Gaming

LCSPA Ends Strike, LCS Summer Split Begins June 14

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Players in the LCS, North America’s professional League of Legends league, went on strike on May 28. The LCSPA, the union that represents the league’s players, called the strike over changes to the second tier of the region’s esports scene. In a statement released May 30, Global Head of League of Legends Esports Naz Aletaha announced that Riot had chosen to delay the start of the LCS Summer split by two weeks. “We ultimately decided that it would not hold true to our values that Riot’s esports offers our players and fans a showcase for the best competitive League of Legends. Nothing but putting the best players in North America on the stage at Riot Games Arena is acceptable. So we informed LCSPA leadership today that we will delay the LCS season for the next two weeks.”

The delay came as a result of Riot Games and the 10 LCS organizations being unable to source high-quality replacement players. Despite removing many of the requirements for LCS eligibility, much of the amateur and semi-pro scene stood with the players. Riot threatened to cancel it entirely if a deal could not be reached with the union. Canceling the split would have prevented North American teams from participating in the 2023 World Championships. The end of the two-week delay, June 15, was set as a hard deadline for negotiations.

Riot Games And LCSPA Reach Agreement

In a statement released June 9, the LCS announced that a deal had been reached with the Players’ Association. “Following a two-week delay, the LCS will move forward with a reformatted Summer Split regular season that will take place over 6 weeks starting on June 14. LCS matches this Summer will now be played on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays,” the statement began. Furthermore, the post outlined the changes to the NACL that would be implemented as a result of the agreement. These changes were headlined by reformatting, better governance, mandatory minimums for severance notification, and healthcare for international players. However, LCS organizations will still not be required to carry an academy team or participate in the NACL.

The LCSPA also released a statement, saying the agreement “proves the importance of giving players a seat at the table.” However, the LCSPA vowed to keep fighting. “The concessions [below] do not restore the NACL fully, nor do they provide restoration for the players who lost jobs suddenly and incurred financial hardship, lost visas, or broken leases. The LCSPA is committed to continuing our pursuit of any and all potential paths toward making these players more whole.” Away from these promises, the league is now set to return on June 9, beginning a compact, three-a-week play schedule. Follow all the biggest stories in esports here at HotNewHipHop

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VALORANT Player “Twisten” Dies At 19

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The esports world is mourning the loss of Karel “Twisten” Asenbrener, who passed away at the age of 19. Originally from Czechia, Twisten began his VALORANT career in 2020. Before 2020, Twisten briefly spent time in the pro scene of Rainbow Six Siege. After playing in the VALORANT Academy, he joined Kings of Sosnovka. Over the course of late 2020 and early 2021, Twisten spent time with Czech giants eSuba and Entropiq. Then, in September 2021, Twisten made the move to the German organization BIG.

With BIG, Twisten began to find mainstream success. The team won four editions of the Kingdom Calling tournament. Furthermore, they appeared in two stages of the VCT EMEA Challengers in 2022. As Riot Games moved VALORANT to a franchise model, Twisten caught the eye of French giants, and VCT EMEA franchise, Team Vitality. Joining the team, Twisten opened his career with top-four finishes at the G-Loot VALORANT clash and a Red Bull Home Ground event. However, the biggest stages were yet to come. The team finished 14th at the VCT Lock-In event in Sao Paolo before notching a 5th-place finish in VCT EMEA League play. Twisten’s last match was a 2-1 loss to FUT Esports on May 25.

Twisten Confirmed Dead After “Good Night” Tweet

Twisten has always been open about his struggles with mental health. Following Team Vitality’s loss in the Lock-In tournament, Twisten posted a length Twitlonger. In it, he talked candidly about his battle with depression. On June 6, Twisten posted a tweet that simply read “Good night”. While seemingly innocuous, “good night” is also a common esports term that players post after killing an enemy.

Furthermore, on June 7, Team Vitality confirmed the worst – that Twisten had passed away. “We are deeply heartbroken to share with you that our VALORANT player Karel “Twisten” Asenbrener passed away last night. We are deeply saddened by this devastating loss, and our first thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in this difficult time. The whole Team Vitality Organization is devastated by this news, and we will be stopping all communications for the rest of the day. Rest in peace Karel.” In response to his death, a challenge drive was implemented at the upcoming VCT Master Tokyo. Every “shorty” elimination would add to fund that would raise money for a mental health charity.

