This is the debut release of The Legend of Iowa, a complete rewrite of “The Legend of Zelda”.

Since the nature of this game is one of secrets & exploration, there are bound to be instances where you just don’t know what to do or where to go next. Again, feel free to contact me with questions.

This game was designed with the original Zelda in mind, so fans of that game should know what to expect. Difficulty was toned down (particularly that of the early Second Quest) pursuant to the feedback of several Beta Testers; this hack is on-par with or slightly easier than the original game.

This hack is intended to capture the original sense of immersion found in the early Zelda games. Fans of the original will know once they get involved in the game: epic exploration, multiple routes, cryptic hints and scores of secrets. Despite playing like a Zelda game, it establishes its own identity. To wit:

• The entire Soundtrack has been replaced. And in most cases, with 8-bit renditions of vintage techno/dance/rave classics!

• The Overworld is completely new. Graphics, layouts, animation, screen-specific Attribute Patterns and etc!

• 18 New Dungeons. Or more accurately: 18 Meth Labs, nine per quest. Don’t expect the same old tricks to work, either. The secret pushblock isn’t always going to be leftmost-center. (Possibly never!)

• New Dungeon Elements. In addition to the new graphics, layouts, animations and Attribute Patterns, you’ll be dealing with new room secrets and enemy combinations.

The doors are open, but you still need to find that pushblock to make a critical item appear! But first, you’ll need to kill that small army of Darknuts & Wizzrobes…

• Work for Life. The number of complete heart containers has been reduced from 13 to 1. If you want to expand your lifebar, you’ll have to seek out the 48 heart pieces!

• WAY More Bombs! They aren’t exactly bombs in this hack, but they explode just the same. And if you play your cards right, you’ll max-out your carrying capacity at 255!

• Stopwatch as an Item. Again, it isn’t exactly a Stopwatch (nor is it easy to acquire), but you’ll eventually have a form of portable invincibility to use against That One Boss™.

• New storyline, characters & enemy designs. Farmer Bob even grunts differently!

Also, total accolades to everyone in the wider ROM hacking community, who patiently endured a seemingly endless series of delays with respect to this hack. (The original release was supposed to be Xmas Eve, 2009!)

Enough waiting! Let’s go tangle with some meth-heads!!!

• *WARNING** ADULT THEMES ARE PRESENT IN THIS AND MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR SOME AUDIENCES

• *DANGER** THOSE WHO ARE PRONE TO SEIZURES MAY WISH TO KNOW THAT SOME PARTS OF THE GAME HAVE CONTINUOUS FLASHING WHICH MAY INDUCE SEIZURES OR UNDESIRED EFFECTS ON PEOPLE WHO ARE SENSITIVE TO THESE TYPES OF DISPLAY!!

At the request of Dr.Floppy, he wishes the patch to be hosted on Baddesthacks.net until further notice.

• Database match: Legend of Zelda, The (USA)
• Database: No-Intro: Nintendo Entertainment System (v. 20180803-121122)
• File SHA-1: DAB79C84934F9AA5DB4E7DAD390E5D0C12443FA2
• File CRC32: D7AE93DF
• ROM SHA-1: A12D74C73A0481599A5D832361D168F4737BBCF6
• ROM CRC32: 3FE272FB