What it is
The unusual 1987 NES sequel where Link navigates a side-scrolling world, levels up RPG stats, and fights enemies in a style completely unlike any other Zelda.
Releases & editions
| Platform | Year | Edition | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| NES | 1987 | Standard | — |
| GameCube | 2003 | Collector's Edition | — |
| Game Boy Advance | 2004 | Classic NES Series | — |
| Wii | 2007 | Standard | Digital · Virtual Console |
| Nintendo 3DS | 2011 | Standard | Digital · Virtual Console |
| Switch | 2019 | Standard | Digital · Nintendo Switch Online |
Where it sits in the story
Fallen Hero Timeline · fallen branch
Where it sits for newcomers
Later
A fascinating but wildly unconventional side-scrolling RPG outlier — nothing else in Zelda plays like it, making it a confusing and frustrating first entry.
See the full where-to-start guide →