Big huge collection quests do not equal true difficulty, they're just something to make the game longer. If anything, they're annoying. If you can't see the difference, then you need to go play Contra 3 or something.

I have played every Zelda game, with the exception of things like the Bandai Statellaview games, so yes, naturally I will find a game easier than someone who is playing a game for the first time. Even so, this game was easier than it should have been. I can replay the Oracles, or LttP, games which I have already played through and completed, and be more challenged than I was by the Minish Cap.

I can't speak for those who used strategy guides, but as far as I'm concerned, they deserve to have the experience ruined for them.

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Awards:
Voted Best Zelda Theorist twice.
Voted Most Knowledgable Zelda fan at ZU six times.
Voted Most Zelda Obsessed six times.