If you're a fan of classic gaming, there’s no ignoring the impact of the Legend of Zelda NES games. The Nintendo Entertainment System introduced millions of players to the land of Hyrule, and it all started with these two legendary titles.
Let’s take a fun, nostalgic deep dive into Nintendo NES Zelda games history—covering both the 1st Legend of Zelda and its quirky sequel.
The Table of Contents
Where Should You Start with Zelda NES Games?
One of the most common questions from new players and collectors is:
“What’s the correct order to play the Zelda games?”
Our advice:
Start with the originals and play them in release order—oldest to newest.
Sure, the official Zelda timeline from Nintendo is a confusing maze of alternate universes, reincarnations, and time loops. But if you want to experience how the gameplay and storytelling evolved, there’s no better starting point than the NES era.
1. The Legend of Zelda – Nintendo NES (1986)
This is where the magic began. The 1st Legend of Zelda was released on the Nintendo NES in 1986 and revolutionized gaming.
The Inspiration Behind Zelda NES
Game designer Shigeru Miyamoto drew inspiration from his childhood adventures in the wilderness of Sonobe, Japan. Wandering through forests, exploring caves, and discovering hidden paths sparked the design behind Hyrule’s vast overworld.
The name “Zelda”? A nod to novelist Zelda Fitzgerald, chosen because, well… it just sounded cool.
Gameplay Highlights
- Open-World Freedom: Right from the start, you’re dropped into Hyrule with minimal instructions. Armed with only a wooden sword, exploration is key.
- Non-Linear Design: Players choose their own path, tackling dungeons and puzzles in any order they dare.
- Screen-by-Screen Navigation: Each area scrolls one screen at a time, creating a labyrinth of hidden paths and secret rooms.
- Iconic Elements: Princess Zelda, the Triforce, Ganon, and heart containers all make their first appearance here.
How Long Does The First Legend of Zelda Take to Beat?
- First-time players: Expect at least 8–10 hours.
- Speedrunners: Under 30 minutes (seriously).
- Completionists: Easily 20+ hours, especially with the hidden Second Quest, which remixes enemies, dungeon layouts, and item locations after your first playthrough.
Watch our Zelda NES Gameplay: This video covers the first two dungeons from the original Legend of Zelda on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Explore early overworld areas, classic enemy battles, and puzzle-solving gameplay straight from real retro hardware.
2. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link – Nintendo NES (1987)
Next up is Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, released in 1987. Unlike the first game, this one directly continues the story, picking up after Ganon’s defeat.
Princess Zelda is cursed into an eternal sleep, and only the Triforce of Courage can awaken her.
You can even read the full story from Nintendo’s official instruction manual (PDF).
How Zelda II Differs from Other NES Zelda Games
Zelda II was… let’s say… experimental.
Gameplay-wise, it’s completely different from the rest of the series:
- Side-scrolling action (instead of top-down)
- Experience points and RPG leveling
- Separate battle screens with random encounters
- A rectangular health meter instead of heart containers
- A true over-world map plus side-scrolling towns and dungeons
Oh, and it’s the only Zelda game without “Legend” in the title.
Difficulty Level? Brutal.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is infamous for its high difficulty. Dungeons are punishing, level grinding is necessary, and puzzles are often obscure.
Still, for retro fans and series historians, it’s a fascinating, worthwhile (and sometimes frustrating) part of Zelda NES history.
Plus, iconic series elements like Dark Link, NPC towns, and magic meters all debuted here.
Experience Nintendo NES Zelda Games for Yourself
Reading about these classics is fun—but playing them is even better.
Related Reading:
- The Best Nintendo NES RPGs of All Time
- Does Blowing in an NES Cartridge Work?
- Complete Guide to Every 90s Zelda Game
- How to Sell Old Video Games with The Old School Game Vault
Have Old NES Zelda Games to Sell?
Already played your way through these classics? If you’re ready to part with your NES Zelda games, we make the selling process fast and easy.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What was the first Legend of Zelda game?
- The first Legend of Zelda game was simply titled "The Legend of Zelda." It launched for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1986 in Japan and 1987 in North America.
- This game introduced players to Link, Princess Zelda, Ganon, and the Triforce.
What was the first Legend of Zelda game released for the Nintendo Switch?
- The first Legend of Zelda game for the Nintendo Switch was "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," released alongside the Switch console in March 2017.
- Additionally, classic NES Zelda games are available on the Switch via Nintendo Switch Online.
When was the first Legend of Zelda game released?
- The original Legend of Zelda was released on February 21, 1986, in Japan for the Famicom Disk System.
- It arrived in North America in August 1987 for the NES as a gold-colored cartridge.
Which was the first Legend of Zelda game?
- The first game in the series is called "The Legend of Zelda," available on the Nintendo NES.
- It marked the beginning of one of Nintendo’s most iconic franchises.
How many Legend of Zelda games are there?
- As of 2025, there are over 20 mainline Legend of Zelda games, not including spin-offs, remakes, or special editions.
- The series spans from the original NES Zelda games to the latest releases on the Nintendo Switch.
