The Legend of Zelda, the mysterious birth of a legendary saga | Documentary/Analysis Zelda 1 (NES)

The Legend of Zelda is not only the name of a legendary saga that has continuously reinvented itself throughout the ages, inspiring thousands of video games that followed its example but also the title of the first episode in the series, an enigmatic installment that emerged from a unique development process with the aim of creating an anti-Mario. This development was notably lengthy for its time, initially intended for the launch of a mysterious expansion that would never leave Japan. The result was one of the most innovative games in history, a game that left an indelible mark on the industry, even though Shigeru Miyamoto himself didn't have much faith in its success at the time of its release. This is the story of the birth of one of the most renowned franchises in the world of video games - a remarkable tale for an exceptional game, so unique that it would be years before anyone could catch up to its remarkable structure.
Voiced over by Brad Ziffer.
00:00:00 • A foundational Zelda
00:00:54 • Development - Creating something new for a bizarre peripheral
00:32:17 • Analysis - A well-controlled start to the game
00:37:50 • Analysis - Exploration at any costs
00:46:42 • Analysis - Synergy between dungeons and overworld
00:54:15 • Analysis - The perfect immersion
00:57:52 • Analysis - A rich game
01:07:02 • Analysis - A clever second quest
01:10:00 • Analysis - Regional changes
01:11:11 • A foundational Zelda
Musics used in order:
• The Legend of Zelda- B...
• Personality Test (Rema...
• DELTARUNE - Before The...
• Pokémon Sun and Moon- ...
• Pokemon Mystery Dungeo...
• Pokémon Mystery Dungeo...
• Elestrals Trailer Them...
• Pokémon Sun and Moon -...
[Private video]

[@krisfrederick5001]

It's impossible to imagine our lives without Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda. And it all came from a kid exploring the woods in Japan on his own, just like we did. Thank You Shigeru Miyamoto. You and your teams are beyond Legends. ❤❤❤🗡

[@Imozart0341I]

I thought he said he got the idea from watching the Tom Cruse movie “legend” which is legend of Zelda

[@kaih6560]

You explored the japanese forrests?

[@D-Fens_1632]

While American programmers certainly existed in the 70s and 80s and made valuable contributions and innovations to the industry, it's curious how video games are almost uniquely Japanese in origin. Miyamoto seems like a personable, charismatic type but generally the few photos you see of those guys they look like these average looking, reserved, nerdy types. And you have to consider they were born not long after their country was firebombed from the sky and how their parents lived through that. Miyamoto was born only 7 years after the atom bombs were dropped. To think they rebuilt an infrastructure to where computer nerds were putting out Space Invaders in the 70s and creating historical games like Mario and Zelda in the early 80s is pretty incredible. God bless em for it.

[@chronossage]

And then they did it again with Mario 64 and Zelda ocarina of time.

[@customsongmaker]

​@@D-Fens_1632the United States built their infrastructure

[@adzard-wd1pj]

These docs are insanely good, and you just came out of nowhere it seems like!

[@aegean_444]

Get ready for more ;)

[@fusionspace175]

This is an english translation channel of already existing foreign language docs, there is a main channel with a lot more subs.

[@caturiges]

​@@fusionspace175Thanks for pointing it out. Now I have a good reason to practice my french lessons.

[@CatFish107]

It's written and produced by a LLM artificial "intelligence "

[@ludo44]

@@fusionspace175 and the original is AMAZING...

[@one7decimal2eight]

I remember getting this game when it came out when I was about 10. I spent many hours looking at the story in the instruction manual when I was bored. That artist did a good job. I recognize the parts of that manual in this video...35 years later.

[@MaidenHell1977]

To this day, no one knows the identity of the artist that drew those stunning panels.

[@MM-ig1iv]

Them spiders off to the right of the start area were money bags! They'd always give a lot of coins.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

Tektites and leevers. ❤

[@Retroman8077]

OCTOROKS!!!!!

[@Retroman8077]

​​@@bezoticallyyours83what the fu$k is a tectite-avgn

[@bezoticallyyours83]

@@Retroman8077 the one eyed spiders

[@RhythmGrizz]

"Spiders" = *tektites "Coins" = * rupees

[@carloseduar2]

First documentary I've experienced that actually captures how revolutionary Zelda I was. Great job!

[@ChezRG-YT]

It's an english translation of a french channel probably by the guy himself.

[@MrRigamortis86]

Can u link french version ? ​@ChezRG-YT

[@MrRigamortis86]

So the voice is a bot?

