Editing Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

{{italic title}}
{{Game infobox
|image=[[File:Zelda II box art.jpg|250px]]
|developer=[[Nintendo EAD]]
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|released='''Family Computer Disk System:'''<br>{{Released|Japan|January 17, 1987}} '''Nintendo Entertainment System'''<br>{{Released|USA|October 11, 1988<ref>''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' [[smashwiki:Masterpieces|Masterpieces]]</ref> / December 1, 1988<ref>Rocha, Garitt, and Nick von Esmarch. ''Playing With Power: Nintendo NES Classics''. Page 170.</ref>|Europe|1988}} '''Game Boy Advance'''<br>{{Released|Japan|August 10, 2004|USA|October 25, 2004|Europe|January 7, 2005}} '''Virtual Console (Wii)'''<br>{{Released|Japan|January 23, 2007|Europe|February 9, 2007|Australia|February 9, 2007|USA|June 4, 2007|South Korea|March 31, 2009}} '''Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program''':<br>{{Released|Japan|August 31, 2011|USA|August 31, 2011|Europe|September 1, 2011|Australia|September 1, 2011}} '''Virtual Console (Nintendo 3DS)''':<br>{{Released|Japan|June 6, 2012|Europe|September 13, 2012|Australia|September 13, 2012|USA|November 22, 2012|South Korea|May 4, 2016}} '''Virtual Console (Wii U)''':<br>{{Released|Japan|September 11, 2013|USA|September 12, 2013|Europe|September 26, 2013|Australia|September 26, 2013}}
|genre=Action role-playing, platform
|console=[[Family Computer Disk System]]<br>[[Nintendo Entertainment System]]<br>[[Game Boy Advance]]<br>[[Virtual Console]] ([[Wii]], [[Nintendo 3DS]], [[Wii U]])
|modes=Single player
}}
'''''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link''''' is the second installment of ''[[The Legend of Zelda (series)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' series and a direct follow-up of ''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]''. It was first released in Japan for the [[Family Computer Disk System]] in 1987, and about one year later, in 1988, saw an overseas release on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. Unlike the previous game, it was not re-released for Family Computer in Japan. It is the only game of the main series whose title does not start with ''The Legend of Zelda'', although it is referred to as '''''The Legend of Zelda 2''''' in Japan.

The gameplay of ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' is vastly different from its predecessor, as it primarily features role-playing elements and side-scrolling areas. ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' had less of an influence on the series than the first game, as its gameplay style and features such as [[EXP|experience point]]s and [[lives]] were not reused in subsequent installments of the main series. This is comparable to the Western ''[[mariowiki:Super Mario Bros. 2|Super Mario Bros. 2]]'' of the ''[[mariowiki:Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' series.

''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' introduced some recurring elements, such as [[Shadow Link]], villages and towns, and [[Magic Meter|MAGIC point]]s. Two of the [[Philips CD-i]] spinoffs, ''[[Link: The Faces of Evil]]'' and ''[[Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon]]'', are more based on ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' than the first ''The Legend of Zelda''.

==Story==
[[File:ZII story introduction.png|thumb|left|The story as told from the title screen]]
Several years after [[Ganon]]'s defeat, the now-16-year-old [[Link]] discovers a strange mark on the back of his left hand, in the exact shape of the crest of [[Hyrule]]. Link seeks out [[Impa]], who takes him to the [[North Castle]], where a door has been magically sealed for generations. Impa places the back of Link's left hand on the door, and it opens. Inside the room is a sleeping maiden, whom Impa tells Link is [[Princess Zelda]]; she is different from the Zelda that Link rescued in his previous adventure.

This Princess Zelda was the princess of Hyrule from long ago and the origin behind the "Legend of Zelda". Long ago, Zelda's brother, the [[prince]], attempted to force her to reveal their recently deceased father's secrets concerning the [[Triforce]]. Zelda refused to reveal the Triforce's location, and in an act of retaliation, the prince's confidant, the [[magician]], angrily used a spell to strike Zelda down. She fell under a powerful sleeping spell; with an inability to control the magic, the magician got killed. The prince, unable to reverse the spell, felt a lot of remorse and placed Zelda in the castle tower, hoping that one day she would be awakened. In remembrance of the tragedy, the prince decreed that every subsequent princess born into the royal family would bear the name, Zelda.

Impa explains to Link that the mark on his hand means that he is the hero chosen to awaken Zelda. She provides Link with a chest containing six crystals and ancient writings that only a great future king of Hyrule can read. Link finds that he can read the document, even though he has never seen the language before; it indicates that the crystals must be set into statues within six palaces scattered across Hyrule. By doing so, a path will open to the [[Great Palace]], which contains the [[Triforce of Courage]]. Zelda can only be awakened by combining the three Triforce parts. Meanwhile, as Link goes on his adventure, Ganon's followers seek to kill Link, as sprinkling his blood on Ganon's ashes will revive him.

Ultimately, Link restores the crystals to the six palaces and enters the Great Palace. After venturing deep inside, Link battles a flying creature known as [[Thunderbird]], followed by his [[Shadow Link|shadow doppelgänger]]. After defeating both bosses, Link claims the Triforce of Courage and returns to Zelda. The three triangles unite into the collective Triforce, and Link successfully wishes to awaken Zelda. The game ends as they (presumably) kiss behind a falling curtain.

==Gameplay==
[[File:ZII Overworld.png|thumb|left|200px|Link exploring the land map, the only area with the original game's top-down perspective]]
While not an RPG, a few staples of the genre appeared in ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'', including strategic combat against enemies, an [[EXP|experience point]]s feature, magic spells, and more dialogue from non-playable characters, more specifically, the [[town folk]]. Not including the [[Philips CD-i]] titles, ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' is the first and only game of ''The Legend of Zelda'' series to feature lives, and Link starts his adventure with three lives. Link starts his adventure at the [[North Castle]], and by losing all three lives, the [[Game Over]] screen is displayed, and Link must restart at the palace.

