, three areas are initially available, accessible through Impa's map. The player can access the areas on the map by moving the on-screen cursor over one of the areas and pressing Button One.[36]
At the beginning of the game, the player is only equipped with a sword and shield. The sword is used to attack enemies and to fire deadly Power Blasts, and the shield can deflect projectile attacks thrown at the player. The shield is automatically lifted when the player is standing still or crouching. Other helpful tools, such as lamp oil (for lighting a lamp), rope (for climbing) and bombs (which can destroy some obstacles) are available for a price at the General Shop in Sakado.[36][37] The rubies that the Merchant takes as currency can be obtained by defeating enemies. Red rubies are worth 1, green rubies are worth 5 and blue rubies are worth 10. To pick up these gems, the player must strike them with the sword before they disappear, unlike prior Zelda titles where rupees could be collected by simply walking over them.[36]
Zelda's health is measured in "Life Hearts". The number of Life Hearts the player currently has is shown on the upper-left corner of the screen when Zelda is walking around the island. Although the player begins the game with only three hearts, there are ways to earn more. Each time Zelda is injured, she will lose at least one-half of a heart.[36] The first two times Zelda runs out of Life Hearts, the player will be given the option of continuing from near the point where Zelda's last heart was lost. When Zelda loses her hearts for a third time, she will be returned to the map, and the player will have to start the level from the beginning. Returning to the map replenishes Zelda's Life Hearts and lives, and she will retain any items and rubies she picked up.[36]
Plot
King Harkinian announces his plan to aid Duke Onkled of Gamelon when the latter falls under attack by Ganon,[10][38] and orders Zelda to send Link for backup in case that he does not return from his mission within a month.[39] A month passes without word from the King,[40] so Zelda sends Link to find him.[10][41]
When he too goes missing,[10] Zelda ventures off to Gamelon (accompanied by an elderly Impa) to find both Link and the King.[10][42] During Zelda's time in Gamelon, Impa discovers that King Harkinian has been captured, and that Link has engaged in a battle, the outcome of which is unclear.[43] As she adventures across the island, Zelda meets many friendly characters and battles with many monsters and enemies including the villains Gibdo and Iron Knuckle. Along her travels Zelda battles the sorcerer, Wizzrobe, to free Lady Alma, who gives Zelda a canteen that she claims Link gave her in exchange for a kiss.
On reaching Duke Onkled's palace, Domodai Palace, it is revealed that Duke Onkled has betrayed the King and is working for Ganon.[44] Zelda storms the palace, kills Ganon's minion Hectan, and saves an imprisoned Spaniard named Fari who used to work for the King. Fari reveals the secret entrance to Onkled's chamber, and when they confront him he reveals the entrance to Reesong Palace, where Ganon has taken residence.[45]
Zelda travels to the Shrine of Gamelon to defeating the head-switching chimera Omfak and obtain the Wand needed to defeat Ganon, and she also visits Nokani Forest to obtain the magic lantern needed to clear the darkness around Ganon. Finally at Reesong Palace, Zelda fights Ganon, incapacitates him with the Wand, and rescues her father. Back at Hyrule Castle, Duke Onkled is turned over to the king, begging for mercy. He is arrested and punished by becoming a lowly drudge for the King.[46] Although Link's whereabouts are still unknown, a comment by Lady Alma prompts Zelda to throw her mirror against the wall and as it smashes Link magically materializes, seemingly having been trapped in the mirror.
