Link: The Faces of Evil vs The Adventures of Lomax

Link: The Faces of Evil is a side‑scrolling action‑adventure game released in 1993 as part of the ill‑fated Nintendo‑Philips CD‑ROM partnership. Players guide Link through the island of Koridai, battling Ganon’s minions and confronting the titular Faces of Evil to rescue Princess Zelda. Unlike traditional top‑down Zelda titles, this game uses a platformer perspective with a world‑map hub, offering a distinct take on the franchise that has been widely criticized and is not recognized as canon by Nintendo.

The Adventures of Lomax is a fast‑paced side‑scrolling platformer where Lomax must battle Evil Ed's minions across bizarre, colorful lands. Players navigate tricky jumps, defeat enemies, and collect power‑ups to break the sinister hex and save his pals. Developed and published by Psygnosis in 1996, the game offers single‑player adventure with classic platforming challenges and a whimsical fantasy setting. Its retro pixel art and catchy soundtrack make it a nostalgic yet exciting experience for gamers of all ages.

• Unique Zelda spin on side‑scrolling
• Nostalgic 16‑bit visual style
• CD‑quality soundtrack
• Straightforward control scheme

• Tight and responsive controls
• Vibrant retro pixel art
• Varied level design with distinct themes
• Challenging yet fair difficulty curve

• Clunky and imprecise controls
• Level design feels repetitive
• Not officially part of the Zelda canon

• Limited replayability after completion
• No multiplayer or co‑op mode
• Occasional frame rate drops on older hardware