''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' plays out in a two-mode dynamic. The [[overworld]] (known as the "land map") is still shown from a top-down perspective, but it now serves as a hub to the other areas. Whenever Link enters an area such as a town or [[dungeon]], the game switches to a side-scrolling perspective, which is used for most of the game. As Link traverses around the various environments of the land map, a few enemy silhouettes randomly appear on-screen. The small blobs denote easier enemies (such as [[Bot]]s) and the monsters denote harder enemies, such as [[Geldarm]]. By walking into an enemy, Link appears in a side-scrolling area where he can battle enemies in exchange for experience points. He can exit back into the land map from either side of the screen. Link may sometimes encounter a [[fairy]], which directs him to a single-screen location where a fairy refills his health.

With the exception of traveling across lava and water, the side-scrolling view is the only mode where Link can take damage from enemies and hazards. The environment and its enemies that Link encounters correspond to his current location on the land map.
[[File:ZII Bot screenshot.png|thumb|200px|Link attacking a Bot in a side-scrolling battle area]]
''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' has a more complex combat system than its predecessor. Armed with a [[Magical Sword]] and [[Magical Shield]], Link must alternate between standing and [[crouch|kneeling]] positions to attack enemies and defend himself. For example, Link can only defeat [[Stalfos Knight|Stalfos]] by kneeling, because Stalfos holds a shield to protect its upper half. Link also has the ability to [[jump]], allowing him to attack tall and airborne enemies and to avoid some attacks. Link can eventually learn the [[Down Thrust|Downward Thrust]] and [[Jump Thrust]] techniques from [[swordsman|swordsmen]].

Link can obtain experience points by defeating enemies. When Link reaches a certain number of points, a window appears on-screen, giving the player the option to upgrade either his ATTACK, MAGIC, or LIFE. All three elements of power can be upgraded to a maximum of eight levels. Each element requires a different number of experience points for leveling up, and if the player does not have sufficient experience points toward the desire element, they can exit from the menu and continue obtaining more points to later spend toward another element. Selecting the ATTACK element increases Link's sword power, the MAGIC element decreases the number of points that he uses on spells, and increasing the LIFE element decreases how much damage Link receives when hit. 

Link begins the game with four [[Heart Container]]s and four [[Magic Container]]s and can acquire up to four more of each item. When the player ends or saves a game, the cartridge records Link's current ability levels and the number of experience points required for the next increase, but his accumulated points are reset to zero.

Like other games in ''The Legend of Zelda'' series, Link must still collect several items in order to progress. These special items grant abilities which either remain in permanent use for the rest of the game or can only be activated from the land map. In place of actively used items, ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' features eight types of magic that Link can use in battle against enemies. Each spell is learned from a different [[wise man]] in one of the eight towns within Hyrule. Link often has to complete side-quests, such as retrieving lost items, in order to get a wise man to teach spells to him. Some spells and items are necessary for advancing in the game.

After completing the game, the player can start a [[second quest]] from the same file, which is marked with a [[Triforce]] when completed. The second quest is mostly the same as the first one except Link retains his skill level, sword techniques, and experience points from the first quest.
{{br|left}}

==Characters==
===Main characters===
{|class="wikitable"
!Sprite
!Name
!Description
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Link JP.png|FCDS]] [[File:Link ZII sprite.png|NES]] [[File:TAoL Link shield magic JP.png|FCDS, shield]] [[File:TAoL Link shield magic U.png|NES, shield]] [[File:TAoL Link dark JP.png|FCDS, dark]] [[File:TAoL Link dark U.png|NES, dark]] [[File:TAoL fairy.png|fairy]]
|[[Link]]
|He is the main character, and he goes on an adventure to find the [[Triforce of Courage]] and awaken Zelda.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Zelda ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Princess Zelda]]
|Hyrule's princess from long ago, Zelda was cast into eternal slumber by a magician.
|}

===Supporting characters===
{|class="wikitable"
!Sprite
!Name
!Description
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Acheman town.png]]
|[[Acheman]]
|A passive sleepy bat that gives Link a hint on where to find a [[Heart Container]] if bothered enough.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Bagu ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Bagu]]
|A man who stays in a retreat in the woods and is friends with the [[river man]].
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Bot purple ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Bot]]
|A sleepy slime who is squatting at Bagu's house in [[Water Town of Saria|Saria Town]].
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL child JP.png|FCDS]] [[File:Child ZII sprite.png|NES]]
|[[Child]]
|A young child kidnapped from [[Mountain Town of Darunia|Darunia Town]] by a [[Gēru]] and taken to [[Maze Island]].
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Error ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Error]]
|A secretive man who knows the path to the [[Island Palace]]
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Medicine woman ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Old woman]]
|Restores Link's MAGIC points if followed inside.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL River man JP.png|FCDS]] [[File:River Man ZII sprite.png]]
|[[River man]]
|Guards the bridge to [[Death Mountain]] in Saria Town.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile River Devil J.png|FCDS]] [[File:TAoL tile River Devil U.png|NES]]
|[[River Devil]]
|Blocks the entrance of the valley south of [[Nabooru (town)|Nabooru]] until the [[flute]] is played.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Triforce Keeper ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Sage (Zelda II: The Adventure of Link)|Sage]]
|Holds the [[Triforce of Courage]] in the [[Great Palace]].
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Swordsman J.png|FCDS]] [[File:Swordsman ZII sprite.png|NES]] [[File:Knight ZII sprite.png|NES]]
|[[Swordsman|Swordsmen]]
|Teach Link new sword techniques if found.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Bagu ZII sprite.png]] [[File:Error ZII sprite.png]] [[File:Woman red ZII sprite.png]] [[File:Woman purple ZII sprite.png]]<br>[[File:Woman red ZII sprite 2.png]] [[File:Woman purple ZII sprite 2.png]] [[File:Old Woman red ZII sprite.png]] [[File:Old Woman purple ZII sprite.png]]<br>[[File:Man red ZII sprite.png|NES-only]] [[File:Man purple ZII sprite.png|NES-only]] [[File:Woman red ZII sprite 3.png|NES-only]] [[File:Woman purple ZII sprite 3.png|NES-only]]<br>[[File:Child red ZII sprite.png|NES-only]] [[File:Child purple ZII sprite.png|NES-only]]
|[[Town folk]]
|As their name implies, town folk can be found in towns and villages, where they would usually provide advice to Link for his journey.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Wise Man ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Wise Man|Wise men]]
|Teach Link new spells when found.
|}

===Mentioned===
These characters are mentioned in the backstory from the game's instruction manual.

