I set the cartridge into the Game Boy slot. The screen lights up with the familiar Mario Bros. logo, then fades to a bright blue sky over Hyrule Castle. I push START and the game menu appears. Selecting “New Game” with my thumb, I’m taken to the title screen. It’s got that big green text and those fancy font letters—looks just like the earlier Zelda games.

I tap A to start. The character selection screen is next. I choose Link with the left joystick. He looks sturdy and ready for a fight in his forest green tunic and hat. I move him around, making sure he can walk and run smoothly.

The overworld map opens up next, with Hyrule dotted across the screen. I start walking from the castle town to the Lost Woods. The trees are dense here; they block out most of the sunlight. The sound of my footsteps crunching on the dirt path is clear. A few bugs buzz by, and a small bird perches briefly on a branch.

I come upon the first puzzle: a locked door with an archer symbol. I need to find the key before I can enter. It’s nearby in a chest. Once inside, I use the shovel to dig around until I find it. Link takes the key and heads back out into the woods. The screen flickers as I save the game.

Outside, I meet my first enemy—a slime. I stab at it with my sword, and it vanishes in a cloud of green goo. It’s not hard, but it teaches me how to play. I walk deeper into the forest, ready for more challenges ahead.