Nintendo just released a new version of the original “Legend of Zelda”

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• Nintendo’s Switch console recently added a paid online
  service that offers access to a growing library of classic
  games from the Nintendo Entertainment System.
• The service gets new games every month. In October,
  “Super Dodge Ball,” “Solomon’s Key,” and “NES Open Tournament
  Golf” were the three additions.
• In an unannounced surprise, Nintendo also
  released a new version of the original “Legend of Zelda” that
  fundamentally changes the game.

Over 30 years ago, Nintendo launched the original “Legend of
Zelda” — a sprawling, 8-bit epic that captured the hearts of
millions of people around the world.

This week, Nintendo re-released the game in a brand new form:
“The Legend of Zelda: Living the life of luxury!” 

Better still, the game is free if you’re already a paying
subscriber to
Nintendo Switch Online — the $20/year service that offers access
to a growing library of classic Nintendo Entertainment System
games. The game was added as a “save state” within the
standard, original version of “The Legend of Zelda.”

So, what in the world is it? 

Nintendo called it a “souped-up” version of the original game.
“You’ll start with a ton of rupees and items! You’ll begin with
all equipment, including the White Sword, the Magical Shield, the
Blue Ring, and even the Power Bracelet,” a description from
Nintendo’s eShop said. For anyone not familiar, that means that
the game’s main character, Link, will start the game with a load
of in-game money (rupees) and powerful weapons. It’s kind of like
playing the game with a cheat code that grants you a bunch of
free stuff.

There’s also a second, more difficult version of the game,
unlocked by completing the initial quest.

Nintendo

This “souped-up” version of a classic game is the first of many
such versions coming to Nintendo Switch Online.

“Special save data for other NES titles will become available in
the future, offering fun new entry points into fan-favorite
games,” Nintendo said in an announcement Wednesday morning. 

As of October, Nintendo Switch Online has 23 games — not
including this new version of “The Legend of Zelda” — playable
through its online library. Nintendo is promising to bring that
total up to 29 by the end of 2018.

The subscription service launched in late September exclusively
on Nintendo’s hybrid portable/home console, the Nintendo Switch.
For $20/year, subscribers get access to a growing library of
classic NES games, are able to play Switch games online, and can
back up game saves to the cloud. 

Take a look at this month’s three new games in this video: