Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)

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The Adventure of Link was a video created by Japanese designer Shigeru Miyamoto. It was developed and published by videogame giant Nintendo. Its complete title is Zelda II: The Adventure of Link since it is actually the second game in the Adventure of Zelda Series.

It was initially released in Japan, were it was made, on the Famicom Disk System also known as FDS on January 14,1987. It was later released in an English, North American version almost two years later in December of 1988 on the Nintendo Entertainment System or simply NES. It was also recently re-released on the NES Classic Series for the Game Boy Advance in late 2004 for both Japan and North America.

The game itself is quite intriguing. Similar to the first one and most games in general, the main objective/plot is of course the main character Link out on his journey to find Princess Zelda (different Zelda than in the previous game). The plot is somewhat of a sleeping beauty plot since Princess Zelda was put to sleep earlier. The more in-depth plot is the main character Link having somehow retain the Triforce of Courage from the Great Palace, which, is somewhere on Hyrule’s Eastern Continent. There is on major problem once you reach they palace itself. The palace is heavily guarded by what is known by a “binding force”.

This force can only be broken by placing magic crystals in six other around Hyrule. At the same time, the previous villain, Ganon, who as everyone knows was killed by Link in the previous game has some minions left and they want to obtain Link’s or Ganon’s killer’s blood. If they are successful, this should allow the through a ritual to resurrect their once almighty master. If Ganon returns and Link is gone, there will be know one to save Hyrule and everyone will be under his wrath.

The gameplay was nothing compared to modern times but was quite good for its era and better than its preceded prequel. One significant feature was its slide-scrolling. It also incorporated experience points as did many games of that era and magic spells. The way the experience points worked was that by Link defeating various enemies, he would increase his attack, magic and life points up to level eight which was the highest maximum level. Like most games Zelda II starts off with weaker opponents making it easier at first to increase your level, and as you get stronger so will the opponents and defeating them will be much harder.

The game also allows Link to perform spells, but he has to learn them himself as do other journeys on the side not pertaining to the main one, yet the spells drastically help in the long-run. The Adventure of Zelda is liked especially by extremely loyal fans. They see it as different from all the others in numerous circumstances. For instance, the name itself is Zelda II: Adventure of Link which is the only Zelda game not starting with the start phrase “The Legend of Zelda.” Because of unique things like this, it has stood the test of time even almost 20 years later.