Review: Zelda Minish Cap (GBA)
Thursday, August 21st, 2008 at 5:58am by Blake
I just completed The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap for Game Boy Advance. It was a delight. What’s more, it still amazes me that developers (Capcom, in this case) can create such compelling experiences for a system so short on capabilties like the GBA. That should tell you something about what makes a great game.
For those who played Wind Waker, you’ll feel right at home with the overall presentation of Minish Cap. That said, there are several new play mechanics and goodies for your action/adventure-loving self.
The basic premise of the game is that Zelda has been turned into stone, and it’s up to you to save her along with the Kingdom from the evil Vatti. Simple enough.
What’s so great about Minish Cap, though, is the ability to miniaturize in size with the help of a magical cap, which doubles the areas of exploration in the game. The mini-sized worlds perfectly integrate with their bigger counter parts, and it’s fun to discover a new location that you you’ll be able to revisit later in different form. Fusing collectible coins (called “Kingstones”) with local villagers to unlock new areas is also a good time. There are over 100 hundred “Kingstones” to fuse, so it adds for some nice side-mission action.
Both the graphics and audio are top notch here. Some levels look a little pixelated, but the effect never hurts the look of the game. You’ll even find yourself smiling when seeing certain levels, like when walking down a path covered by Maple leaves. To cap it off, the music is catchy, nostalgic, and completes the presentation rather well.
All things considered, Zelda: Minish Cap is an easy four stars out of four for me, and one of the most enjoyable games I’ve played since Resident Evil 4 on GameCube.
Review originally published on May 11th, 2005, the first one Blake ever wrote. To this day, Minish Cap remains his favorite Zelda game of all time, even though he lacked the requisite experience to fully express himself the first time.
August 21st, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Cool!
August 21st, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I’ll get back to finish that game… someday!
But yes, this game shows off the capabilities of that little, forgotten handheld, the GBA.
The only statement I don’t agree with on this review is the depiction of the GBA as a “system so short on capabilities“… When the GBA came out, it was a much bigger jump in technology from the Color GameBoy than the DS was from the GBA!
August 21st, 2008 at 6:43 pm
It’s an alright game, but you can definitely tell that it was made by Capcom. It’s missing the Miyamoto touch.
August 21st, 2008 at 6:49 pm
This game is definitely the best portable Zelda game before Phantom Hourglass.
I definitely agree with this review, but yes, I do think that the Shiggy touch was missing as well.
Still, an amazing game.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:08 pm
This game rules, and it’s proof that technology is only as limiting as we let it be. the gba was a great little machine, but couldn’t put out realistic graphics or high quality prerecorded audio. guess what? it doesn’t matter in the slightest. all it takes is creativity, artistic vision, and above all an unyielding commitment to the player’s enjoyment.
even though it was made by capcom, this game is up there at the top with the very best zelda games… almost gives majora’s mask a run for its money
August 21st, 2008 at 7:31 pm
The Minish Capt isn’t my favorite Zelda title, but it’s still great fun. What blows me away is the impeccable, detailed sprite work.
Good review!
August 21st, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I really enjoyed this game, but it was WAY TOO EASY!
Wind Waker is still my favorite Zelda to date. It’s a Zelda game through and through. Dam all of the WW haters! They’re a bunch of retards with absolutely no taste. They’re not true Zelda fans in my book, just posers.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:53 pm
An excellent Zelda game. Like Wind Waker it really grew on me.
August 21st, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I swear Deja Vu.
August 21st, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Why is the blog posting at 5:58 AM? btw, wasn’t this posted during the afternoon?
August 21st, 2008 at 11:50 pm
This was a great game. Go play it if you haven’t, you won’t regret it.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:41 am
Ahh yes what a great title. Capcom really captured the Zelda magic. I was surprised. Not my fave Zelda game, but definitely in the top 3. Graphics were excellent and the music was very memorable, which can be rare with new games these days.
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:30 am
The first Zelda game I ever played was Twilight Princess,but only because someone lent it to me.I just recently got Wind Waker and am working on that.I doubt I’ll ever come across a Zelda game that’s better.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:02 am
Only Zelda game I don’t have.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 am
I bought this game the same day RE4 came out. I put in an hour with each game and promptly forgot that RE4 was in the house. Minish Cap is the far superior game.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
i’m surprised you’re just now playing/reviewing it! i thought it was a great game and enjoyed it from start to end. it wasn’t the toughest game, but i really liked the shrinking aspect of the game. it never felt tedious to me.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I still don’t care for that game. I love 2d Zelda, but the big/small just felt like a gimmick to me.
No, it isn’t a bad game, not at all, but I didn’t enjoy it.
Graphically, I must say, the normal world looks just like Link to the Past, but the artists did a great job on the small world stuff. I wish the whole game looked that good.
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:41 am
I was disappointed by this game. I found it short for a Zelda game.
I hope that some day Nintendo remakes Link’s Awakening/Ages/Seasons.
August 23rd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I actually enjoy all the Zelda games so I can’t say anyone Zelda game is bad.
I enjoyed this game because it had great gameplay and it had an art style similar to that of the Wind Waker, which too was an enjoyable game.
I did however feel that both Wind Waker and The Minish Cap were short. If you would cut out a chunk of the time you spend just wandering around and go straight from point A to point B both games are short. Only a handful of dungeons. But those dungeons did make good use of the items you had and also the ability to shrink down.
But if I were on a trip and had one choice of a Zelda game to take with me, it would be the age old class, Link’s Awakening.
And Tobaccy, I agree, at least remake Link’s Awakening again. It’s the only zelda game I don’t have anymore. The game was played WAY too much and it stopped loading the graphics up but the sound was just fine.