The Legend of Zelda
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Redirect Template:Pp-vandalism Template:Cleanup Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox video game series
Template:Nihongo foot is a video game series created by Japanese game designers Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka. It is primarily developed and published by Nintendo; some installments and re-releases have been outsourced to Flagship, Grezzo, and Tantalus Media.
The series centers on the various incarnations of Link, a courageous young man of the elf-like Hylian race, and Princess Zelda, a princess within the bloodline of the goddess Hylia, as they fight to save the land of Hyrule from Ganon, an evil warlord turned demon king who wishes to use the Triforce, a sacred relic that can grant any wish its user desires when complete, to remake the world in his own dark image. If someone with a heart that does not possess a balance of Power, Courage, and Wisdom attempts to touch the Triforce, it will split into three triangles and bond with three people whose hearts embody the required virtue. While the conflict with Ganon serves as a backbone for the series, some games have featured other settings and antagonists, with Link traveling or being sent to these other lands in their time of need.
Since The Legend of Zelda was released in 1986, the series has expanded to include 21 entries on all of Nintendo's major game consoles, as well as a number of spin-offs. An American animated TV series based on the games aired in 1989 and manga adaptations commissioned by Nintendo have been produced in Japan since 1997. The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo's most successful franchises; several of its entries are considered among the greatest video games of all time.
Gameplay
Gameplay of The Legend of Zelda games feature a mix of puzzles, action-adventure, and exploration. These elements used to be constantTemplate:Efn throughout the series, with small refinements and additions in each new game. Later installments include stealth gameplay, where the player must avoid enemies while proceeding through a level, as well as racing elements. Depending on the game, players control Link or Princess Zelda from a fixed top-down perspectiveTemplate:Efn<ref name="asks lbw">Template:Cite interview</ref><ref>Template:Cite interview</ref> or in a 3D game world with a free-roaming camera.<ref name="collider 3d camera"/><ref name="Iwata Asks OoT 3D Miyamoto">Template:Cite interview</ref>
Zelda games can be beaten with a minimal amount of exploration and side quests, but the player is frequently rewarded with helpful items or increased abilities for solving puzzles or exploring hidden areas. Some items are consistent and appear many times throughout the series, while others are unique to a single game. Staples of the series include bombs that can both act as weapons and open blocked or hidden doorways; boomerangs, which can kill or paralyze enemies; keys for locked doors; shields; bows and arrows; light sources; magical rods, hammers, and musical instruments; digging tools; and a grappling hook-like device called the hookshot. Items can be bought, rented, or found as a puzzle-solving reward, depending on the game. In 2017's Breath of the Wild and its 2023 sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, swords and other weapons originally found in dungeons or purchased from shops are now found in the game world and stolen from defeated enemies.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> These are generally used through by swapping out to one or more selected button prompts through a menu, while the sword is usually fixed.Template:Efn Echoes copied by Zelda in Echoes of Wisdom also attack or clear paths with bombs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Early in certain Zelda games, swords are given to Link and/or found in a secluded area.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> More powerful swords, or special sword abilities, can be discovered by Link or taught to him in the games. Existing weapons can also receive upgrades.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="gamespot totk" />
The motion controls of 2011's Skyward Sword, using either the Wii's Wii MotionPlus or the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Con, simulate sword fighting by swinging the controller in specific directions to attack enemies or counter an enemy's attempt to block.<ref>Template:Cite interview</ref><ref>Template:Cite interview</ref> Breath of the Wild introduced a physics engine—allowing for physics-based solutions such as crushing an enemy via rolling a boulder onto it<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>—and what was called a chemistry engine, a rule-based state calculator in which various elements (fire, water, wind, etc.) interact with other objects and elements in different ways.Template:Efn<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref> Echoes of Wisdom is also a departure from other games' style of combat, as the playable Zelda is primarily unable to directly hit enemies on her own.Template:Efn Instead, she uses an item called the Tri Rod to create echoes via coping objects and enemies and recreating them to solve puzzles and defeat enemies, even if the object or enemy in question is not in the area or region her current situation is.<ref name="being mischievous">Template:Cite interview</ref> Another physics-based technique in newer Zelda titles involves using certain abilities to allow Link or Zelda to remotely move or drop objects on top of enemies, drop enemies down holes, or propel themselves across gaps.Template:Efn
Although the games contain role-playing elements (Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is the only one to include an experience system), they emphasize straightforward hack-and-slash-style combat. This has led to much debate over whether or not Zelda games should be classified as action RPGs, a genre on which the series has had a strong influence.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 1992, series co-creator Shigeru Miyamoto disagreed with the label, classifying Zelda as "a real-time adventure game". He said that he was "not interested in systems where everything in the game is decided by stats and numbers" but wanted "to preserve as much of that 'live' feeling as possible", and felt that action games are better suited to convey to players.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 2012, Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki listed A Link to the Past as one of his top RPGs, alongside video games such as Dragon Quest III, Wizardry, and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and the collectable card game, Magic: The Gathering.<ref name="edge">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
The games pioneered a number of features that were to become industry standards. The original Zelda was the first console game with a save function that enabled players to stop playing and then resume later. Ocarina of Time introduced a targeting system that let the player lock the camera on to enemy or friendly non-player characters which simplified 3D combat.<ref>Template:Cite interview</ref>
Overworld and Dungeons
Many mainline Zelda game consist of three key areas: an overworld which connects all other areas and allows multidirectional movement is multidirectional, giving players some degree of freedom;<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> areas of interaction with other characters (like caves, towns, or hidden rooms) in which the player can purchase equipment, gain special items or advice, or complete side quests;<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and dungeons (or temples, towers, etc.), labyrinthine areas found underground<ref name="underworld overworld">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> (with some exceptions),<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="wind temple locks">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> comprising a wide range of difficult enemies, bosses, and items.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Each usually has one major item that can be essential for solving its puzzles<ref name="asks lbw"/> and often plays a crucial role in defeating its boss<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite interview</ref> and/or progressing through the game.<ref name="asks lbw"/><ref name="alttp item"/> In 2013, A Link Between Worlds introduced a more open-ended progression system by allowing Link to rent items to reach and beat the last seven dungeons.<ref name="asks lbw"/> Following this, every main dungeon in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom can be accessed in any order before reaching the final boss in their open world setting. Neither game has items hidden inside dungeons for progression, but the latter involves the help of specific companions to solve tasks in their respective Temples.<ref name="rethink conventions"/><ref name="sage puzzle">Template:Cite web</ref>
Navigating a dungeon is usually aided by locating a map, which reveals its layout, and a magic compass, which reveals the location of significant and smaller items such as keys and equipment.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In games released after the NES, dungeons include a special "big key" or "boss key" that unlocks the door to fight its boss.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In place of a big key, Breath of the Wild has Link use his Sheikah Slate to activate all the control terminals inside the dungeon before its boss attacks him,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Tears of the Kingdom has companions reach and interact with the locations of multiple locks in the relevant Temple to open the door to the boss.<ref name="wind temple locks" /><ref name="sage puzzle" /> The original Zelda on the NES had its dungeons known as "the underworld" in contrast to the overworld,<ref name="underworld overworld" /> but later games had broad sections located underground or behind rifts that were not dungeons in of themselves, but connected to the overworld or other dungeons, such as Subrosia in Oracle of Seasons,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> the Depths in Tears of the Kingdom,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the Still World in Echoes of Wisdom.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Some games, like Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures and Tri Force Heroes, have no broadly-connecting overworld, and use randomly picked levels,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> a linear progression of numbered levels,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> or a hub world like Hytopia Castle Town.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Sailing and gliding