[@mielthesquid6536]

I didn't understand the channel at first but it's a french channel translated in english! That's a very bright idea, hopefully will bring a way bigger audience, these analysis are very good!

[@danielalva2]

Oh that makes sense now

[@OYME13]

I've always found it absolutely astounding and wonderful, that the acutely iconic title screen music for LoZ was created in a single night. What a marvelous nugget of history. I dare say that OG Zelda's title screen music might still be unbeaten to this day, sans perhaps the title screen music for Ocarina of Time.

[@Retroman8077]

Don't forget level 5 in the second quest where u don't get the dungeon item unless u walk through the wall inside the triforce room. Damn took me a trip to bradlees stores to find a early Nintendo power to figure it out. What a summer. I was playing Zelda 15 feet from the lake with a speedboat and water-skis but I chose to sit on the sun porch and play Zelda. Sure enough I left the final screen saying this ends the story on for hours so all my 20 cousins could see I was the champion. Then I spent the rest of the summer beating kid Icarus and rygar

[@KBXband]

I didnt play the very first Zelda until I was in my late teens. My first Zelda game was A Link to the Past and I remember when Ocarina came out it was the greatest thing I had ever experienced up to that point.

[@cherokeefit4248]

Being born in 1980, I can recall both games but more so two. These two games are iconic.

[@andrewmartineau5445]

Great trip down memory lane with this original Legend of Zelda. I first remember playing this game as a kid back in 1987-88. During the first few months of gameplay I died many times in the game as Link. However as I got better at the gameplay I was able to complete both quests without dying with more time spent in the game.

[@Darkkfated]

Re - 41:00 Screens cleared of enemies DO eventually respawn - it just takes a while. I forget if it's from simply triggering a certain number of screen transitions, or moving a certain distance away from a cleared screen, enemies do come back eventually - but only if you explore a ways away and return later. Which ties back into the "always pushing you to explore" theme.

[@gameusurper]

I was just going to type this. I was going to start with something like, 'What you talkin' 'bout, Willis?' I believe the magic number is eight screens. If you travel to eight different screens and then come back, the enemies will have respawned. UNLESS you killed all but one per screen. Then they do not respawn. Only the single enemy will.

[@Darkkfated]

@@gameusurper Ahh, I forgot about the "leave one enemy alive and the game will remember that forever" trick - it's VERY useful. And I know the 8-screen trick because I had a "money loop" that involved going in circles just to the right of the starting screen until you run out of Leevers, then going up one screen, all the way back to the left, and by then everything reset. It was the fastest way I ever found of killing lots of weak enemies that still had decent chances to drop blue rupees and bombs, allowing me to save up for the Blue Ring whenever I had 10-ish minutes to grind cash (and bombs).

[@gameusurper]

@@Darkkfated Or you can just buy the Candle, get a few bombs, and go grab three of the 'It's a Secret to Everyone' rupee caches worth 100, 100, & 50, and you're gtg :) And also get the three available Heart Containers that only require bombs or the Candle (and not the Raft or Ladder), then get the White Sword, all before entering Level 1. Best start lol!!!

[@kuhatsuifujimoto9621]

he doesn't know the "single enemy" trick...

[@jeremiahwindsor6114]

Ive seen maybe half a dozen videos on the development of LoZ and this is by far the most comprehensive. Subbed.

[@BonnieBunny6]

I wish I could have been a kid in the 80s playing ultimate and Zelda when they came out

[@ginosensei]

The only channel in KZbin that I will gladly turn my notifications bell on! Craving for more content Sir Sakharu 🎩

[@danielalva2]

Same

[@volbound1700]

Regarding Dungeons and Keys, Level 2 had a ton of keys that you could get. Some where needed for just map and compass but not to complete level. You can come out of Level 2 with 2-3 extra keys giving you inventory for future dungeons. I always did that as a kid. Also, sometimes people played Dungeon 2 first because it is actually an easier dungeon to beat versus the first dungeon. Another cool tip is that there are 3 accessible heart containers on the map when you get bombs. You can literally get the White Sword (2nd sword) before you tackle any dungeon if you get these 3 heart containers.

[@sleazyfellow]

The original Zelda is tops for me. Never had played anything like it to that point. The exploration of a giant map right as you start the game.

[@lastone87]

And here I thought I knew damn near everything about this game, great doc for a classic and personal favorite of mine, along with most older gamers.

