Final Fantasy Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · RPG / Action
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1988 (originally 1987) |
| Genre | RPG, Action |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Epic journey (20+ hours of adventure) |
| Series | The Legend of Zelda |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 13 |
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is a role-playing game released in 1988 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Nintendo. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1987. It blends RPG and action elements.
It landed about 3 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1988 include Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Final Fantasy II. Among the 63 NES RPGs in our database, it ranks #8 by legacy score.
It is part of the The Legend of Zelda series; on the NES you can also try The Legend of Zelda. 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.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you want instant action rather than menus, story and grinding
- you are looking for something to play with friends
- you only have a few minutes at a time
What playing Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is like
Role-playing games trade reflexes for strategy and story. You build a party, level up, manage equipment and travel across a large world, usually through menu-based battles.
Tip for newcomers: Retro RPGs can require some level grinding and rarely tell you exactly where to go next. Talk to every townsperson, save often and use a guide if you get stuck: there is no shame in it.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link cheats & codes
187 codes on file (Game Genie, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Link Has Infinite Lives | SZKGKXVK |
|---|---|
| Link Starts With 1 Life | PASKPLLA |
| Link Starts With 6 Lives | TASKPLLA |
| Link Starts With 9 Lives | PASKPLLE |
| Mega-Jump | AZUOLIAL |
| Gain More Than 32,512 EXP For Every Experience Point Gained | YYVIIGAE |
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.
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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.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link FAQ
When did Zelda II: The Adventure of Link come out on the NES?
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988; the original game dates back to 1987.
Who made Zelda II: The Adventure of Link?
It was developed by Nintendo.
Is Zelda II: The Adventure of Link multiplayer?
No. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is a single-player game.
How long does Zelda II: The Adventure of Link take to play?
As a role-playing game, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link typically falls into the "Epic journey" category: 20+ hours of adventure. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Zelda II: The Adventure of Link 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.