While a raft first appeared in the first game, they had limited use and can only be boarded from a dock.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Sailing is—by design—the only way to traverse the island-dotted overworlds of The Wind Waker in 2002 and Phantom Hourglass in 2007.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> By Breath of the Wild, rafts' sails could be propelled by wind using the chemistry engine, and logs could also be used as makeshift boats.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The introduction of Ultrahand and Zonai machine parts in Tears of the Kingdom gave players the ability to build a raft or a flying machine out of parts.<ref name="gamespot totk"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> While gliding had previously been used for puzzles and minigames with the guidance of chickens known as Cuccos,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and an item to help scale cliff faces appeared in 2004's The Minish Cap,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom use both elements more prominently. In the games' open world, climbing walls and gliding off them on a paraglider makes it possible for the player to plot out multiple routes; in contrast to the way some players had been "glitching" up mountains players while controlling Geralt in The Witcher seriesTemplate:Efn and Dovahkiin in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011), here it is not considered unintentional climbing. Instead of mountains being impassable walls they are fully climbable for the players by design.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite interview</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tears of the Kingdom also allows Link to be launched into the sky and travel further with either Zonai machines or gliding.<ref name="gamespot totk"/> The Reverse Bond ability in Echoes of Wisdom also has Zelda attach herself to a climbing spider or flying bird monster to progress through the game world.<ref name="reverse bond"/>
Health and fairies
In most Zelda games, the player's HP or life meter is represented by a line of hearts. The player usually starts with three hearts;<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> their max health can be increased by finding heart-shaped crystals called heart containers. Full heart containers are usually received at the end of dungeons and dropped by dungeon bosses. Smaller "Pieces of Heart" are awarded for completing side quests or found hidden throuought the game world, and require a certain number (commonly four) to form a full heart container.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Health can be replenished by picking up hearts left by defeated enemies or destroyed objects, consuming items such as potions or food, or going to a Great Fairy Fountain to have the Great Fairy heal Link completely.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom broke from this tradition, and had Link hunt and cook his food or find potion ingredients in cut grass rather than freely be given hearts to pick up.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite interview</ref> Occasionally, the player will find fairies hidden in specific locations; they can either heal Link immediately<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> or be kept in empty bottles, and will revive him the next time he dies.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Conception and production
Inspiration
The Legend of Zelda was principally inspired by Shigeru Miyamoto's "explorations" as a young boy in the hillsides and forests surrounding his childhood home in Sonobe, Japan. According to Miyamoto, one of his most memorable experiences was finding a cave entrance in the middle of the woods.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After some hesitation, he entered the cave and explored its depths with the aid of a lantern. Miyamoto has referred to the creation of the Zelda games as an attempt to bring to life a "miniature garden" for players to play with in each game of the series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The story and setting were developed by Takashi Tezuka. Seeking to create a fairytale adventure game, Tezuka drew inspirations from fantasy books such as J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="adventuremario">Template:Cite web</ref> According to Keiji Terui, who wrote the backstory in the first game's manual, the location named Death Mountain was initially a working title for the legend of the Triforce which was written with inspirations from the battles of medieval Europe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Master Sword was introduced as Excalibur in the French version of A Link to the Past,<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which is regarded as reminiscent to the legend of King Arthur.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="adventuremario"/> Link's steed, was named after Epona, Celtic goddess of fertility.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Princess Zelda was named after American novelist, socialite and painter Zelda Fitzgerald, as Miyamoto thought the name sounded "pleasant and significant".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tezuka modeled Link's appearance after the eponymous character of Walt Disney's Peter Pan (1953).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> When the series made the transition to 3D, the combat system of Ocarina of Time was based on the chanbara (samurai) style of Japanese sword fighting.<ref name="Iwata Asks OoT 3D Miyamoto"/>
Audio
Games in The Legend of Zelda series frequently feature in-game musical instruments, particularly in musical puzzles, which are widespread.<ref name="Pichlmair">Template:Cite journal</ref> Often, instruments trigger game events: for example, the recorder in The Legend of Zelda can reveal secret areas, as well as warp Link to the dungeon entrances. This warping with music feature has also been used in A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening. In Ocarina of Time, playing instruments is a core part of the game, with the player needing to play the instrument through the use of the game controller to succeed.<ref name="Lane">Template:Cite news</ref> Ocarina of Time is "[one of the] first contemporary non-dance title[s] to feature music-making as part of its gameplay",<ref name="McDonald">Template:Cite web</ref> using music as a heuristic device and requiring the player to utilise songs to progress in the game<ref name="Whalen">Template:Cite journal</ref> – a game mechanic that is also present in Majora's Mask.<ref name="Mirabella">Template:Cite web</ref>
"The Legend of Zelda Theme" is a recurring piece of music that was created for the first game. The composer and sound director of the series, Koji Kondo, initially planned to use Maurice Ravel's Boléro as the game's title theme, but was forced to change it after learning the orchestral piece had not yet entered the public domain late in production. As a result, Kondo wrote a new arrangement of the overworld theme within one day.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Up until Breath of the Wild, the Legend of Zelda series avoided using voice acting in speaking roles, relying instead on written dialogue. Series producer Eiji Aonuma previously stated that having the other characters speak while Link remains silent "would be off-putting".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Plot
Setting
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The Legend of Zelda takes place predominantly in a medieval Western Europe-inspired fantasy world called Hyrule,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which has developed a deep history and wide geography over the series's many releases. Hyrule's principal inhabitants are pointy-eared, elf-like humanoids called Hylians, which include the protagonists Link and Zelda.Template:Efn
The fictional universe established by the Zelda games sets the stage for each adventure. Some games take place in different lands with their own back-stories. Labrynna (from Oracle of Ages), Holodrum (from Oracle of Seasons), and Hytopia (from Tri Force Heroes) are different countries separate from the Kingdom of Hyrule,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Termina (from Majora's Mask), the World of the Ocean King (from Phantom Hourglass), and Lorule (from A Link Between Worlds) serve as parallel worlds,<ref name="MANUALmajoramask">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and Koholint is an island far away from Hyrule that appears to be part of a dream.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Story
The world of Hyrule was created by three golden goddesses: Din, Farore, and Nayru.<ref name="QUOTEmyth">Template:Cite video game</ref> They created the world to trap Null, which absorbed all life that appeared in an endless void created by it. Before departing, the three goddesses left the Triforce, a sacred artifact which could grant any wish to its user. It manifests as three golden triangles, each embodying one of the goddesses' virtues: Power, Courage, and Wisdom.<ref name="HyruleHistoria1">Template:Cite book</ref> However, as the Triforce has no will of its own and it can not judge between good and evil, it will grant any wish indiscriminately.<ref name="QUOTEwish">Template:Cite video game</ref><ref name="HyruleHistoria2">Template:Cite book</ref> Because of this, it was placed within an alternate world called the "Sacred Realm" until one worthy of its power and has the balanced virtues of Power, Courage, and Wisdom in their heart could obtain it in its entirety. If a person does not possess balanced heart and tries to use the Triforce, it will split into three parts; the virtue that the user mostly believes in will stay with that person and the remainding two will seek out others. In order to master and control the triforce as a whole, the user must get the other parts found in other individuals and bring them together to reunite them. The Sacred Realm can itself be affected by the heart of those who enter it: a pure heart will make it a paradise while evil will transform it into a dark realm.<ref name="QUOTEsacred_realm">Template:Cite video game</ref>
