The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom - Best Games Grezzo Made For Nintendo

Key Takeaways

Grezzo has quietly contributed to Nintendo ports and some original games, such as The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.
Their previous works like The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes and Luigi’s Mansion showcase their talent for enhancing gameplay experiences.
The latest release, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, introduces new gameplay mechanics in a unique spinoff adventure.

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that the trio of games developed by Grezzo – Ever Oasis, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – are nothing short of a delightful surprise.

Grezzo is a lesser-known company that Nintendo enthusiasts might recognize. Established in 2006, they’ve primarily worked behind the scenes, contributing significantly to numerous Nintendo ports throughout the years. They’ve also collaborated on developing some original titles, with most of these projects falling under the Nintendo brand.

Currently making headlines, they’ve been involved in creating “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom,” marking a return to the Zelda series since the 90s. But how does this game stack up against other titles developed by Grezzo? Let’s take a look at some notable Zelda games from their portfolio.

7 The Legend Of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes

A Co-Op Zelda Game Like No Other

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom - Best Games Grezzo Made For Nintendo

In the game “The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes,” the multiplayer feature was broadened compared to previous “Zelda” games, yet it eliminated one player from the cooperative experience. Instead, now three players can collaborate on the Nintendo 3DS system, making this the primary way to enjoy the game. While venturing into dungeons solo was a test of skill, it could still be done.

The main attraction was that players could obtain specific abilities such as bombs by unveiling costumes. These outfits not only looked trendy but also introduced an enjoyable personalization aspect to the game. Although the balance between puzzle-solving and action play wasn’t always ideal, The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes still represented a worthwhile endeavor.

6 Luigi’s Mansion (2018)

Giving This Spinoff 3D Like Originally Intended

Originally, Luigi’s Mansion debuted as a launch game for the Nintendo GameCube, with designs to incorporate 3D elements into its gameplay. However, Nintendo abandoned the idea of 3D on the GameCube, considering it as an accessory instead. More than a decade later, Grezzo breathed new life into this initial idea, developing it for the Nintendo 3DS.

In this late release for the Nintendo 3DS, the use of 3D effects was impressively implemented, with ghosts appearing and coins spinning. Compared to its GameCube counterpart, the quality of gameplay improved significantly due to refinements in mechanics and the introduction of a multiplayer mode where Gooigi could aid Luigi during ghost-focused missions. In subsequent games within the series, such as Luigi’s Mansion 3, the inclusion of Gooigi was further expanded.

5 The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D

Reducing The Time Restraints Makes For A Less Stressful Time

In a significant shift, “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D” transformed the Nintendo 3DS experience. A notable alteration was the implementation of a tight time constraint, which had been a challenge for many players in the past. This game, with its peculiar N64 roots, placed Link within a time loop, where he strives to avert the moon’s impending doom and save the world.

There is a way to reverse time but it always felt so short-lived. Saving the game was also an issue, so special statues were added throughout this port to aid in the effort to fix time as well as a new Ocarina song. Overall, it looked and played better on the 3DS too.

4 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D

An Expanded Inventory System Makes This Classic Better

The timeless classic, “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time,” continues to hold the top spot among all “Zelda” games on Metacritic with an impressive score of 99. Remarkably, even the version for the Nintendo 3DS received a slightly lower rating of 94. It’s astonishing given that many consider this improved version to be an even better game. The polygons were refined in this release, giving it a sleek and sharp appearance.

The controls felt more intuitive, whether for sword fighting or riding horses. Having a second screen made navigating menus much smoother. It’s a pity that Nintendo has been holding onto this excellent port for so long, and it remains exclusive to the 3DS when it could be on the Switch instead. It’s disappointing that even enhanced ports in the Zelda series continue to run on outdated hardware.

3 Ever Oasis

Nintendo’s Lost Potential

The game Ever Oasis was unfortunately launched at an inconvenient time and on an outdated platform. Released in June 2017, it followed closely behind the introduction of the Switch and the highly anticipated game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. At this stage, the 3DS was no longer a priority for many gamers, which is regrettable as Ever Oasis is actually a hidden gem and an entirely unique title developed by Grezzo. The game shares similarities with the Mana series where players must care for the elements to prosper in a desert village, making it an action RPG.

In this game, players have the ability to construct a small village featuring stores. The merchants who run these shops can then join your party and bring unique abilities to aid in dungeon exploration. Although it appeared suitable for multiplayer interaction, it wasn’t included as part of the original offering. Hopefully, Grezzo may revisit this concept for an upcoming sequel.

2 The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (2019)

A Faithful Remake With A Not-So-Faithful Art Style (Thankfully)

Among all the Zelda games, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening stands shoulder to shoulder in terms of visual appeal with classics like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, thanks to their distinctive art styles. Over time, even advanced graphics technology may become outdated, but unique artistic designs will continue to set games apart.

The toy-like style for this reboot was an enjoyable decision since it resonated well with Grezzo, leading them to incorporate it again in their upcoming game, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. Although they didn’t significantly upgrade the remake, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, it wasn’t a project that required extensive improvement to begin with. As a result, sticking close to the original was more beneficial.

1 The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Zelda’s First Solo Adventure Was Worth The Wait

Long awaited was “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom”. While it might not conform to the typical action-adventure structure some fans anticipated, its unique gameplay mechanics make this spinoff distinct. The Echoes system proves effective for solving puzzles and engaging enemies against each other is enjoyable too.

As a devoted admirer, I find an intriguing blend of Pikmin’s captivating charm and Minecraft’s creative freedom in this game, which is sure to resonate with fans of both titles, as well as the legendary Zelda series. This game showcases unique gameplay mechanics that set it apart from other Grezzo productions and solidify its status as a distinctive Zelda entry. While I can’t reveal too much, let me just say that exploration and experimentation are integral elements of this immersive adventure. Here’s hoping that this isn’t the last time we embark on a solo Zelda journey!

2024-09-26 18:54

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – Best Games Grezzo Made For Nintendo