Overview and Gameplay
Ganon has seized the Triforce of Power, and Link must recover eight scattered pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom before entering the final labyrinth to rescue Princess Zelda. The Legend of Zelda combines real-time combat with open exploration across Hyrule, where caves, merchants, secret passages, and nine dungeons reward observation and experimentation.
Progress comes through Heart Containers, stronger swords, defensive rings, and tools such as bombs, the boomerang, bow, candle, recorder, raft, and stepladder. Completing the first quest unlocks a harder Second Quest with relocated secrets and completely redesigned dungeons.
Controls And Mechanics
- Move Link in four directions and attack enemies with the sword.
- Use the selected inventory item, including bombs, boomerangs, arrows, and other tools.
- Open the inventory to choose equipment, and pause play when needed.
- At full health, the sword fires a ranged beam. The shield automatically blocks many frontal projectiles while Link is not attacking.
- This is a single-player adventure with no multiplayer mode.
Version Notes
This USA PRG1 revision is the later North American program version. It adds a trademark mark to the title screen and a reset-button warning intended to protect battery-backed save data. The NES cartridge edition uses English text and replaces the Japanese Famicom Disk System microphone interaction against Pols Voice with an arrow weakness.
Release And Credits
- NES release year: 1987
- Developer: Nintendo R&D4
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Original platform: Famicom Disk System
- Japanese title: The Hyrule Fantasy: Zelda no Densetsu
