The Minish Cap
The Legend of Zelda - The Minish Cap is the first new release for The Gameboy Advance a fresh quest. This game like other Zelda handheld adventures at the time were developed by Flagship with Nintendo also having a big part of the development. The Minish Cap was released for The Gameboy Advance handheld console in 2004 for Japan and 2005 for North America and The UK. The Minish Cap was a fan favourite amongst most critics and received 2005 Gameboy Advance Game of The Year.
The Story of The Minish Cap
Link is chosen by The King of Hyrule to seek help from The Picori race because of the power of Vaati. Link was chosen as only those with child's eyes could see The Picori. Link sets upon his quest only to discover a strange creature in distress shaped like a green hat. The green hat is known as Elzo and has the ability to shrink Link down to the size of the Picori. Elzo tells Link that himself and Vaati were once of The Minish but Vaati's greed took a magic hat that granted the wish of the beholder. Vaati wished to become a great sorcerer and turned his old master Elzo into a hat. The only thing that can stop Vaati is the power from The Four Sword to stop the evil sorcerer.
The Development
Capcom and Flagship had finished developing The Oracle of Seasons and Ages for The Gameboy Color and work was well underway for a Gameboy Advance Zelda title. The work on this new title however was suspended to focus on Four Swords while an announcement was made by Nintendo that The Minish Cap was well into development. A website was released prior to the game displaying Links abilities in 2004. Quite unusual for The Legend of Zelda series - The Minish Cap was actually released in The Uk slightly before The North American release quite simply because the launch of The Nintendo DS was just around the corner.
Rarities for The Minish Cap
The Gameboy Advance SP was released in Zelda special edition and a copy of The Minish Cap limited to 25, 000. To see a picture of this check out my personal collection I bought one off Ebay. The Gameboy Advance SP is covered in gold and has the new Triforce stamp by the buttons depicting the Hyrule Family Crest. There is also a large Hyrule Family Crest on the front of The Triforce SP. Nintendo also made an ultra rare limited to 300 boxes worldwide accompanied by a certificate pack. The box included a copy of The Minish Cap, The Triforce Gameboy Advance SP and a long-sleeved T-shirt with a cap. The only way to obtain these boxes was to purchase from The Nintendo Stars Catalogue for 15, 000 stars. Even more so there were several 24-carat gold plated Triforce Gameboy Advance.
How The Minish Cap Plays
The Legend of Zelda - The Minish Cap retains the same winning formula from previous Zelda games in the series very similar to Four Swords. There are several dungeons and Link must use the items collected throughout his quest to aid him along the way sometimes to defeat the bosses. There are a plethora of side quests which do not actually partake in completion of the game but will reward Link with items such as bottles or heart pieces. The cult classic fan favourite Tingle makes a return in this adventure with his brothers whom appear in one of the side quests.
The new features are noticeable and this game has been made specifically for The Gameboy Advance making use of the graphics and sound. The camera angle is much closer to the ground than any other Zelda handheld adventure thus far allowing for attention to detail whilst keeping the same top down look view. The item inventory has been adapted from adventures such as The Ocarina of Time and The Wind Waker whereby items are allocated to certain buttons making use of the shoulder buttons on The Gameboy Advance. There are many familiar creatures throughout the quest from previous Legend of Zelda games. The Minish Cap introduces the welcome of some new items to Links Arsenal. The Mole mitts are a new item that allow Link to bury through certain rock to uncover items, the gust jar allows Link to suck items in and the Cane of Pacci flips over whatever it hits. Link can learn new sword techniques throughout the game some will be familiar while others are a new addition along with controls similar to The Ocarina of Time Link can roll while running.
Linking Kinstones
If you like a good adventure and enjoy collecting every item in the game then you will enjoy collecting Kinstones and linking them with other characters amongst the game. Kinstones are like half a medallion and to link them with another the right piece is required and by completing one you will be rewarded. The clues to fuse a Kinstone are once you go up to a character sometimes a thought bubble with half a piece will appear indicating the colour and shape.
Collectable Figures
There is also a side quest similar to The Wind Waker whereas Link must collect mysterious shells from around the world and take these to a shop in Hyrule Town. You have to use the shells to gain a gashapon style ball that contains a figurine with enemies and characters from Zelda. To find the rarer figures you must be willing to spend more mysterious shells for a greater chance.
The Breakdown
I waited a long time for a Gameboy Advance Zelda not just a remake and this wasn't once to disappoint. The graphics are crisp and bright making use of The Gameboy Advance's colour palette and the sounds are pushed further than any other handheld adventure. There is plenty to do in the game with the addition of the side quest and I have heard complaints that the game is a bit short lived which is quite possibly true when compared to any other Zelda quest however good things come in small packages. The Triforce SP is one of the best looking Gameboy Advance's I have ever seen and it's even better with a copy of The Legend of Zelda - The Minish Cap inserted into it.
Sounds - Catchy tunes that will have you humming along with in no time.
Graphics - Very crisp and clear for a handheld console.
Replayability - The only thing you can do is try to collecting everything meaning completing all the side quests, get your guides out.
I Award The Minish Cap: 7/10
Facts & SecretsTry completing all Kinfusions then talk to Tingle he will give you a golden Tingle statue. Collect all 130 figurines and then go and talk to the guy sitting outside on the table for a sound test. |