Development
Wand of Gamelon was one of the first two Nintendo-licensed games released on the Philips CD-i (together with Faces of Evil).[2] With the relatively low budget of approximately $600,000, Wand of Gamelon was given a little over a year for completion — time which would have to be split between the development of Wand of Gamelon and Faces of Evil.[9][10] It was decided by Animation Magic, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based development team led by Dale DeSharone, that the two games would be developed in tandem and would share the same graphics engine to more efficiently use the budget.[27] The animated cutscenes were created by a team of four animators from Russia (led by Igor Razboff) who were flown to the United States for the project.[9] These games marked the first time that Russian outsourcing had been utilized by an American company - a move that was only possible due to the somewhat thawed political climate after the fall of the Berlin Wall.[9] The rest of the development team included three programmers (all previous employees of Spinnaker Software), one musician (Tony Trippi), and freelance-writer Jonathan Merritt who created the scripts and designs.[9] Under DeSharone's direction, game development progressed similarly to that of his earlier-directed title, Below the Root, a game which Retro Gamer's John Szczepaniak has suggested may have served as a forerunner of sorts.[28] Background designs were created by local Cambridge artists, and voice-acting was entirely produced by local actors from the AFTRA union.[9] The voice of Princess Zelda was provided by Bonnie Jean Wilbur and the voice of Link by Jeffrey Rath, while additional voices were provided by Jeffrey Nelson, Mark Berry, Natalie Brown, Karen Grace, Josie McElroy, Marguerite Scott and Paul Wann.[47]
Reception
At the time of its release, contemporary criticism was largely positive. SNES Force magazine described the animated sequences as "breathtaking" and praised the game's high-resolution graphics and "brilliant" use of sound and speech.[29] Highly anticipated by the French video game press, Joystick magazine's development preview of the title highlighted the fact that this would be the first of the Zelda games to feature true voice acting, and described its plot as highly original and the background graphics as a tableaux of great beauty.[48]
All three Zelda CD-i titles have garnered a largely negative reception, however, among modern critics, with The Faces of Evil and Wand of Gamelon standing out as the most frequently derided. The magazine Electronic Gaming Monthly ranked Zelda: Wand of Gamelon the sixth worst game of all time,[49] and GameTrailers rated it fifth worst game of all time.[50] The Star Tribune described the game's voice acting as "laughable"[51] and it was also criticized by Zelda Elements as jarring.[8] IGN described the games as "infamous" and "cheesy";[52] other reviewers called the animated cutscenes "freakish"[2] and "an absolute joke".[5] Wired magazine said that the animation on the first two Zelda games was extremely simple and stilted and that the graphics had several glitches.[3]
Despite the largely negative reception that the games have received, there have been a few positive reviews as well. Both Danny Cowan of 1UP.com and John Szczepaniak praised Faces of Evil and Wand of Gamelon as among the best games on the CD-i. Szczepaniak in particular suggested that several of the gaming magazines that had rated and reviewed Wand of Gamelon and Faces of Evil had engaged in hate campaigns having never even played the game.[9] Cowan's and Szczepaniak's praises drew from the games' detailed, well-drawn in-game backgrounds and "pretty decent" gameplay,[2][10][27] although both criticized the controls.[2][27] while the audio was thought to be "average", and not up to the usual Zelda quality by some reviewers,[10] this has been contested by others who have described it as diverse and high-quality with an adventurous upbeat tempo blending electric guitar, panpipes, marimbas, and other unusual instruments.[9] In a periodical for Retro Gamer magazine, Szczepaniak identified the natural comparison of the games by reviewers to the quality of games in the rest of the Zelda series as an improper comparison to make and suggested that when reviewed in their own right the games were actually excellent.[34] Contrary to what were described as "lies perpetuated about [Faces of Evil and Wand of Gamelon]," Retro Gamer described these games as "astoundingly good" and rated them together as number ten in its "Perfect Ten Games" for CD-i. While acknowledging that the games lacked canonicity, the games were praised for exhilarating pacing and superb gameplay design and music. The game's background art was also described as ranging from Gigeresque[9] to Monet-esque.[35]
Zelda's Adventure
Zelda's Adventure | |
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![]() Boxart for Zelda's Adventure. | |
Developer(s) | Viridis |
Publisher(s) | Philips Media |
Series | The Legend of Zelda |
Platform(s) | CD-i |
Release | [7] |
Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f2/Zeldasadventure1.jpg/200px-Zeldasadventure1.jpg)
Unlike the previous two CD-i Zelda games, which take the side-scrolling view from Zelda II, Zelda's Adventure is played with the same top-down view found in The Legend of Zelda.[53] Playing as Princess Zelda, the aim is to fight through the Seven Shrines of the Underworld to collect the celestial signs, and bring the land of Tolemac to an Age of Lightness.[53][54]
Unlike the other two games, Zelda's Adventure was created by Viridis, an entirely different company, with a change in style and gameplay.[53][54] Level design is very much like the original The Legend of Zelda and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, with an overworld that allows access to individual dungeons.[54][55] The FMV sequences that present the plot are live action instead of animated.[55]
Plot
Ganon has kidnapped Link and stolen the seven celestial signs, creating an "Age of Darkness" in the kingdom of Tolemac.[56] Princess Zelda learns from the court astrologer Gaspra (played by actor Mark Andrade) that she must collect the signs to defeat Ganon and save Link.
