The Legend of Zelda NES
Recent eBay Listings
- Nintendo NES the Legend of Zelda Gold Game Cartridge 1985 Edition £260.70
- Nintendo The Legend of Zelda Classic NES Gold Cartridge Bag £31.90
- Zelda 2 The Adventure Of Link NES Nintendo Cartridge Only PAL £44.99
- Zelda 2 The Adventure Of Link NES Nintendo Cartridge PAL B £54.99
- Nintendo Zelda FC Game Original Nintendo The Legend of Zelda NES Cartridge £119.44
- THE LEGEND of ZELDA 1 NES Nintendo Famicom Cartridge Only From Japan £54.79
Price History
| Date | Avg Price | Low | High | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-05 | £90.13 | £19.03 | £260.70 | 10 |
| 2026-04-04 | £74.82 | £28.00 | £260.70 | 10 |
| 2026-04-03 | £96.14 | £27.99 | £260.70 | 10 |
| 2026-04-02 | £97.55 | £27.92 | £260.70 | 10 |
| 2026-04-01 | £80.18 | £28.00 | £260.70 | 10 |
| 2026-03-31 | £66.63 | £19.06 | £260.70 | 10 |
| 2026-03-30 | £63.64 | £18.95 | £260.70 | 10 |
| 2026-03-29 | £63.64 | £18.95 | £260.70 | 10 |
| 2026-03-28 | £86.87 | £18.95 | £260.70 | 10 |
| 2026-03-27 | £84.52 | £18.85 | £260.70 | 10 |
| 2026-03-26 | £65.05 | £18.80 | £260.70 | 10 |
| 2026-03-25 | £64.69 | £18.74 | £260.70 | 10 |
Screenshots
Game History
The Legend of Zelda was developed by Nintendo EAD (Entertainment Analysis & Development) and directed by Shigeru Miyamoto, with significant creative contributions from Takashi Tezuka and Eiji Aonuma. The game was produced by Hiroshi Yamauchi and released on February 21, 1986, in Japan for the Nintendo Famicom, followed by an August 1986 North American release for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
The game received exceptional critical acclaim upon launch, with reviewers praising its innovative open-world design, puzzle complexity, and engaging gameplay. It became a significant commercial success, helping to revitalize the North American video game market following the 1983 crash. The NES version sold over 6.5 million copies worldwide during its lifetime, establishing the Zelda franchise as a cornerstone of Nintendo's portfolio.
The Legend of Zelda is historically significant for collectors due to its status as one of the most influential games ever made and a foundational title in the action-adventure genre. First editions and variants, particularly those in pristine condition with original packaging and documentation, command premium prices in the collector's market. The gold cartridge variant released in North America has become particularly sought after and iconic.
An interesting development story involves the game's creation process. The original concept was heavily influenced by Miyamoto's experiences exploring the surrounding countryside near his home, inspiring the non-linear world exploration that was revolutionary for the era. The team worked iteratively, with the overworld design developed partly through trial and error to create an engaging exploration experience.
The game included an instruction manual that was itself groundbreaking—it contained hand-drawn maps and detailed hints, establishing a template for adventure game documentation. Additionally, The Legend of Zelda was one of the first NES games to feature battery backup saving, allowing players to preserve progress, which was a significant technical innovation for home console gaming at the time.