When The Legend of Zelda launched on the NES in 1986, it introduced players to a vast fantasy world unlike anything before. With dungeons, puzzles, and open exploration, it became one of the most influential games in history.
But behind the adventures of Link and Princess Zelda are plenty of fascinating secrets. Here are 10 fun facts about The Legend of Zelda that even longtime fans may not know.
1. The First Save System on NES
Zelda was the first NES game to include a battery-backed save system, letting players record progress instead of writing down passwords.
2. Inspired by Shigeru Miyamoto’s Childhood
Game designer Shigeru Miyamoto based the game’s exploration on his childhood adventures wandering forests and caves in rural Japan.
3. Zelda Was Named After a Famous Author’s Wife
Princess Zelda’s name was inspired by Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of author F. Scott Fitzgerald.
4. Non-Linear Exploration
Unlike most NES games, Zelda allowed players to tackle dungeons in almost any order – a revolutionary concept at the time.
5. The Secret “Second Quest”
After completing the game once, players unlocked a harder Second Quest with different dungeon layouts, doubling replay value.
6. Hidden Warps and Secrets Everywhere
From bombable walls to hidden staircases, Zelda pioneered the concept of secret exploration in home console gaming.
7. Development Began as a Disk Game
The original Zelda was created for the Famicom Disk System in Japan, which allowed saving. The NES cartridge version had to innovate with battery saves.
8. Ganon Wasn’t Always a Pig
Early artwork of Ganon showed him more monstrous and dragon-like before settling into his iconic pig-like design.
9. The Manual Contained Key Lore
Since the NES couldn’t include much story in-game, the original instruction manual contained most of the backstory and world-building.
10. Zelda Sparked an Epic Franchise
The success of the first Zelda launched one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises, with legendary sequels like Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild.
Why The Legend of Zelda Still Matters
With its blend of exploration, puzzles, and hidden secrets, The Legend of Zelda remains one of the most important retro games ever made. It didn’t just entertain – it shaped the future of gaming.
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