What it is
The 1986 classic that invented the action-adventure genre: explore an open Hyrule, find eight dungeon pieces, and defeat Ganon using nothing but your map and your wits.
Releases & editions
| Platform | Year | Edition | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| NES | 1986 | Standard | — |
| GameCube | 2003 | Collector's Edition | — |
| Game Boy Advance | 2004 | Classic NES Series | — |
| Wii | 2006 | Standard | Digital · Virtual Console |
| Nintendo 3DS | 2011 | Standard | Digital · Virtual Console |
| Switch | 2018 | Standard | Digital · Nintendo Switch Online |
Where it sits in the story
Fallen Hero Timeline · fallen branch
Where it sits for newcomers
For fans
The 1986 game that started it all — historically vital, but its sparse, archaic design makes it a poor first Zelda today.
See the full where-to-start guide →