Randy Plavajka | Banner Jessica Castellano, junior graphic design and communication studies double major, plays the “Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess” on the Nintendo Wii, the game that many longtime fans consider to be one of the best in the franchise.
Gamers, nerds and newcomers to the groundbreaking “Legend of Zelda” series celebrated Feb. 21 in honor of the 30-year anniversary of the famous green-capped adventurer and the 27 titles released within the franchise’s history.
“The Legend of Zelda,” the original game of the series, set the tone for non-sidescrolling gameplay on Nintendo’s gaming consoles, providing a world-roaming experience that challenged gamers with a more sophisticated storyline, battles and puzzles.
Valeria Bolanos, freshman pre-nursing major, said she was introduced to the game by her brother 12 years ago with “A Link to the Past” on the Game Boy Advance.
“I thought it was actually pretty boring at first, but once you get the sword and start getting into (the story), you find out that it’s an amazing quest and you just have to complete it,” Bolanos said.
Some students at California Baptist University have grown up with the game and have been fans of the franchise since they were able to pick up a controller and play.
Jessica Castellano, junior graphic design and communication studies double major, said she started playing Zelda when she was 3 years old and said the series has always been sentimental to her.
“My grandpa introduced it to me,” Castellano said. “We used to play it all the time.”
“The Legend of Zelda” games have been a staple of childhoods since its initial release in the late ’80s and since then, the storyline and graphics have become more sophisticated and advanced.
Both Bolanos and Castellano agreed there have been some good games, such as “Ocarina of Time” and “Twilight Princess,” and some that were not as fun, most recently “Skyward Sword.” With the 30-year anniversary, both gamers said they are looking forward to the possibility of a free-roaming or role-playing game for “Legend of Zelda,” similar to “Skyrim.”
Nintendo continues to update the Zelda franchise in order to maintain one of the last remaining original franchises.