{|class="wikitable"
!Name
!Description
|-
|[[Ganon]]
|Defeated in Link's previous adventure, Ganon is revived if Link gets a game over.
|-
|[[Impa]]
|Gives Link his quest after explaining the tragedy of Princess Zelda.
|-
|[[King of Hyrule|King]]
|A wise king who ruled [[Hyrule]] to a golden age with the [[Triforce]] and created the palaces to ensure only the worthy may obtain it.
|-
|[[Prince]]
|The king's son who pursued the Triforce until Zelda was put to sleep.
|-
|[[Magician]]
|A former advisor to the king who cursed Zelda to sleep forever due to her refusal to disclose the Triforce's location, at the cost of his own life.
|}

===Enemies===
Some of the enemies in ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' take advantage of the four palette slots available on the sprite layer to give them up to three different color variations, as the fourth is Link's palette. The remaining palettes are an orange palette for the weakest enemies, a red palette for medium-strength enemies, and a blue palette for the stronger enemies. In towns, the white values in the red and blue palettes are changed to tan, with the blue instead being purple to work for the townspeople. The few enemies that appear in towns also have these color changes, but are otherwise the same entities. The red and blue palettes also have minor value changes between other locations, notably whether the darkest shade is black (for light-backgrounded areas) or a dark red/blue (for dark backgrounded areas). The middle shade of blue varies, with palaces typically having a deep blue and other areas usually having a light cyan. Before Link has the Candle, enemies with the red or blue palettes appear fully black when in caves, with the orange palette being unaffected. The orange palette is the only palette to stay the same throughout the game. Additionally, artwork for the orange enemies generally depicts them as yellow, indicating they were intended as yellow but shown as orange due to the NES's inability to display a "true" yellow.