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Josh Allen Is The “Madden 24” Cover Athlete

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We’re at the halfway mark between the Super Bowl and the subsequent NFL season. That means it’s time for everyone’s favorite offseason activity – six weeks of outrageous hype about the new Madden game. Now for those who might be unaware, there are a few stages of the Madden hype cycle.

Firstly, EA makes a big deal about the cover athlete for the new game. This is a double-edged sword due to the whole “Madden Curse” (player appears on the cover of Madden and then proceeds to suck the following season). After that comes EA making a big deal about player ratings and everyone getting really mad about those. Finally, the game comes out and everyone gets mad about that. We are currently in stage one.

Josh Allen And Bills Fans Grace The Cover Of Madden 24

EA revealed the two covers for Madden 24 on June 7. The single-athlete cover features Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Meanwhile, the alternate cover features an image of Allen surrounded by Bills staff and fans. It’s the first time a Bills player has been featured since the cover format began in 2000. Revealing the covers on Twitter, Allen said it was a “childhood dream come true.” Allen is the ninth quarterback to be featured as the Madden cover athlete. Aside from the Madden 23 John Madden memorial cover, quarterbacks have been the cover athlete every year since 2020.

But now the Bills are burdened with a very important task – they absolutely have to win the Super Bowl this year. This is because the Bills are the most successful meme in the NFL. They aren’t a meme in the same way the Browns and Jets are. However, the Bills are that one team that always seems like they are a contender and yet they are, watching prom night from the bleachers. The Madden Curse has been dormant for a couple of years and if the Bills ever want to be taken seriously ever again, they absolutely have to win the Super Bowl this year. What do you think about Allen as the Madden cover athlete? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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The Best “Metal Gear Solid” Games

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Legendary game designer, Hideo Kojima has been one of the gaming industry’s auteurs for nearly forty years. Kojima’s flagship franchise, Metal Gear Solid has been the gold standard for stealth action games and has often been imitated. Game series like Splinter Cell have tried to recapture Kojima’s formula to no avail. Since 1998, Metal Gear Solid has captured gamers’ imagination with its blend of American conspiracy theory, pop culture, and general weirdness.

The hero of the series, Solid Snake has become an icon in video game history. The character’s gruff demeanor and iconic appearance were always instantly recognizable to even the most casual fan. His exploits have been well documented over the course of several games, even when he wasn’t the main protagonist. Narrowing down what Metal Gear Solid games were the best was an act of splitting hairs. With the announcement of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, we ranked the five best entries the franchise has offered thus far.

5. Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes (2004)

1998’s Metal Gear Solid was a revelation for gamers around the world. It pushed the limits of what the PlayStation could produce in terms of graphics and sound. But its biggest accomplishment was giving gamers an epic (and often cinematic) game experience like no other. Years after its release, designer Hideo Kojima would help usher in a remake.

Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes built upon the groundwork of the original game and gave players a wholly new experience. With new cinematics directed by Ryuhei Kitamura (Versus), Twin Snakes updated its source material for the current hardware of its time. The game was a massive hit with both fans and critics and redefined the inaugural classic.

4. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty (2001)

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty was something of a bait and switch at the time of its release. Fans of the original Metal Gear Solid were primed to take control of Solid Snake in the much-anticipated sequel. However, players quickly learned the game focused on a new protagonist, Raiden.

The change was met with some trepidation. However, gamers eventually became acclimated to the new hero, who would go on to become a fan favorite of the franchise. The updated graphic fidelity and improved gameplay the PlayStation 2 lent to the series outweighed the game’s lack of Snake. Sons of Liberty stood out for its complex narrative, which was equally convoluted and ridiculous.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker was a rather large hallmark for the series for a couple of key reasons. First, the game pushed the capabilities of Sony’s PlayStation Portable system beyond even what the previous Metal Gear game could on the system. Furthermore, it ushered in new gameplay mechanics that would resurface in later releases such as the “Mother Base.”

