One of the perks of subscribing to
Nintendo's online service for its
Switch console is that it comes with free access to a growing
catalog of retro games, including 20 games right off the bat. Er, make that 21 now. In addition to titles like Super Mario Bros, Tecmo Bowl, and Double Dragon, Nintendo has added a special version of The Legend of Zelda.
Anyone who grew up playing games on a Nintendo Entertainment System (
NES) probably has fond memories of adventuring with Link in the kingdom of Hyrule. That game is now more than three decades old and considered a classic. It can also be daunting for a first-time player to jump into, or even for a returning fan.
That's where the Special Edition comes into play. Titled 'The Legend of Zelda Living the life of Luxury', the retro addition to the Switche's online catalog is a "souped-up version" that gives players an advantage over the original game.
"In this souped-up version of The Legend of Zelda, you'll start with a ton of rupees and items!," the game's description reads. "You'll begin with all equipment, including the White Sword, the Magical Shield, the Blue Ring, and even the Power Bracelet. But if Ganon's still giving you a hard time, the power of money will overcome!"
Just like in real life, having a ton of money grants you a real advantage. It's basically like having a cheat code. Gaming purists may balk at such a thing, but for those who are new to the series and just want to get some background on Link before playing some of the newer titles, like
Breath of the Wild, there's a certain appeal to this approach.
It's also worth noting that once you beat the game, you'll have access to a more difficult version called Second Quest. We imagine that just means the original game without the bonuses, though that's not made clear in the description.
Subscribing to a Nintendo Switch Online plan costs $3.99 per month, or you save a few bucks with a longer term commitment—$7.99 for three months or $19.99 for 12 months. There's also a Family plan that runs $34.99 for 12 months, for up to eight account holders.