What was the first game in Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series, released in Japan in 1986?

The first game in Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series, released in Japan in 1986, was The Legend of Zelda.

Nintendo released the original game for the Family Computer Disk System on February 21, 1986. It placed players in the land of Hyrule, where Link searches for the fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom and attempts to rescue Princess Zelda from Ganon.

The game became notable for its open-ended exploration, hidden secrets, item-based progression, and save system. Its design encouraged players to experiment and revisit areas after finding new equipment. A cartridge version followed in Japan, and the game reached North America in 1987 on the Nintendo Entertainment System.

The title can be confused with Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, the direct sequel, or with later entries such as A Link to the Past. The original's title is simply The Legend of Zelda, without a subtitle.