Development
The backgrounds for Zelda's Adventure were created from videos of scenery near Santa Monica Boulevard in West L.A., footage of Hawaii taken from a helicopter, and the developers' vacation photos.[57] This decision was responsible for much of the game's RAM usage, causing backgrounds to scroll slowly and causing extreme frustration to the game's developers. The CD-i's technical abilities were so limited that the use of one or two kilobytes of system RAM caused arguments amongst the developers.[57] The composer for Zelda's Adventure also played the part of Gaspra in the game's cutscenes.[57] The houses and interiors built for the cut scenes were built as scale models.[57] Developers have stated they were not influenced by the first two CD-i Zelda games.[57] Zelda's Adventure spent two years in testing, longer than it took to develop the game.[57] Much more music was composed for the game than was used.[57] Developers had difficulty making sure all the areas of the game had proper background masking.[57]
Reception
Like the other two CD-i Zelda games, modern criticism of Zelda's Adventure has been quite negative. The graphics of Zelda's Adventure were called "blurry and digitized".[2] Wired magazine said that the graphics were some of the worst ever encountered.[3] The game's acting was criticized as unprofessional. Another flaw that has been identified is that the game could not produce both sound effects and music at the same time.[2] Scott Sharkey of 1UP.com called the box art of Zelda's Adventure one of the 15 worst ever made.[58] Zelda's Adventure was released as the Philips CD-i was being discontinued and has become very rare over time, as have the first two Philips Zelda games; Zelda's Adventure is regularly sold for over $100.[2][59] Danny Cowan of 1UP.com called Zelda's Adventure "unplayable" due to the jerky frame rate, unresponsive controls and long load times.[2]
Despite giving positive reviews for Faces of Evil and Wand of Gamelon RetroGamer's John Szczepaniak would not extended them to Zelda's Adventure which he described as demonstrating arbitrary and illogical design, sloppy visuals, nearly-nonexistent music, excruciatingly high difficulty, and cumbersome loading and controlling. Gameplay for Zelda's Adventure has also been portrayed as a trial and error effort to guess which items can be used to defeat which enemy.[60] In discussing the popular online conception that Zelda's Adventure is superior to Wand of Gamelon and Faces of Evil, Retro Gamer pointed to the top-down perspective as fomenting misinformation regarding the game's similarities to the original Zelda when in fact the game is not worth playing.[60]
References
- ^ Development Hell. Edge. No.120. Pg.81. February 2003.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Cowan, Danny (2006-04-25). "CDi: The Ugly Duckling". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kohler, Chris (2008-03-24). "Game". Wired (magazine). Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
{{cite web}}
: Text "Life The Video, #7: Nintendo and CD-i" ignored (help) - ^ a b c d Zelda Elements Staff (2008-01-01). "Overview: CDi Series". Zelda Elements. Archived from the original on March 6, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ a b c d e f GameTrailers Staff (2006-10-22). "The Legend of Zelda Retrospective Zelda Retrospective Part 3". GameTrailers. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ GameSpy Staff (2008-01-01). "Nintendo: From Hero to Zero". GameSpy. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ a b Wilson, Mark (2007-06-05). "This Day in Gaming, June 5th". Kotaku. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ a b c d Zelda Elements Staff (2008-01-01). "Overview: Link: The Faces of Evil". Zelda Elements. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s The Making of... Zelda: 'Wand of Gamelon' & 'Link: Faces of Evil'. Retro Gamer. Issue 27. p. 52-57. August 2006.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Zelda Elements Staff (2008-01-01). "Overview: Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon". Zelda Elements. Archived from the original on February 20, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil instruction booklet. Philips Media.
