Overall 10-
If there was any series that people had really big expectations for after the release of the Super Nintendo, it was The Legend of Zelda. Super Mario World was the largest Mario game to date with much upgraded visuals. Unlike Mario, which was a linear experience, the open-world nature of Zelda had people salivating at the potential experiences that could happen. Nintendo did not disappoint and with The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, offered one of the best action-RPG experiences on the system.
A Link to the Past is a game the defies normal convention. Those who hate RPG games can still enjoy it because it isn’t of the you-hit-me-then-I-hit-you variety. The action is intense. It also spits in the eye of Nintendo games being cute, cuddly, and adorable to the point of inducing vomiting. This Zelda game can have some downright ugly creatures. The story is fantastic and more engaging than some Hollywood films. The game is near-perfect.

Graphics 9-
The graphics look really good. In fact, outside some of the later games on the system like Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario World: Yoshi’s Island, this is one of the best looking games on the system. The world of Hyrule looks gorgeous with everything looking as detailed as possible (or at least as much as possible for a 16-bit console). Even the little things have incredible detail like shadows in the Lost Forest and the moving eyes on the enchanted trees. It makes it feel like Hyrule is a living, breathing world.

Sound 9-
The sound is also amazing. The classic Zelda tune sounds incredible. At times, it’s easy to forget that it’s a bunch of midi sounds coming from the grey box and not a full symphony. Most of the music of this game is timeless. There are a couple of sound effects that feel like there wasn’t much effort put in towards their development; like the sound of a soldier that has been alerted by Link’s presence. Some of the effects sound dull and unimaginative. However, for the most part, the sound of the game is very pleasing to the ears and does an outstanding job complimenting the game play and the graphics making which makes for one engaging experience.

Story 10-
The game stars Link, although not the same one from the NES games. Link is awoken one night by the voice of Princess Zelda begging for help. Link runs to Hyrule Castle to save the Zelda which has been taken over by the evil wizard Agahnim. After sneaking Zelda away to a sanctuary, Link is asked by Zelda to find three mythical pendants so that he can wield the legendary Master Sword to fight the evil wizard. After travelling through Hyrule and obtaining the three pendants, Link gains possession of the Master Sword and goes after Agahnim. At this time, Zelda has been kidnapped again and as Link enters Agahnim’s chamber, Agahnim teleports Zelda to the Dark World; which is a parallel world to Hyrule. Link battles Agahnim in a showdown on top of Hyrule Castle. After Agahnim’s defeat, Link is transported to the Dark World.
Ganon is an evil thief that had gained control of the Triforce many moons ago. The Triforce is an extremely powerful artifact that grants the wishes of those who possess it. Ganon’s evil heart has transformed the once Golden Land into the demented Dark World. The wise men of Hyrule were able to trap Ganon in the Dark World and protect Hyrule from his evil. However, now that Agahnim has captured and sent the seven maiden descendant's of the wise men (Zelda being the final one) to the Dark World, the seal has been broken. It is up to Link to find the seven crystals that act as the prison for the maidens to be able to face-off against Ganon, defeat him once and for all, and gain control of the Triforce to restore things back to normal.