The Legend of Zelda (video game)

## *The Legend of Zelda*

* NES
* FDS
* GBA

## Development

### Writer(s)

Keiji Terui
Takashi Tezuka

## Release

### Platform(s)

Family Computer Disk System
Game Boy Advance
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
Nintendo Entertainment System
Nintendo Switch Online
Wii Virtual Console
Wii U Virtual Console

### Release Date

**Famicom Disk System**
JP: February 21, 1986
**Nintendo Entertainment System**
NA: August 22, 1987
EU: November 27, 1987
JP: February 19, 1994
**GBA**
JP: February 14, 2004
NA: June 2, 2004
EU: July 9, 2004
**Wii Virtual Console**
NA: November 19, 2006
JP: December 2, 2006
EU: December 8, 2006
**3DS Virtual Console**
JP: December 22, 2011
EU: April 12, 2012
NA: July 5, 2012
**Wii U Virtual Console**
JP: August 28, 2013
NA/EU: August 29, 2013
**Nintendo Switch Online**
WW: September 19, 2018

### Rating

**ESRB:** E
**PEGI:** 7
**CERO:** A
**ACB:** G

### Genre

Action-adventure

***The Legend of Zelda*** is an action-adventure game released on August 22, 1987 in North America, for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The title was developed by Nintendo R&D 4 and published by Nintendo.

*The Legend of Zelda* is the first title in the franchise of the same name. The franchise has since spawned numerous sequels spanning many years, and now stands as one of Nintendo's flagship franchises, alongside notables such as *Super Mario* and *Metroid*.

## Development

*The Legend of Zelda* began development under Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka for the Nintendo Entertainment System, specifically with the intention of releasing it as a launch title for the Family Computer Disk System. The title was created concurrently with *Super Mario Bros.*, and was meant to be the opposite of its sister title in terms of design and gameplay; *Zelda* would be more open-ended and exploration-focused, whereas *Mario* had a larger focus on linearity and platforming.

Inspiration for *Zelda* was drawn from Miyamoto's "adventures" as a young child, exploring woods, caves, and fields. Link, the protagonist of the game, was meant to represent an avatar of sorts for the player; Link's design was inspired in part by Disney's design for Peter Pan. Meanwhile, the eponymous Princess Zelda was named after Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Music for the title was composed by Koji Kondo. The motif of the title's main theme has become an iconic song, as well as a staple throughout the series' history.

## Release

*The Legend of Zelda* was released in Japan on February 21, 1986 for the Family Computer Disk System. It saw a North American release on August 22, 1987, for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The Disk System format of the title saw improved performance and sound quality compared to the NES format; the NES format of the title was re-released in Japan on February 19, 1994.

*Zelda* went on to become one of the Nintendo Entertainment System's most recognizable titles, and spawned a sequel; *Zelda II: The Adventure of Link*. The game's success also allowed for a greater franchise to be created moving forward, spawning more sequels, a TV series, and merchandise.

*The Legend of Zelda* has been re-released on newer Nintendo systems such as the Nintendo GameCube, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch. A full port of the title, for the Game Boy Advance, was released under Nintendo's *Classic NES Series* line.

## Reception

*The Legend of Zelda* was bestselling, with over 6.5 million copies, and the first Nintendo Entertainment System title to achieve over 1 million sales. The title is considered extremely influential, having served as an inspiration for numerous other titles both inside and outside of its own series.

*Zelda* has widely positive reviews, often citing its ingenuity with exploration and combat mechanics and focus on the former, an approach not often seen at the time. The use of save files in *Zelda* also bore a major impact on the gaming industry, as save files were a rarity in gaming at the time.