Legendary: The Many Lives of The Legend of Zelda

It is arguably the greatest franchise in videogame history.

Mario may be the most recognizable game character in the world, but no series is more beloved nor has inspired more devoted fans than The Legend of Zelda. For four decades, Zelda games have pushed and perfected what is possible in the medium, becoming lodestars for generations of players. In Legendary, journalist and lifelong fan Eric Betts traces the franchise across eighteen core installments, exploring what has made it an enduring cultural icon.

In covering the Zeldaverse game by game, Legendary touches on topics that are central to modern popular entertainments: navigating sprawling multiverses, appeasing young and old audiences, balancing nostalgia and innovation. Betts provides an entertaining account of the franchise’s evolution, from its phenomenally successful 1987 US launch through continued reimaginings and boundary-pushing. Melding personal reminiscence, industry history, and insightful “close readings,” Betts offers up plenty of goodies for devotees: capturing the essence of a good Zelda dungeon, comparing different installments’ approaches to combat, and mounting a quixotic defense of the franchise’s black sheep, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. The result is a fascinating case study in gaming history and an affectionate tribute to some of the most acclaimed games of all time.