Additionally, in the NES release, some weak enemies can steal experience points; these are usually infinitely respawning defensively weak enemies.
{|class="wikitable"
!Sprite
!Name
!Description
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Ache light.png|Light area]] [[File:Ache ZII sprite.png|Dark area]] [[File:TAoL Ache town.png|Town]]
|[[Ache]]
|Blue bats that swoop down from ceilings, like [[Keese]]. Some disguise themselves as town folk, and will change back and attack if spoken to.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Acheman bat light.png|Light area]] [[File:TAoL Acheman devil light.png|Light area]] [[File:Acheman (bat) TAoL sprite.png|Dark area]] [[File:Acheman ZII sprite.png|Dark area]]
|[[Acheman]]
|Red Aches that turn into a fire-spitting demon when they hit the ground.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Aruroda ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Aruroda]]
|Scorpions with fireball-shooting stingers that can only be attacked when their one eye is open.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Bago-Bago ZII sprite.png|Light area]] [[File:TAoL Bago-Bago dark.png|Dark area]] [[File:Fire Bago-Bago ZII sprite.png|Palace]]
|[[Bago-Bago]]
|Fish skeletons that leap out from under bridges and then slide along them. The ones in the [[Great Palace]] spit fireballs instead of rocks.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Bit ZII sprite.png|Light area]] [[File:TAoL Bit dark.png|Dark area]]
|[[Bit]]
|Simple slimes with a single hit point.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Boon ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Boon]]
|Rock-dropping flies.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Boss Bot ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Boss Bot]]
|A large [[Bot]] in the Great Palace that splits into five normal-sized ones.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Bot ZII sprite.png|Light area]] [[File:TAoL Bot dark.png|Dark area]] [[File:Bot alt ZII sprite.png|Palace]] [[File:TAoL Bot Three-Eye Rock special.png|Palace alternate]] [[File:TAoL Bot JP Maze Island special.png|Palace alternate (FCDS-only)]]
|[[Bot]]
|Tougher versions of Bits. In the Great Palace, ones with even more health can be found.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Bubble ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Bubble]]
|Burning skulls that fly around the room.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Daira ZII sprite.png]] [[File:Daira red ZII sprite.png|Red, light area]] [[File:TAoL Daira red dark.png|Red, dark area]]
|[[Daira]]
|Axe-wielding crocodiles. The red ones can throw theirs.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Deeler red ZII sprite.png]] [[File:Deeler blue ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Deeler]]
|Small spiders that live in treetops. The red ones will simply dangle from webs, while the blue ones will land and jump along the ground.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Doomknocker ZII sprite.png|Palace]] [[File:TAoL Doomknocker JP Maze Island special.png|Palace alternate (FCDS-only)]]
|[[Doomknocker]]
|An armored enemy who throws a mace like a boomerang.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Eagle Knight red ZII sprite.png]] [[File:Eagle Knight blue ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Eagle Knight]]
|A leaping bird warrior found in the Great Palace.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Fiery Moa ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Fiery Moa]]
|A [[Moa]] that flies along the top of the screen, dropping fireballs.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Geldarm ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Geldarm]]
|A tall centipede that shrinks down when attacked. 
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Geru ZII sprite.png]] [[File:TAoL Geru rock.png]] [[File:TAoL Geru red light.png|Red, light area]] [[File:TAoL Geru red dark.png|Red, drk area]] [[File:TAoL Geru blue light.png|Blue, light area]] [[File:TAoL Geru blue dark.png|Blue, dark area]]
|[[Gēru]]
|Various strong humanoid lizards. Orange ones wield spears, while red and blue ones wield maces, with the latter throwing theirs. Red ones can also hide behind tall walls and throw rocks.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Giant Bubble ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Giant Bubble]]
|A large counterpart to Bubbles that splits into two normal-sized bubbles when attacked enough.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Girubokku ZII sprite.png|Light area]] [[File:TAoL Girubokku dark.png|Dark area]]
|[[Girubokku]]
|A floating eye that can only be damaged when it opens.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Goriya ZII sprite.png]] [[File:TAoL Goriya red light.png|Red, light area]] [[File:Goriya red ZII sprite.png|Red, dark area]] [[File:Goriya blue ZII sprite.png|Blue, light area]] [[File:TAoL Goriya blue dark.png|Blue, dark area]]
|[[Goriya]]
|Mustachioed wolves who throw boomerangs in various ways.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Guma ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Gūma]]
|A bull that tosses an endless amount of flails, and is also able to jump.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Iron Knuckle ZII sprite.png]] [[File:Iron Knuckle red ZII sprite.png]] [[File:Iron Knuckle blue ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Iron Knuckle|Ironknuckle]]
|Strong, knife-wielding knights found in palaces. The blue ones can throw theirs.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Leever ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Leever]]
|A spinning plant that burrows out from the sand.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Lowder light.png|Light area]] [[File:Lowder ZII sprite.png|Dark area]]
|[[Lowder]]
|Aggressive pill bugs that charge at Link on sight.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Mago ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Māgo]]
|Witches that cast fire magic in front of them.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Mau ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Mau]]
|Flying, fire-spitting wolf gargoyles.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Megmat light.png|Light area]] [[File:Megmat ZII sprite.png|Dark area]]
|[[Megmat]]
|Small, leaping armadillos.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Moa red ZII sprite.png]] [[File:Moa blue ZII sprite.png|Blue, light area]] [[File:TAoL Moa blue dark.png|Blue, dark area]] [[File:Moa purple ZII sprite.png|Blue, town]]
|[[Moa]]
|Ghostly eyes that fly around erratically. The blue ones are invisible without the aide of a [[cross]].
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Moby ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Moby]]
|Birds that fly slowly downwards, charging forward when on Link's level.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Molblin ZII sprite.png]] [[File:TAoL Molblin red light.png|Red, light area]] [[File:Molblin red ZII sprite.png|Red, dark area]] [[File:TAoL Molblin blue light.png|Blue, light area]] [[File:Molblin blue ZII sprite.png|Blue, dark area]]
|[[Moblin|Molblin]]
|Spear-wielding bulldog-like devils common in forests. One type of orange Molblin charges at Link in endless amounts, while other Molblins, orange and otherwise attack in more sophisticated ways with their spears.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Myu ZII sprite.png|Dark area]] [[File:Myu blue ZII sprite.png|Palace]]
|[[Myu]]
|Spiky blue slimes that require the [[Down Thrust|Downward Thrust]] to defeat.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Octorok ZII sprite.png|Red, light area]] [[File:TAoL Octorok red dark.png|Red, dark area]] [[File:Octorok blue ZII sprite.png|Blue, light area]] [[File:TAoL Octorok blue palace JP.png|Blue, palace (FCDS-only)]]
|[[Octorok]]
|Jumping, rock-spitting octopuses, some of which walk forward.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Parutamu red ZII sprite.png]] [[File:Parutamu blue ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Parutamu]]
|[[Stalfos Knight|Stalfos]] with armor on their upper bodies, protecting them from the Downward Thrust.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Ra blue ZII sprite.png]] [[File:Ra red ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Rā]]
|Dragon gargoyles that fly forward in a swooping pattern, typically around ledges. Orange ones are unique to the Great Palace.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Aneru blue ZII sprite.png|NES-only]] [[File:Aneru red ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Rope (Zelda II: The Adventure of Link)|Rope]]
|Large-headed snakes that spit fire or rocks. The rock-spitting blue one is unique to NES releases, replacing dungeon-based [[Octorok]]s.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Soprano ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Soprano]]
|A fire-spitting harpy in the Great Palace.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Stalfos red ZII sprite.png]] [[File:Stalfos blue ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Stalfos Knight|Stalfos]]
|A version of the [[Stalfos]] from the previous game that uses a shield, but does not protect its head or feet.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Tektite ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Tektite]]
|A hopping spider enemy.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Wizard ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Wizard]]
|[[Wizzrobe]]-like spellcasters that cannot be damaged by the Magical Sword.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Wosu ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Wōsu]]
|Weak wolf-like creatures that simply run forward. 
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Zora ZII sprite.png|Light area]] [[File:TAoL Zola dark.png|Dark are]]
|[[Zora|Zola]]
|Crawling fish people that occasionally get on their hind legs to breath a fireball.
|}

===Obstacles===
{|class="wikitable"
!Sprite
!Name
!Description
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL barrier JP.png|FCDS]] [[File:TAoL barrier U.png|NES]]
|Barrier
|Blocks the entrance to the [[Great Palace]] until the other six palaces are completed.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL collapsing bridge 1 JP.png|FCDS]] [[File:TAoL collapsing bridge 1 U.png|NES]] [[File:TAoL collapsing bridge 2 JP.png|FCDS]] [[File:TAoL collapsing bridge 2 U.png|NES]] [[File:TAoL collapsing bridge 4 U.png|NES]]<br>[[File:TAoL collapsing bridge 5 U.png|NES]] [[File:TAoL collapsing bridge 6 U.png|NES]] [[File:TAoL collapsing bridge 7 JP.png|FCDS]] [[File:TAoL collapsing bridge 7 U.png|NES]]
|Collapsing bridge
|Crumbles under Link's feet as he crosses.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL drop red.png]] [[File:TAoL drop blue.png]] [[File:TAoL drop blue JP Maze Island Palace special.png|FCDS-only]]
|Drop
|Drip from statues along the ceiling. The blue ones turn into [[Bot]]s.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL drop maker 1 J.png|FCDS]] [[File:TAoL drop maker 2 U.png|NES]] [[File:TAoL drop maker 3 U.png|NES]]
|Drop maker
|Spawn an endless stream of drops.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL falling block 1 JP.png|FCDS-only]] [[File:TAoL falling block 2.png]] [[File:TAoL falling block 3 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL falling block 5 U.png|NES-only]]
|Falling block
|Fall endlessly from the ceiling to hit Link's head and block his progress by stacking up.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL fire obstacle.png]]
|Fire
|Holds still atop its block brazier, but still causes damage.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Mau mounted 2.png]] [[File:TAoL Mau mounted 6 U.png|NES-only]]
|[[Mau]]
|Fires energy bolts at Link from the east walls.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Ra mounted 1.png|FCDS-only]] [[File:TAoL Ra mounted 2.png]] [[File:TAoL Ra mounted 5 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL Ra mounted 6 U.png|NES-only]]
|[[Rā]]
|Fires energy bolts at Link from the west walls.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL rising bubble.png]]
|Rising bubble
|Rise endlessly from the bottom of the screen in certain coastal areas.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL rock.png]]
|Rock
|Blow around the deserts in large amounts.
|}

