Generally speaking, the main entries in Nintendo’s cherished The Legend of Zelda franchise are universally adored.
But every series has its old shames – and even Link isn’t safe from embarrassment. This is where the oft-ridiculed Zelda CD-i games come in, released between 1993 and 1994 on the Phillips CD-i.
The games are constantly derided for being of extremely low quality. Particularly so, considering the usual high standards of the beloved action-adventure series.
Yet, this hasn’t stopped one fan from making an effort to remaster the first two Zelda CD-i games. That’s right – you too can play The Faces of Evil and Wand of Gamelon.
Twitter user – and the dev in question – Dopply, posted his passion project via a series of tweets:
So, I decided to make re-imagined versions of the 1993 CD-i classics "The Faces of Evil" and "The Wand of Gamelon". They are remakes using original assets, available for free download to play on Windows and Linux here:
Linux: https://t.co/x8Iur6mVor
Win: https://t.co/BG7kypiVxt— Seth Fulkerson 🔜 PAX East (@thedopster) November 27, 2020
He explains that he developed the project “over the course of 4 years” using GameMaker to teach himself game development. He also says that it was intended as an in-joke between friends.
In a GoogleDoc FAQ, Dopply explains the remasters aren’t straight rips of the originals. In fact, they are complete recreations built from the ground-up. This means that enemy spawns, movement speed, and slight collision differences are different from their original versions.
However, assets are directly ripped from the original Zelda CD-i games. Therefore, on a visual level, the games are virtually indistinguishable from the originals. This isn’t to say the games aren’t packed with extra goodies for the dedicated Zelda nut. Dropply claims that you’ll find “fun unlockables and maybe a cheat code or two” as you play.
Various development problems plagued the originals that contributed to their oft-derided quality. Criticism is often levied at the awkward animation and poor controls. The story behind these infamous games was chronicled by director Dale DeSharone in an interview shortly before passing away in 2008.
Are you going to check out The Legend of Zelda franchise Zelda CD-i remasters? What do you think of the games? Let us know below.