A helpful starting itinerary for home console Zelda games

If you have ever thought that a Zelda game either threw you into the game with no instruction or direction, you are not alone. However, it is also common to be left with the impression that you just watched the majority of a trilogy before you are actually left to your own devices to play the games. Game Informer has compiled a helpful guide to let you know approximately how long you will need to play before the reigns are dropped and you are let loose in the world.

Hit the jump to find out more!

The timing list also includes some tidbits about what takes up the time spent before you are on your way. Game Informer also specifies that their definition of when the game actually begins is when Link has a sword and shield and is ready to head to the first dungeon. You may agree or disagree with that particular distinction, and discussion is always encouraged, so if you have something different as your official “Go” signal in the Zelda games or just something to add to this working definition, go ahead and let us know in the comments section.

Keep in mind that the only Zelda games examined for this exercise were the home console games, and even then there are some left out, like Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures, but we can forgive them for that since they cover most of the console games, from the original Legend of Zelda to Skyward Sword. Below is a list of the games and their corresponding impromptu play times up to the points where Link has his gear, the dialogue has ended and he is marching off to take on his very first dungeon.

Legend of Zelda: 50 seconds

The introduction for this game is in the little pamphlet that came with the original copies of the game, so there was no time used once you push the power button to establish a story. If you have not seen the pamphlet, then there is no story and you are just a random guy in a random desert who happens across an old man with a wooden sword.

The Adventure of Link: 27 seconds

Kind of the same deal as with the original game, though by this point our trusty experiment subject at Game Informer has figured out how to save the game, and so shaved off almost half his time.

A Link to the Past: 22 minutes, 14 seconds

Here we finally see some in-game introduction in the form of Link receiving telepathic communications from Zelda and a trip into the castle to find Link’s uncle dying and bequeathing his sword and shield to you. However, the castle was not considered to be the first dungeon by the author of this experiment, so the extra time here was spent getting through the castle, rescuing Zelda and taking off after receiving direction from a strange old man.

Ocarina of Time: 17 minutes, 27 seconds

Although this game was revolutionary for its time, the path to the first dungeon is less complicated than in A Link to the Past. All that is really required is that Link obtain a sword (which is found right by the sword master in a hole) and a shield (easily bought at the Kokiri Shop). If it is your first time playing it might take a bit longer as you talk to the forest’s inhabitants and such, but if you know, the only time consuming part is collecting rupees.

Majora’s Mask: 1 hour, 8 minutes

This introduction is something completely different from the normal Zelda formula, and not something we see again until Twilight Princess. It takes so long to be off toward your first dungeon with your gear because for the painstakingly long span of three game days you are stuck as a little Deku and unable to talk, let alone wield a sword. It is only at midnight of the final day that you find your ocarina, play the Song of Time and then are healed by the Happy Mask Salesman, becoming human.

The Wind Waker: I hour, 16 minutes

A new pattern has now begun with lots of small tasks to complete before you are finally ready to embark on your quest. But catching pigs and talking to grandma aren’t too bad, so you are on your way after enough story points to keep things interesting while not bogging you down with a life history.

Twilight Princess: 2 hours, 40 minutes

As you can see, we have another huge addition in time needed to stop dragging feet through your home town and get started on the adventure. Now we are dealing with two days, multiple goat wrangles, children, a thieving monkey and more. Even after all those menial tasks are completed, Link is transformed into a wolf and is unable to attack a dungeon or keep a sword and shield. It is only after your first romp through the Twilight Realm that you eventually get to transform back into a human and set out.

Skyward Sword: 1 hour, 38 minutes

Thought not nearly as long a beginning as Twilight Princess, this game gets all the raps about too much dialogue, particularly from Fi at the beginning. Although you do, once again, get sent on almost meaningless tasks and then have to undergo the Wing Ceremony after rescuing your kidnapped bird. It is only after Zelda is whisked down to land and you gain the ability to follow her that you are actually free to play as you please.

Just looking at the times here, there is a definite pattern of growing times up to Twilight Princess, which is immediately followed by a timing back-track down to The Wind Waker numbers. It would seem that our Zelda development team just can’t make up their minds about when Link should be ready for some butt kicking. Do you have a Zelda title you thought had just the right amount of introduction before you are allowed to move on to dungeon raiding? If so let us know in the comments! I am also wondering if A Link Between Worlds follows the drop off pattern or if we will see another long and painstaking introduction. Either way, we will find out all too soon!

Source: Game Informer