The Legend of Zelda

Zelda 2017

The Legend of Zelda is a high-fantasy video game series created by Japanese game designers Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka. It is primarily developed and published by Nintendo, although some entries have been outsourced to Capcom, Vanpool, and Grezzo. The series' gameplay incorporates elements of action, adventure, and puzzle-solving games.

The series centers around Link, an elf-like character, often tasked with rescuing Princess Zelda and battling the series' primary antagonist, Ganon, to save their home, the kingdom of Hyrule. A recurring element of the series is the "Triforce," a set of three omnipotent golden triangles. Link is often given the task of rescuing Zelda and the kingdom of Hyrule from Ganon, who is seeking to capture the Triforce.

Since the original The Legend of Zelda was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1986, the series has expanded to include 19 entries on all of Nintendo's major game consoles, as well as a number of spin-offs. An American animated TV series based on the games aired in 1989, and Manga adaptations have been produced in Japan since 1997.

Gameplay

The Legend of Zelda games feature a mixture of puzzles, strategic action, adventure/battle gameplay, and exploration. These elements have remained constant throughout the series, but with refinements and additions featured in each new game. Early games in the series were top-down view, transitioning to 3D graphics with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, which is frequently cited as one of the greatest video games of all time.

Development

The series was created by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, drawing inspiration from Miyamoto's explorations as a young boy in the hillsides, forests, and caves around his childhood home in Sonobe, Japan. The name "Zelda" was inspired by American novelist Zelda Fitzgerald, whose name Miyamoto found pleasant and significant. The first game, The Legend of Zelda, was a pioneering title for the action-adventure genre, introducing non-linear gameplay that has influenced many subsequent video games.

Reception and Legacy

The Legend of Zelda series is one of the most successful and influential in video game history, with many games in the series receiving widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike. It has won numerous awards and has sold over 125 million copies as of 2021. The series is known for its innovative design and pioneering mechanics, which have been adopted by many other games over the years.

Cultural Impact

The Legend of Zelda series has had a significant impact on popular culture and the video game industry. It has inspired a wide range of media, including an animated television series, manga, and merchandise. The series has also been referenced in various movies, TV shows, and other video games. Its influence can be seen in the design and mechanics of many action-adventure games that followed.