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Series
Legend of Zelda
A landmark action-adventure video game series created by Nintendo, debuting with the 1986 game The Legend of Zelda.
Action-adventure
About
This series began with the 1986 release of The Legend of Zelda on the NES, followed by the 1987 sequel Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. The original game saw multiple physical cartridge variations, including the 5-screw edition and the later Classic Series re-release. These early titles established the core fantasy action-adventure framework for the enduring The Legend of Zelda franchise.
Created by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, this franchise introduced pioneering gameplay mechanics such as non-linear exploration, battery-backed saving, and a top-down perspective. The narrative of Legend of Zelda (1986) and its immediate successors established the recurring conflict in the fantasy realm of Hyrule, centering on the protagonist Link, Princess Zelda, and the antagonist Ganon in their struggle over the relic known as the Triforce.
While Legend of Zelda II (1987) experimented with side-scrolling action and role-playing elements, the franchise later returned to its top-down roots before transitioning into influential 3D environments. The enduring popularity of these foundational releases, including the collectible Legend of Zelda [5 Screw] (1987) and the Legend of Zelda [Classic Series] (1987) reissues, paved the way for critical and commercial success across subsequent Nintendo consoles. The series ultimately shaped industry standards for world design, puzzle-solving, and real-time combat, securing its position as a cornerstone of video game history.
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Games featuring Legend of Zelda (3)
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