The Legend of Zelda 35th anniversary ------------------------------------------ A video game series that’s sold over 110 million units, made “Zelda” a household name and created a multibillion dollar franchise, was released 35 years ago ------------------------------------------ Titular character, somewhat confusingly not game’s protagonist – that task falls to Link Princess Zelda is member of Hyrule royal family. In older games she is often damsel in distress in need of rescuing, but in more recent outings is stronger character who helps Link to defeat game’s antagonists Kingdom of Hyrule is setting for majority of games, including Breath of the Wild, in which its size is vast 360km2 ---------------------------- GAME RELEASES* Year Format† Game title Sales (millions) TBC Switch Untitled Breath of the Wild sequel — 2021 Switch Skyward Sword HD — 2019 Switch Link’s Awakening 4.57 2017 Switch Breath of the Wild 21.45 2017 Wii U Breath of the Wild 1.69 2016 Wii U Twilight Princess HD 1.13 2015 3DS Majora’s Mask 3D 3.28 2015 3DS Tri Force Heroes 1.34 2013 Wii U The Wind Waker HD 2.33 2013 3DS A Link Between Worlds 4.16 2011 3DS Ocarina of Time 3D 6.22 2011 Wii Skyward Sword 3.67 2009 DS Spirit Tracks 2.96 2007 DS Phantom Hourglass 4.76 2006 Wii/GC Twilight Princess 8.85 2004 GBA The Legend of Zelda 0.86 2004 GBA Zelda II: The Adventure of Link 0.66 2004 GC Four Swords Adventures 0.93 2004 GBA Minish Cap 1.76 2003 GC The Wind Waker 4.43 2002 GBA A Link to the Past & Four Swords 2.82 2001 GBC Oracle of Seasons and Ages 3.99 2000 N64 Majora’s Mask 3.36 1998 GBC Link’s Awakening DX 2.22 1998 N64 Ocarina of Time 7.60 1993 GB Link’s Awakening 3.83 1992 SNES A Link to the Past 4.61 1987 NES Zelda II: The Adventure of Link 4.38 1986 NES The Legend of Zelda 6.51 Total game units sold 114.37 ----------------------------- Jul 16, 2021: Skyward Sword HD released for Nintendo Switch. Game is update of 2011 Wii game which tells origin story of Master Sword ----------------------------- Hylian Shield and Master Sword: Invariably hidden in game world. Link can track them down and use them to defeat game’s nemesis, usually Ganon ----------------------------- Soul of legendary hero reincarnated into teenage boy when need arises for him to defeat forces of evil Usual suspect Ganon (above) Triforce: Sacred relic that bestows magical abilities on those who bear it ----------------------------- Feb 21, 1986: The Legend of Zelda released for Nintendo Famicom Disk System (short-lived Japan-only Famicom‡ console peripheral) Jul 14, 1987: Released for NES in North America in cartridge form Nov 15: Cartridge released in Europe Game designed by Mario creator, Shigeru Miyamoto (left) and Takashi Tezuka. Named after high-spirited wife of U.S. author F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda Sayre (right) ----------------------------- †GC = GameCube, GBA = Game Boy Advance, N64 = Nintendo 64, GBC = Game Boy Color, GB = Game Boy, SNES = Super Nintendo Entertainment System, NES = Nintendo Entertainment System *Official canon only – omits spin-offs and titles released on non-Nintendo hardware. ‡Japanese name for NES. Pictures: © Nintendo, Creative Commons Sources: Nintendo, iMore, Zelda Wiki, Zelda Universe, Game Sales Wiki, Hyrule Historia (Dark Horse Books), Mental Floss © GRAPHIC NEWS