Link: The Faces of Evil vs Zelda's Adventure

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.

Zelda's Adventure puts Princess Zelda in the hero’s role, venturing into the uncharted southeastern region of Tolemac to rescue Link from Gannon’s clutches. The game features a traditional top‑down view, dungeon exploration, and the collection of seven celestial signs to defeat the evil Ganon. Developed by Viridis and published by Philips Interactive Media in 1996, this single‑player title stands apart from other CD‑i Zelda releases with its unique design and focus on Zelda as the playable protagonist, though it remains unrecognized by Nintendo as part of the official series.

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

• Unique Zelda entry with Princess as protagonist
• Classic top‑down gameplay familiar to series fans
• Challenging dungeon puzzles and boss fights
• Retro audiovisual style appeals to nostalgia

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

• Not officially recognized by Nintendo, leading to limited support
• Graphics and sound are dated by modern standards
• Limited platform availability (PC only)