===Bosses===
{|class="wikitable"
!Sprite
!Name
!Palace
!Description
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Horsehead ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Horsehead]]
|[[Parapa Palace]]
|A tall reverse centaur that can only by attacked on his unarmored head. His only attack is to swing a mace. In the [[Family Computer Disk System]] version, he returns as a miniboss at the [[Palace on the Sea]].
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Helmethead ZII sprite.png|Phase 1]] [[File:TAoL Helmethead 2.png|Phase 2]] [[File:TAoL Helmethead 3.png|Phase 3]] [[File:TAoL Helmethead helmet 1.png|Helmet 1]] [[File:TAoL Helmethead helmet 2.png|Helmet 2]]
|[[Helmethead]]
|[[Midoro Palace]]
|A tall knight with two fire-breathing helmets that must be removed with repeated attacks before his real head appears.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Rebonack ZII sprite.png|Phase 1]] [[File:Iron Knuckle blue ZII sprite.png|Phase 2]]
|[[Rebonack]]
|[[Island Palace]]
|A blue [[Iron Knuckle|Ironknuckle]] on a fast-moving floating horse statue, which he dismounts after enough damage. He later appears multiple times as a miniboss in the [[Three-Eye Rock Palace]].
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Carock ZII JP sprite.png|FCDS]] [[File:Carock ZII sprite.png|NES]]
|[[Carock]]
|[[Maze Island Palace]]
|A quick [[Wizzrobe]] that can only be damaged by returning his own magic.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Helmethead ZII sprite.png|Phase 1]] [[File:TAoL Helmethead 2.png|Phase 2]] [[File:TAoL Helmethead 3.png|Phase 3]] [[File:TAoL Helmethead helmet 1.png|Helmet 1]] [[File:TAoL Helmethead helmet 2.png|Helmet 2]]
|[[Helmethead|Jermafenser II]]
|[[Palace on the Sea]] (FCDS)
|A stronger version of Helmethead unique to Japanese releases of the game.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Gooma ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Gooma]]
|Palace on the Sea (NES)
|A strong and durable flail-wielding troll unique to western releases of the game.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Barba JP short.png|FCDS]] [[File:Barba ZII sprite.png|NES]]
|[[Volvagia|Barba]]
|[[Three-Eye Rock Palace]]
|A lengthy fire-breathing dragon that must be attacked in the head.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Thunderbird ZII sprite.png|Phase 1]] [[File:TAoL Thunderbird 2.png|Phase 2]]
|[[Thunderbird]]
|[[Great Palace]]
|An enormous flying creature that must first be weakened by [[Thunder]] before it can be attacked.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Shadow Link ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Shadow Link|Link's Shadow]]
|Great Palace
|A dark doppelganger of Link formed from his shadow and capable of his sword attacks.
|}

==Items==
Many of the items are not used as weapons, and rather are used to directly assist Link during his adventure; a handful of the items are used from the [[overworld|land map]]. The [[Magical Sword]] and [[Magical Shield]] is Link's main and only tangible weapon. However, the game introduces [[magic]], which consists of some spells that Link can use to attack or defeat enemies, if he has enough [[Magic Meter|MAGIC point]]s.

These are items that can only be obtained once. 

{|class="wikitable"
!Sprite
!Name
!Description
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Boots ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Roc Boots|Boots]]
|This item allows Link to walk across certain bodies of water in the overworld.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Candle ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Candle]]
|The candle illuminates dark areas, such as caves, allowing Link to see in them.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL child JP.png|FCDS]] [[File:Child ZII sprite.png|NES]]
|[[Child]]
|A kidnapped child who Link must rescue and return to a [[town folk]] in the Mountain Town of Darunia.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Cross ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Cross]]
|Allows Link to see invisible enemies.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL crystal.png]] [[File:TAoL crystal.png]] [[File:TAoL crystal.png]]<br>[[File:TAoL crystal.png]] [[File:TAoL crystal.png]] [[File:TAoL crystal.png]]
|[[Crystal]]s
|Six crystals Link begins the game with. He must return each to a [[stone statue]] in each palace to open the Great Palace.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Flute ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Flute]]
|Link must use the flute to defeat the River Devil and again later to enter Three-Eye Rock Palace. 
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Hammer ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Hammer]]
|Destroys boulders and cuts down trees.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Handy Glove ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Handy Glove]]
|Increases the strength of the Magical Sword, allowing it to break certain blocks found in the palaces.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Magical Key ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Magical Key|Magic Key]]
|A key that can unlock any door.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Raft ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Raft]]
|The raft allows Link to sail across the water dividing west and east Hyrule.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Triforce piece.png]]
|[[Triforce of Courage]]
|Link's main goal in the game, hidden deep within the Great Palace.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL trophy JP.png|FCDS]] [[File:Trophy ZII sprite.png|NES]]
|[[Goddess statue|Trophy]]
|A missing item that Link must obtain in a cave at [[Tantari Desert]] and then give to a woman in the Town of Ruto.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Water of Life JP.png|FCDS]] [[File:Water of Life ZII sprite.png|NES]]
|[[Sacred Water|Water of Life]]
|Found in a cave west of Midoro Palace, Link must give the Water of Life to an elderly woman so that her sick daughter can be healed.
|}

These are items that Link can obtain more than once during his adventure.