In Skyward Sword, the Triforce was sought by the demon king Demise,<ref name="QUOTElust">Template:Cite video game</ref> an eternal being that had conquered time itself.<ref name="QUOTEtime">Template:Cite video game</ref> After a long battle against the goddess Hylia, guardian of the Triforce, Demise was sealed away within her temple.<ref name="HyruleHistoria1" /><ref name="QUOTEhylia">Template:Cite video game</ref> Hylia, placing the world's inhabitants known as Hylians on a floating island in the sky called Skyloft to protect them, orchestrated a means to stop the demon from escaping: creating the Goddess Sword (later becoming the Master Sword) for her chosen hero<ref name="QUOTEsword">Template:Cite video game</ref> and discarding her divinity to be reborn among the people of Skyloft.<ref name="QUOTEreincanration">Template:Cite video game</ref> In time, Zelda and Link (the reborn Hylia and her predestined warrior) enacted the goddess's plan and Demise was destroyed, but he vowed that his rage would be reborn and forever plague those descended from Link and Zelda.<ref name="QUOTEdemise">Template:Cite video game</ref> Following the establishment of Hyrule Kingdom, Demise's prophecy came to fruition in Ocarina of Time, when Ganondorf's attempt to get the Triforce scattered it with him gaining the Triforce of Power. The Triforce of Wisdom ended up with the Hylian princesses descended from Zelda, each named after her, while the Triforce of Courage is passed to a youth named Link across generations. While the Triforces of Power and Wisdom have been part of the series since the original The Legend of Zelda, it was in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link that the Triforce of Courage was introduced, being obtained by Link at the end of his quest. The Triforce, or even a piece of it, is not always distributed as a whole. Such as in The Wind Waker, Link must find all the pieces (called Triforce Shards) of the Triforce of Courage before he can return to Hyrule. Even in the original The Legend of Zelda, Zelda breaks her Triforce of Wisdom into eight pieces for Link to find, before she was captured by Ganon.
Fictional chronology
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The chronology of the Legend of Zelda series was a subject of much debate among fans until an official timeline was released within the Hyrule Historia collector's book, first released in Japan in December 2011.<ref name="Official Legend of Zelda Timeline Revealed">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Prior to its release, in a 2003 interview, series creator Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed the existence of an internal document which connected all the games, with series producer Eiji Aonuma later revealing in 2010 the confidential nature of this document, which only Miyamoto himself and the director of each game had access to.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
In-game content, marketing material, and developer statements once partially established a timeline of the released installments: the original The Legend of Zelda was followed by Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, which takes place several years later;<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref><ref>Template:Cite video game</ref> A Link to the Past is a prequel to the previous two games,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="miyamoto99timeline">Template:Cite journal</ref> and is followed by Link's Awakening;<ref>Nintendo, ed (1993). The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening instruction manual. Nintendo. pp. 3–4. "Though you fulfilled the Hyrulian prophecy of the Legendary Hero and destroyed the evil tyrant Ganon, the land of Hyrule enjoyed only a precarious peace. "Who knows what threats may arise from Ganon's ashes?" the restless people murmured as they knitted their brows and shook their heads. Ever vigilant, you decided to journey away from Hyrule on a quest for enlightenment, in search of wisdom that would make you better able to withstand the next threat to your homeland".</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the events of Ocarina of Time occur many centuries before A Link to the Past (according to character designer Satoru Takizawa, it was meant to implicitly tell the story of the Imprisoning War),<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and was followed by Majora's Mask;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Four Swords predates Ocarina of Time;<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> The Wind Waker takes place in one of the parallel timelines that emerged from Ocarina of Time, more than a century later;<ref name="nindori">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="gameproint">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Four Swords Adventures, upon its release, was considered to be a direct sequel to Four Swords, set sometime after its events;<ref name=":2" /> The Minish Cap is a prequel to Four Swords, telling of the origins of the villain Vaati and the creation of the Four Sword;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Twilight Princess takes place after Majora's Mask;<ref name="nindori" /><ref name="gameproint" /> Phantom Hourglass is a sequel to The Wind Waker,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and is followed by Spirit Tracks, which is set about a century later on a land far away from the setting of The Wind Waker;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>and Skyward Sword precedes The Minish Cap, telling the story of the creation of the Master Sword.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the early 2000s, Nintendo of America released a timeline on the official website of the series as one of the possible interpretation of the events from all entries released up to that point, featuring a single protagonist named Link, the "Hero of Time" from its first adventure in Ocarina of Time. It was followed by Majora's Mask, A Link to the Past, Oracle of Seasons, Oracle of Ages, the original The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, and finally Link's Awakening.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2011, series translator Daniel Owsen revealed that, at one point, his coworkers at Nintendo of America and him conceived another complete timeline and intended to make it available online, but the Japanese series developers rejected the idea so that the placement of each game would be kept open to the imagination of the players.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On December 21, 2011, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the series, The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia art book was published by Shogakukan, which contained an official timeline of the fictional chronology of the series up to that point.<ref name="Official Legend of Zelda Timeline Revealed" /> This timeline subsequently posits that following Ocarina of Time, it splits into three alternate routes: in one, Link ultimately fails to defeat Ganon, leading into the Imprisoning War and A Link to the Past, Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, Link's Awakening, The Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link. The second and third, where Link successfully defeats Ganon, lead to a split timeline between his childhood (where Zelda sends him back in time so he can use the wisdom he has gained to warn young Zelda of the horrifying fate of Hyrule) and adulthood (where adult Zelda lives on to try and rebuild her kingdom). His childhood continues with Majora's Mask, followed by Twilight Princess and Four Swords Adventures. The timeline from his adult life continues into Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.<ref name="Official Legend of Zelda Timeline Revealed" />
Released in 2013, A Link Between Worlds takes place six generations after A Link to the Past, and features the Triforce being reunited, and Ganon being resurrected,<ref name="ALBWtimeline">Template:Cite web</ref> while 2015's Tri Force Heroes is a direct sequel to A Link Between Worlds, which takes place several years later.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref>
In 2018, Nintendo revealed the placement of the timeline of the previous year's Breath of the Wild was after all previous games in the series, without specifying a connection to any of the three timeline branches. Aonuma and Breath of the Wild director Hidemaro Fujibayashi justified the vague placement with the previous idea of keeping it open to players' imaginations.<ref name="TimelineUpdate" /> Nintendo moved Link's Awakening to take place before Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages.<ref name="TimelineUpdate" /> In 2020, Nintendo released Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, a gameplay-wise sequel to the 2014 spin-off game Hyrule Warriors, set 100 years before Breath of the Wild,<ref name=":1" /> but with the events of Age of Calamity diverging from the backstory established in Breath of the Wild, ostensibly creating an alternate timeline separate from it. However, events depicted within Age of Calamity unrelated to its use of time travel differ from events established in Breath of the Wild and its supplementary art book, Creating a Champion - such as Link pulling the Master Sword during the events of Age of Calamity, when he was previously established to have obtained it in his youth - rendering Age of Calamity wholly non-canonical.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023 Tears of the Kingdom, a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, was released;<ref>Template:Cite interview</ref> it depicts the Imprisoning War as taking place shortly after Hyrule's founding by the Zonai king, Rauru.<ref>Template:Cite video game</ref> In 2025 Echoes of Wisdom was added to the timeline after Tri Force Heroes and before The Legend of Zelda.<ref name="Timeline"/> Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment takes place during the events of Tears of the Kingdom, where Zelda was sent back in time to when Hyrule was founded and fights in the Imprisoning War. To date, it is the only canonical Hyrule Warriors game.
