Gaming has evolved in major ways over the decades, but that hasn't stopped one talented and dedicated The Legend of Zelda fan from creating a fun throwback with a custom arcade cabinet themed around the legendary Nintendo franchise. Custom arcade cabinets running emulations of classic titles have been a long-running trend and seem to fit well with Nintendo games, as evidenced by the Oregonian Super Smash Bros. arcade system that made headlines earlier this month.
When it comes to classic, long-running video game franchises, The Legend of Zelda is about as iconic as they come. The series made its debut in early 1986 on the original NES console and has seen a major release every few years. The most recent entry in the franchise is the seminal The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, whose sequel is planned to release sometime this year. Although modern Zelda games have adopted a contemporary 3D, behind-the-back action-game style, most of the older games feature a top-down perspective and stunning 2D pixel art. 1987's Zelda II: The Adventure of Link even offered up a classic side-scroller perspective and gameplay style. Throughout these different iterations, Nintendo continues to innovate and reinvent the franchise, and many fans are hopeful that Breath of the Wild 2 will continue to shake things up.
With so many great Zelda games to choose from, it's no surprise that there are plenty of die-hard fans out there looking for a convenient and fun way to enjoy them all. That is just what Reddit user elonepb decided to do with their custom Zelda arcade cabinet. The charming device is plastered with countless images from Zelda games and even features custom graphics that display as the machine powers up. A basic emulator is what powers the cabinet, which means that elonepb can play a number of Zelda titles, as well as a handful of other video games that don't require analog controls.
See the original post on Reddit here.
Arcades are a definitive part of gaming's history, with games like The Last of Us Part II paying homage to real-world arcade gaming centers. Although all Zelda games have been released on home consoles (and ironically played a major role in moving gaming as an industry out of arcades and into living rooms), the retro feel of many of these games is well-suited to a classic arcade cabinet; this machine would undoubtedly move many lifelong Zelda fans.
Retro gaming has been making a comeback over the past couple of years, with indie hits like Shovel Knight proving that with their old-school aesthetic and approach to game design. Although less practical, these sorts of at-home arcade cabinets could conceivably become more popular if this vintage gaming trend continues to grow. While that remains to be seen, one thing is certain: The Legend of Zelda memorabilia and novelty goods will be popular among gamers for years to come.
Source: elonepb/Reddit