{|class="wikitable"
!Sprite
!Name
!Description
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Doll ZII sprite.png|Normal]] [[File:TAoL doll shield magic.png|Shield magic active]]
|[[Doll]]
|These items give an extra life to Link.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL fairy.png]]
|[[Fairy]]
|Rare sprites that replenish Link's health on contact.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Heart Container ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Heart Container]]
|When Link collects a Heart Container, it adds another bar to his health meter.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Key ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Small Key|Key]]
|Each key opens a locked door in a palace.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Magic Container ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Magic Container]]
|When Link collects a Magic Container, it adds another square to his MAGIC.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Magic Jar blue light.png|Blue, light area]] [[File:TAoL Magic Jar blue dark.png|Blue, dark area]] [[File:Magic Jar blue ZII sprite.png|Blue, palace]] [[File:TAoL Magic Jar blue Three-Eye Rock special.png|Blue, palace alternate]] [[File:TAoL Magic Jar blue Maze Island special.png|Blue, palace alternate]] [[File:TAoL Magic Jar red light.png|Red, light area]] [[File:Magic Jar red ZII sprite.png|Red, dark area]] [[File:TAoL Magic Jar red palace.png|Red, palace]]
|[[Magic Jar]]
|Magic Jars replenish Link's MAGIC. Blue ones only restore a portion, while red ones replenish MAGIC entirely. 
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:Treasure Bag ZII sprite.png]]
|[[Treasure Bag]]
|Link can collect Treasure Bags to obtain more experience points.
|}

==Objects==
{|class="wikitable"
!Sprite
!Name
!Description
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL block 1.png]] [[File:TAoL block 2.png]] [[File:TAoL block 3 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL block 4 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL block 5 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL block 6 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL block 7.png]]
|Block
|Keep Link from progressing unless he uses the [[Handy Glove]] to break them.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Ra mounted 1.png]] [[File:TAoL Mau mounted 1 JP.png|FCDS-only]] [[File:TAoL Ra mounted 2.png]] [[File:TAoL Mau mounted 2.png|FCDS-only]] [[File:TAoL Ra mounted 4 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL Mau mounted 4 U.png|NES-only]]<br>[[File:TAoL Ra mounted 5 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL Ra mounted 6 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL Mau mounted 6 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL Ra mounted 7.png]] [[File:TAoL Mau mounted 7.png]]
|Stone statue (Rā and Mau)
|Decorate palace walls and sometimes give a red [[Magic Jar]] when struck.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL Ironknuckle statue outside 1.png]] [[File:TAoL Ironknuckle statue inside 1.png]] [[File:TAoL Ironknuckle statue outside 2 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL Ironknuckle statue inside 2.png]] [[File:TAoL Ironknuckle statue outside 3 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL Ironknuckle statue inside 3 U.png|NES-only]]<br>[[File:TAoL Ironknuckle statue outside 4 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL Ironknuckle statue inside 4 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL Ironknuckle statue outside 5 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL Ironknuckle statue inside 5 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL Ironknuckle statue outside 6 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL Ironknuckle statue inside 6 U.png|NES-only]] [[File:TAoL Eagle Knight statue.png]]
|Stone statue (Ironknuckle and Eagle Knight)
|Decorate palaces and may give a red Magic Jar when struck, buy may also giive a red version of the respective enemy.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL stone statue 1.png]]
|Stone statue (goal)
|Six statues that the [[crystal]]s must be returned to to enter the [[Great Palace]].
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL elevator.png]]
|Elevator
|Lets Link travel between floors in palaces and certain caves.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL locked door.png]]
|[[Locked door]]
|Blocks a path until a [[Small Key|key]] is inserted.
|}

==Magic==
{|class="wikitable"
!Name
!Description
|-
|[[Shield (magic)|Shield]]
|Boosts Link's defense for a room.
|-
|[[Jump (magic)|Jump]]
|Allows Link to jump higher and farther for a room.
|-
|[[Life (magic)|Life]]
|Boosts Link's health.
|-
|[[Fairy (magic)|Fairy]]
|Turns Link into a [[fairy]] for a room, allowing him to fly and avoid knockback, but also be unable to attack or use certain mechanisms.
|-
|[[Fire (magic)|Fire]]
|Causes Link to shoot a fireball when he slashes his sword for a room. In Western releases, certain enemies must be beaten this way.
|-
|[[Reflect]]
|Allows Link's shield to bounce magical projectiles and block heavy or fiery projectiles that normally bypass the shield.
|-
|[[Spell (Zelda II: The Adventure of Link)|Spell]]
|A mysterious magic that opens the way to the [[Magical Key|Magic Key]] and turns some enemies into [[Bot]]s.
|-
|[[Thunder]]
|A powerful spell that causes heavy damage to all on-screen enemies.
|}

==Locations==
[[File:TAoL Hyrule full.png|thumb|The complete map of Hyrule]]
Like the first game, ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' features a [[overworld|land map]]. It has a different purpose from that of ''The Legend of Zelda''{{'}}s because Link uses it to travel between towns and landmark areas. The land map is divided into [[Western Hyrule]] and [[Eastern Hyrule]], and the map has six main different landscapes where Link fights enemies: Plains, Cave, Desert, Forest, Swamp, and Graveyard.

Link always starts the game in the [[North Castle]], which is where [[Princess Zelda]] lays asleep.

===Map landscapes===
{|class="wikitable"
!Sprite
!Name
!Description
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile bridge.png]]
|Barge Bridge
|Bridges which almost always indicate an encounter. [[Bago-Bago]]s are very common.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile boulder.png]]
|[[Boulder]]
|Blocks progress unless smashed with the [[hammer]], at which point the tile functions as desert.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile cave.png]]
|Cave
|Passages that are dark until the [[candle]] is obtained.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile sand.png]]
|Desert
|Usually appearing on coastal areas, deserts are often full of flying rocks and burrowing monsters.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile forest.png]]
|Forest
|Moderately dark areas that are often full of [[Deeler]]s.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile grave.png]]
|Graveyard
|Haunted areas that contain some of the most dangerous enemies in their respective region.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile mountain.png]]
|Mountain
|Completely unnavigble walls.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile palace.png]]
|[[Temple|Palace]]
|The game's dungeons, as well as the [[North Castle]].
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile grass.png]]
|Plain
|Flat areas thaat have relatively weak enemies.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile path.png]]
|Road
|The main path. Wild encounters yield a small empty area, but sometimes scripted encounters occur.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile water.png]]
|Sea/River
|Acts as a blockade most of the time, but some can be crossed with the [[Roc Boots|Boots]]. Wild encounters cannot occur here at all.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile town.png]]
|Town
|Areas where Link can heal, learn new skills, and find hints.
|-
!style="background:gray" align=center|[[File:TAoL tile lava.png]]
|Lava
|A late-game landscape of powerful enemies.
|}

===Towns===
''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' is the first game in the series to have towns. With the exception of Kasuto, five of the [[Sage]]s in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'' are each named after a town, along with [[Mido]].

