This Highly Underrated Zelda Game Should Be Revisited During The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary

Nintendo is celebrating the legacy of The Legend of Zelda series during its 40th anniversary in 2026. But while many gamers are excited to play new releases like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake on Nintendo Switch 2, it’s also a great time for everyone to revisit many classic entries in the franchise.

One of the most underrated entries of the Zelda series comes from its early days on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is a key point in the history of the beloved franchise, standing out as a unique game that is constantly referenced by Nintendo. Unlike the original The Legend of Zelda NES game that established foundational elements to the series, Zelda II dared to mix things up and try something different.

Instead of an overhead view of the action, the game puts players into a 2D sidescrolling perspective when exploring towns and dungeons, similar to Nintendo’s Super Mario series. It is the only entry of the series designed in this way. Other Zelda games that came after went back to the traditional perspective or third-person view for 3D games.

Combat was also in 2D, while implementing a role-playing game inspired leveling system with experience points. Although there was an emphasis on exploration like the rest of the series, the RPG-style leveling never made a return in the games that followed.

To many purist Zelda fans, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is the black sheep that doesn’t fit with the rest of the series. But Nintendo constantly references it in various other games, including the Super Smash Bros. series and even other Zelda titles. Zelda II was even acknowledged during The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Triforce Melody that opened up its September 2026 Nintendo Direct presentation.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link was originally released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in January 1987. Since then, the game has been released on Nintendo digital storefronts multiple times over the years, and is currently part of the Nintendo Switch Online library of NES titles.

source https://www.mensjournal.com/entertainment/this-highly-underrated-zelda-game-should-be-revisited-during-the-legend-of-zelda-40th-anniversary