Daily Debate: Do You Think The Zelda Series Should Have Strategy Guides?

Some may remember a time when strategy guides did not even exist. Often, the only way you could get through a tough game was by sharing strategies in the school playground. When gaming magazines began to appear this all changed forever. What began as a hints and tips section, developed into full page spreads with step by step guides. Realizing there was a market out there, companies produced their own guides. In time, strategy guides have continued to develop and become full, glossy hardbacks. Some are absolutely gorgeous, with exclusive content and artwork, but with a price tag to match.

Our Daily Debate today asks you to consider, do you think the Zelda series should have strategy guides? In considering this question, I should point out that strategy guides are referred to in paper, online and video varieties! Personally, I would have struggled with Majora’s Mask without a guide to refer to. I didn’t follow it page by page, and only dipped in when I came to a certain point that was driving me up the wall. Zelda Dungeon readers may remember GramieGreat, who completed Twilight Princess after 755 hours. She found watching a video guide very helpful if the written description or screenshot wasn’t specific enough. Perhaps you don’t have the patience to find all the secret shell locations in Link’s Awakening, and simply want to get on with the game? There are many reasons why gamers in general may be tempted to seek a strategy guide.

On the flip side, Zelda series is meant to be about exploration and discovery. What is the point of playing a game if you have all the answers? Some may argue that strategy guides have made players lazy. It is not unusual for companies to publish new strategy guides to cover additional DLC, after the original. Is this fair? Obviously, a quick internet search can get around this issue, but for a collector, it is more expense.

So, do you think the Zelda series should have strategy guides? And should there be a limit? Or will paper strategy guides die out and be replaced solely with online guides? Whatever your thoughts, feel free to leave your comments below.