{|class="wikitable"
!Name
!Description
|-
|[[Rauru (town)|Rauru]]
|A town around the forests near the [[North Castle]].
|-
|[[Town of Ruto]]
|A town in the mountains near the North Castle. 
|-
|[[Water Town of Saria]]
|A riverside town that acts as a gateway to [[Death Mountain]]. 
|-
|[[Harbor Town of Mido]]
|A town beside the dock leading to the eastern continent.
|-
|[[Nabooru (town)|Nabooru]]
|The central town of eastern Hyrule.
|-
|[[Mountain Town of Darunia]]
|A remote town adjacent to [[Maze Island]] that has been infiltrated by [[Ganon]]'s minions.
|-
|[[Hidden Town of Kasuto]]
|An optional town of refugees hidden in a remote forest.
|-
|[[Old Kasuto Town]]
|An abandoned town overrun by invisible [[Moa]]s.
|}

===Palaces===
[[Temple|Palace]]s are the successor and equivalent to [[dungeon|labyrinth]]s from ''The Legend of Zelda''. After defeating the boss, Link places one of the [[crystal]]s on a statue. The crystals weaken the force preventing Link from entering the Great Palace. Each palace has a unique item.

{|class="wikitable sortable" width=70%
!width=15%|Name
!class=unsortable|Description
|-
|align=center|[[North Castle]]
|The starting location, where Princess Zelda sleeps.
|-
|align=center|[[Parapa Palace]]
|The first palace and the location of the candle. At the end, Link fights a tall, inverse centaur named Horsehead.
|-
|align=center|[[Midoro Palace]]
|The second palace and the location of the Handy Glove. At the end, Link fights a knight named Helmethead.
|-
|align=center|[[Island Palace]]
|The third palace and the location of the raft. At the end, Link fights a knight riding a horse, Rebonack.
|-
|align=center|[[Maze Island Palace]]
|The fourth palace and the location of the boots. At the end, Link fights a spellcaster, Carock.
|-
|align=center|[[Palace on the Sea]]
|The fifth palace and the location of the flute. At the end, Link fights a giant named Gooma, or in the Japanese version, a fight against Helmethead.
|-
|align=center|[[Three-Eye Rock Palace]]
|The sixth palace and the location of the cross. At the end, Link fights a long dragon, Barba.
|-
|align=center|[[Great Palace]]
|The seventh and final palace as well as the final area that Link explores. There is no hidden item and there are two bosses unlike the previous palaces. Link first battles a phoenix named Thunderbird, and the second boss that he fights is a shadow version of himself.
|}

===Landmarks and regions===
{|class="wikitable sortable" width=70%
!width=15%|Name
!class=unsortable|Description
|-
|align=center|[[Parapa Desert]]
|A small desert containing [[Parapa Palace]].
|-
|align=center|[[Tantari Desert]]
|Another small desert where a [[Goriya]] has sequestered the [[Goddess statue|Trophy]].
|-
|align=center|[[Midoro Swamp]]
|A large marshland containing [[Midoro Palace]].
|-
|align=center|[[Death Mountain]]
|A maze of caves full of monsters and valleys between them.
|-
|align=center|[[Death Mountain Area]]
|The setting of the first game where the [[hammer]] lays hidden.
|-
|align=center|[[Moruge Swamp]]
|A marsh where some [[Daira]]s have hidden the [[Sacred Water|Water of Life]].
|-
|align=center|[[The King's Tomb]]
|The burial site of the old [[King of Hyrule]] and a clue of how to reach the [[Island Palace]].
|-
|align=center|[[Maze Island]]
|A large island where a [[Gēru]] holds the [[child]] hostage, as well as the location of the [[Maze Island Palace]].
|-
|align=center|[[Three Eye Rocks]]
|A group of three mountains that hint the location of the [[Three-Eye Rock Palace]].
|-
|align=center|[[Valley of Death]]
|A treacherous area that acts as the entry to the [[Great Palace]].
|}

==Development==
[[Shigeru Miyamoto]] wanted to make ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' fundamentally different from the first game, ''The Legend of Zelda''. Miyamoto wanted to make a sidescrolling action game that allowed more control over Link's movements, such as up and down attacks and defense.<ref name="nintendoeverything">[https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-ii-the-adventure-of-link-director-on-how-development-started-title-difficulty-and-more/ Zelda II – The Adventure of Link director on how development started, title, difficulty, and more - Nintendo Everything]</ref> A different team from the first ''The Legend of Zelda''{{'}}s was recruited to work on ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140204001054/http://www.nintendoforums.com/articles/40/super-play-magazine-interviews-shigeru-miyamoto-about-zelda Superplay Magazine interview] (April 2003)</ref> The team experimented as they produced the game and did not have the first ''The Legend of Zelda'' as much in mind. A story for ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' was made at the end of the game's development.<ref name="nintendoeverything"/>

In a brief retrospective, Miyamoto says that he wishes he did more with ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'', as a few features could not be implemented due to hardware limitations. Miyamoto wanted to further utilize the transition from an overhead perspective to a sidescrolling view and add larger enemies in the game.<ref>[https://kotaku.com/shigeru-miyamotos-bad-game-514017583 Shigeru Miyamoto's 'Bad' Game - Kotaku]</ref>

