BS Legend of Zelda

As part of this Zelda Quest, I really wanted to try one of the Satellaview Zelda games.  If you’re not familiar, the Satellaview was an add-on for the Super Famicom in Japan. 

The Satellaview

It was a service run by the satellite company St.GIGA.  The games, some exclusive and some standard games, were broadcast like a TV program for download (the B in BS stands for broadcast).  There were two Zelda games available for the service, BS Legend of Zelda being one of them.  This game is often called a 16-bit remake of the original Zelda game but I don’t think this is accurate.  It’s much more like a spin-off. 

Because of the downloadable nature of the games, many on the Satellaview have been lost to time.. Thankfully, people are working to change that.  I played an English translation on a repro cart.  During the actual broadcasts, there was spoken dialogue helping guide the players.  That hasn’t been fully reproduced (but people are getting close). 

The same (but different)

The game takes place over 4, one hour broadcasts.  One was played each week.  As such, there are some changes from the original Zelda game.  The map is more condensed.  In addition, the difficulty is lowered to make sure you can get through in enough time.  Despite that, you always feel kind of rushed; almost as if conducting a speed run.  Pressing select brings up a list of all of your goals for the week, you can only get two triforce pieces each week.

Your goal for the week

In addition, there are timed events that take place.  At a certain time, you will get unlimited bombs for a few minutes.  Near the end, there is a limited 10 minute window which is your only chance to get the most powerful sword and ring.  I believe the original vocal tracks would alert you to some of this.

On Zelda time

SPOILERS FOR THE END OF THE GAME FOLLOW

At the end of the game, you enter the cave where the old man gives you the sword in the first Zelda game.  Gannon comes in and breaks up the fun leading to the final boss fight.  It’s a neat subversion for longtime Zelda fans.

I’m very happy I played this and it’s a very unique take on Zelda.

Here’s my latest ranking…                                                                              

1.      The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past

2.      The Legend of Zelda

3.      The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

4.      Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

5.      BS Legend of Zelda

It Came From Japan

Now onto The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.  This game is exciting because it is the first time I’m going to play a game on an original Game Boy cart in more than a decade.  But I’m not going to squint to see my old GB fatty.  Nope, I’m picking up one of the numerous oversights by Nintendo of America: The Game Boy Light.

This guy has seen better days.

Ask anyone who tried it what the biggest problem with the Game Boy was and you get one answer, “You can’t see anything.”  All sorts of aftermarket solutions were released.   

Speakers + Light + Magnifier + Joystick = WTF?

The one I had was the Handy Boy.  You can hardly even see the system under that monstrosity.

In 1998, Nintendo came up with a solution: The Game Boy Light.  This system has two settings on the power switch.  

The first works like a traditional Game Boy Pocket with black and white color.

But flip the switch and you get this.  The light is actually behind the display and works sort of like the old indiglo watches.   

 

It’s easy on the eyes and you can look at it for a long time without straining your eyes.  It is everything you would want the Game Boy to be.  

Sadly, NOA never brought it over to America.  Maybe it was because the Game Boy Color came out just six months later or maybe it was NOA’s misguided beliefs in what Americans like (I’m looking at you “Play it Loud”).  

Either way, I got all my gaming information at the time from Nintendo Power so I had no idea this thing even existed until about five years ago.  They are especially popular now with chiptune musicians because you can see them in a club.  If you ever find one, I highly recommend it.  

Gator's gotta have his dog food.

As for the game, I’m loving its lighthearted attitude.  It’s a nice change of pace.  I look forward to playing more of it and its inspiration (more on that to come).