- ^ Animation Magic (9000). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Opening sequence.
Link: Great! I'll grab my stuff! / Gwonam: There is no time. Your sword is enough.
{{cite book}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Goronu Shop.
Morshu the Shopkeeper: Lamp oil, rope, bombs. You want it? It's yours, my friend. As long as you have enough rupees.
- ^ Chiucchi, Vincent (2007-09-19). "411mania.com: Games - The Hall of Shame 09.19.07: The Nintendo Phillips CD-I Games:". Retrieved 2008-05-29.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Opening sequence.
Link: Gee! It sure is boring around here. / King Harkinian: My boy, this peace is what all true warriors strive for. / Link: I just wonder what Ganon's up to.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Opening sequence.
Gwonam: Your Majesty, Ganon and his minions have seized the island of Koridai.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Opening sequence.
Gwonam: It is written: only Link can defeat Ganon.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Opening sequence.
Link: Wow! What're all those heads?! / Gwonam: These are the Faces of Evil. You must conquer each.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Firestone Lake.
Ganon: In the darkest nightmare hour, when not moon nor sun has risen, I take Zelda through my power. I shall keep her in my prison.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Serigon Caves.
Ice Queen: Before you face the foul fiend Ganon, you must conquer Fortress Centrum, where the Treasure of Death is hidden. Bring it to me. Begone.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Serigon Caves.
Ice Queen: This shield both sword and spear reflects, but cannot stop the vilest curse. This crystal makes the shield reflect, cursing the curser with twice the curse.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Nortinka.
Ipo the Reader: Listen. Such is the power of the Prince of Darkness that he can kill with a single look. Attacks against Ganon will prove fruitless unless Link attacks with the sacred book.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Ganon's Lair.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Ganon's Lair.
Ganon: Join me, Link, and I will make your face the greatest in Koridai, or else you will die!
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Ganon's Lair.
Ganon: No! Not into the pit! It burrrns!!
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Link: The Faces of Evil (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Ending sequence.
Gwonam: Well done, Link! Ganon is once again imprisoned. Come. Look. Already Koridai is returning to harmony. The birds are singing! Isn't it beautiful? / Link: Golly! / Gwonam: As it is written, you, Link, are the hero of Koridai! / Link: I guess that's worth as kiss, huh? / Princess Zelda: Ha! / Link: I won!
- ^ a b c d e f Szczepaniak, John (2008-01-01). "Zelda: Wand of Gamelon / Link: Faces of Evil - Phillips CD-I (1993)". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|work=
- ^ a b The Making of... Zelda: 'Wand of Gamelon' & 'Link: Faces of Evil' - Roots of Origin. Retro Gamer. Issue 27. p. 55. August 2006.
- ^ a b Rice, Chris, ed. NEWS: ZELDA CDi EXCLUSIVE. SNES Force. Issue 1. Pg.7. July 1993.
- ^ ECTS 93: CDi Philips - Link: The Faces of Evil. Joystick. No.38. Pp.43-44. May 1993.
- ^ CD TESTS: Link The Faces of Evil. Joystick. No.44. Pg.192. December 1993.
- ^ "The Top 7... Franchise Embarrassments, Xbox 360 Xbox 360 Features". GamesRadar.
- ^ Drucker, Michael S. (2005-09-30). "The Legend of Zelda: The Complete Animated Series - DVD Review at IGN". IGN. Retrieved 2010-05-14.
- ^ a b Profile: Dale DeSharone - Highlights: Dale's Top Tips. Retro Gamer. Issue 31. p. 75. December 2006.
