Have to agree to disagree, with the OP. The first Zelda became a classic, but in and of itself, wasn't anything really special, story-wise. Gameplay, sure, but the story was really basic. Okay, most NES games weren't complex, but it really wasn't all that deep. Zelda II was loathed by a lot of traditionalists when it came out, and even now has its critics. Definitely an incredibly difficult game, but the side-scroll thing is STILL a sore spot.

ALttP, to me, showed what the original would have been, given more hardware capability. I always had the feeling that the creators might've thought the same. Ocarina of course had the big breakthrough with the huge storyline, monstrous dungeons, and a Hyrule that had some actual depth.

I really can't speak for the handheld versions, I've not really played them. WindWaker was odd for sure; I'm not a huge fan of the cel-shade technique, I think it's clever and different, but it tore away from Zelda so much that it felt a bit like SMB2 compared to SMB. However, speaking with people who actually played it, including my brother and best friend, both accomplished gamers, it did wonders for Link and a lot of previous gripes regarding Zelda gameplay.

Along comes Twilight Princess. Yes, TP carries out the OoT themes, but I don't understand all the hostility toward it. I'm nearly 32, and as a greying old dude, of course it's fun to be nostalgic. But to view the originals as these untouchable pinnacles of creativity, is a bit absurd if you take a step back and use a little objectivity. The Zelda games have done nothing but improve, if you ask me.



There's some talk in here about Link's age, as well. I think it's obviously more feasible to have him be 17, but the concept of the child hero isn't really a new one. It's a coming-of-age tale, and to tell it without seeing him early on, is to ignore entirely too much of the mythos. Link is "King Arthur Lite," in a lot of ways, and you can't just jump into Arthurian legend without the backstory of him as a boy. Same thing, here, with our beloved Link.