The Best Nintendo Game Every Year 1983 - 2024
39. 1986 - The Legend of Zelda
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.