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What is it about the Legend of Zelda that continues to bring us back, year after year, console after console? What is it about running through some fantastic land as a boy on a mystic quest to save the beautiful princess that makes us want more, over and over again?

When Legend of Zelda began to show its face to the world, there was not much more than an 8-bit figure that would one day be one of the video game industry's biggest symbols. Whether in the cartoony style of The Wind Waker or probably the most popular semi-realistic style from Ocarina of Time, Link is well known throughout the world. I'm sure you're aware of who Link is; you're probably reading this on TheHylia.com, a website dedicated to the Hero's video games. The fact of Link's popularity shouldn't surprise anyone.

But why? What has caused Link and The Legend of Zelda to explode like it has throughout the years? Could it be the amazing gameplay that comes with virtually every title in the series? Is it something along the lines of a great story?

If you were to sit back and think about how much The Legend of Zelda has evolved over the years, you may begin to question like I have. What makes the series great? The series starts out on the NES, an 8-bit console not capable of matching to anything in comparison to todays standards. Soon evolved to a more powerful SNES, a 16-bit system, while still keeping to a very similar style of game. To toss more into the mix, the series headed to the portable scene on the GameBoy, with portability not changing much of the games style of play.

Many years pass without a trace of the series. But why? So much strain for the one game that would change it all? Was it a marketing ploy? Be it what it was, a brand new style of The Legend of Zelda came to the world. It introduced an entire new dimension to the game, The 3rd Dimension. The world seemed to explode in overjoy for the long awaited title. But why? The only thing that seemed to be the same is not really important to the point i'm trying to convey. The 3-D Legend of Zelda, known as Ocarina of Time, was released and the world loved it.

Not too long after, a sequel to the newly loved Ocarina of Time was released, Majora's Mask. While using most of the elements from Ocarina, it only seemed to simply add to the story. There were slight graphical enhancements, but nothing that would amaze the world like the transition of 2-D to 3-D gaming.

Fans are still crazy for the series at this point and I really don't need to continue with the timeline of release dates, as I'm sure as all of you are probably aware of how it has gone down. From 2-D to 3-D back to 2-D back to 3-D with a new look, the games keep selling. Sure the games are fun and the stories are great, but why does Link and The Legend of Zelda have such a grasp on the world? The titles have changed drastically in many ways over the years, while not really letting loose its hold on people.

I honestly don't have an answer. I hope you weren't expecting one, for I personally haven't got a clue as to why I've been attached to the series for so many years. Maybe it's the story or some magical marketing scheme Nintendo has for the series alone. Maybe it's the simple fact I actually feel like I did something fulfilling at the end of each adventure. Be it what it is, it has a hold of me. The Legend of Zelda has a place in my heart and it probably has a place in yours too. I'm sorry I can't give a specific answer, but you probably already come to a conclusion for yourself while reading anyway.

- Mess is a moderator of The Hylia forums. Discuss this in the forums.