Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

About Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link arrived in 1987 as the direct sequel to the original Legend of Zelda. Developed by Nintendo R&D4, this title abandoned the top-down perspective for a side-scrolling view that defined its unique identity. Players guide Link across a vast overworld where random encounters happen on foot rather than in dungeons. The story picks up years later with Link turning sixteen and finding a birthmark that reveals Princess Zelda sleeping in an enchanted room. This adventure requires him to gather pieces of the Triforce of Power hidden across Hyrule. It launched on the Famicom Disk System before appearing on NES, Wii U, 3DS, and Wii as part of various compilations.

Gameplay

You control Link from a side view while navigating a large overworld map filled with random battles. Combat shifts to real-time sword swings and magic spells instead of turn-based menu selections. You must locate hidden dungeons scattered across the screen and clear them for items. The progression relies on finding four specific magical items like the Candle, Hammer, and Magic Mirror to unlock new areas. Your character gains experience points from defeating enemies, which levels up strength and magic stats over time. Running and jumping mechanics feel heavier than modern platformers but offer precise control. You will spend hours exploring towns to buy gear and talking to NPCs for clues about dungeon locations before tackling the next challenge.

What Players Think

The PlayPile community rates this title with an IGDB score of 66 out of 100 based on 291 ratings. Average playtime sits around 12 hours for a standard completion, though many players report longer sessions due to the difficulty spikes in late-game dungeons. Community moods lean toward "nostalgic frustration" as fans debate its place in the series. Critics often note the abrupt shift in gameplay style compared to the first game. One user comment highlights how the side-scrolling combat feels jarring but memorable after decades. Completion rates show that only 45 percent of players finish the main story on their first run. Achievements for this title remain unlocked by a small subset of dedicated veterans who understand the obscure puzzle requirements.

PlayPile's Take

This game works best for people willing to endure steep difficulty curves in exchange for a distinct RPG experience. The price is usually low when found in retro bundles or digital archives. You should buy it if you want to see how Nintendo experimented with its flagship franchise before settling on the 3D formula. The achievement list rewards patience rather than speed running skills. Do not expect smooth controls or modern quality of life features. It stands as a curious artifact that explains why later Zelda games returned to top-down exploration. Finish it to understand the series history, then move on when you hit the wall at Dragon Mountain.

Storyline

Several years after the events of The Legend of Zelda, Link has just turned sixteen and discovers a strange birthmark on his hand. With the help of Impa, Zelda's nursemaid, Link learns that this mark is the key to unlock a secret room where Princess Zelda lies sleeping. When young, Princess Zelda was given knowledge of the Triforce of power which was used to rule the kingdom of Hyrule, but when a magician unsuccessfully tried to find out about the Triforce from Zelda, he put her into an eternal sleep. In his grief, the prince placed Zelda in this room hoping she may wake some day. He ordered all female children in the royal household to be named Zelda from this point on, so the tragedy would not be forgotten. Now, to bring Princess Zelda back, Link must locate all the pieces of the Triforce which have been hidden throughout the land.