The game was a prequel set in 1974 in Costa Rica. Players take control of Big Boss, operating under the codename Snake, to combat a paramilitary group known as the “Peace Sentinels.” The game’s highly geopolitical story was outstanding and played into real-world militaristic anxieties. Sadly, the game did not perform financially well. This was mostly due to it being relegated to a handheld gaming system that was on its way out.

2. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015)

This game was nuts. Plain and simple. The production of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain was littered with turmoil. Game director, Hideo Kojima disagreed with his publisher, Konami over the company’s restructuring. This led to Kojima parting ways with Konami. The game was released to stellar reception, but it was criticized for having content removed.

While the reason for the omission of the 51st and final mission from the game had been attributed to the Konami/Kojima tensions, it was ultimately hearsay. Regardless of what really happened behind the scenes, the final product players received was still outstanding. Moreover, The Phantom Pain gave players one of the most insane stories the series has ever produced, even by its own gonzo standards. Despite feeling oddly truncated, The Phantom Pain was Kojima’s swansong that was the culmination of thirty years of gaming innovation.

1. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots (2008)

While not the final game in the franchise, Guns of the Patriots was the last story arc for Solid Snake. The game took place in 2014, set five years after the events of the Sons of Liberty. The story followed a rapidly aging Snake on one last mission to assassinate the series villain, Liquid Ocelot. Entrenched in technobabble and militaristic conspiracy theory, Guns of the Patriots undoubtedly hit all the hallmarks fans were hoping it would.

The game’s emotional weight helped buoy the transgressive storytelling, which cultivated a satisfying narrative climax. Guns of the Patriots improved upon the graphics and gameplay of previous entries. It also became a high watermark for action games, across the boards. This was truly a piece of art that deserved all the praise it received.

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LCS Strike: Teams Sign Players, Union Cancels Interviews

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The strike by the LCS Players Association has already sent shockwaves through the esports industry. Despite attempts to sign replacement teams, Riot Games ultimately decided to postpone the start of the LCS Summer split by two weeks. However, Riot Games made it very clear that they opposed all union demands and were not afraid to cancel the split entirely. If the LCS was to be canceled, North American teams would not be eligible for Worlds 2023 in South Korea.

In response to Riot’s actions, the Players Association announced their dedication to resolving the situation. Subsequently, the Players Association said that they had asked Riot to engage with them in daily meetings to find an equitable solution to the strike. In the absence of the LCS, fans were treated to a showmatch between Disguised and Delta Fox. The best-of-three series was cast by LCS mainstays Azael and CaptainFlowers. Disguised won 2-0 with over 30,000 people watching the stream.

Teams Making Signings And The PA Cancels Media Appearances

June 1 saw the first LCS roster moves since the strike was announced. Golden Guardians announced the signing of ADC Jackson “Array” Moldenhauer as the team’s sixth man for the split. This came as a result of former sixth man Youngho “Young” Choi signing with Disguised. Array is a long-time academy player who spent a year with Golden Guardians Challengers before being released last month. While a minor move, it indicates that teams are being able to convince players to cross the picket in preparation for the upcoming season.

Furthermore, freelance esports reporter Mikhail Klimentov shared a text message from Players Association Executive Director Phil Arama. “Mikhail, I’m sorry but I’ve got to postpone indefinitely. We are in productive conversations with Riot at this time and do not want to disrupt them with further media for the moment.” This could further indicate that Riot and the Players Association are nearing an agreement. The LCS Summer split is currently set to start on June 15. Furthermore, the NACL, the second-tier competition that caused the walkout, begins on June 10. This is a developing story and we’ll have any updates here at HotNewHipHop.

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Showmatch Gives First Look At DisguisedToast’s League Of Legends Roster

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The North American League of Legends has been a mess over the past few weeks. Just a month before the Summer split of the North American Challengers League was set to begin, Riot Games announced that LCS organizations were no longer mandated to carry an academy team. This led to seven of the ten LCS organizations dropping their academy rosters. This, along with a number of other changes, gutted the NACL. While Riot attempted to mitigate the disaster of their own creation, another nail in the coffin hammered down. Fan favorite semi-pro team TikTok Tony Top announced they would be disbanding due to financial constraints.

