Parents' Guide to

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

By Kimberly Reyes, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Small characters and big plot add up to huge fun.

Game Game Boy Advance 2005
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

age 5+

Based on 4 parent reviews

age 2+

A MASTERPIECE!

this game was the first zelda game i beat as a kid and it should definently be the second best 2d zelda ( the best one is a link between worlds ) and its a bit easy and short for kids but also challenging for adults

This title has:

Easy to play/use
age 6+

An awesome Zelda game for any kid old enough to play and appreciate it

One of Nintendo's better handheld Zelda adventures. The game is squeaky clean and awesome. In fact, it may be the best way to introduce Zelda to your young child. If you have a young dude who wants to get in on the Zelda action after watching you play around on Twilight or Wind Waker, give him this as a good intro. It's very easy to play, very fun, has Wind Waker-style characters, and it's just awesome. I enjoyed every minute of the game. No concerns whatsoever.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (16):

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: THE MINISH CAP is a worthy heir to the Zelda legacy, and packs in quite a punch for its pocket-size GBA form. The game demands problem-solving skills: Link must master when to shrink down to Minish size to complete a task and when to return to normal form. In one mission, he must find artifacts of the same color that fuse together to reveal treasures or secrets. The game requires players to concentrate and memorize -- and they won't be able to finish it in one sitting.

It's not just the gameplay that's sophisticated. The story reinvents the mythical student-turning-on-teacher scenario (which kids may recognize from Star Wars) through Vaati and Ezlo's conflict. That Vaati succumbed to the dark side, in part due to his disgust with human egotism, adds a surprising layer of soul and depth to these 2-D characters. This will surely keep inquisitive kids occupied and wanting more Zelda games.

Game Details

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