Characters
Link
The central protagonist of The Legend of Zelda series, and the primary player character of every individual game except for Echoes of Wisdom, Link is the name of various Hylian young men or boys who characteristically wear a green tunic and a pointed cap, and are the bearers of the Triforce of Courage. In most games, the player can give Link a different name before the start of the adventure, and he will be referred by that given name throughout by the non-player characters (NPCs). Miyamoto said in a 2002 interview that he named the protagonist "Link" because the character is/was supposed to be the "link" between the player and the game world. The various Links each have a special title, such as "Hero of Time", "Hero of Winds" or "Hero of the Wild". Like many silent protagonists in video games, Link does not speak and only produces grunts, yells, and similar sounds, but he is not muteTemplate:Snddialogue from him is referenced second-hand by in-game characters, despite not being seen or heard by the player. Link is depicted as a silent protagonist so that the audience is able to have their own thoughts as to how their Link would answer the characters instead of him having scripted responses.
Princess Zelda
Princess Zelda is the princess of Hyrule and the guardian of the Triforce of Wisdom. Her name is present in many of her ancestors and descendants. She sometimes plays a supporting role in battle, using magical powers and weapons such as Light Arrows to aid Link. She was not playable in the main series until Spirit Tracks, where she becomes a spirit and can possess a Phantom Knight that can be controlled by the player, and becomes the primary playable character in Echoes of Wisdom, in which Link is largely absent and Zelda does not speak. Zelda appears under various other aliases and alter egos, including Sheik (in Ocarina of Time) and Tetra (in The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass). In Skyward Sword, it is revealed that the Zelda of that game is a reincarnation of the goddess Hylia, whose power flows through the royal bloodline. The name "Zelda" derives from the American novelist Zelda Fitzgerald.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Ganon
Ganon, also known as Ganondorf in his Gerudo form, is the final boss in a slight majority (12 out of 21, including Demise) of The Legend of Zelda games. In the series, Ganondorf is the leader of a race of desert brigands called the Gerudo, which consists entirely of women save for one man born every one hundred years. He is significantly taller than other human NPCs, but his looks vary between games, often taking the form of a monstrous anthropomorphic boar. His specific motives vary from game to game, but most often, he seeks the complete Triforce, a powerful magical relic, part of it often in the possession of Link and Zelda. He often possesses a portion of the Triforce called the Triforce of Power, which gives him great strength, but it is often not enough to accomplish his ends, leading him to hunt the remaining Triforce pieces. Unlike Link, Zelda, and most other recurring characters, he is actually the same person in every game, with the exception of Four Swords Adventures, where he is a reincarnation of the original. In each game the battles with him are different and he fights using different styles. The game Skyward Sword indicates that Ganon is a reincarnation of a Demon King known as Demise.
Main series
Template:Timeline of release years
1986–1997: 2D origins
The Legend of Zelda, the first game of the series, was first released in Japan in February 1986, on the Famicom Disk System.<ref name=Historia>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Page needed A cartridge version for the Nintendo Entertainment System, using battery-backed memory, was released in 1987 in the United States on August 22, and in Europe on November 27. The game features a "Second Quest", accessible either upon completing the game, or by registering one's name as "ZELDA" when starting a new quest. The "Second Quest" features different dungeons and item placement, and more difficult enemies.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
The second game, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, was released for the Famicom Disk System in Japan in January 1987,<ref name=Historia />Template:Page needed and for the Nintendo Entertainment System in Europe in September 1988 and North America in December 1988. The game exchanged the top-down perspective for side-scrolling (though the top-down point of view was retained for overworld areas), and introduced RPG elements (such as experience points) not used previously or thereafter in the series.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>Template:Failed verification
A Link to the Past returned to the top-down view and added the concept of an alternate dimension, the Dark World. The game was released for the Super NES in November 1991.<ref name=Historia />Template:Page needed A Link to the Past was re-released for the Game Boy Advance in 2002. The SNES version was later re-released on the Wii Virtual Console in January 2007, on the Wii U Virtual Console, and on Nintendo Classics.