In the days prior to the LCS Players Association calling for a strike vote ahead of the LCS Summer split, Riot once again attempted to mitigate the negative press. They announced that one of the now vacant NACL slots would be taken by Disguised, a team overseen by former Hearthstone pro and massively popular streamer, Jeremy “DisguisedToast” Wang. Toast is an avid League of Legends player and while fans welcomed his involvement, it wasn’t enough to turn the tide against Riot. However, we have now gotten our first look at the roster Disguised could be fielding in the NACL.

Disguised Debuts Roster Of LCS Veterans

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 5 : Jeremy “DisguisedToast” Wang sitting at the game stage computer during the 2019 League of Legends All-Star Event at HyperX Esports Arena on December 5, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games via Getty Images)

In lieu of a formal announcement, Disguised debuted their roster during a best-of-three showmatch against the former roster of Delta Fox. The roster that Toast has put together is stacked with well-known LCS veterans. Manning the top lane is Aaron “FakeGod” Lee, a six-split veteran of the LCS who also comes off a first-place finish with Cloud9 Challengers in the NACL Spring split. Roaming the jungle is Tomio “Tomio” Chan. Tomio is a long-time member of Evil Geniuses Academy who also won the NACL Spring split title on Cloud9 Challengers.

Disguised’s mid laner is Youngho “Young” Choi, who spent the Spring split as a sub on Golden Guardians. Another academy veteran can be found at ADC in Brandon “Meech” Choi. Meech has spent time in the systems of Dignitas, Immortals, and CLG. Finally, joining Meech in the bot lane is support Tristan “Zeyzal” Stidam. Playing his first LCS split in 2018, Zeyzal went to two World Championships with Cloud9. Most recently, after stepping away from the game in 2022, he won the NACL Spring Split. The team is being coached by Greyson “Goldenglue” Glimer, a veteran LCS player who transitioned to coaching in 2021. After their showmatch with Delta Fox, Disguised will join the NACL for the start of the summer split next week. Follow all the latest esports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Riot Games Delays LCS Season Amid Player Strike

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Last week, the LCSPA, which represents professional League of Legends players in North America, called for a strike vote. The decision came as a result of Riot Games gutting the second tier of professional League of Legends in the region, leading to the loss of over 70 jobs.

The strike authorization vote overwhelmingly passed on May 28, meaning that the league’s 50 presumptive starters would not be taking the stage for the start of the Summer Split on June 1. However, Riot did not immediately cancel or delay the split. Instead, the billion-dollar game studio scrapped a few key regulations in order to make it easier for teams to sign replacement rosters. The LCSPA hit back, urging any players receiving offers from LCS teams to stand in solidarity with the union. Furthermore, a number of influential figures in the amateur and semi-pro scenes indicated that they would be taking note of any players who crossed the picket.

Season Delayed But Riot Holding Firm

In a statement released May 30, Global Head of League of Legends Esports Naz Aletaha announced that Riot had chosen to delay the start of the LCS Summer split by two weeks. “We ultimately decided that it would not hold true to our values that Riot’s esports offers our players and fans a showcase for the best competitive League of Legends. Nothing but putting the best players in North America on the stage at Riot Games Arena is acceptable. So we informed LCSPA leadership today that we will delay the LCS season for the next two weeks.”

However, that’s where the generosity towards the union stopped. Despite saying that Riot wanted to start a “productive dialogue between the LCSPA, teams, and the league,” the statement also included a public rejection of all of the demands set forth by the LCSPA. Furthermore, Riot openly threatened to cancel the entire LCS season, eliminating LCS teams from eligibility at Worlds 2023, if the work stoppage extended beyond two weeks. In short, Riot made it very clear that they were willing to dole out any punishment they saw fit if the union didn’t capitulate and surrender. As a result of these threats, the LCSPA has publicly said they have asked Riot for daily meetings to find an equitable solution. This is a developing story and we’ll have any updates here at HotNewHipHop.