[@mouseroot8053]

This documentary is amazing, most only cover the stuff we all know about Loz, but this video takes it a step further, had no idea the theme music was composed in a night, had no idea they were uneasy about this release and tbh the second quest has alot more to it that this video did justice that others kinda just gloss over... I had been doing intense games research and this video really helped me see the full picture esp with the Famicom computer system... amazing to think this was a big risk they took and it not only paid off but it started the greatest game series known to mankind.

[@Retroman8077]

2:33 love how early development had the triforce room in Zelda one with 3 entrances

[@edguty3811]

I was playing this game at my sisters house with a bunch of her friends watching (I’m 10 years older than her) and they were completely shocked when I started burning specific trees and bombing secret entrances for heart containers. Games didn’t hold your hand back then. What a blast it was to show off my antiquated video game skills.😅

[@derrickderita7521]

The best break down of this game I've found on KZbin

[@volbound1700]

From all the stories, Miyamoto sounded like a perfectionist/task master but he was also well respected by the team. I imagine it was challenging working under him but I think most of his team believed in his vision and vice versa. I have heard that when he steps away from work, he can be pretty down to earth and enjoyable.

[@JasonRasmussen]

Such high quality long form videos! Seriously stellar documentaries. Keep up the amazing work. A Metroid development documentary would be great. I'd like to know their mindset when creating it. They really nailed the isolation feel on an 8 bit console.

[@HarmonicWave]

That's what I miss about the original Metroid. There was no map, even of where you've already been; walls or floors that can be bombed in certain spots with no visual clue; a black background that makes it feel like a deep cavern; ominous 8-bit music; even a couple of spots where you can get physically stuck with no way to jump out. You feel alone, trapped, lost.

[@mielthesquid6536]

The first one was rough on the edges but managed to do something no sequels did, the real sense of dread, being lost on a dangerous and hostile planet. It felt like you were not supposed to be there, as if it was not meant for human, totally alien. Of course it's a feeling very hard to keep the more and more the game is polished. The strength of Metroid 1 was also its flaws for many gamers.@@HarmonicWave

[@malaiko7937]

I rarely comment on videos, but thanks for these deep dives. While my girlfriend was having surgery and waiting in the hospital recovering, I've been taking care of our 3 month old and listening to these videos. You have helped me be a little more sane throughout cries, diapers, and baby bottles. Awesome content, awesome narration. Be proud of yourself. I can't wait for the next deep dive.

[@BLSFL_HAZE]

I'm positively BOWLED OVER by Miyamoto's genius. What an utterly AMAZING man!

[@volbound1700]

I played this on my original NES (which I still have and works with this game) as a kid and loved it. I played it this summer when overseas on my Switch and it still holds up. I think Ocarina, Twilight, and Windwaker are better overall games now but the original LOZ is an AMAZING game that every Zelda fan should play. Then again, I also love the second one (Adventures of Link) as well and most people hate it.

[@Huddison]

Now we just need you to make documentaries on the rest of the Zelda Series - Bravo!

[@reinatycoon3644]

Holy crud this was one of the greatest video game documentaries I have ever seen! Great work Sakharu. This game is amazing! I love it to bits. It is one of the most nostalgic games for me.. it goes back to my childhood years.

[@contrivedresident5917]

Another excellent documentary! I’ve been hard-pressed to find a channel that goes more in-depth into game design analysis than you, while still making it immensely understandable; what a great job of recreating the feel of the original Legend of Zelda experience. Glad to be subscribed!

[@casjean8904]

ah memories! i was 26 with a little brother. he got the nes for xmas. he played with it a bit, but i was hooked. LOZ was the reason. i have almost every game on every console. The only problem is that i have to play on a small screen due to motion sickness. i hope next console has this option.

[@CraigKostelecky]

40:06 Slight correction: if you defeat all of the enemies on the screen, they will eventually respawn. However, if you leave 1 enemy alive, only 1 enemy will respawn each time you come back.

[@user-dc7qx2gi3h]

This video brought me back to the first time I played Zelda and the feeling of adventure I got. Keep up the great work!

[@FlipswitchX]

I love how he was worried about space in the beginning, but they make a legendary game with only 50% of available memory anyway. 🧠💯

[@ujifujimoto212]

Interesting documentary. Some audio issues but quite good.

[@derekrequiem4359]

Well researched and great video essay! Keep up this type of content and I'm sure you'll grow your channel. 😀

[@jimcachero]

Incredible….. I was there from the start..at 50 I’m about to start my Tears of the Kingdom…thank you Mr Miyamoto

[@jimcachero]

And Ty for this series!!

