The Legend of Zelda’s 35th Anniversary is officially here, and first in line to celebrate is Masahiro Sakurai. Continuing his habit of recreating a game as best he can in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in order to celebrate their birthdays, he’s shared a recreation of the original NES Zelda’s final battle with Ganon as well as a personal anecdote.
1986年のきょう､ディスクシステム及び『ゼルダの伝説』(The Legend of Zelda)発売｡35周年!!
初代『ゼルダ』はディスクシステム第一弾ソフト。
私は発売日に、朝から並んでゲット｡
オープニングのアイテム一覧に心が湧きました｡
なぜリンクが赤いのかは､プレイした人にはわかるよね?#スマブラSP pic.twitter.com/Wc2ASUz3Ew— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) February 21, 2021
Looking back to the original release in 1986, Sakurai remembers picking it up the day it released and shares that the title screen’s showcase of the game’s items (or “All of Treasures” if you prefer) was particularly exciting. He also alludes to Link’s optimal loadout in the end game, hence the red tunic for the Smash screenshot. Too bad Young Link had to bring Fire Arrows to a Silver Arrow kinda fight though…
1993年のきょう『Star Fox』発売!!
スーパーFXチップ搭載により、スーパーファミコンで3Dポリゴンシューティングを表現したスゴい作品。
スマブラに出てくるアンドルフは､この初代版です｡いい味出してます｡#スマブラSP pic.twitter.com/7BKOElqatG— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) February 21, 2021
That’s not the only anniversary being celebrated today, though, as it’s also Star Fox’s 28th birthday! Fox McCloud first flew his Arwing on the Super Famicom back in 1993. That these two iconic games from Shigeru Miyamoto would release on the same day is noteworthy, but Star Fox couldn’t have taken flight without Argonaut Games’ Super FX chip. Sakurai specifically shouts out the coprocessor, which is why we’ve got Andross’ polygonal face as an Assist Trophy.
You can celebrate these shared anniversaries by checking out both of the original games via the Nintendo Switch Online’s NES and SNES libraries, but consider having Link and Fox face off in Smash Ultimate before the day is done.
Written by Ricky Berg
When he isn’t writing for Nintendo Wire, Ricky’s anticipating the next Kirby, Fire Emblem, or if the stars ever align, Mother 3 to be released. Till then he’ll have the warm comfort of Super Smash Bros. to keep him going.
