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July 29, 2026Short & citedBlog
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How It Works • Games & Tech

The Legend of Zelda

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

Updated July 29, 20261 min readCited sources

The Legend of Zelda is a long-running action-adventure video game franchise from Nintendo. The series follows hero Link protecting Hyrule and Princess Zelda from the villain Ganon.

What it is

The Legend of Zelda is an action-adventure franchise centered on exploration, dungeons, puzzles, and combat. Most entries are set in the fantasy kingdom of Hyrule and involve the sacred Triforce relic. Players usually control Link as the protagonist.

Main characters

Link is the usual playable hero. Princess Zelda is the titular princess and a central figure. Ganon or Ganondorf serves as the main antagonist across many games, with characters often reincarnated across different timelines.

Series history and impact

The franchise began in 1986 with the original game on the Family Computer Disk System. It has expanded to 21 mainline games plus remakes and spin-offs, selling over 150 million copies. The series is widely regarded as one of Nintendo's most influential franchises and is culturally significant in Canada.

In short

  • Action-adventure franchise from Nintendo.
  • Follows Link protecting Hyrule from Ganon.
  • Features iconic characters Link, Zelda, Ganon.
  • Over 150 million copies sold.
Canadian angle

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

Quick 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?
The titular character, usually portrayed as the princess of Hyrule and a central figure linked to the Triforce.
What is the newest Zelda game?
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, released in 2023.

Sources

  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