Why I Love Nintendo

Nintendo has always held a special place in my heart.
It wasn't just my first real gaming experience, it was the beginning of my passion for gaming. I found Nintendo games to be incredibly inclusive and family-friendly, which made them perfect for me growing up. Additionally thanks to the multiplayer capacity, I made many fond memories playing with friends. The various games taught me to problem-solving, be patient, and learn a bit of strategy, all while having fun; and let's be honest, no one does iconic characters like Nintendo. Mario, Link and Kirby, they're not just game characters, they're legends known by most people.

1. The Zelda Series

What is the Zelda Series you ask?

The Legend of Zelda is a fantasy video game series created by Japanese game designers Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka. The series centres around Link, and elven looking protagonist, and Princess Zelda. In most games, Link must rescue Princess Zelda and the kingdom of Hyrule from the series' main villain, Ganon.

My favourite game from this series is:

🗡️ The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 🗡️

This game is often hailed as one of the greatest video games to have ever been made. Originally released in 1998 for the nintendo 64, and later remade for the Nintendo 3ds, which is what I played it on. It was the first game that got me into this series. I got it due to a recommendation from my father and I have never regretted it. What made this game particularly special was the storyline, as Link travels through time, allowing you to alternate between two storylines, one that is played as child Link and one as adult link.
The duality of this storyline was incredibly well designed.

✅ Fun Facts About The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time:

• 🥇 First 3D Zelda Game: Ocarina of Time was the first game in the Zelda series to transition from 2D to 3D.
• 🤺 Z-Targeting Innovation: The game introduced Z-targeting, a system that allowed users to lock onto enemies during combat. This became a standard in many future games.
• 🎵 Iconic Music: The game's soundtrack, composed by Koji Kondo, is considered one of the best in video game history. The "Song of Time" and "Zelda's Lullaby" are particularly memorable.
• ⏳Longest Development Time for a Nintendo Game (at the time): It took over 4 years to develop, which was an unusual length of time for Nintendo in the 1990s
• 🐎 Epona Was a Late Addition: The horse Epona was not part of the original game design but was added later after a suggestion from a Nintendo employee.
• 🎮 Influenced Future Game Design: Developers of games like Dark Souls, Shadow of the Colossus, and Skyrim have cited Ocarina of Time as a major influence.
• ⭐️ Perfect Scores and Awards: It received a 99/100 on Metacritic, making it one of the highest-rated games of all time. It won numerous Game of the Year awards in 1998.

2. The Professor Layton Series

What is the Professor Layton Series you ask?

Weird name right?
Professor Layton is the main character of one of the best puzzle-adventure series in gaming. Developed by Level-5, the games follows Professor Hershel Layton and his apprentice Luke, as they solve intricate mysteries filled with challenging puzzles. What makes this series so different, is the way it combines both storytelling with puzzle-solving, in a way I've not seen any other series do.

As you travel through the beautifully crafted scenes and stories, you'll encounter a variety of puzzles that challenge your logic, math skills, and lateral thinking. I absolutely loved the art style and the different character designs, it adds to the unique charm of the series. Each game in the series solves its own mystery, however there is an overarching storyline which connects all the stories together. It was very satisfying to complete each game and finish the series.

My favourite game from this series is

🏛️ Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy 🏛️

Released in 2013 for the Nintendo 3DS, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy is the sixth instalment in the beloved Professor Layton series.

✅ Fun Facts About Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy:

• 🧩 Puzzle Count: The game features 150+ puzzles, making it one of the most content-rich titles in the series.
• 🕵️ New Faces: Introduces Professor Desmond Sycamore and Aurora, a mysterious girl linked to the ancient Azran civilization.
• 🏛 Ancient Mystery: The story revolves around uncovering the secrets of the Azran, an advanced ancient race.
• 🎬 Epic Finale: This was originally intended to be the last game starring Professor Layton as the main protagonist.
• 🍫 Unique Promotion: In Japan, special Layton-themed chocolates were sold with puzzle cards and codes for in-game content!
• 📱 Extra Content: The game included downloadable puzzles after release, keeping fans engaged long after finishing the main story.