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15. After receiving complaints from testers, Miyamoto decided to remove their sword
Originally, Link started with a sword already in his inventory, but testers found the game too difficult. Shigeru Miyamoto’s fix? He took the sword away entirely and added the iconic old man in the cave, encouraging exploration right from the start. | © Nintendo
14. The storyline splits into three distinct timelines
The Legend of Zelda series branches into three distinct timelines, separating from Ocarina of Time. Depending on the outcome, the Hero of Time is defeated – that's one timeline. In the other two, Link is successful in defeating Ganondorf and is either sent back in time again to live out his childhood, kicking off the events we see in Majora's Mask or he stays an adult. | © Nintendo
13. The sword isn’t necessary to complete the game
In the original Legend of Zelda, players don’t even have to take the sword at all. Instead, they can rely on other items to deal damage and only need to grab the weapon when facing the final boss, Ganon, who requires Link to wield it. In Breath of the Wild, you can also completely skip it. | © Nintendo
12. Zelda borrows some elements from Super Mario Bros.
Mario and Zelda were developed at the same time, so these video games shared some ideas during development. The iconic firebars were originally created for Zelda but made their way into Mario, while Mario’s Piranha Plants became Zelda’s Manhandla enemies. | © Nintendo
11. Link’s Awakening was inspired by Twin Peaks
Link’s Awakening drew inspiration from Twin Peaks, as Tezuka wanted Koholint Island to feel like a small town filled with suspicious characters, a vibe that carried into later games like Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask. | © Nintendo
10. Zelda is named after Zelda Fitzgerald
The name Zelda itself comes from Zelda Fitzgerald – an American author and the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Shigeru Miyamoto connects this name with "famous and beautiful woman", which makes it perfect for an iconic princess. | © Nintendo
9. The series is full of symbolism
The Legend of Zelda is a series rich in symbolism, including various hidden religious Easter Eggs. The early version of Zelda even features crosses on shields and even a Bible, sneaking past Nintendo’s symbols policy. | © Nintendo
8. A copy of the original game was sold for $55,000
In 2012, a rare yellow prototype of The Legend of Zelda sold on eBay for an astonishing $55,000, smashing records for NES games. Originally priced at just $50 in stores, this copy has turned into a treasure. | © Nintendo
7. The Legend of Zelda was nearly released as a sci-fi series
The Legend of Zelda could have been a sci-fi epic, as early concepts of this game featured a time-traveling protagonist who used microchips. Just imagine exploring a futuristic Hyrule – Zelda almost went where no elf had gone before. And, I mean, we got the time-traveling shenanigans anyway, right? | © Nintendo
6. Link is partially inspired by Peter Pan
Did you know Link's iconic look was inspired by Disney’s Peter Pan? The designer gave him the green tunic and hat to make him instantly recognizable. | © Nintendo
5. In Japan, the game was given a more fitting name
The game was originally titled The Hyrule Fantasy in Japan, with The Legend of Zelda as the subtitle. This would be a more fitting name for a story about exploring Hyrule rather than focusing on Zelda herself. But we also wouldn't have gotten the running gag of confusing Link for Zelda. | © Nintendo
4. A few years ago, an early prototype of the game leaked online
A few years ago, an early prototype of The Legend of Zelda leaked online, allowing players to glimpse into the early development. This Japanese version is notably easier than the final game, with more accessible money and fewer tough enemies. | © Nintendo
3. All dungeons are named after their shapes
Every dungeon in The Legend of Zelda is shaped like its name. The Lion looks like a lion, The Lizard like a lizard, and so on. Even cooler, the first five dungeons of the Second Quest spell out Z-E-L-D-A. | © Nintendo
2. Zelda was one of the first games to introduce a saving system
The Legend of Zelda has revolutionized gaming by introducing a battery-backed save system, one of the first of its kind. Gone were the days of endless passwords, players could finally quickly save their progress and embark on epic adventures. | © Nintendo
1. Shigeru Miyamoto drew inspiration to create Zelda series from his childhood
The childhood adventures of Shigeru Miyamoto and his exploration of forests, caves, and lakes have inspired the creation of The Legend of Zelda. That sense of wonder and discovery became the series' heart, letting players relive their curiosity in a fantasy world. | © Nintendo
