After 25 years, it still happens to be one of gamings greatest accomplishments.
Well, the story is plain and simple. Zelda has broken the Triforce of Wisdom into eight pieces and hid them around the mystical land of Hyrule. Link must set off to find them and eventually defeat Ganon and save Princess Zelda. It's not the type of Zelda story you see today, but for it's time it's reasonable.
How should I say it? The gameplay is awesome! It's what started the innovative and beloved franchise. You view Link from a top-down perspective and have the ability to use a sword, and several items such as bombs and bows. The only real problem with the game is that it can be extremely difficult at times, due to a large amount of enemies on screen or no potions left, etc. It doesn't detract from how immersed you are in the game.
For the 8-bit era, I think the graphics are perfectly fine. Not the best on the system that's for sure, but remember the commercial for it? "WHOA NICE GRAPHICS! I'D LIKE TO GET MY HANDS ON THAT GAME!" So, I guess people in the day considered this "nice graphics". :D
I love the music in this game. The overworld theme is fantastic! The intro theme is awesome, the labryinth theme is great, level nine is great, the credits are great! This is some great music for it's time, even though it may stab your ears nowadays.
It's not the longest game, but it's reasonably long depending on what you do and where you go. I don't really have an estimated guess for how long it is, but it can be beaten in half an hour.
It's replayability is average, not something you can sit down and replay any day, but definitely something worth playing every once and awhile for fun and nostalgia.
Pros:
+Fun gameplay
+Great challenge
+Good music
+Beginning of a franchise
Cons:
-Can be easy to get frustrated
-Too short
Overall, this is my favourite game on the NES and it will live on as an instant classic for the genre.
Story: 6.0
Gameplay: 8.5
Graphics: 8.2
Music: 7.7
Lifetime: 7.1
Replay Value: 6.1
Overall: 8.6