[@weirdsoupcartoonsyeah]

this is great stuff. The history of the development of this game described in the video was amazing. I usually think I know quite a bit about zelda's development but you shed light on it in such a comprehensive way to what I had known before. I instantly subscribed.

[@Retroman8077]

Pacman and donkey Kong officially have scared their faces due to billy Mitchell dragging them through the court system.

[@NorkiNorkiGaming]

I think the "eastmost peninsula is the secret" hint refers to the 100 rupees obtainable in the top right screen of the overworld. Other than that, great video!

[@aaronsnowden6311]

Loved the Legend of Zelda when I was a kiddo. I remember calling my best friend when I found something new and he would do the same. Love the 80's. 😁

[@jslemahieu]

This documentary is incredible. Great commentary on the game's design. Keep em coming!

[@brichan1851]

One of the greatest videos I have ever seen covering The Legend of Zelda. Thank you so much! Instant subscriber. ❤❤❤❤

[@ronniea.7535]

He changed my life, I can't imagine my life without Mario or Zelda. Maybe its good, maybe it's not. But I had.good memories with my brother while watching him play. And when I played alone. Great games either way, love the new ones but....can't beat the original. As a kid, we had now worries. Anyways, I still love these games

[@BonnieBunny6]

I like how you compared dark souls at the end as dark souls is also a game that dosnt directly guide the players and feels unsafe as there is really no villages or safe place besides fire link shrine despite there being npcs

[@dannydorito4675]

Please keep them coming these docs are the best i have seen.

[@juliobonetti]

O just discovered this channel (through the PS2 doc). What great content. I'll keep watching and already subscribed. This channel is set to greatness and deserves more visibility, no doubt about that

[@AB-jt6ic]

Great video. Thank you for making it!

[@castjet9898]

You should do one for every Zelda game, I’ll definitely watch that.

[@danielalva2]

Agreed

[@jasonmendonca6061]

Subscribed. I can't wait to see what other videos you're going to publish

[@irotinmyskin]

This was such a well thought out, thorough documentary. Congratulations! I am surprised how new your channel is but keep up the amazing work. Zelda was the first game I ever played as a kid back in 87. It blew my mind. Now I am counting the years until I can finally show it and play it with my little son.

[@Kraviken]

Best documentary about Zelda 1 I have ever seen! :D

[@j.makison1547]

Man, if you keep making docs as high quality as this and the previous N64 one, I see this channel skyrocketing. Just those 2 videos alone seem to have more time and effort poured into them than 99% of other docs I’ve seen on those subjects. Awesome job man!

[@ChezRG-YT]

They are translations of his videos on his main french channel sakharu

[@gordon676]

Outstanding job.

[@josevillouta4588]

Solid work and research! Thank you!

[@DeformedLunchbox]

Dude your videos are amazing. I feel like this is a million+ sub channel that I've found in the under 10k sub category. Your voice work is great, your breakdowns and history are comprehensive. I can't wait for you to make more videos. In three videos you have become one of my favourite content creators. Wow.

[@sakharubaguette]

Thank you so much!

[@michaelgeelan778]

So happy to see you've posted another video! 😊

[@markaitkenguitar]

Outstanding, thank you for this.

[@jayvee5686]

These are long and the quality of the information is top tier. Keep it up, and you'll have a channel w/ a dedicated fan base in no time

[@brichan1851]

27:40 I like how you talk about the second ad as making the game well known, yet it’s the “Zelda Rap,” that we all remember and what made us all want the game, back in 1987.

[@earlusmcdivett]

Oh another blissful hour and 15 mins!! So excited! Welcome back!

[@brianm2301]

This was great. Truly appreciated.

[@86twin]

The thing with the enemies is that in the overworld and labrynth room where all foes aren’t required to be killed to advance, is if you kill all but one, then only that one will spawn when returning to that particular area.

[@dboygreenz]

Simply brilliant!!! Looking forward to your next one ...

[@kdsanchez2433]

Excellent documentary , I love video game history, 👍🏼👍🏼

[@a2406]

What a great documentary about one of the games that defined me as a player! Thanks. Subscribed.

[@Luipaard005]

I remember the original box, my oldest sister had one. She showed me how to play it too :) Great documentary!

[@TeamRocketHQR]

0:28 Beta footage!!!!! The boomerang & sword choice!!!!

