Well, I'm awfully sorry to hear that Jafar, it really sucks that you won't be able to play Twilight Princess until your return, but may I suggest you get someone to pre-order it for you to make sure you get anything that would come with it (such as a bonus disc or something of the like).
Regardless, here's my background with the series:
I grew up with a Sega Master System and payed no attention to the Nintendo systems at all, and indeed didn't own any other system until an N64.
When I was in grade 9, I met my brother (not my biological brother, but a friend who is so close I call him my brother) and he had an N64. When I went to a birthday party of his he showed off Ocarina of Time. I was, of course, intrigued. However, when I got to play it, I was hooked immediately, and it was one of the reasons I went out and bought an N64. Initially I got a normal grey cartridge. However, after a few months I was able to locate a used copy of the Collector's Edition with the gold cartridge. Of course, I picked it up right away.
I was incredibly excited upon finding out about Majoras Mask and immediately pre-ordered it at my local store. However, as the release date drew near I saw a special offer through Nintendo Power and decided to get it through there. As a result, I got the Collector's Edition of the game, a years subscription to NP, and a soundtrack CD for the game
Next I saw of Zelda was the exciting Spaceworld 2000 demo, which got me incredibly excited about the next Zelda and I went out and immediately pre-ordered a Gamecube system. However, I was devastated when Nintendo unveiled the look of Wind Waker. I was so disillusioned that I canceled my Gamecube pre-order in protest.
The years continued on, with me playing my two trusty N64 Zeldas. Finally, last summer I managed to find the video for the new Zelda game. I was floored by it, and immediately resolved to get myself a Gamecube to play this amazing looking game. I am now glad I waited this long to get it because I managed to find one of the last systems that came with the Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition! I had to pay much more for it than I would have at a Wal-Mart location, but I got the game. I was so happy. I made it through the first one, all though it was really tough. I tried my hand at the second one, but I just couldn't get into it and thought it was kind of dumb (I'm going to give it another go sometime in the near future).
My next big find was a copy of the Ocarina of Time/Master Quest bonus disc at my local EB (who the heck trades these games in?!). Of course I picked it up right away. Master Quest, I was surprised at the ease of which I made it through this game (with the exception of the Spirit Temple, which was a real pain), however it's still an amazing game.
Finally, I've picked up a copy of Wind Waker, and although I just started it this morning, I'm very impressed with it so far. The more I look at the graphics, the more I like them (although they'll never hold a candle to the Twilight Princess graphics).
I have my money down for Twilight Princess, and I anxiously await its release. I haven't played any of the Gameboy versions (I don't really intend to either, I have no inclination to buy a gb) and I haven't played A Link to the Past. I will be purchasing a Super Nintendo in the near future and I will most certainly be getting that game.
What a wonderful series. My brother and I actually have ideas for how Ocarina of Time could be made into a movie (something I'd love to see done if it was done completely right). Instead of making one movie about it, or even series of movies, why not make a TV mini series. You could devote one 2-hour part per dungeon plus an opener, a closer (containing all of the opener and ending of the game), plus the in-betweener (where kid link becomes adult link). In total you'd have 11 parts to this mini-series. Just think of how cool that would be.
Anyways, I guess that's enough of my rambling for today. Anybody else have stories to tell concerning their Zelda experiences?