I've been replaying the original Legend of Zelda on my NES, and I'm just blown away by how well it holds up. The sense of exploration is still unmatched. What do you all think? Is it still a masterpiece, or has it been surpassed by its sequels?

Totally agree. It's the sense of freedom that makes it so special. No hand-holding, just a sword and a huge world to explore. A Link to the Past is amazing, but the original has a certain magic to it.

I respect the game for what it did, but it's too cryptic for its own good. "Grumble, grumble..."? Bombing every wall hoping to find a secret? I think A Link to the Past perfected the formula.

That's part of the charm! The cryptic nature forced players to share secrets and create a sense of community. It was a different time, before the internet held all the answers.