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<figcaption class="caption"><em class="credit">Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life</em></figcaption>
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<p>Last year, many of us exclaimed, 'Wait, Mario is <em>how old?</em>' as we celebrated the 40th anniversaries of both Mario and the NES. Now, it’s time to do the same for Link.</p>
<h2>The Legend of Zelda Turns 40</h2>
<p>Today marks the 40th anniversary of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/nes/legend_of_zelda">The Legend of Zelda</a> (in Japan, anyway). On <strong>February 21, 1986</strong>, Nintendo unveiled the enchanting world of Hyrule, featuring heroic princesses, mystical triangles, and fearsome foes. This was our first encounter with Koji Kondo's unforgettable theme, replaced last minute after discovering that Maurice Ravel's 'Boléro' was unavailable, and the iconic line "It's dangerous to go alone! Take this." Without this landmark title, many beloved games could have never come to be. Therefore, this 40th birthday is one we definitely should celebrate.</p>
<h2>Shigeru Miyamoto's Inspirations</h2>
<p>We've often heard how Shigeru Miyamoto drew inspiration from his childhood adventures exploring the woods and caves near his home to create the game. His desire to replicate that sense of exploration is exactly what Zelda delivers.</p>
<h2>Breaking the Norms of Gaming</h2>
<p>Unlike Nintendo's preceding hit, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/nes/super_mario_bros">Super Mario Bros.</a>, which focused on a linear left-to-right gameplay style resembling the quick-fix arcade model, Zelda broke the mold. Launched alongside the Famicom Disk System (also celebrating its 40th), it offered players an expansive open world, with treasures hidden in dungeons and no strict guidance on what to do next. This innovative format was truly ahead of its time.</p>
<h2>A Familiar Yet Timeless Tale</h2>
<p>The story behind Zelda echoes classic fairy tales and high fantasy traditions established by authors like Tolkien. It tells a timeless narrative of good triumphing over evil as an elfin boy gathers magical stones, defeats a tyrannical prince, saves the princess, and restores harmony to the realm. Its simplicity is part of its charm. And did Tolkien ever write a sequel to his story? <em>Oh wait</em>...</p>
<h2>A Game Ahead of Its Time</h2>
<p>Remarkably, the original Zelda still holds up today. While it may not possess the same expansive feel as titles like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/legend_of_zelda_breath_of_the_wild">Breath of the Wild</a> or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch-2/elden-ring-tarnished-edition">Elden Ring</a>, you can see Nintendo's influence in each of these modern games when revisiting this first glimpse of Hyrule.</p>
<h2>Reflecting on Our First Encounters</h2>
<p>Over the years, it has been easy to access the original game through various platforms, whether via Game Boy Advance or GameCube collections, Virtual Consoles, or the Nintendo Switch Online service. Every format introduces a new generation to The Legend of Zelda. So, as we celebrate this significant milestone, we’d love to hear about your first experience with the game.</p>
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