List of The Legend of Zelda media

The Legend of Zelda is a video game series created by game designers Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka. It is developed and published by Nintendo. The series debuted in Japan with The Legend of Zelda (known in Japan as The Hyrule Fantasy: Zelda no Densetsu) on February 21, 1986, and was later released in North America (August 22, 1987) and Europe (November 27, 1987). The Legend of Zelda video games have been developed exclusively for Nintendo video game consoles and handhelds, dating from the Family Computer Disk System to the current generation of video game consoles. Spin-off titles, however, have been released on non-Nintendo systems. The franchise consists of 27 video games, including original titles, ports, and remakes. Over 52 million copies have been sold since the release of the first game.^[1] The franchise also includes a cartoon adaptation, multiple comic book adaptations, and soundtracks.

The gameplay consists of a mixture of action, adventure, puzzle-solving, and role-playing video game. The series centers on Link, the main protagonist and character controlled by the player. Link is often given the task of rescuing Princess Zelda and the most common setting of the series, Hyrule, from Ganon, the series' primary antagonist. Other minor settings and antagonists have appeared throughout the series; Vaati has become one of the series' newer recurring antagonists. The games in The Legend of Zelda series with two-dimensional (2D) graphics feature side-scrolling or overhead view gameplay, while the games with three-dimensional (3D) graphics give the player a third-person perspective.^[2] The franchise holds several Guinness World Records, including first game with a battery-powered save feature and longest-running action-adventure series.^[3]

Contents 1 Video games 1.1 Main series 1.2 Spin-offs 1.3 Remakes 2 Other media 2.1 Soundtracks 3 References 4 External links