The next game, Link's Awakening, for Nintendo's Game Boy, is the first Zelda for a handheld, and the first set outside Hyrule and to exclude Princess Zelda. Link's Awakening was re-released, in full color, as a launch game for the Game Boy Color in 1998 as Link's Awakening DX. This remaster features additions such as an extra color-based dungeon and a photo shop that allows interaction with the Game Boy Printer. Link's Awakening DX was released on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in June 2011. An HD remake of Link's Awakening was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1998–2001: Transition to 3D
The series made the transition to 3D with Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64, which was released in November 1998. This game, initially known as Zelda 64 and in development for the Japanese-only 64DD before converting to cartridge format when the hardware was delayed,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> retains the core gameplay of the previous 2D games. A new gameplay mechanic, lock-on targeting, enables more precise sword fighting in a 3D space by focusing the camera on a nearby target and alters the player's actions relative to that target.<ref>* Template:Cite book</ref> The game heavily uses context-sensitive button play, having the player control various actions, each handled slightly differently, using only one button on the controller (e.g. standing next to a block and pressing A would make Link grab it, enabling him to push orpull it, but moving forwards into a block and tapping A has Link climb the block). The game debuted Link's horse, Epona, allowing Link to travel quickly across land and fire arrows from horseback. Ocarina of Time was very successful commercially and critically, considered by many critics and gamers to be the best video game of all time, and ranking highly on IGN and EGMTemplate:'s "greatest games of all time" lists, as well as scoring perfect scores in several video game publications.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In February 2006, it was ranked by Nintendo Power as the best game released for a Nintendo console.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The cancelled 64DD expansion for Ocarina of Time, known as Ura Zelda during development, was re-released on the GameCube in 2002 as a pre-order incentive for The Wind Waker in the U.S., Canada and Japan.<ref name="Zelda Bonus Disc">Template:Cite web</ref> Named Ocarina of Time Master Quest, the game was given reorganized dungeon layouts for greater difficulty.<ref name="Zelda Bonus Disc" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Europe would receive this "Two-Game Bonus Disc" free in every copy of The Wind Waker, except for the discounted Player's Choice version. Ocarina of Time was available through the Wii<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Wii U's respective Virtual Console services and Ocarina of Time has been made available through Nintendo Classics in HD resolution on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Ocarina of Time 3D for the Nintendo 3DS, featuring remade graphics and stereoscopic 3D, was released in June 2011.
Ocarina of TimeTemplate:'s follow-up, Majora's Mask, was released in April 2000. It uses the same 3D game engine as the previous game,<ref name="IGN MM review">Template:Cite web</ref> and added a time-based concept, in which Link relives the events of three days as many times as needed to complete the game's objectives. It was originally called Zelda Gaiden,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a Japanese title that translates as Zelda Side story. Gameplay changed significantly; in addition to the time-limit, Link can use masks to transform into creatures with unique abilities. While Majora's Mask retains the graphical style of Ocarina of Time, it is also a departure, particularly in its atmosphere. It features motion-blur, unlike its predecessor. The game is darker in tone,<ref name="IGN MM review" /> dealing with death and tragedy in a manner not previously seen in the series, and has a sense of impending doom, as a large moon slowly descends upon the land of Termina to destroy all life. Majora's Mask was available on the Wii and Wii U Virtual Console catalogues. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D was released for 3DS in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia in February 2015. The Nintendo 64 version was added to Nintendo Classics in February 2022.
Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages were released simultaneously for the Game Boy Color in 2001, and interact using passwords<ref name="Pelland 124">Template:Cite book</ref> or a Game Link Cable.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> After one game has been completed, the player is given a password that allows the other game to be played as a sequel.<ref name="Pelland 124" /> They were developed by Flagship in conjunction with Nintendo, with supervision from Miyamoto. After the team experimented with porting the original The Legend of Zelda to the Game Boy Color, they decided to make an original trilogy<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> to be called the "Triforce Series".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> When the password system linking the three games proved too troublesome, the concept was reduced to two games at Miyamoto's suggestion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> These two games became Oracle of Ages, which is more puzzle-based, and Oracle of Seasons, which is more action-oriented.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Both titles were later released on the 3DS Virtual Console and Nintendo Classics.
2002–2005: Introduction of Toon Link and multiplayer
The Game Boy Advance release of A Link to the Past in 2002 featured a new game, Four Swords,<ref name="Historia" />Template:Page needed the first multiplayer Zelda. This game introduced Toon Link, a name first used in Super Smash Bros. Brawl to refer to cartoon-based visual designs of Link. Four Swords Anniversary Edition<ref name="IwataAsksZelda25">Template:Cite web</ref> was released in September 2011, as free DSiWare available until February 20, 2012.
The Wind Waker, a 3D cel-shaded game also featuring Toon Link, was released in Japan in December 2002, and the US and Europe in 2003. The gameplay centers on controlling wind with a baton called the Wind Waker and sailing a small boat around an island-filled ocean, retaining similar gameplay mechanics as the previous 3D games in the series. The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition, released for the GameCube in 2003,<ref name="bare_url">Template:Cite web</ref> included the original The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and a demo of The Wind Waker. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD was released for Wii U in 2013.
Four Swords Adventures was released for the GameCube in early 2004 in Japan and America, and January 2005 in Europe. Based on the handheld Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures was another deviation from previous Zelda gameplay, focusing on level-based and multiplayer gameplay. The game contains 24 levels and a map screen; there is no connecting overworld. For multiplayer features, each player must use a Game Boy Advance system linked to the GameCube via a Nintendo GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable. The game features a single-player campaign, in which using a Game Boy Advance is optional. Four Swords Adventures includes two gameplay modes: "Hyrulean Adventure", with a plot and gameplay similar to other Zelda games, and "Shadow Battle", in which multiple Links, played by multiple players, battle each other. The Japanese and Korean versions include an exclusive third segment, "Navi Trackers", which contains spoken dialogue for most of the characters.
In November 2004 in Japan and Europe, and January 2005 in America, Nintendo released The Minish Cap for the Game Boy Advance. In The Minish Cap Link can shrink in size using a mystical, sentient hat named Ezlo. While shrunk, he can see previously explored parts of a dungeon from a different perspective, and enter areas through otherwise-impassable openings. It was later released on the Wii U Virtual Console and Nintendo Classics.
2006–2011: Motion and touch-based swordplay
In November 2006, Twilight Princess was released as the first Zelda game on the Wii. It was later released in December as the last Nintendo-published game for the GameCube, the console for which it was originally developed. The Wii version features motion controls and a reversed world where everything that is in the west on the GameCube is in the east on the Wii. The display is mirrored in order to make Link right-handed to make use of the Wii Remote feel more natural for the majority of players. The game chronicles the struggle of a young adult Link to confront the troubles of the "Twilight Realm", a mysterious force that appears around and interacts with Hyrule. When he enters this realm, he is transformed into a wolf, and loses the ability to use his sword, shield or other items, but gains other abilities such as sharpened senses from his new form. Twilight Princess includes an incarnation of Link's horse, Epona, for fast transportation, and features mounted battle scenarios including boss battles that were not seen in previous games. Twilight Princess diverted from the cel-shading of Wind Waker, integrating graphics featuring more detailed textures, giving the game a darker atmosphere. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD was released for Wii U in 2016.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Phantom Hourglass was released in June 2007 in Japan and October in North America and Europe for the Nintendo DS. It had a cel-shaded 3D graphical design with top-down gameplay and gameplay optimised for the DS' touch screen. It was later released on the Wii U Virtual Console.
