Although this is the first game in the Zelda series, The Legend of Zelda was the third one I played. Like most people, I only got into it after A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time. I actually finished it while playing Ocarina of Time, as the latter deepened my interest in Zelda’s lore and reactive gameplay elements.
That being said, I wouldn’t recommend playing The Legend of Zelda without some form of guidance. I initially attempted to go through it without a guide or an overworld map, but after several hours filled with frustration, I realized the game was never designed to be played that way. When it was first released on the Nintendo Entertainment System, it came with a map and instructions to help players navigate its world. Nintendo Power must have come in handy as well.
Playing The Legend of Zelda was one of the best gaming experiences I’ve had in a while. You take control of Link, the hero of Hyrule, on a quest to collect eight fragments of the Triforce hidden within eight different underworld dungeons. Only after gathering these fragments and braving the ninth dungeon can you defeat the evil Ganon, who has captured Princess Zelda. More than just an open-world adventure game, the first few hours of The Legend of Zelda feel like a survival game, where every decision matters. The world is your teacher.
Even with the help of a guide or a friend, the game constantly puts you in grueling situations. Only after acquiring extra heart containers, the White Sword, and the expensive Magical Shield does survival start to feel a little more manageable. At times, I felt jealous of players who originally experienced the game in its early days, drawing their own maps and exploring Hyrule with friends. It must have been a truly social experience—charting dungeons, navigating the shores, and uncovering the game’s hidden secrets together. I just love how old games brought people together without an internet connection. Yes, this is me channeling my inner boomer energy.
The Legend of Zelda is one of the most surprising games I’ve played in terms of ingenuity. The variety of tools at Link’s disposal made me appreciate its game design even more, especially compared to many contemporary AAA titles. It also gave me insight into why many players still prefer classic games over today’s big-budget extravaganzas. The sheer number of enemy types I encountered throughout Hyrule and its dungeons simply blew my mind—I never expected such variety from an early NES game.
That said, the game isn’t without its flaws. Aside from its steep learning curve and lack of direction, I found some enemy balancing issues frustrating. Enemies like Wizzrobes and Darknuts often felt unfairly overpowered, especially when they appeared in groups. In many cases, getting through those encounters without losing a Red Potion was nearly impossible. I lost count of the number of times I had to leave a dungeon half-alive, desperately farming for rupees just so I could buy another potion and attempt it again—I suppose Hyrule and India have this in common. But I endured, and I was rewarded for my perseverance. It was truly a demanding but fulfilling experience.
I never imagined I would actually get around to playing the Zelda franchise. I always hoped I would one day, but it felt like a daunting task. Playing Ocarina of Time changed that—it gave me a newfound appreciation for Zelda’s lore, characters, and world. And I’m really glad that The Legend of Zelda was the first game in the series I got to complete. It remains one of the most grueling, satisfying, and entertaining games I’ve played to date. Anyone interested in experiencing a rich, challenging retro title should take a journey through Hyrule alongside our hero in the green tunic.
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