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Will Ferrell Could Play John Madden In “Madden” Game Biopic

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Niche biopics are all the rage right now. For foodies, Hulu is releasing Flamin’ Hot, a film about the, alleged, origins of the Flamin’ Hot Cheeto. Meanwhile, the sneakerheads were treated to Air, starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, which chronicled the origins of the Air Jordan brand. Elsewhere, Taran Egerton headed up Tetris, which chronicled the wild journey that brought the smash-hit video game to the United States.

The football world lost an icon in December 2021 when Hall of Famer John Madden passed away. Not only was Madden a Super Bowl-winning coach, but he also helped spawn the equally iconic Madden video game franchise. That franchise will now be the focus of its own biopic.

Will Ferrell Tapped To Play Madden

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 26: Will Ferrell holds canine cast member Sophie as he speaks onstage to promote the upcoming film “Strays” during the Universal Pictures and Focus Features presentation during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 26, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

According to Deadline, a film about the origins of the Madden video game franchise is in the works. The film reportedly “picks up with the legendarily fiery coach after his exit from the NFL, as he teams with Electronic Arts to become the unlikely co-creator of a pioneering video game franchise.” Furthermore, Will Ferrell will star as Madden. It’s a throwback to a time when Ferrell made a string of sports comedies like Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Blades of Glory, and Semi-Pro. However, the film is not expected to be an outright comedy.

Helming the project is director David O. Russell. Known for hits like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and Silver Linings Playbook, Russell’s star has faded in recent years. Amsterdam has gone down as one of the biggest flops of 2022. Furthermore, and more pressingly, Russell has had multiple accusations of abuse and misconduct leveled at him. The film is set to be written by Cambron Clark, a freelance writer for The Onion and Weekend Update. Madden will be making his featuring debut.

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PlayStation Showcase 2023 Recap: Mind-Blowing “Spider-Man 2” Gameplay & More

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PlayStation Showcase 2023 is an event from the gaming giant that players all over the world anticipated. On May 24th, 2023, it aired in its entirety, addressing the rumors, leaks, and speculations that ran rampant before the big reveal. Typically, these showcases intend to provide gamers with a glimpse into the biggest projects. However, smaller indie games also get some shine which is equally important and often offers more niche yet enjoyable experiences for players. The showcase was simulcast across PlayStation’s YouTube and Twitch channels ensuring gamers from all time zones could watch it live.

Thousands Tuned in for PlayStation Showcase 2023

PlayStation Showcase 2023 started streaming at 3:15 p.m. ET. The Showcase itself began at 4:00 p.m. There were already over 50,000 viewers watching 45 minutes before the show began. As 4:00 p.m. got closer, the viewer count only rose higher. By 3:50 p.m. over 180,000 people were watching. This number only included YouTube viewers. It also streamed on their official Twitch channel, content creator channels, other gaming platforms, and other countries too. Saying this event was a “big deal” would be an understatement.

Mixed Reactions To PlayStation Showcase 2023

PlayStation Showcase 2023 featured trailers for over 30 games. Those who had predictions found themselves satisfied as well as disappointed. The latter comes in the latest entries in the Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy series. However, the most anticipated reveal was Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which showcased gameplay for the first time. Unfortunately, there was nothing revealed about a sequel to the universally celebrated Ghost Of Tsushima or Marvel’s Wolverine. Many viewers were disappointed that time was given to showcase Street Fighter 6 and Assassin’s Creed Mirage since so much information about the latter has already been revealed. The most surprising announcement came from something called “Project Q” which allows players to play PS5 games on-the-go. Next, there was a reveal of wireless earbuds from PlayStation that would pair well with the portable gaming device. 

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: The Star Of PlayStation Showcase 2023

The biggest highlight of PlayStation Showcase 2023 was the gameplay reveal for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Many players tuned in for this game specifically, which features both Peter Parker and Miles Morales. Players were pleased to know that switching between the two characters could be done with the press of a button. Players who are anticipating the release of the movie Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse know this version of Peter will be in the movie. Considering the multiverse concept, maybe the game version of Miles will be in the movie, too. 

