The thing that urks me about the criticisms I always hear about Zelda II is the dwelling on its perceived flaws rather than just looking at the game for what it is and does well.

Its like you don't hear people complain about the fact that you can't walk diagonally in Zelda 1 or that the combat is generally pretty easy and simple. Those could be considered flaws, but there is no reason to point that out because it really is just how they made the game and it works well so why bother.