The next Legend of Zelda game for the DS, Spirit Tracks, was released in December 2009. In this game, the "spirit tracks", railroads which chain an ancient evil, are disappearing from Hyrule. Zelda and Link go to the Spirit Tower (the ethereal point of convergence for the tracks) to find out why, but villains Cole and ByrneTemplate:Efn steal Zelda's body for the resurrection of the Demon King. Rendered disembodied, Zelda is left a spirit, and only Link (and a certain few sages) can see her. Together they go on a quest to restore the spirit tracks, defeat the Demon King, and return Zelda to her body. Using a modified engine of that used in Phantom Hourglass, the notably new feature in this game is that the Phantom Guardians seen in Phantom Hourglass are, through a series of events, periodically controllable by Zelda. It was later released on the Wii U Virtual Console.
Skyward Sword for the Wii was in development since the end of 2000s.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The game, the earliest in the Legend of Zelda timeline, reveals the origins of Hyrule, Ganon (here known as Demise), and many elements featured in previous games; it uses Wii's MotionPlus feature as well. It was released in November 2011. An HD remaster, with optional button-only controls, was released for Nintendo Switch in 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2013–present: Open-world emphasis
In 2013, Nintendo released A Link Between Worlds for the Nintendo 3DS, a sequel to A Link to the Past.<ref>Template:Cite interview</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Progression is more open-ended than previous titles, with the possibility of completing many of the game's dungeons in any order. Certain dungeon obstacles require the use of rented or purchased items.<ref name="asks lbw"/>
Tri Force Heroes, a cooperative multiplayer game, was released for the 3DS in October 2015.<ref name="IGN reveal">Template:Cite web</ref>
Breath of the Wild was released in March 2017, as the last Nintendo-published game for the Wii U and a launch title for the Nintendo Switch.<ref name="ZeldaNX">Template:Cite web</ref> Similar to the original The Legend of Zelda, players are given little instruction and can explore the world freely. The world is designed to encourage exploration and experimentation and the main story quest can be completed in a nonlinear fashion.<ref name="rethink conventions"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> An enhanced port was released as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2 worldwide in June 2025.
A Breath of the Wild sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, was released on the Switch in May 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> New to Tears of the Kingdom are the battery-powered Zonai devices, which the player can use for combat, propulsion, and exploration. The game also features the new abilities to fuse materials together, ascend through ceilings, reverse objects' movement through time, and autobuild structures.<ref name="gamespot totk"/> An enhanced port was released as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2 worldwide in June 2025.
Echoes of Wisdom, which features Zelda as the main protagonist, was released in September 2024 for the Switch.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Spin-off games
As the franchise has grown in popularity, several games have been released that are set within or star a minor character from the universe of The Legend of Zelda but are not directly connected to the main The Legend of Zelda series or its core timeline.<ref name="Timeline"/><ref name="encyclo spinoffs">Template:Cite book</ref>
Three Zelda-themed LCD games were created between 1989 and 1992.Template:Efn The Game & Watch game Zelda was released first in August 1989 as a dual-screen handheld electronic game. It was re-released in 1998 as a Toymax, Inc. Mini Classic and was later included as an unlockable extra in Game & Watch Gallery 4, a 2002 compilation for the Game Boy Advance. While the Game & Watch Zelda was developed in-house by Nintendo, the subsequent two LCD games were developed by third parties under license by Nintendo. In October 1989, The Legend of Zelda was developed by Nelsonic as part of its Game Watch line. This game was an actual digital watch with primitive gameplay based on the original Legend of Zelda. In 1992, Epoch Co. developed Zelda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Triforce for its Barcode Battler II console. The game employed card-scanning technology similar to the later-released Nintendo e-Reader.
Three video games were developed and released on CD-i in the early 1990s as a product of a compromise between Philips and Nintendo, after the companies failed to develop a CD-ROM peripheral for the Super NES. Created independently with no observation by or influence from Nintendo, the games are Link: The Faces of Evil, Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon, and later, Zelda's Adventure. Nintendo never acknowledged them in the Zelda timeline,Template:Efn and they are considered to be in a separate, self-contained canon. These games are widely acknowledged to be the worst installments in the series, though have since gained a cult following in the form of internet memes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Satellaview games from The Legend of Zelda series (1995–1997) are spin-offs, not listed on core timelines of the franchise.<ref name="Timeline"/><ref name="encyclo spinoffs"/>
Other spin-off games include RPG Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, its sequel Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love, and Balloon Fight rerelease Tingle's Balloon Fight for the Nintendo DS. All of these star Tingle.<ref name="tingle and warriors">Template:Cite book</ref>
Though also stated to be in the world of Twilight Princess, The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia considers the rail shooter game Link's Crossbow Training for the Wii to be a spin-off.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Hyrule Warriors is a spin-off<ref name="tingle and warriors"/> and a crossover game developed by Omega Force and Team Ninja which combined the setting of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series and the gameplay of Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors series. It was released in North America in September 2014 for Wii U. Hyrule Warriors Legends, a version for the Nintendo 3DS containing more content and gameplay modifications, was released in March 2016. The Nintendo Switch game Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition was released on the Nintendo Switch in 2018 and contained content from both the Wii U and 3DS versions.
To commemorate the launch of the My Nintendo loyalty program in March 2016, Nintendo released My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, a nonogram puzzle game in the Picross series developed by Jupiter for download to the Nintendo 3DS.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Cadence of Hyrule, developed by Brace Yourself Games and released in June 2019 for the Nintendo Switch, is an officially licensed crossover of Zelda with Crypt of the NecroDancer.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, developed by Omega Force, shares the hack-and-slash style of the spin-off game Hyrule Warriors.Template:Efn<ref name="HWAonuma">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Age of Calamity was released in November 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref>
A Zelda-themed variant of Vermin was included on the limited edition Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda unit, released in 2021. This special edition of the Game & Watch also included The Legend of Zelda, The Adventure of Link, and Link's Awakening.
A third Hyrule Warriors game, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment takes place during the events of Tears of the Kingdom, where Zelda was sent back in time to when Hyrule was founded and fights in the Imprisoning War. Age of Imprisonment was released in November 2025.