- ^ a b Retrospection: Philips CD-i - Perfect Ten Games: Link: FoE / Zelda: WoG. Retro Gamer. Issue 32. p. 47. January 2007.
- ^ a b c d e Animation Magic (1993). Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon instruction booklet. Philips Media.
{{cite book}}
: templatestyles stripmarker in|title=
at position 28 (help) - ^ Animation Magic (1993). Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Sakado General Shop.
General Shop Merchant: Course I'm on your side, but I still have to sell the stuff. Just pick what you want. I'll handle the rubies.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Opening sequence.
King Harkinian: Zelda, Duke Onkled is under attack by the evil forces of Ganon. I'm going to Gamelon to aid him.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Opening sequence.
King Harkinian: If you don't hear from me in a month, send Link.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Opening sequence.
Princess Zelda: (sighs) A whole month gone, and still no word.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Opening sequence.
Princess Zelda: Link, go to Gamelon and find my father. / Link: Great! I can't wait to bomb some Dodongos!
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Opening sequence.
Princess Zelda: Wake up, Impa. We're going to Gamelon. / Impa: (yawning) All right, dear. I'll get the Triforce of Wisdom.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Sakado.
Impa: Oh, my. Your father has been captured! / Princess Zelda: What about Link? / Impa: He's been in a terrible fight! I can't tell what happened!
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Dodomai Palace.
Spaniard: Duke Onkled betrayed the King! / Princess Zelda: I know.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Dodomai Palace.
Duke Onkled: D-Don't hurt me, Zelda! I'll tell you the secret way into Reesong Palace. / Princess Zelda: You better talk fast. / Duke Onkled: Go all the way left and move the rug. This key opens the gate.
- ^ Animation Magic (1993). Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Ending sequence.
Duke Onkled: Please! Your omnipotence! Have mercy! / King Harkinian: After you've scrubbed all the floors in Hyrule, then we can talk about mercy! Take him away!
- ^ Animation Magic (1993-10-10). Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (CD-i). Philips. Level/area: Credits.
- ^ ECTS 93: CDi Philips - Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon. Joystick. No.38. Pp.43. May 1993.
- ^ Reiley, Sean (2007-01-01). "#6: Zelda: Wand of Gamelon (CDI)". Seanbaby.com. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ "Top Ten Best and Worst Games of All Time". Gametrailers.com. 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
- ^ Salas, Randy A. (2007-03-04). "Game over; Think again before bringing back these vintage titles" (Document). Star Tribune. p. 4F.
{{cite document}}
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ignored (help) - ^ Drucker, Michael S. (2005-09-30). "The Legend of Zelda: The Complete Animated Series - DVD Review at IGN". IGN. Retrieved 2010-05-14.
- ^ a b c "IGN: Zelda's Adventure". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
- ^ a b c "Zelda's Adventure for CD-i". MobyGames. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
- ^ a b Zelda Elements Staff (2008-01-01). "Overview: Zelda's Adventure". Zelda Elements. Archived from the original on 2008-03-06. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ Viridis (1994). Zelda's Adventure (Philips CD-i). Philips Media. Level/area: Opening sequence.
Gaspra the Astronomer: And so it was that Gannon, Lord of Darkness, had taken over Tolemac. He had stolen the treasured celestial signs and captured Link!
- ^ a b c d e f g h Bas (2007-03-08). "Zelda, Voyeur, and a man who worked on both CD-i projects..." Interactive Dreams. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ Sharkey, Scott (2007-03-30). "Hey Covers...You Suck!". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ Stuart, Keith (2007-04-19). "Technology: Gamesblog: Yesterday's games could be gold dust to collectors. The games are internet memes on Youtube" (Document). The Guardian. p. 3.
{{cite document}}
: Unknown parameter|accessdate=
ignored (help) - ^ a b The Making of... Zelda: 'Wand of Gamelon' & 'Link: Faces of Evil' - Deserving Damnation. Retro Gamer. Issue 27. p. 57. August 2006.