The Best Nintendo Game Every Year 1983 - 2024

39. 1986 - The Legend of Zelda

the legend of zelda pols voice
Nintendo

By the time 1986 rolled around, with the NES now appearing around the world, the Famicom was really hitting its stride with massive franchises like Metroid, Castlevania and Dragon Quest taking their first steps.

With so much new IP, the closest to a sure thing was the next release from Super Mario genius Shigeruo Miyamoto. And so, Nintendo sold over a million copies in Japan on the game’s release day, and one million fans went home with a game which changed the industry forever: The Legend of Zelda.

Console games had never been this involving before, demanding players immerse themselves in its top-down world (which came printed on a paper map) in order to get the most out of it. Hyrule was as diverse as an 8bit experience could be, filled with dangers to conquer but also mysteries that rewarded a player’s curiosity. The ability to go on an adventure from your own home summoned an unmatched sense of wonder.

More than a genre, The Legend of Zelda created a tone and a feeling that gamers sought after. 

 
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Coming from a content creation background that now spans over two decades, Psy cut her teeth on personal video production and community radio. Originally joining the team as a writer and presenter, she added video editing duties to her responsibilities over time and became the longest-standing editor of the irreverent gaming show Tues Your Own Adventure. Psy has worked on many previews and reviews, long-form editorials (either her own, or supporting as an editor), as a frequent quizmaster and more. Praised for the two-pronged attack of her hard work ethic and light-hearted editing style, Psy is otherwise known as a font of retro video game knowledge which has caused her to rack up many quiz wins. Outside of WhatCulture, Psy runs First Aid Spray Podcast - a long-running channel that focuses on Resident Evil in all of it's forms. You can follow her on BlueSky at http://psywhite.bsky.social and Instagram at http://instagram.com/therealpsywhite