Video games

Main series

The Legend of Zelda Original release date(s):[4][5] JP February 21, 1986 NA August 22, 1987 PAL November 15, 1987	Release years by system: 1986 – Famicom Disk System[4] 1987 – Nintendo Entertainment System[5] 2003 – Nintendo GameCube[6] 2004 – Game Boy Advance[7] 2006 – Virtual Console[8]
	Notes: The first game in The Legend of Zelda series[2] Created by Japanese game designer Shigeru Miyamoto as the "killer app" for the Famicom Disk System[2] Released outside Japan for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, becoming the first game to feature a battery-powered save function[3] Helped popularize the action-adventure genre of video games[2] Known in Japan as The Hyrule Fantasy: The Legend of Zelda (The Hyrule Fantasyゼルダの伝説, The Hyrule Fantasy Zeruda no Densetsu?) Re-released for the Japanese Nintendo Entertainment System as The Legend of Zelda 1 (ゼルダの伝説1?) in 1994[9]
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link Original release date(s):[10][11][12] JP January 14, 1987 PAL September 26, 1988 NA December 1, 1988	Release years by system: 1987 – Famicom Disk System [13] 1988 – Nintendo Entertainment System[11] 2003 – Nintendo GameCube[6] 2004 – Game Boy Advance[14] 2007 – Virtual Console[15]
	Notes: Direct sequel to the first game[16] Shifted the perspective to a side-scrolling view rather than keeping the top-down view of its predecessor[2][16] Fused aspects of role-playing games and platform games[2] Commonly labeled the "black sheep" of the series due to its graphical and gameplay differences from the other games in the franchise[2][3]
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Original release date(s):[17] JP November 21, 1991 NA April 13, 1992 PAL September 24, 1992	Release years by system: 1991 – Super Nintendo Entertainment System[17] 1997 – Satellaview[18] 2002 – Game Boy Advance[19] 2006 – Virtual Console[20]
	Notes: Known in Japan as Zeruda no Densetsu Kamigami no Toraifōsu (ゼルダの伝説 神々のトライフォース?, lit. "The Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods")[21] Introduce two parallel worlds concept to the series.[16] Re-released in North America as part of Nintendo's Player's Choice line[17] Game Boy Advance re-release includes a multi-player portion[16]
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Original release date(s):[22] JP June 6, 1993 NA August 1993 PAL 1993	Release years by system: 1993 – Game Boy[22] 1998 – Game Boy Color[23]
	Notes: Known in Japan as Zeruda no Densetsu Yume o Miru Shima (ゼルダの伝説 夢をみる島?, lit. "The Legend of Zelda: Dreaming Island")[24] First title for Nintendo's handheld consoles[16] Re-released for the Game Boy Color, under the title of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX, with additional elements[16]
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Original release date(s):[25] JP November 21, 1998 NA November 23, 1998 PAL December 11, 1998 CHN November 2003	Release years by system: 1998 – Nintendo 64[25] 2003 – Nintendo GameCube[26] 2003 – iQue Player[27] 2007 – Virtual Console[28] 2011 – Nintendo 3DS[29]
	Notes: The first 3D The Legend of Zelda game[16][30] Sold 7.6 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling title in the series[3] First game to receive a perfect score from Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu[31] Included in The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition[6]
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Original release date(s):[32] JP April 27, 2000 NA October 25, 2000 PAL November 17, 2000	Release years by system: 2000 – Nintendo 64[32] 2003 – Nintendo GameCube[6] 2009 – Virtual Console[33]
	Notes: Takes place after the events of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and uses its game engine[34][35] Features mask that transform the main character[16] First title directed by Eiji Aonuma[16] Included in The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition[6]
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages Original release date(s):[36] JP February 27, 2001 NA May 13, 2001 PAL October 5, 2001	Release years by system: 2001 – Game Boy Color[36]
	Notes: Developed in conjunction with Capcom[16] Features a time travel game mechanic[16] Links with The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons[16][37] Known in Japan as Zeruda no Densetsu Fushigi no Ki no Mi Jikū no Shō (ゼルダの伝説 ふしぎの木の実 時空の章?, lit. "The Legend of Zelda: Nut of the Mysterious Tree: Chapter of Time and Space")[38]
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons Original release date(s):[39] JP February 27, 2001 NA May 13, 2001 PAL October 5, 2001	Release years by system: 2001 – Game Boy Color[39]
	Notes: Developed in conjunction with Capcom[16] Features a game mechanic that changes the season of the year[16] Links with The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages[16][37] Known in Japan as Zeruda no Densetsu Fushigi no Ki no Mi Daichi no Shō (ゼルダの伝説 ふしぎの木の実 大地の章?, lit. "The Legend of Zelda: Nut of the Mysterious Tree: Chapter of Earth")[38]
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords Original release date(s):[40] NA December 3, 2002 JP March 14, 2003 PAL March 28, 2003	Release years by system: 2002 – Game Boy Advance[40]
	Notes: Remake of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Includes a four-player adventure mode[41] Four-player mode introduce multi-player gameplay to the series[16] Re-released in North America under the Player's Choice label[40]
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Original release date(s):[42] JP December 13, 2002 NA March 24, 2003 PAL May 2, 2003	Release years by system: 2002 – Nintendo GameCube[42]
	Notes: Known in Japan as Zeruda no Densetsu Kaze no Takuto (ゼルダの伝説 風のタクト?, lit. "The Legend of Zelda: Baton of Wind")[43] Features cel-shaded graphics[44] Designed to reach a wider range of age groups[45] Re-released in North America and Europe as part of Nintendo's Player's Choice line[42]
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Original release date(s):[46] JP March 18, 2004 NA June 7, 2004 PAL January 7, 2005 AUS April 7, 2005	Release years by system: 2004 – Nintendo GameCube[46]
	Notes: Known in Japan as Zelda no Densetsu Yottsu no Tsurugi Purasu (ゼルダの伝説　4つの剣+?, lit. "The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Plus")[47] Allows for up to four players to play the game using Game Boy Advances and Game Link Cables[48] Carried over stylistic elements from The Wind Waker[16] Re-released in North America as part of Nintendo's Player's Choice line[46]
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap Original release date(s):[49] JP November 4, 2004 PAL November 12, 2004 NA January 10, 2005 AUS April 7, 2005	Release years by system: 2004 – Game Boy Advance[49]
	Notes: Developed by Capcom[16] Introduced a shrinking game mechanic[16] Known in Japan as Zeruda no Densetsu Fushigi no Bōshi (ゼルダの伝説 ふしぎのぼうし?, lit. "The Legend of Zelda: The Mysterious Hat")[50] Released in Europe in a bundled package with a The Legend of Zelda-themed Game Boy Advance SP[49]
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Original release date(s):[51] NA November 19, 2006 JP December 2, 2006 AUS December 7, 2006 PAL December 8, 2006	Release years by system: 2006 – Nintendo GameCube, Wii[51][52]
	Notes: A Wii launch game[53] Release was delayed so it could be ported to the Wii[3] GameCube and Wii versions differ, in that the Wii version supports 16:9 widescreen presentation and horizontally flips the in-game world to make Link right-handed[54] The first in the series to receive a T (Teen) rating[3]
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Original release date(s):[55] JP June 23, 2007 NA October 1, 2007 AUS October 11, 2007 PAL October 19, 2007	Release years by system: 2007 – Nintendo DS[55]
	Notes: Features touchscreen functionality and visuals similar to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker[56] Originally developed as The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords DS[57] Takes place after the events of The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and uses its cel-shaded visuals[56] Also released in a bundled package with a The Legend of Zelda-themed Nintendo DS[55]
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Original release date(s):[58][59][60][61] NA December 7, 2009 AUS December 10, 2009 EU December 11, 2009 JP December 23, 2009	Release years by system: 2009 – Nintendo DS[58]
	Notes: Known in Japan as Zeruda no Densetsu Daichi no Kiteki (ゼルダの伝説　大地の汽笛?, lit. "The Legend of Zelda: The Steam Whistle of Earth")[62] Features touchscreen functionality and visuals similar to The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass[58] Takes place one hundred years after the events of The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass[63]
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Original release date(s):[64] NA November 20, 2011	Release years by system: 2011 – Wii[64]
	Notes: Announced at the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo[65]

