How to Remake Zelda II for Modern Gamers 

I've considered this topic with some friends for a few months now, and we agreed that the best thing you could do to remake it would be to lean into the format and make it a Metroidvania, one that makes more use of Link's various abilities to navigate more complex maps that take full advantage of modern tech

A few ideas: 1. 2.5D. Definitely 2.5D, but more like Smash Bros than Octopath Traveller. If possible, allow for several layers. Bonus points if the layers can be connected somehow, so some palace elevators are now say, drawbridges or archways or something. 2. Make the dungeon items more useful, the only one really worth it right now is the glove. Everything else is just a key to the next dungeon pretty much. One iconic item would be the hookshot, which would work like the Bionic Arm from Bionic Commando. Maybe fourth palace contains a mirror shield instead? 3. Make the dungeons more interesting thematically. For instance, the first palace could easily be a light house dungeon, second one an old forest temple turned swamp, et cetera. Maybe each temple should hold a spirit of a dead sage and you bringing the crystal to the palace calls on that sage. 4. Spice up the quest a little with key NPCs. For instance, the missing child in the Labyrinth island could in actuality not be kidnapped but is rather investigating something which then becomes a miniquest. A trading sequence is also tried, true, and interesting. 5. More criss crossing through Hyrule. Maybe make the Swamp palace the fifth palace and the Ocean palace the second one you go to, for instance? 6. More overworld secrets and some inaccessible areas that later becomes accessible with the right items.

Neat video! If you make another one, reach out. I'd love to talk about Zelda; it's my favorite game series of all time! For me, I actually didn't like Zelda II. It's the only Zelda game I never beat. Ocarina of Time will forever be my favorite, with Wind Waker a close second. I will say the Zelda II soundtrack slaps, though. I just couldn't get into the combat, and the whole game felt a little bit all over the place.

Link's awakening is literally the spiritual successor: - top down over world map? ✔️ - action based side scrolling section? ✔️

I'm working on an indie game heavily inspired by Zelda II and happened to stumble upon this video, I'll definitely be taking notes haha

I’ve beat Zelda 2 twice now. Great game tbh.

Perhaps the temple bosses could yield spells for Link much like the bosses in the Mega Man series yield their special weapons. For example, the boss in the Swamp Palace gives Link the ability to break through blocks.

What are you talking about? How's Zelda 2 formula was abounded? No similar iteration? Are you mad? We had glorious CDI games, mah boi!

I like the ideas from the swell fellas! I still need to play original versions before it's remade

I too often ask myself why less popular games don't get remade to give them a new chance with players... but the question answers itself. Less popular, less likely to draw an audience = why bother wasting time and resources for something that may not sell?

Wind waker art style could be cool for a 2d.

Have you tried Zelda II: Enhanced PC Edition?

Wayforward's graphics look bizarro. No way forward for Zelda II: The Returnio.

I can tell this, with the particular expertise of a person who fell off Zelda for a long time. And whose favorite Zelda game is Zelda II, having played it soon after Wind Waker and Skyward Sword. BotW was everything a Zelda 2 fan could hope for. All the usual gripes like plot and breakable weapons and rain while mountain climbing, were perfect POINTS IN FAVOR of me getting back into the series. Which I'm still not a "fan" of as such, simply a consumer, whose dollar is constantly put into question on account of "not being enough of a true fan". If ever a company doesn't hate it's consumers, leave it to the fans, so the consumer is ALWAYS hated. I'm a fan of arts, and necessarily those interests are niche, not viable in the open market where this sort of a base is attracted like gadflies. Don't remake Zelda II. If "fans" hate it, and they do, keep it off their mitts. If you want to compromise, Nintendo can make everything you want out of "a Zelda II HD", by revitalizing Ice Climber instead where it's either that or nothing.

I really like the swordplay and getting new skills. Just make the game more convenient to the player. Giving the rpg leveling system more complexity would also be cool. It's just a click and forget.

I'm guessing you were inspired by videogamedunkey's editing and voice style, Pretty good video.

Awesome job with the editing here, Keaton! I love the idea of a second quest! They really need to bring those back!