Zelda Turns 40! Gamers Reveal Their Most Unforgettable Hyrule Moments!

Okay, folks, buckle up, because we’re about to dive deep into the world of Hyrule! This year marks the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, and here at IGN, that’s kind of a big deal. We're not just talking about a series we casually enjoy – for many of us, Zelda is practically a family member. It's the reason we keep coming back to gaming, and especially to Nintendo. And trust me, that's saying something in this industry!

Zelda Turns 40! Gamers Reveal Their Most Unforgett...

The evidence is pretty clear. Think about this: since 1996, we've bestowed a perfect 10/10 score on seven different Zelda games. That's more than any other franchise ever. Last year, Tears of the Kingdom rightfully snagged our Game of the Year award in what was a fiercely competitive year. And if you look at our list of the 100 Greatest Games of All Time from 2021? Breath of the Wild sits right at the very top. It’s a testament to a series that consistently reinvents itself, redefining entire genres with each new installment. Honestly, how many franchises can even dream of doing that once, let alone repeatedly?

So, to celebrate four decades of heroism, dungeons, and enough Cuccos to give anyone nightmares, we decided to share some personal Zelda origin stories from within IGN. One of our editors, and I won't name names (cough, Brian, cough), had a rather *unconventional* introduction to Hyrule via The Adventure of Link. Now, most people might run screaming from that NES sequel, considering its, shall we say, "unique" difficulty curve. But for Brian, it sparked a lifelong obsession. He admits he had to resort to some, ahem, *extensive* use of save states on Nintendo Switch Online to actually beat it. But even today, those classic pixelated illustrations still get his imagination running wild. Though he also admits the urge to replay is quickly stifled by the memory of its frustrating gameplay – can't win 'em all!

Another editor, whose identity I will also protect (let's just call him "Dave," which is *totally* not his name), shared a tale that involves a sacred pilgrimage to a now-defunct Toys ‘R’ Us. Apparently, weeks of painstakingly saved allowance culminated in a clandestine operation to procure a copy of the game. It was smuggled home like forbidden treasure! He still claims his parents have no idea about the sacrifices made that day. He wanted me to specifically add: "Dad, if you're reading this, it was the *other* Brian Altano at IGN, not your son, who would never steal lunch money for a video game. What a coincidence there are two of us here, right?".

And finally, yet another editor’s earliest memory of Zelda involves witnessing Toon Link's final blow in The Wind Waker. I'm talking about seeing the Master Sword plunge into Ganondorf's skull. He was only four years old at the time! He said it was a surprisingly shocking, almost gruesome moment for him. The fact that he remembers it so vividly speaks volumes about the lasting impact Zelda has had on an entire generation of gamers. These are just a few of the stories that highlight why Zelda continues to hold such a special place in our hearts. Happy 40th, Hyrule! Here's to many more adventures to come.