In today’s continuation of the A-Z Challenge, I give you:

Z is for Zelda

While not the first video game I ever played, The Legend of Zelda (1986) is the first non-platform video game I ever played.

I sucked at it.

But then, I sucked at most video games as a kid. What I enjoyed most about it was traveling on an adventure to not just collect rupees, but to defeat monsters and find treasure.

By the time The Ocarina of Time (1998) came out, I was well and truly hooked. The Legend of Zelda wove a story around Link and Princess Zelda that was on par with many fantasy novels I was reading at the time.

But it was Majora’s Mask (2000) that left my brain ticking. Gone was the linear plot line. Instead, we were given a game with a Groundhog Day timeline with a twist–instead of 1 day, Link repeats 3 days over and over again in an attempt to prevent the destruction of Clock Town. Unlocking various puzzles and plot quests gives him what he needs to save Termina

Gorgeous artwork for Majora’s Mask by Vincent Bisschop

It was a risk for Nintendo to bring a game with an unusual plot line to America. (Normally, Japan gets the cool, risky games deemed too “weird” for America.) It was obviously a risk that paid off as this year saw the release of a 3D version of the game. The release of a Limited Edition Majora’s Mask 3DS sold out in minutes, causing many retailers to cancel already placed orders due to lack of product & overselling. (You can get one online for the lovely scalper price of $400+!)

As a writer, I love with storytellers take risks with traditional plot lines and ideas. While the Groundhog Day trope isn’t new, it doesn’t happen very often in video games, especially adventure games. It encouraged me to read more books with non-linear plot lines, and later, to write them.

This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. Every day (except Sundays) in the month of May, I’ll be posting about people, places, books, games, and other things that influence me as a writer or add a certain magic to my life. Join me in April as we explore a Hodge-Podge of Influences & Wayward Treks through the Fantastical.

Read more of my A-Z Challenge posts here.