==Alternate versions and re-releases==
[[File:Zelda II GBA screenshot.jpg|thumb|Gameplay screenshot of Link battling enemies in the Game Boy Advance port]]
*1987 - Original release on the Famicom Disk System (Japan)
*1988 - Original release on the Nintendo Entertainment System (North America/Europe/Australia)
*1992 - Re-released on the NES as part of the "Classic Series", included on a gray cartridge
*2003 - One of the four full games included on the [[Nintendo GameCube]] compilation, ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition]]''
*2004 - Ported to the [[Game Boy Advance]] as a [[Classic NES Series]] installment
*2007 - Ported to the [[Virtual Console]] for the [[Wii]]
*2011/2012 - Ported on select Nintendo 3DS units as an Ambassador Program title. In 2012, it was widely released as a 3DS Virtual Console title.
*2013 - Ported to the Virtual Console for the [[Wii U]]
*2014 - Included as a [[smashwiki:Masterpieces|Masterpiece]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''
*2016 - Released as one of the 30 games included on the NES Classic Edition and its Japanese counterpart, Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer.
*2019 - Included as a playable title on the Nintendo Switch Online service. A "special save" was also released where Link starts his adventure with his ATTACK, MAGIC, and LIFE at level 8.
*2021 - Included on ''[[Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda]]'' as a playable title
{{br}}

==Version differences==
{{main|List of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link version differences}}
{{multiple image
|align=right
|direction=horizontal
|footer=The NES version (pictured right) features an exclusive boss, Gooma, at the Palace on the Sea. In the Famicom Disk System version (pictured left), Link instead fights a stronger version of Helmethead at the location.
|width=256
|image1=Zelda II JP Helmethead second battle.png
|image2=Gooma Zelda II boss battle.png
}}
Like the first game, Nintendo had to make some major changes to ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' as they ported it to the Nintendo Entertainment System. As the Famicom Disk System has an additional sound chip from the Nintendo Entertainment System, some musical elements were eliminated, especially the title screen theme. 

''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' received a few minor changes on both the ''The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition'' compilation and the Classic NES Series port. The "No.3 Triforce" from the title screen intro was changed to read "third Triforce". The copyright date was altered to read "1987–2003 Nintendo" and "1987–2004 Nintendo" for the GameCube and Game Boy Advance ports respectively. The death animation removed the flashing colors to reduce the risk of seizures and replaced it with a solid red color. The text changes were not included in the Virtual Console ports, but the solid red death animation from the two earlier ports was retained.

Some other notable differences between the Famicom Disk System and Nintendo Entertainment System releases include:
*In the English release, the palaces each have different colors, whereas in the Famicom Disk System version all but the Great Palace are gray outside and in the boss room and either gray or teal for the rest. Additionally, new brickwork tiles were added for all except Parapa Palace and the Great Palace.
*The two dungeon bosses [[Carock]] and [[Volvagia|Barba]] have different sprites.
*The English release added an exclusive boss, [[Gooma]], who is fought at the Palace on the Sea. In the Famicom Disk System release, Link instead fought Helmethead a second time.
*The Game Over screen of the English release shows a silhouette of Ganon from the chest up, with the text "Game Over/Return of Ganon", and a brief sound effect of evil laughter plays. In the Famicom Disk System, the Game Over screen is in plain black with the text "Return of Ganon/The End"; the message is accompanied by the same audio that plays in the Horsehead and Volvagia boss fights.
*There are some slight additions to the dungeons, as well as a handful of differences on the dungeons themselves.
*The music that plays in encounter and passage areas differs between the two versions, with the Famicom Disk System having a short but menacing track that sounds similar to the boss theme, and the Nintendo Entertainment System having a longer, more adventuresome new composition.
*The [[overworld]] icons denoting monsters look different between the Famicom Disk System and Nintendo Entertainment System releases. In the Famicom Disk System release, the overworld monsters are represented by white and blue blobs, whose color denotes the difficulty of the encounter. The white and blue blobs were changed into a black [[Bit]]-like icon and a bipedal monster icon respectively.
**In the Famicom Disk System release, the red blobs represent an encounter with a [[Fairy]]. In the Nintendo Entertainment System release, its icon is replaced by a fairy itself.
*The spending of experience points is entirely different in the Famicom Disk System, as Link's three attributes cost the same, unlike the English release. The game is designed to promote balanced leveling, as the Famicom Disk System's saved game only allows the level attributes to go as high as whatever is set the lowest (e.g. if LIFE is at 5 and ATTACK is at 4, but MAGIC is at 1, then the saved game reflects all attributes as level 1), while still saving the data regarding crystals that have been placed and items that have been collected.

==Staff==
[[File:ZII end credits.png|thumb|The staff credits, as seen during the ending]]
Like the first ''The Legend of Zelda'', every person except Hiroshi Yamauchi is listed under a pseudonym. Shigeru Miyamoto and [[Takashi Tezuka]] are the only original ''The Legend of Zelda'' team members who also developed ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'', retaining their role as the producer and the story writer respectively. The music was composed by Akito Nakatsuka instead of [[Koji Kondo]].

'''Executive Producer:'''
*[[Hiroshi Yamauchi|H. Yamauchi]]

'''Producer:'''
*[[Shigeru Miyamoto|Miyahon]]

'''Director:'''
*Sugiyen
*Yamahen

'''Designer:'''
*Isshin

'''Sound Composer:'''
*Tsukasan

'''Programmer:''' (misspelled as "Programer" in the end credits)
*Morikazu
*Marumaru
*Shigechan
*Nishiyan
*Nakazoo

==Gallery==
{{Main-gallery|game|Zelda II: The Adventure of Link}}

==Names in other languages==
{{Other wikis|Wikipedia=1}}
{{foreign names
|Jap=リンクの<span class="explain" title="ぼうけん">冒険</span>
|JapR=Rinku no Bōken
|JapM=The Adventure of Link (subtitled "''The Legend of Zelda 2''" on the logo)
}}

==Trivia==
*''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' is the 100th game released for the Wii Virtual Console in Japan.

==References==
<references/>
{{Games}}
{{TAOL}}
[[Category:Home console games]]
[[Category:Handheld games]]
[[Category:The Legend of Zelda series]]
[[Category:Zelda II: The Adventure of Link|*]]
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