The Adventure of Link

The Adventure of Link is the second title in the Legend of Zelda series. Some fans simply call it Zelda II. It was released in 1988 two years after the self-title debut in the franchise on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Immediately, the difference between the first and second games jumps out at gamers. While the first game takes advantage of the overhead system of play, the sequel utilizes the side-scrolling elements common of games released during the time. It has more role-playing elements, earning hit points, psychic points and skills by defeating enemies, battling through dungeons and completing quests.

Zelda II takes place roughly four years after The Legend of Zelda concludes. A 16 year old Link discovers the crest of Hyrule has imprinted itself on the back of his hand and seeks out Impa to help figure out what it means. Impa leads Link to North Castle where he places the back of his hand onto a sealed door containing the symbol. When it opens, he discovers Zelda fast asleep. Impa tells the tale of the "Legend of Zelda" and how her brother tried coercing her to tell him where the Triforce's three pieces were so he could take control of the land.

When Zelda refused, her brother's wizard attempted to murder her but failed, leaving her in a deep sleep. The wizard died in the attack, and her brother kept her hidden in the castle in the hopes that a hero would arrive to awaken her from her sleep. All females born into the royal family were to be named Zelda in her honor he decreed shortly after. Since Link was able to open the secret chamber, Impa believes he is the chosen one and can awaken Zelda. But first, he must return six crystals to their resting places within Hyrule which will guide him into the Great Palace where he can collect the Triforce of Courage, combine it with the two resting with Zelda and awaken her.

I will be honest, The Adventure of Link is hardly one of my favorite Zelda titles to play.  I am not a fan of most side-scrolling games, so this is one of the titles I play very rarely.  However, the interesting thing about Zelda II when you look at it in conjunction with the other titles is that it sets up an interesting mythology about the timeline of the series.  The timeline of Legend of Zelda is one of the most debated and contested aspects among diehard fans of the games.  Since the prince declared all females born in the royally family to be named Zelda, it is possible that other games are actually talking about new incarnations of Zelda and Link down the line.  For me, that bit of mythos is what makes The Adventure of Link a great way to learn more about the overall world of The Legend of Zelda franchise.

Like its predecessor, The Adventure of Link can be played on the original Nintendo Entertainment System or the Gameboy Advance. Zelda II was also released on the Gamecube Collector's Edition disc that was a limited time promotion for signing up for Nintendo Power magazine. It can also be played via the Wii Shop Channel. It can be purchased for play on the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console for 500 Wii Points and simply requires the Wii Remote as its controller.