It's great to get another go at A Link to the Past, and Four Swords adds to the experience, but then, it's a port.
The Bad: Four Swords is four levels long; not much has been added to the Link to the Past experience, and it's been ten years; the screen is very dark, despite Capcom's efforts, so it's still a better experience on a console; despite the effort, again, there's not much reason to play Four Swords more than once or twice.
It's been ten years since A Link to the Past, one of the best 2-D titles in the franchise to this day (and one of the best 2-D titles in general) was released on the Super Nintendo. To celebrate, Capcom has brought in another Zelda just a year after it released both Oracle games: A Link to the Past is back.
It's pretty cool to see how much technology has advanced, because the handhelds of the era can play what the consoles were playing in the early '90's, with no trouble. The game is still just as big, but then, you can put it in your pocket.
The controls just happen to be perfectly fitting on the GBA, too. A Link to the Past was relatively simplistic in controls, as opposed to Ocarina of Time and the like, and it shows, but it's not a detracting factor. Instead, this title, one of the best in the series, welcomes in newer gamers far better than Ocarina of Time would, and with improved graphics, probably better than the Oracle games. But not to worry; the hardcore crowd can still find plenty of enjoyment in the game.
For one, the game is pretty challenging toward the end, but then, it is the end of the game. However, it's important to remember that games are getting easier, so gamers in general might have some trouble with it. Those who have stuck with the series, however, will love this second go at the title.
The music and graphics, again, are first rate on the GBA as they were on the SNES, and it's impressive that the GBA can pull off such stunning work. There's plenty to see and do in both Light and Dark Worlds, and the sidequests and mini-games are all worth your time.
But there is one major gripe to be had with A Link to the Past. Despite Capcom's bold attempts to make the game brighter, the GBA's lack of a backlight (until the future release of the SP) makes Link to the Past a rather dark game. This can lead to difficulties finding, for example, holes in the ground in the caves you'll explore, which are dark anyway. This kind of detracts from the masterpiece, and that's a little disappointing, but nowadays it shouldn't be too much of a problem on an SP or DS.
Now as for Four Swords... The game is definitely charming. The graphics look like what we'd already seen in trailers for Wind Waker, except smaller. They're bright, vibrant and fun, and just like in Wind Waker (as people soon discovered) you forget about the graphics being cartoony because you're having so much fun. And the music is just as impressive as Link to the Past's.
It's the game length that is the major issue with Four Swords. It's far too short. And there's no real reason to play it more than once or twice. It gets more challenging the second time and the levels change every time you play (to an extent), but it's still a mere four levels, with no exploring in between.
That's not to say it's not fun, especially with three or four players, but it wears on you after about two times through, and you'll just keep remembering that you'd probably have more fun playing A Link to the Past.
But is it worth it? A Link to the Past is a must-play, however you end up getting to it. If you have it on SNES, you know what I mean. If you haven't played it yet, it's certainly a great experience, no matter what system you get it on.
However, I'd say it's a better overall experience on the Wii Virtual Console, for the brighter screen. And you won't be missing too much by not having Four Swords included. But if you don't have the option to get it on Virtual Console for whatever reason, the GBA rendition is more than worth your time and money.
In fact, while Four Swords is fun and all, I would suggest it on Virtual Console over this one. It's definitely a great choice on GBA, but the brighter screen really did improve the experience for me on this title, one of the most spectacular of all Zeldas.
I gave the VC version a 10, in fact, but don't let that make you not buy this one. You won't go wrong either way. The VC has a much brighter screen, being a TV, but the GBA has more content. It's up in the air. That's my opinion, which is why you're reading this review.
No matter what though, A Link to the Past is spectacular, the type of game that doesn't age. Don't miss it.