Sony is Going All-In with Spider-Man Content

PlayStation Showcase 2023 reaffirmed the popularity of one of the company’s most celebrated game series, Marvel’s Spider-Man. The second game in their series, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, features songs from Jaden Smith. The first, a solo cut titled “I’m Ready” and the other is a collaborative song with Kid Cudi titled “On My Own.” Several songs from the game’s score, composed by John Paesano, pair hip-hop’s percussion with eloquent orchestral sounds. With Metro Boomin executive producing the soundtrack for Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, it sounds like the creators are doing right by Miles by translating his authenticity beyond the screen. We’ll have to see how it all pans out when the movie comes out when the game comes out in the fall. What games from PlayStation Showcase 2023 are you looking forward to most? Let us know in the comments section.

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The 5 Best “The Legend of Zelda” Games

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Few video game franchises have penetrated the cultural zeitgeist to the level The Legend of Zelda has. In fact, Super Mario Bros. could be the only Nintendo property to surpass it in terms of being universally beloved. With the recent release of The Legend of Zelda: Tear of the Kingdom, the series has shown no signs of slowing down.

After almost 40 years, the franchise has continued to capture the imagination of gamers. The story of Link adventuring through the lands of Hyrule to rescue Princess Zelda has become a ubiquitous modern-day myth. With almost 20 releases under the franchise’s belt, it could be difficult for newcomers or casual fans to know where to start. While there hasn’t really been a bad Zelda game, some are far more captivating than others.

5. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2003)

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was a game that truly pushed the limits of the Nintendo GameCube. The cel-shaded graphics and open-world environments were gorgeous for the time. The gameplay mechanics maintained the spirit of the myriad Zelda games which came before. However, it added the ability to traverse areas via Link’s boat, the King of Red Lions.

The legacy of the game persisted in many ways. It spawned the character of “Toon Link,” who appeared in games like Super Smash Bros.: Brawl. Furthermore, it got a high-definition rerelease on the Nintendo Wii U in 2013. Even twenty years after its release, Wind Waker has been considered an all-time classic. It has been seen on several “best video games” lists by publications like Nintendo Power and IGN.

4. The Legend of Zelda (1987)

The title that started it all has remained a benchmark in video game history. The Legend of Zelda was released over 30 years ago, but its influence has remained simply immeasurable. Gamers were introduced to an elf-like boy named Link, who sought to rescue Princess Zelda from the villainous Ganon. This basic premise would become the blueprint for every Zelda video game that would follow.

What made The Legend of Zelda such a unique experience at the time of its release was its combination of genres. It blended text-based adventure RPGs with hack-and-slash action games, creating a wholly original experience. The Legend of Zelda was a title that redefined what video games could be and birthed a legendary franchise.  

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening marked several firsts for the franchise, including being the debut installment on Gameboy. It was also the first Zelda game no to be set in the Kingdom of Hyrule. Furthermore, mechanically, it was the first over-head release that allowed Link to jump. That simple addition changed gameplay, drastically. The game also introduced fishing, trading, and the Link’s iconic ocarina.

What made the game so brilliant was its tone and scope. It built upon what worked in previous entries to make the game feel epic in a way the not felt before. Link’s Awakening had a more ethereal atmosphere than other Zelda games. It brought in fourth-wall-breaking characters and a twist ending. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was a handheld masterpiece and a high benchmark for the series.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was released on the Nintendo Switch in 2017 to universal acclaim. The game introduced several new elements to the franchise including consistent physics and degradable weapons. However, what made Breath of the Wild unique from its predecessors was its incredible traversal system.

For the first time in the series, Link was able to climb almost any topographical obstacle in the game’s open world. While the story of Breath of the Wild was familiar to longtime players, the gameplay was a massive step forward. It created a Zelda experience unlike any other, pleasing newcomers to the series, as well as longtime fans.

Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was a formative gaming experience for a generation. It galvanized the gameplay elements introduced in the series’ first release. It also introduced the concept of parallel worlds, which would become a hallmark of the franchise going forward. Other additions A Link to the Past offered Link the ability to swing his sword and run with the use of the Pegasus boots.  

These upgrades might seem minuscule in hindsight, but at the time, they were revolutionary. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was the game that made folks of a certain age fall in love with the series. For elder Millennials around the world, it’s truly a case of “if you know, you know.”