Merchandise/Tabletop Games
Despite the global popularity of The Legend of Zelda video games, these were not the only "games" attached to the Zelda namesake. Though rare, few board games, puzzles, and mazes were created over the years in order to engage gamers on more physical terms, while still remaining relevant to the franchise. Because many of these board games saw short production periods, most have been discontinued and have become rare collectors items found most frequently on online bidding sites and memorabilia pages.
Board Games
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda is a board game published by Milton Bradley and licensed by Nintendo of America, in 1988. The game is heavily inspired by the original The Legend of Zelda, and uses a game board that incorporates dungeon and field-like settings reminiscent of the title. The premise is to aid Link on his quest through six "rooms", all the while facing monsters and gathering "heart chips" in an attempt to save Princess Zelda.
Hyrule Fantasy
Hyrule Fantasy is a board game published by Bandai and licensed by Nintendo, in 1986. The game itself never saw release outside of Japan, and thus, there is a lack of physical information pertaining to the game's purpose and rules. The board itself appears to be a reincarnation of the entire overworld of the original The Legend of Zelda, accompanied by Link pawns, enemy cards, and a large rulebook.
Nintendo Monopoly
Nintendo Monopoly is a board game iteration of the traditional, widely-acclaimed game Monopoly, published by USA-opoly in 2006. Instead of material pawns such as irons, dogs, and statues, the playing pieces consist of famous Nintendo inventory items taken from various games: Link's Iron Boots and the Hylian Shield are two of the six unique pawns included with the game. While purchasing real estate and housing is crucial to the original, this game trades the buildings for Nintendo characters, of which Princess Zelda, Link, and Ganon claim the green blocks previously held by Pacific, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania Avenues in the main version. Kirby's Warp Star, StarFox's Arwing and other Nintendo-related transports take the place of the railroads; the Chance and Community Chest spaces became "Question Blocks" and Coin Blocks; and the houses and hotels morphed into "Power-Ups" and "Invincibility". While Mario is the franchise with the heaviest influence on the game itself, most of Nintendo's more popular franchises are involved, save for Pokemon.
This board game is one of the few that is still in print.
Jigsaw Puzzles
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Featuring A Link to the Past, commercial release, Japan only, 1992.
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Featuring The Legend of Zelda, by Milton Bradley, 60 pcs, 1988.
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Featuring The Legend of Zelda, by Milton Bradley, 60 pcs, 1988.
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Featuring Phantom Hourglass, distributed by Sears Corporation, 110 pcs.
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Featuring Twilight Princess, distributed by Sears Corporation, 110 pcs.
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Featuring Twilight Princess, distributed by Sears Corporation, 110 pcs.