Spin-offs

Zelda Original release date(s):[66][67] INT August 1989	Release years by system: 1989 – Game & Watch[66] 1998 – Mini Classic[68]
	Notes: Based on the original The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Entertainment System[66][67] The penultimate Game & Watch handheld released[67] Was included in the Game Boy Advance compilation title Game & Watch Gallery 4[69]
The Legend of Zelda Original release date(s):[70][71] NA October 5, 1989 PAL December, 1992	Release years by system: 1989 – Nelsonic game watch[70]
	Notes: Developed by Nelsonic Industries[70] Based on the original The Legend of Zelda for Nintendo Entertainment System.[70] Features a quartz accurate digital clock and a resettable alarm.[70]
Zelda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Triforce Original release date(s):[72] JP 1992	Release years by system: 1992 – Barcode Battler II[72]
	Notes: Developed by Epoch Co.[72][73] Based on the original The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for Super Nintendo Entertainment System.[74]
Link: The Faces of Evil Original release date(s):[75][76] NA October 10, 1993 PAL October 10, 1993	Release years by system: 1993 – CD-i[75]
	Notes: Developed by Animation Magic[75] Side-scrolling game[16] Nintendo licensed its characters for Philips' game console[16]
Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon Original release date(s):[77][78] NA October 10, 1993 PAL October 10, 1993	Release years by system: 1993 – CD-i[77]
	Notes: Developed by Animation Magic[77] Side-scrolling game[16] Nintendo licensed its characters for Philips' game console[16]
Zelda's Adventure Original release date(s):[79][80] NA January 1, 1995 PAL January 1, 1995	Release years by system: 1995 – CD-i[79]
	Notes: Developed by Viridis[79] Main character is Zelda rather than Link[16] Nintendo licensed its characters for Philips' game console[16]
BS Zelda no Densetsu Original release date(s):[81] (MAP1) JP August 6, 1995 (MAP2) JP December 30, 1995	Release years by system: 1995 – Super NES Satellaview[81]
	Notes: Used the Satellaview peripheral to introduce new elements at specified times[81][82] Re-broadcast in January 1997 as a Player's Choice Classic SoundLink game (あなたが選ぶ名作サウンドリンクゲーム, Anataga Erabu Meisaku SoundLink Game?).[83][84]
BS Zelda no Densetsu: Inishie no Sekiban Original release date(s):[85] JP March 30, 1997	Release years by system: 1997 – Super NES Satellaview[85]
	Notes: Used the Satellaview peripheral to introduce new elements at specified times[82]
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland Original release date(s):[86] JP September 2, 2006 PAL September 14, 2007	Release years by system: 2006 – Nintendo DS[86]
	Notes: Role-playing game featuring Tingle as the main character[87]
Tingle's Balloon Fight DS Original release date(s):[88] JP April 12, 2007	Release years by system: 2007 – Nintendo DS[88]
	Notes: Remake of Balloon Fight featuring Tingle as the main character Released through Nintendo's Japanese Club Nintendo service[89]
Link's Crossbow Training Original release date(s):[90] NA November 19, 2007 PAL December 7, 2007 AUS December 13, 2007 JP May 1, 2008	Release years by system: 2007 – Wii[90]
	Notes: Bundled with the Wii Zapper Shared setting with The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess[91] The second game in the series to receive a T rating[3] Known in Japan as Rinku no Bougan Torēningu purasu Wī Zappā (リンクのボウガントレーニング+Wiiザッパー?, lit. "Link Bowgun Training plus Wii Zapper")
Dekisugi Tingle Pack Original release date(s):[92] JP June 24, 2009	Release years by system: 2009 – DSiWare[92]
	Notes: Contains five Tingle-themed tools: fortune teller, timer, calculator, music program, and coin game[92]
Irozuki Tingle no Koi no Balloon Trip Original release date(s):[93] JP August 6, 2009	Release years by system: 2009 – Nintendo DS[93]
	Notes: Sequel to the 2006 title Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland[92]

