The first game is better in my opinion. 8-bit graphics keep it from looking cartoony. I like the fighting better because the enemies, especially the bosses, have a way of making you tense when you scroll into their area. Gambling is brilliant. Secrets are really hidden. The code to mix up the map makes it easliy replayable. It's also my first home console game. I don't think graphics necessarily make ALttP automatically better. 8-bit Zelda is extremely charming.

What are your thoughts about the two?

Link to the Past.
Better in pretty much every conceivable way, but most importantly, it isn't as infuriatingly cryptic.

Start the game, then go discover the world of Hyrule.

The Legend of Zelda is my favorite.

I second this.

They're both my two favorite games of all time and I love them equally, but whenever I have to list one above the other, I end up siding with the original for two reasons: First, it was a much bigger breakthrough for its time and such an impressive leap over everything else when it launched. And second, you get a completely remixed second quest with a couple of new gameplay elements to boot. The stylish box, full color booklet, and that gold cartridge just added to its greatness.

As far as which is better today, I completely understand people choosing ALttP. It's a timeless classic that, as with many of the great 16-bit games, has aged beautifully. A masterpiece from beginning to end.

LTTP is objectively better but I have fonder memories of the original Zelda. One of the reasons I actually liked the original Zelda was because it didn't hold your hand and encouraged you to explore and figure things out on your own.

NES will never stand a chance lol. I have now finally played both of them and my favorite is still the NES game but, people tend to put ALTTP into some god like status area of gaming lore for some reason. Yes, it's great, but idk about THAT great. I'd rank NES Zelda first of them all, with OOT next, then ALTTP... but that's just me.

Do you find that the first game can be played ad nauseam, over and over and over more so than any other Zelda though? I couldn't see playing ALTTP that much personally but the first game, it's like SMB1. I could play those games a few times a year and they would never get old to me.

I like both games, but when comparing the two, A Link To The Past wins by a longshot.

Tried the original on Virtual Console and didn't really like it so definitely ALttP... though it's not my favourite Zelda game :p