Cancelled games
In 2001, Nintendo partnered with Capcom subsidiary Flagship to concurrently release The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages for the Game Boy Color. The original plan, however, was to release three titles concurrently, but one title, The Legend of Zelda: Mystical Seed of Courage, had to be cancelled due to technical issues arising from complications related to the interconnected nature of the titles.<ref name="Miyamoto Speaks">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="IGN Third profile">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Close Nintendo collaborator Retro Studios did preliminary work on two separate Zelda pitches. Heroes of Hyrule would have been a Nintendo DS game that would have combined the traditional gameplay of the series with that of tactical role-playing games like Final Fantasy Tactics. They additionally proposed an action game for the Wii starring Sheik that would have explored the origins of the Master Sword. Both were cancelled after being rejected by Nintendo.<ref name="eurogamer1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="eurogamer2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="nintendolife1">Template:Cite web</ref>
Reception
Template:Expand section Template:Video game series reviews
The Legend of Zelda series has received outstanding levels of acclaim from critics and the public. Ocarina of Time, Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have each received a perfect 10/10 score by Edge magazine.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> All four plus Wind Waker also received a 40/40 score (10/10 by four reviewers) by Famitsu magazine,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> making Zelda one of the few series with multiple perfect scores. Ocarina of Time was listed by Guinness World Records as the highest-rated video game in history, citing its Metacritic score of 99 out of 100.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Individual games in the Zelda series were also recognized as the most critically acclaimed games on the Nintendo 64,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Game Boy Advance,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and 3DS,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and in the open-world genre.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> With Link appearing in nine of the 100 highest-rated games on Metacritic Template:As of (all of them in the Zelda series), he is listed by Guinness World Records as the "most critically acclaimed videogame playable character".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Computer and Video Games awarded The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess a score of 10/10.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> A Link to the Past has won Gold Award from Electronic Gaming Monthly. In Nintendo PowerTemplate:'s Top 200 countdown in 2004, Ocarina of Time took first place, and seven other Zelda games placed in the top 40.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Twilight Princess was named Game of the Year by X-Play, GameTrailers, 1UP, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Spacey Awards, Game Informer, GameSpy, Nintendo Power, IGN, and many other websites. The editors of review aggregator website GameRankings gave Ocarina of Time its highest aggregate score.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Game Informer has awarded The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds and Breath of the Wild with scores of 10/10. Phantom Hourglass was named DS Game of the Year by IGN and GameSpy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Airing in December 2011, Spike TV's annual Video Game Awards gave the series the first ever "Hall of Fame Award", which Miyamoto accepted in person.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Ocarina of Time and its use of melodic themes to identify different game regions has been called a reverse of Richard Wagner's use of leitmotifs to identify characters and themes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Ocarina of Time was so well received that sales increased for real ocarinas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> IGN praised the music of Majora's Mask for its brilliance despite its heavy use of MIDI.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It has been ranked the seventh-greatest game by Electronic Gaming Monthly, whereas Ocarina of Time was ranked eighth.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The series won GameFAQs Best Series Ever competition.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
As of March 2025, The Legend of Zelda franchise has sold {{#expr:6.51+4.38+7.43+10.29+14.04+6.80+3.96+2.82+6.80+1.76+10+4.76+2.96+7.82+4.26+1.36+34.51+21.73+4.09}} million copies, with the original The Legend of Zelda being the fourth best-selling NES game of all time.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The series was ranked as the 64th top game (collectively) by Next Generation in 1996.<ref name="NG1996">Template:Cite book</ref> In 1999, Next Generation listed the Zelda series as number 1 on their "Top 50 Games of All Time", commenting that Zelda series had always more gameplay and innovations than most other titles in their series.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> According to Empire magazine, with "the most vividly-realised world and the most varied game-play of any game on any console, Zelda is a solid bet for the best game series ever".<ref>Kennedy, Colin, "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Review" Template:Webarchive, Empire.</ref>
The Legend of Zelda franchise has garnered the most Game of the Year nominations in the history of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' D.I.C.E. Awards with eight (Ocarina of Time,<ref name="interactive.org">Template:Cite web</ref> Majora's Mask,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Wind Waker,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Twilight Princess,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Skyward Sword,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A Link Between Worlds,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Breath of the Wild,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Tears of the Kingdom<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>); two of them, Ocarina of Time<ref name="interactive.org"/> and Breath of the Wild,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> would go on to win the top honor during their respective awards ceremonies.
Legacy
Multiple members of the game industry have expressed how Zelda games have impacted them, including Rockstar Games founder and Grand Theft Auto director, Dan Houser, who said that Zelda and Mario games on Nintendo 64 greatly influenced them in developing Grand Theft Auto series, as well in other 3D games in general.<ref name="Americana">Template:Cite interview</ref> Rockstar founder and Grand Theft Auto director Sam Houser also cited the influence of Zelda, describing Grand Theft Auto III as "Zelda meets Goodfellas".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Ōkami director and PlatinumGames founder Hideki Kamiya said that he has been influenced by The Legend of Zelda series in developing the game, citing A Link to the Past as his favorite game of all time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Soul Reaver and Uncharted director, Amy Hennig (formerly of Crystal Dynamics and Naughty Dog), cited Zelda as inspiration for the Legacy of Kain series, noting A Link to the PastTemplate:'s influence on Blood Omen and Ocarina of TimeTemplate:'s influence on Soul Reaver.<ref name="IASIG">Template:Cite web</ref> Soul Reaver and Uncharted creator, Richard Lemarchand, also cited A Link to the PastTemplate:'s approach to combining gameplay with storytelling as inspiration for Soul Reaver.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Wing Commander and Star Citizen director, Chris Roberts (Origin Systems and Cloud Imperium Games), cited Zelda as an influence on his action role-playing game, Times of Lore.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Dark Souls series creator Hidetaka Miyazaki named A Link To The Past as one of his favorite role-playing video games.<ref name="edge"/> Ico director Fumito Ueda cited Zelda as an influence on Shadow of the Colossus.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Miyazaki also described The Legend of Zelda as a sort of textbook for 3D action games.<ref name="RollingStone">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Lionhead Studios founder Peter Molyneux stated that the Twilight Princess is one of his favorite games and an influence for the Fable series.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Darksiders director David Adams (Vigil Games) cited Zelda as an influence on his work.<ref name="gamespot-legacy">Template:Cite web</ref> Prince of Persia and Assassin's Creed director Raphael Lacoste cited The Wind Waker as an influence on Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> CD Projekt Red cited the Zelda series as an influence on The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.<ref>Episode #478 – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Interview with CD Projekt Red Template:Webarchive (48:45)</ref> Majora's Mask served as the primary influence on Alex Hall's web series Ben Drowned.<ref name="Kotaku Defined">Template:Cite web</ref> Final Fantasy and The 3rd Birthday director Hajime Tabata cited Ocarina of Time as inspiration for the open world of Final Fantasy XV.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Crossovers
