Was there a Legend of Zelda NES strategy guide?

[c0ldb33r]

Was there a Legend of Zelda strategy guide?

I know that the game came with a small guidebook but was there ever an actual strategy guide released at retail?

Also I just want to know about English releases. I know that there was a Japanese strategy strategy guide but I only want an English one.

[Greg2600]

Nothing official, but it had a section in the NES black Player's Guide.

[Rickstilwell1]

I've never read the black NES guide so I am unsure if the 2nd quest is in there, but the 2nd quest is in Nintendo Power Vol. 1. I'm not sure if the first quest was covered in the final fun club issue or not.

[Jorpho]

Complete maps for both the first and second quest were included in the NES Game Atlas Player's Guide. They sure don't make 'em like that anymore.
http://www.amazon.com/NES-GAME-ATLAS-Players-Guide/dp/B000FG9P6E

[Aussie2B]

I don't know if it was ever available in any brick and mortar stores, but for many years Nintendo Power offered a "The Legend of Zelda: Tips and Tactics" tip book. It predates their Player's Guide series, and considering they sold it for $4.95 as opposed to the usual $13-$18 for their Player's Guides, I'm guessing it was considerably smaller but I've never seen one myself. Since it was advertised as a "tip book", I don't know if you'd count it as a strategy guide.

[Rickstilwell1]

I don't know if it was ever available in any brick and mortar stores, but for many years Nintendo Power offered a "The Legend of Zelda: Tips and Tactics" tip book. It predates their Player's Guide series, and considering they sold it for $4.95 as opposed to the usual $13-$18 for their Player's Guides, I'm guessing it was considerably smaller but I've never seen one myself. Since it was advertised as a "tip book", I don't know if you'd count it as a strategy guide.

Here it is on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nintendo-NES-The-Legend-of-Zelda-Tips-Tactics-Guide-Book-/131078342892?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e84e0c8ec

[Greg2600]

Oh yeah, I had that book back in the day, too!

[IrishNinja]

Here it is on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nintendo-NES-The-Legend-of-Zelda-Tips-Tactics-Guide-Book-/131078342892?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e84e0c8ec

yup, came to post this - it's thorough too! bout as close as you got back then as well, great guide. that plus the 1st issue of NP with the 2nd quest overworld map (heart containers & dungeon locations, plus money!) were invaluable as a kid.

[Gameguy]

There was an unofficial guide. At least with the Prima "Secrets of the Games" Link to the Past guide, there were additional sections covering the first and second games as well.

[c0ldb33r]

Here it is on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nintendo-NES-The-Legend-of-Zelda-Tips-Tactics-Guide-Book-/131078342892?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e84e0c8ec
Neat thanks!

[Natty Bumppo]

There was this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zelda-Strategy-Guide-Conquering-Zelda-/221348504462?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item338966238e

I have a copy floating about somewhere - IIRC it is pretty simplistic.

[CastlevaniaDude]

I had the Tips and Tricks book when I was a kid. I thought it was pretty decent. If I collected strategy guides, it'd be a must.

[fairyland]

I personally thought that the first time those NES Zelda games was put into an official hint guide was in the "The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition Player's Strategy Guide" for Game Cube. I was a bit disappointed with it as Zelda 1 and 2 were only a few pages with tiny almost unreadable maps.

[Tanooki]

Wow that's garbage. They did that on the GC Collector's Ed guide? There's no excuse for that as you could print a page or two and cover a lot of ground with the stages, the NES Atlas proved that much.

I was going to suggest Tips & Tactics, but saw it came up already and amazingly I have no excuse for it other than not remembering to find it at a good price but I don't have it.

[Rickstilwell1]

There was this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zelda-Strategy-Guide-Conquering-Zelda-/221348504462?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item338966238e

I have a copy floating about somewhere - IIRC it is pretty simplistic.

That's funny, the Link on the cover looks more like that elf character you can use in RPG Maker on Playstation. I was actually once working on a block by block best-as-I-can rpg version of the first Zelda. I only got so far.


Also, when I do finally start collecting seriously again, after a big money save up year or two, I should collect strategy guides as well. They could be really helpful to people I know who will be playing my games. I plan to share the wealth with friends and family, letting them come over and use my play copies.

[Tanooki]

The best way is to collect the guides, just don't actively collect them at ebay prices. :) Look at used book sales (street or actual shops) or other locations that could carry such things. If they're not game specific or more centric odds are in your favor. Last year I pegged a few guides well under value, including a Super Metroid guide for $5 at half price books of all things which has turned fairly slimy in the last six months on their pricing (and not just on gaming goods.) Bundling is nice too, forum members like here or even NintendoAge will stumble across a bunch and you can package a cheap deal saving on shipping and single book price too. I've got Mario Mania and all 3 DKC games guides from Nintendo coming my way for $20 in the mail now and that's a good rate. They're always fun little reads and trips down memory road, but also do serve as a good helper as adults have less time to screw around remembering all the hidden bits of old games.