[@drakewaterston7447]

Hats off sir, this is a true quality channel

[@bokuboke482]

A superb retrospec of a groundbreaking game! Subbed and await your next upload... =D

[@descascalatinha]

Keep up your work mate, your videos are amazing. I will be in the wait for whatever you give us next

[@matttyree1002]

This is a great retrospective! Subbed ;)

[@olivercorrodi3340]

great video! instant sub. keep it up

[@doritoscheetosfritos]

Great video once again

[@rufio.5961]

Ayeeee another one we love this we love you thank you so much

[@seiferblade9180]

Seeing as how this is my favorite game franchise (few games I missed though), this was an amazing and highly informative watch. You got a sub out of me with this one

[@bantyone5299]

really love this channel. I am up for any interesting stories about nintendo you see fit to document!

[@wadeepperson6906]

The first game I ever beat as a kid.

[@cronstrubzo]

very good docu, very much enjoyed!

[@WilliamMark]

Very good stuff! Keep it up🎉

[@doc.sk8erdie286]

Great documentary!😃👍

[@tonywhite3835]

Great doc!

[@everettdawn7811]

I bought a Famicom with the disk system along with an original copy of The Legend of Zelda. It has the original manual as well. The manual included stickers originally, unfortunately, some kid had removed them and probably stuck them on their lunchbox.

[@kuhatsuifujimoto9621]

the zelda game and watch is how i first beat this game!

[@OkdakSempai]

Another blessed video

[@_thejuicebox]

Well done!!

[@jrockudont]

This is what KZbin is all about. Thank you

[@dannydorito4675]

Here is another secret, if you play the recorder after hit by a red bubble you can use your sword again

[@mmutants116]

better pronunciations for names this time around! great video

[@TheGunmanChannel]

52:25 "this creates an interesting Link" I see what you did there 😏

[@cjeelde]

I believe the name ZELDA to play the 2nd Quest is for the developers and the test players so they never had to complete the 1st Quest first. Probably the same thing about warp zones in Super Mario Bros 1 and 2. And 3 :) And they probably thought that the mass market would love these secrets, so when they discover these secrets it's so satisfying. Same about no cracks that helps you to know where to put a bomb. So satisfying when you've found a place where you can bomb up the wall. In dungeons there's only 4 possible places where you can use the bomb on the walls and it's in the middle of each direction. If there's already an opening or a door, you don't need to try to put a bomb there :) in the 2nd Quest you can also try to walk thru invisible doors! The dungeon map and Link's created map will also give you a little bit help for where to put a bomb. In the overworld, you will see a pattern where you can put a bomb: it's always when Link is pointing upwards and always a flat surface, never on a diagonal surface. And you can also place a bomb between two "blocks" on the rocks so it's one try for two blocks! Next thing to know about rocks that you can bomb: if there's already an entrance in that screen, you cannot bomb up the rocks. A corner block is also not possible to bomb up. It's much more satisfying to bomb up walls and rocks in Zelda 1 than in Zelda for SNES for example :)

[@treelzebub]

This is such an excellent documentary, thank you! If you don't mind some constructive criticism: the audio effect you're using for quotations makes it really hard to hear what's being said. Really solid production otherwise!

[@CatMonette]

Great video! Really enjoy some of the extra facts I've never heard before, like the music for the game being composed so close to its launch. By the way, have you heard of the Dragon Slayer franchise from Falcom? It actually was one of the direct inspirations for The Legend of Zelda, and I don't hear that fact brought up much. It definitely would be cool to see you touch on that franchise one day because these videos are so well done!

[@veghesther3204]

I have but never really played it most of those Dragon Slayer games I'm not sure if they EVER left Japan.

[@SEGAClownboss]

This is that good stuff.

[@wampabutt]

The Legend of Zelda is to the video game world what Star Wars was to the cinematic world.

[@turtleanton6539]

Perfekt 😊

[@JohnSmith-zw8vp]

2:30 -- So where's our Zelda Maker? Allegedly Shiggy wanted to do this even BEFORE the first Zelda came out so...where is it?

[@joypadlad]

Great video! Thank you! I wouldn't classify Zelda as an RPG. Zelda II is the only RPG in the series.

[@dowingba]

The enemies respawn after you go two screens away then come back. It's exactly the same way they work in Metroid.

[@Retrogameplayer8000]

There were manuals behind the counter with the blank Famicom disks if u had gotten a game written to a disk