The RetroBeat: I finally appreciate Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link has always been the franchise’s black sheep, red-headed step child, insert cliche here. Look, it’s weird, and I never was able to get into it. But thanks to its release on Nintendo Switch Online‘s selection of digital NES games, I gave Zelda II another chance. And I’m finally digging it.

What makes Zelda II so strange? Even reading that name feels bizarre. There’s no “The Legend of.” It’s just Zelda … II. It’s the only numbered sequel in the entire franchise. Back then, when it was only the second Zelda game ever, it made sense. In 2019, that name is bizarre.