Nintendo’s Very First Legend of Zelda Sequel Made a Bold Move That Still Impacts the Series Today

by

As The Legend of Zelda nears its 40th anniversary, the first game remains a classic success for the original Nintendo Entertainment System. Over the decades, the series has evolved in exciting ways, from the distinctive art styles of games like The Wind Waker and The Twilight Princess, to the seamless blend of gameplay and story in A Link to the Past, and the innovative mechanics of Tears of the Kingdom. By consistently introducing fresh ideas, The Legend of Zelda has become a truly one-of-a-kind franchise in the world of gaming.

A key part of the Zelda series has always been its willingness to try new things, and this started very early on with the second game, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. This game continued Link’s story, challenging him to wake Princess Zelda and stop Ganon’s return. Though it sounds like a typical sequel, the developers weren’t afraid to take chances and experiment with the game’s design. While not everyone’s favorite, Zelda II had a lasting impact, shaping every future Zelda game by emphasizing the need for innovation and creative evolution.

The Legend Of Zelda Sequel Was A Completely Different Game From The First One

Released in Japan on January 14, 1987, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link came to other countries the next year. Unlike the original Legend of Zelda, which featured simple top-down gameplay, The Adventure of Link offered a completely different experience. It switched between an overworld map and side-scrolling levels, with combat similar to games like Castlevania. The game introduced several new features, including experience points to level up Link, a variety of magical spells, and a unique life system not seen in later Zelda games. Players could also find magical items and complete side quests to learn new spells.

The sequel was a significant change from the original, and that was intentional. Shigeru Miyamoto, who helped create the first game, returned with a mostly new development team, including writer Takashi Tezuka. While the basic ideas remained the same, the sequel featured more complex combat, a more expansive story, and the first suggestions of the repeating storyline that would become a key part of the series.

Rather than just continuing the story, The Adventure of Link felt like a fresh take on the Legend of Zelda series, significantly changing how it handled action, exploration, and creating its world. Though it kept the same universe as the original game, it was a fundamentally different experience. While it was well-received upon release, modern players are sometimes more critical of the changes it made compared to the first game. They often prefer the way later sequels, like A Link to the Past, built upon and refined the original gameplay.

Legend Of Zelda Has Always Thrived On Innovation

Although it stands out from most Zelda games, The Adventure of Link proved that trying new things was crucial for the series. It introduced several ideas that would become staples in later games, such as magical weapons and special abilities. While the limited lives system didn’t stick around, the concept of improving Link’s skills – something more common in role-playing games – eventually returned in Breath of the Wild with features like the stamina wheel.

As the series moved into 3D, battles became more focused on strategy, and well-timed actions like blocking and swinging became crucial. The world of Hyrule also expanded significantly, becoming more detailed with characters players could interact with, learn from, and get quests from in later games.

The way Legend of Zelda games have evolved in both storytelling and visual style demonstrates how much the series can change while still feeling distinctly like Zelda. The Adventure of Link, even after nearly forty years, proved that innovation is central to the series’ ongoing success. While later games would take even bigger risks, none of that progress would have been possible if the original sequel hadn’t been so open to trying new things.

Read More

2026-01-14 22:14