Nintendo Entertainment System · Action-Adventure / RPG
The Legend of Zelda
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1987 (originally 1986) |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, RPG |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Weekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours) |
| Series | The Legend of Zelda |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 16 |
Developed by Nintendo, The Legend of Zelda arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987 as an action-adventure game. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1986. It blends action-adventure and RPG elements.
It landed about 2 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1987 include Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and Mega Man. Among the 68 NES action-adventure games in our database, it ranks #4 by legacy score.
It is part of the The Legend of Zelda series; on the NES you can also try Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. The series also appears on other systems with The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES) and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Game Boy). Nintendo also made Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario Bros. 2 for the NES.
The Legend of Zelda is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for a weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours)
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you want a game you can finish in one short session
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing The Legend of Zelda is like
Action-adventures blend real-time combat with exploration, puzzles and item collection. You open up a larger world gradually as new tools let you reach places you couldn't before.
Tip for newcomers: Keep a mental (or paper) map of locked doors and unreachable ledges; most action-adventures expect you to come back once you find the right item.
The Legend of Zelda cheats & codes
84 codes on file (Game Genie, Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Don't Take Damage From Anything | AVVLAUSZ |
|---|---|
| Create Character With 8 Life Hearts | YYKPOYZZ |
| Create Character With 16 Life Hearts | NYKPOYZX |
| Don't Lose Rubies When Buying | SZVXASVK |
| Infinite Bombs | SZNZVOVK |
| Wear A Blue Ring | ESKUILTA |
The Legend of Zelda walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for The Legend of Zelda.
If you like The Legend of Zelda, the Matrix also picks…
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords Classic Co-op
Metroid Classic
The Battle of Olympus Classic
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
The Legend of Zelda FAQ
When did The Legend of Zelda come out on the NES?
The Legend of Zelda was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987; the original game dates back to 1986.
Who made The Legend of Zelda?
It was developed by Nintendo.
Is The Legend of Zelda multiplayer?
No. The Legend of Zelda is a single-player game.
How long does The Legend of Zelda take to play?
As an action-adventure game, The Legend of Zelda typically falls into the "Weekend project" category: roughly 6–20 hours. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about The Legend of Zelda on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.