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The Legend of Zelda (1986)

Nintendo R&D4

Family Computer · Family Computer Disk System · Nintendo 3DS · Nintendo Entertainment System · Wii · Wii U

3.73 from 2919 ratings

6110 members have it in their collection · 201 playing now · 1189 backlogged · 576 wish listed

How long? Main story 10h · with extras 6h · 100% 10h (from 49 logged playthroughs)

The Legend of Zelda is the first title in the Zelda series, it has marked the history of video games particularly for it's game mechanics and universe. The player controls Link and must make his way through the forests, graveyards, plains and deserts of the Otherworld to find the secret entrances to the eight dungeons and try to restore the … Read more
The Legend of Zelda is the first title in the Zelda series, it has marked the history of video games particularly for it's game mechanics and universe. The player controls Link and must make his way through the forests, graveyards, plains and deserts of the Otherworld to find the secret entrances to the eight dungeons and try to restore the broken Triforce. Among the game's mechanics, it was the first time we saw a continuous world that could be freely explored, power-ups that permanently enhanced the main character's abilities and a battery save feature that allowed players to keep their progress instead of having to start over. The gameplay balanced action sequences with discovery, secrets and exploration. Read less
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Details

Developers
Nintendo R&D4
Publishers
Nintendo, Playtronic
Genres
Adventure
Themes
Action, Fantasy, Open world
Franchises
The Legend of Zelda
Series
The Legend of Zelda
Event
Nintendo Direct 6.21.2012

Release dates

  • Feb 21, 1986 (Full Release) (Japan) Family Computer Disk System
  • Aug 22, 1987 (Full Release) (North_America) Nintendo Entertainment System
  • Nov 15, 1987 (Full Release) (Europe) Nintendo Entertainment System
  • Feb 19, 1994 (Full Release) (Japan) Family Computer
  • Sep 1994 (Full Release) (Brazil) Nintendo Entertainment System
  • Nov 19, 2006 (Full Release) (North_America) Wii
  • Dec 02, 2006 (Full Release) (Japan) Wii
  • Dec 07, 2006 (Full Release) (Australia) Wii
  • Dec 08, 2006 (Full Release) (Europe) Wii
  • Mar 31, 2009 (Full Release) (Korea) Wii
  • Dec 22, 2011 (Full Release) (Japan) Nintendo 3DS
  • Apr 12, 2012 (Full Release) (Europe) Nintendo 3DS
  • Jul 05, 2012 (Full Release) (North_America) Nintendo 3DS
  • Aug 28, 2013 (Full Release) (Japan) Wii U
  • Aug 29, 2013 (Full Release) (North_America) Wii U
  • Aug 29, 2013 (Full Release) (Europe) Wii U
  • Feb 03, 2016 (Full Release) (Korea) Nintendo 3DS

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Featured in lists

Games Everyone Should Play At Least Once by Roach · 155 games · 5
Game of the Year: 1985-2025 by anarchistica · 40 games · 3
The Legend of Zelda - Ranked by lingsdook · 33 games · 3
Short Games by Roach · 42 games · 2
NSO Classics Collection - NES by Roach · 84 games · 2
Zeldathon Extravaganzafest by cakeatjobs · 6 games · 1

Rating distribution

5 stars
761
4 stars
949
3 stars
921
2 stars
240
1 star
48
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Community All Reviews Statuses

TatskyNuki

Status TatskyNuki Jul 27, 2021

On my second playthrough to clean up some achievements before Second Quest, time includes my first playthrough as well.

I think the exploring, enemy design for the most part, and combat is still really good. Yes they're tank controls but the enemies are designed around those tank controls. Wizzrobes are still the most infuriating for their high damage output but …

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On my second playthrough to clean up some achievements before Second Quest, time includes my first playthrough as well.

I think the exploring, enemy design for the most part, and combat is still really good. Yes they're tank controls but the enemies are designed around those tank controls. Wizzrobes are still the most infuriating for their high damage output but the sword is not the only weapon in your toolset, and I think people are scared to use non-sword weapons (like the the wand is insanely useful for a while!). I think it's still a satisfying game to play at heart.

Darknuts still terrify me when they're jam packed in a small room with little places to go. Bombs away!

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4 Comment Permalink
scoopings

Status scoopings Jul 19, 2021

After being all proud of myself for not using savestates in Level 6, I gave in and used savestates for Level 8 (the insane Darknuts + fireball-shooting statue part). I can only imagine the Second Quest.... but I gotta...

1 Comment Permalink
scoopings

Status scoopings Jul 18, 2021

this is getting really addictive. put off my other games to finish it heh. the right amount of length, esp with a guide. worried about the "quest 2" part tho or whatever. but will give it a try when i get there

4 Comment Permalink
scoopings

Status scoopings Jul 17, 2021

wait am I missing something? this seems crazy short, but the completion times say 13-20 hours?

1 Comment Permalink
GigaDeathNullGolem

Status GigaDeathNullGolem Mar 28, 2021

"What began as a simple PC remake of the NES game has expanded into something far more, with numerous custom campaigns, remakes of the obscure BS Zelda games (released only in japan for the Satellaview addon) and custom graphics, enemies, scripts and even full campaigns available as fan-made content. I don't know how they continue to get away with it, …

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"What began as a simple PC remake of the NES game has expanded into something far more, with numerous custom campaigns, remakes of the obscure BS Zelda games (released only in japan for the Satellaview addon) and custom graphics, enemies, scripts and even full campaigns available as fan-made content. I don't know how they continue to get away with it, but fans of the original NES Zelda owe it to themselves to check this one out." https://www.zeldaclassic.com/

there is also a community of content builders (mods) for this called PureZC https://www.purezc.net/

now isn't a good time for me but definitely sounds cool and leaving a status here so as to hopefully make a reminder to check it out.

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0 Comment Permalink
Taiyed311

Status Taiyed311 Jan 24, 2021

I grew up playing the original Legend of Zelda and it's easily one of my favorite games of all time. The problem is, I've played it enough that I know where everything is. Fortunately, I found a way to mix things up for what I hope will be like a completely new Zelda game!

I put the game through two …

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I grew up playing the original Legend of Zelda and it's easily one of my favorite games of all time. The problem is, I've played it enough that I know where everything is. Fortunately, I found a way to mix things up for what I hope will be like a completely new Zelda game!

I put the game through two different randomizers and will be streaming it this morning over on my Twitch channel at 11am MT! https://www.twitch.tv/starshines4

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0 Comment Permalink
internpepper

Status internpepper Nov 12, 2020

It's so good! Exploring Hyrule is still awesome today. The dungeons, bosses, and items to collect are memorable throughout the journey.

0 Comment Permalink
plasmasnake

Status plasmasnake Jun 22, 2020

Finished after a couple of dives into dungeon 9 to get the ring and arrow upgrades, then went in a final time with a red potion, had to use it once. Missed one of the bomb upgrades and never got the blue boomerang.

0 Comment Permalink
plasmasnake

Status plasmasnake Jun 22, 2020

Beat this on the NES originally, and now with the help of a walkthrough (not interested in bombing walls or lighting random bushes on fire to find secrets) I'm ready to take on the last dungeon. So far only have needed a red potion to get through dungeon 6, and will buy another for this one.

0 Comment Permalink