GENRE
	Adventure
	DEVELOPER
	Nintendo
	PUBLISHER
	Nintendo
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1
	CONTROLLER PAK
	yes
	RUMBLE PAK
	yes
	RAM PAK
	no
	BUY NOW AT

Three years in the making, three years in the waiting. The time has come for this year's gamers to be treated to the THE game of the ages so far. Nintendo has spared no expense in making their competitors squirm in their seats. Surely, you've heard the rants and rambles. Surely, you've heard the slogan, seen the screenshots. How can you resist? Go on, indulge yourself. Pick up a copy and soulmate while you're at it. You'll never leave home again. So...is it perfect? Absolutely. It has a few things I would perhaps change, but the very nature of such minor details in comparison to the entire adventure is irrevelant. No questions asked, this is the game to beat. Good luck trying.

visuals

Mario astounded, Banjo teased, Zelda perfects. The textures aren't as sharp as Rare's game perhaps, but that's not to say they aren't top notch. All the models, the environments, it's all so very well done, it leaves little to rant about. Nintendo has created an atompshere so thick and engaging, that it leaves everything to experience. Fogging is gone, slowdown is extremely rare and passable, everything is sharp and colorful. And in case you haven't witnessed the cinemas, chances are you're gonna be floored. Everything shines in true 3D as well, save a few items here and there, in sharp, sprite form. The models are nearly seamless, and the organic characters even express themselves emotionally through their facial motions. Woo hoo!

audio

Dynamic audio once more. Stereo sound, quality sound effects, beautiful score, just no speech save a few 'Hey!'s from Navi. But that's nto at all intrusive, since it's perhaps best left to the gamer's imagination of the voices. Sound effects are easily some of the best on the system. You can hear Link's footsteps crunching grass, clicking on pavement, echo in tunnel like areas, pad along in dirt, crunch snow, it's involving and magnificent. As for the music, it's incredibly good, I just wish the Zelda theme song would've been redone. Even so, the substitute music is equally passable and everything else just top notch materail, including the tunes used in the game.

gameplay

It's flawless. Control is original and smoothly integrated. For those new to the scheme, top C alternates between first [handy for aiming] and third person, the remaing C buttons are used for the ocarina [as well as R, A and Z] and assigning a weapon or item to, A for rolling, B to attack with your sword and various action functions, and Z to lock on. As for the the auto-jump feature, it works so smoothly, you won't even notice you can't jump.

In addition, the use of the ocarina is crucial and appreciated -- you can play familiar tunes with it as well, such as Twinkle, Twinkle and even the Star Wars theme [dare you ask?]. All the items are creatively designed and well earned, some through dungeons others through various tasks. However, some of the most redeeming factors in the game that makes it all come together is, all the mini games ranging from bowling to fishing, the extra tasks such as spider hntingu and Poe tracking, and the ability to go back and complete any tasks you missed. Forget something as a kid? Need to plant a bean sprout somewhere? Now you can. And it's absolutely wonderful.

And understandably, there are no doubt those who are concerned with the two plaguing problems of most N64 games: storyline and challenge. Well, fear not. In the heart of Zelda, lies an involving storyline that is intergrated so that it even leads you to the next point in the game through subtle hinting and the likes. Better yet, the storyline isn't just 'save yo' woman'. There's more meat on this bone, with all the toppings to boot. And challenge wise, this game won't be beat to quickly -- just don't cheat. Some of it is good ol' running around, the rest is mind racking puzzles. Get set for that Shadow Temple boss!

multiplayer

N/A

overall

The Nintendo 64 just picked up a third system seller, one that bears as much weight as Mario 64 and Goldeneye did. This is some downright good stuff for all ages and the girls too. Just be sure you pick up a copy, gold or no. You can't afford to miss it.

10/10