The Legend of Zelda series has crossed over into other Nintendo and third-party video games, most prominently in the Super Smash Bros. series of fighting games published by Nintendo. Link appears as a fighter in Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64, the first entry in the series, and is part of the roster in all subsequent releases in the series as well. Zelda (who can transform into Sheik), Ganondorf, and Young Link (the child version of Link from Ocarina of Time) were added to the player roster for Super Smash Bros. Melee, and appeared in all subsequent releases except for "Young Link" (who is later replaced by "Toon Link" from The Wind Waker, in subsequent releases Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U). Sheik becomes a separate playable character from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U onwards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="smash ency">Template:Cite book</ref> Both Young Link and Toon Link appear in the fifth installment, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Other elements from the series, such as locations and items, are also included throughout the Smash Bros. series, including Assist Trophies, where computer-controlled versions of characters in the Zelda series including Tingle, Skull Kid, Midna, and Skyward Sword antagonist Ghirahim can fight as an ally.<ref name="smash ency"/> Outside of the series, Nintendo allowed for the use of Link as a playable character exclusively in the GameCube release of Namco's fighting game Soulcalibur II.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Link, using a design based on Skyward Sword, appears as a playable character in Mario Kart 8 via downloadable content (DLC), along with a Hyrule Circuit racetrack themed on The Legend of Zelda series.<ref name="Franchises coming to MK8">Template:Cite web</ref> The first pack is named after the series. In a post-launch update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Link and his vehicle received alternate styles based on Breath of the Wild.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World, a DLC stage based on The Legend of Zelda series was released in March 2014, named "The Legend of Zelda Zone". It was built around the core gameplay mechanics of Sonic Lost World, with some elements from the Zelda series, including a heart-based vitality meter, rupee collection, and a miniature dungeon to explore.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In other media
TV series
Template:See also A 13-episode American animated TV series, adapted by DiC and distributed by Viacom Enterprises, aired in 1989.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The animated Zelda shorts were broadcast each Friday, instead of the usual Super Mario Bros. cartoon which was aired during the rest of the week.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The series loosely follows the two NES Zelda games (the original The Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link), mixing settings and characters from those games with original creations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The show's older incarnations of both Link and Zelda appeared in various episodes of Captain N: The Game Master during its second season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
A live-action television series had been in development around 2015, as reported from an anonymous Netflix employee to The Wall Street Journal. The program was a joint effort between Netflix and Nintendo, and was said to be aimed as a family-friendly version of Game of Thrones.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Further details of this series went sparse until 2021 when Adam Conover gave an interview regarding his College Humor period. There, the College Humor team had been planning a skit that would have combined Star Fox with Fantastic Mr. Fox and had even talked to Miyamoto on the project. Conover said that they were told about a month into the project that Nintendo had requested they stop all work on the project as a result of the leak related to the live-action Zelda show; Nintendo, already protective of its IP, had pulled many external projects including the live-action show.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Print media
Template:See also Valiant Comics released a short series of comics featuring characters and settings from the Zelda cartoon as part of their Nintendo Comics System line. Manga adaptations of many entries in the series, including Template:As of A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, Four Swords Adventures, The Minish Cap, Phantom Hourglass, and Twilight Princess have been produced under license from Nintendo, primarily written and drawn by Japanese artist duo Akira Himekawa. These adaptations do not strictly follow the plot of the games from which they are based and may contain additional story elements.
A number of official books, novels, and gamebooks have been released based on the series as well. The earliest was Moblin's Magic Spear, published in 1989 by Western Publishing under their Golden Books Family Entertainment division and written by Jack C. Harris. It took place sometime during the first game. Two gamebooks were published as part of the Nintendo Adventure Books series by Archway, both of which were written by Matt Wayne. The first was The Crystal Trap (which focuses more on Zelda) and the second was The Shadow Prince. Both were released in 1992. A novel based on Ocarina of Time was released in 1999, written by Jason R. Rich and published by Sybex Inc. under their Pathways to Adventure series. Another two gamebooks were released as part of the You Decide on the Adventure series published by Scholastic. The first book was based on Oracle of Seasons and was released in 2001. The second, based on Oracle of Ages, was released in 2002. Both were written by Craig Wessel. In 2006, Scholastic released a novel as part of their Nintendo Heroes series, Link and the Portal of Doom. It was written by Tracey West and was set shortly after the events of Ocarina of Time.
In 2011, to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the series, an art book, Hyrule Historia, was published in Japan by Shogakukan. It was followed by an international release by Dark Horse Books in 2013. It contains concept art from the series's conception to the release of Skyward Sword in 2011 and multiple essays about the production of the games, as well as an overarching timeline of the series. It also includes a prequel manga to Skyward Sword by Akira Himekawa.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The English-language release took the number one spot on Amazon's sales chart, taking the spot away from E. L. James's 50 Shades of Grey trilogy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Dark Horse released The Legend of Zelda: Art & Artifacts, a follow-up art book to Hyrule Historia containing additional artwork and interviews,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in North America and Europe in February 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Music
Taking place in Cologne, Germany, on September 23, 2010, the video game music concert Symphonic Legends focused on music from Nintendo and, among others, featured games such as The Legend of Zelda. Following an intermission, the second half of the concert was entirely dedicated to an expansive symphonic poem dedicated to the series. The 35-minute epic tells the story of Link's evolution from child to hero.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the series in 2011, Nintendo commissioned an original symphony, The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses. The show was originally performed in the fall of 2011 in Los Angeles and consists of live performances of much of the music from the series.<ref name="USAToday-symphony">Template:Cite news</ref> It has since been scheduled for 18 shows so far throughout the United States and Canada.<ref name="USAToday-symphony" /><ref name="symphony-website">Template:Cite web</ref> Nintendo released a CD, The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Special Orchestra CD. Featuring eight tracks from live performances of the symphony, the CD is included alongside the special edition of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for the Wii. Nintendo later celebrated The Legend of ZeldaTemplate:'s 30th anniversary with an album which was released in Japan in February 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Nintendo Music streaming service included soundtracks from eight Zelda games Template:As of for subscribers to Nintendo Switch Online to stream and listen to, including The Legend of Zelda, A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, Ocarina of Time 3D, Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Merchandise
The Legend of Zelda-themed Monopoly board game was released in the United States in September 2014.<ref name="monopoly1">Template:Cite web</ref> A Clue board game in the style of The Legend of Zelda series was released in June 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A UNO-styled The Legend of Zelda game was released in February 2018, exclusively at GameStop in North America.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A limited edition Zelda 25th anniversary 3DS was released in December 2011, in Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Film
Template:Main In 2007, Imagi Animation Studios, which had provided the animation for TMNT and Astro Boy, created a pitch reel for a computer-animated The Legend of Zelda film. Nintendo did not accept the studio's offer due to the memory of the failure of the 1993 live-action film adaptation of Super Mario Bros.<ref name="ZeldaMovieReel">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2013, Aonuma said that, if the development of a film began, the company would want to use the opportunity to embrace audience interaction in some capacity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In June 2023, it was said that Nintendo was close to closing a deal with Illumination and Universal Pictures to produce a film adaptation of the franchise following the success of their film, The Super Mario Bros. Movie,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri denied these reports later that month.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
By November 2023, Nintendo was developing a live-action Legend of Zelda film with Sony Pictures, which will co-finance and distribute it worldwide.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Wes Ball has been attached to direct, with Derek Connolly writing the script, and Miyamoto and Avi Arad will be producing alongside Ball and his producing partner Joe Hartwick Jr. through their Oddball Entertainment company.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In July 2025, Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth had been cast as Zelda and Link respectively.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The film was scheduled for worldwide release on March 26, 2027,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which was later changed to May 7.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Filming began in New Zealand in November 2025 and will continue until April 2026.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Notes
References
External links
Template:The Legend of Zelda Template:Main franchises by Nintendo Template:Portal bar Template:Authority control