Remakes

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX Original release date(s):[94][95] NA October 31, 1998 JP December 12, 1998 PAL January 1999	Release years by system: 1998 – Game Boy Color[94][95]
	Notes: Color remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Includes a new dungeon and new items[96]
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest Original release date(s):[97] JP November 28, 2002 NA February 28, 2003 PAL May 3, 2003	Release years by system: 2002 – Nintendo GameCube[97]
	Notes: Remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time featuring new puzzles in the dungeons Included as a pre-order bonus with The Wind Waker in Japan and North America ; included in the first boxes of The Wind Waker in the PAL-region[98] Began as an expansion to Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64DD under the working title Ura Zelda[99]
The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition Original release date(s):[6][100] PAL November 14, 2003 NA November 17, 2003 JP March 18, 2004	Release years by system: 2003 – Nintendo GameCube[6][100]
	Notes: Includes ports of The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, and a demonstration of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker[6]
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Original release date(s): JP June 16, 2011[101] NA June 19, 2011[102] PAL June 17, 2011[103]	Release years by system: 2011 – Nintendo 3DS
	Notes: Remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time featuring updated graphics and gameplay features. Includes content from Master Quest. Developed by Grezzo[104]
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition Original release date(s):[105] JP September 28, 2011 NA September 28, 2011 PAL September 28, 2011	Release years by system: 2011 – DsiWare[105]
	Notes: Remake of the Four Swords game from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords featuring new dungeons based on classic Zelda games, and wireless multiplayer.

Other media

The Legend of Zelda 1989 – 13-episode animated series[106][107]	Notes: Loosely followed the first game in the series, The Legend of Zelda[106] Released on DVD by Shout! Factory in 2005[106]
Comics from The Legend of Zelda series 1999 – Comic books, manga[108]	Notes: Manga series by Akira Himekawa based on the video games; the first was created in 1999, and the series is being re-released in English by Viz Media.[108] Shotaro Ishinomori created a manga based on A Link to the Past that was featured in Nintendo Power.[109] Ataru Cagiva created manga based on the Zelda series.[110]

Soundtracks

Zelda no Densetsu Sound & Drama June 22, 1994 – Compact Disc[111][112]	Notes: Remixed soundtrack to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past including a radio drama giving Link's backstory. 2-disk, 49-track album released by Sony Records in Japan only.[111][112]
The Legend of Zelda Original Soundtrack 1998 – Compact Disc[113]	Notes: Soundtrack to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 82-track album released by Pony Canyon[113]
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Original Soundtrack March 31, 2003 – Compact Disc[114]	Notes: Released by Columbia Records[114]
Mario & Zelda Big Band Live December 15, 2003 – Compact Disc[115]	Notes: Compilation of various tracks from The Legend of Zelda and Mario series 18-track album released by Columbia Records[115]
Nintendo Sound History Series: Zelda the Music December 27, 2004 – Compact Disc[116]	Notes: Compilation of various tracks from The Legend of Zelda series 70-track album released by Sony Music Entertainment[116]
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Official Soundtrack November 19, 2006 – Compact Disc	Notes: 7-track promotional album released by Nintendo Power to promote Twilight Princess.[117]
The Legend of Zelda EP 2008 – Compact Disc[118]	Notes: 5-track album released by Dwell[118]
25th Anniversary Special Orchestration 2011 – Compact Disc[119]	Notes: 8 tracks Exclusive with Skyward Sword pre-orders and shortly after release.[119]

References

External links

• Official website
• Official website (UK)
• The Legend of Zelda series on Zeldapedia, an external wiki

The Legend of Zelda series Main games The Legend of Zelda The Adventure of Link A Link to the Past Link's Awakening Ocarina of Time 3D Majora's Mask Oracle of Seasons/Ages A Link to the Past & Four Swords The Wind Waker Four Swords Adventures The Minish Cap Twilight Princess Phantom Hourglass Spirit Tracks Skyward Sword Related games LCD games CD-i games Satellaview games Collector's Edition Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland Link's Crossbow Training Irozuki Tincle no Koi no Balloon Trip Universe Characters Link Princess Zelda Ganon Midna Epona Tingle Recurring enemies Media TV series Comics Gamebooks Book Category Portal