Which 1987 Nintendo game was the first in The Legend of Zelda series to use side-scrolling gameplay?

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link was the first game in The Legend of Zelda series to use side-scrolling gameplay.

Nintendo released the game for the Family Computer Disk System in Japan in 1987, followed by a Nintendo Entertainment System release in North America in 1988. Unlike the overhead exploration of the original The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II switches to side-view screens for much of its combat and platforming.

The game also introduced role-playing elements that became important to the series, including experience points, character levels, magic spells, and towns with non-player characters. Link uses a sword and shield in combat, and enemies can block attacks, making battles more timing-focused than in the first game.

A common mix-up is confusing Zelda II with A Link to the Past, which returned to an overhead perspective and was released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991. Zelda II remains one of the series’ most distinctive departures from its usual format.