What Is The Legend of Zelda? Nintendo's 40th-Anniversary Action RPG Franchise, Explained by Marine

Article

Forty years in, The Legend of Zelda is still finding new ways to reinvent itself.

A 40-Year Legacy

The Legend of Zelda debuted February 21, 1986, and has sold over 170 million copies worldwide as of September 2025 — Nintendo's third best-selling franchise after Mario and Pokémon. The series marks its 40th anniversary in 2026.

Still Taking Risks

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom made Princess Zelda herself the playable lead character for the first time, showing the series still willing to experiment decades into its run.

What To Know

Zelda reaching its 40th anniversary as Nintendo's third best-selling franchise — while still actively experimenting, like making Princess Zelda herself the playable lead for the first time — shows a series still willing to take real creative risks decades in.

The Legend of Zelda is a Nintendo franchise — see TBM's Nintendo and Super Mario guides for how Zelda fits alongside the company's other flagship series.

What Fans Are Saying

• "170 million copies over 40 years is an incredible legacy."
• "Zelda finally being playable as the lead was such a great moment."
• "Excited to see how they celebrate the 40th anniversary."

Original Japanese

• 「40年で1億7000万本というのは本当にすごい実績です」
• 「ゼルダ姫がついに主人公として操作できるようになったのは感動的でした」
• 「40周年をどう祝うのか楽しみです」

Easy Japanese

ゼルダの伝説は、1986年に始まった任天堂のアクションRPGシリーズです。2026年に40周年を迎えます。