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Entertainment • Video Games

The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda is a long-running action-adventure video game franchise developed and published by Nintendo.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Legend of Zelda is a long-running action-adventure video game franchise developed and published by Nintendo. The series typically follows the hero Link as he protects the kingdom of Hyrule and rescues Princess Zelda from the villain Ganon or Ganondorf. It centers on exploration, dungeons, puzzles, and combat.

Overview

The Legend of Zelda is an action-adventure franchise centered on exploration, dungeons, puzzles, and combat. Its stories usually involve Link opposing Ganon or Ganondorf to protect Hyrule and Princess Zelda.

Characters

Link is the usual playable hero, Zelda is the titular princess, and Ganon or Ganondorf is the main antagonist in many games. The series uses these figures across many different timelines, settings, and reincarnations.

Series history

The franchise began in 1986 with the original *The Legend of Zelda* for Nintendo’s Family Computer Disk System. Since then, the series has expanded into many mainline games, remakes, and spin-offs.

Cultural impact

The series is widely regarded as one of Nintendo’s most influential and successful franchises. It has sold more than 150 million copies combined according to Britannica.

Key facts

  • The franchise began with the 1986 release of *The Legend of Zelda*.
  • Most entries are set in the fantasy kingdom of Hyrule.
  • Players usually control Link, while Zelda is a recurring central character.
  • The series often involves the Triforce, a sacred relic tied to major story conflicts.
  • Nintendo has developed and published the series primarily.
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Canadian context

The franchise is widely available in Canada through Nintendo platforms and is part of the mainstream video game culture familiar to Canadian players.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Legend of Zelda?
A long-running action-adventure video game franchise from Nintendo, usually about Link exploring Hyrule, solving puzzles, and fighting Ganon to protect Princess Zelda.
Who is Zelda?
Zelda is the titular character of the series, usually portrayed as the princess of Hyrule and a central figure linked to the story’s conflicts and the Triforce.
What is the newest Zelda game?
The newest major released Zelda game in the sources provided is *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom*, released in 2023.
Is Zelda a princess?
Yes. In the main series, Zelda is usually Princess Zelda, the princess of Hyrule.
How many Zelda games are there?
The sources indicate there are 21 mainline games in the series, plus remakes and spin-offs; an exact total depends on whether those are counted.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda
    Supports: Series premise, Hyrule setting, Link, Zelda, Ganon, and Triforce details
  2. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/sports-and-leisure/legend-zelda-video-game-franchise
    Supports: Nintendo-developed action-adventure franchise overview and 1986 debut
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda_(video_game)
    Supports: Original 1986 game, Hyrule setting, Link rescuing Princess Zelda, and development credits
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Legend-of-Zelda
    Supports: Franchise description, Link/Zelda/Ganon roles, and sales figure; notes Tears of the Kingdom release in 2023
  5. French Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda
    Supports: Statement that 21 main-series games are officially part of the saga