Obscure Zelda Games That Are Hard To Find Nowadays

Highlights

Rare Zelda games like
Wind Waker HD
and
Ocarina Master Quest
are elusive treasures for collectors and fans.
Limited releases like
The Legend Of Zelda:
Collector’s Edition
and strange titles like
Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love
hold value.
Infamous CD-i games like
Wand of Gamelon
and
Zelda’s Adventure
are both rare and costly collector’s items.

As a collector who’s been around since the dawn of gaming, I can attest to the peculiarities and quirks that have come with this hobby over the years. In my time, I’ve seen rare gems like the infamous CD-I games, the likes of which are seldom found in today’s digital age.

The story behind the “The Legend of Zelda” video game series spans a broad period, with numerous titles earning timeless acclaim and finding a permanent place in many gamers’ collections. Yet, throughout the years, Nintendo has put out games that have faded into obscurity or become historical artifacts due to their release conditions.

Some Zelda games, ranging from seldom-remembered remasters to exclusive editions only available in Japan, have become so scarce that devoted collectors and enthusiasts often find themselves shelling out substantial sums of money for the privilege of owning them. It’s also worth noting that certain games tied to a specific console, some of which may no longer be in circulation, contribute to the necessity of emulation as a means of preserving gaming history.

8 The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

A Great Remaster But Released On The Wrong Console

Obscure Zelda Games That Are Hard To Find Nowadays

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but reflect on the ups and downs of gaming consoles. The Wii U, though boasting some solid games, was one of those rare instances where Nintendo’s console didn’t quite capture the market. Fast forward to the advent of the Switch, and it became a challenge for me to get my hands on “The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD” since it’s exclusive to the Wii U. Finding a way to play this gem has proven to be tricky, but that just adds to the allure, doesn’t it?

Finding an affordable copy of “The Wind Waker HD” can be quite challenging due to prices ranging between $70 and even over $100 on online platforms like eBay. This open-world sea adventure was significantly enhanced in almost every aspect when it was remastered for the Wii U, which is unfortunate because Nintendo has not yet made it available on the Nintendo Switch, as they have with many other Wii U games.

7 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time – The Master Quest

Harder To Play, Harder To Find

On the Nintendo GameCube, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Master Quest initially appeared to be just a revamped version of the Nintendo 64’s Ocarina of Time. However, it was actually an enhanced iteration with a completely restructured and challenging setup for its dungeons.

Locating an authentic version of “The Master Quest”, complete with its original case and manual, can be quite a challenge. The rare listings on eBay typically price between $70 and $90, not factoring in shipping costs. Even if you succeed in buying one, the game is exclusive to the Nintendo GameCube, making it another hurdle to simply play it.

6 Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love

Strange Adventure Exclusive To Japan

Despite not appearing to be a typical Zelda game, the peculiar character Tingle has made multiple appearances within the Legend of Zelda franchise. The game titled Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love is part of this series and serves as its second installment. However, due to its exclusive release in Japan, it became a rare find for Nintendo DS players.

Essentially, “Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love” is primarily recognized due to emulation, and a complete fan-made translation version became available in 2018. Regrettably, finding an original copy for purchase online is scarce, and even if you do find one, it can only be played on Nintendo DS systems with Japanese regional settings.

5 The Legend Of Zelda: Collector’s Edition

Four Games In One Collector’s Item

Essentially, The Legend of Zelda: Collector’s Edition for GameCube was a special edition that resembled Ocarina of Time quite closely. It was released in limited quantities to honor the legacy of Zelda games. This unique collection included Majora’s Mask, the original version of The Legend of Zelda, and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, two classic NES games.

Back then, having four games in one package was quite a spectacle, leading to the price of The Legend Of Zelda: Collector’s Edition ranging from $90 to nearly $300 online. In essence, it lives up to its name, as it has become more of a collector’s item than a game meant for enjoyment.

4 Zelda: Wand Of Gamelon

The Game That YouTube Made Famous

For the first time ever in “The Legend of Zelda” series, players have the opportunity to control the princess herself in “Zelda: Wand Of Gamelon”. Regrettably, this game has gained notoriety due to its animated scenes that inspired countless memes on the internet for many years.

Regardless of its gameplay merits, Zelda: Wand Of Gamelon is unfortunate in that it was only released for the Philips CD-I, a console which was far too expensive for most gamers in the 90s. Finding a CD-I today, let alone one in working condition, is quite rare. Prices for this game range from $725 to an exorbitant $4,500.

3 Link: The Faces Of Evil

More Memes Means More Money For Scalpers

For the first time, Link makes his voice heard, and that’s when “Link: The Faces Of Evil” saw the light of day – a sister game to “Zelda: The Wand Of Gamelon”, both released on the same fateful day. They share the same 2D side-scrolling adventure format, but with less-than-impressive animated sequences and a fresh setting filled with new characters and adversaries.

In my gaming world, I find myself grappling with the irony of The Faces of Evil being even more frustrating than I’d hoped, all thanks to Link’s grating voice. And here’s the kicker – it’s priced just as absurdly as Wand of Gamelon! Believe it or not, some fans are expected to shell out anywhere from $300 to an eye-watering $2,795 for a copy. But here’s the catch – those prices might as well be written in ancient runes because they’re so hard to come by! They’re selling faster than I can press ‘start’ on my controller.

2 Metroid Prime & The Wind Waker Combo Pack

Link & Samus Together In A Single Package

Nintendo has a history of releasing game packs, such as the classic pairing of Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt for the NES. But what really stands out is Nintendo’s decision to combine two iconic titles from their GameCube library: The Wind Waker and Metroid Prime, two distinct but adored games within the Metroid and Zelda series respectively.

Initially, finding the pairing of Metroid Prime and The Wind Waker wasn’t typical, but now it’s even more elusive. This scarcity often drives up the price on eBay to over $1000 for a single copy. For devoted fans, it would be wiser to purchase each game individually instead.

1 Zelda’s Adventure

The Game Even Fans Don’t Know

Many people might not feel inclined towards playing Zelda’s Adventure, as it is frequently regarded as the least enjoyable game of the CD-I trilogy. Unlike its counterparts, this game switched from a notorious cartoon art style to live-action actors for both the gameplay graphics and cinematic cutscenes, which were popular in 90s games but are still considered visually unappealing by many.

Despite the fact that only a handful of fans are aware of its existence, many people are unacquainted with the game Zelda’s Adventure. On eBay, the cheapest listing for this game is around $1,100, while the most common price is $1,500. As Nintendo and Philips no longer collaborate in any way, it seems unlikely that CD-I games will be re-released in a modern format unless they are emulated.

2024-08-15 05:34