The Legend of Zelda debuted on the Nintendo Entertainment System on February 21, 1986. Since then, we have followed Link, Zelda, and Ganon on nearly 20 unforgettable adventures. From intense swordplay to clever puzzles to expansive exploration, The Legend of Zelda has always thrilled, delighted, and surprised players, and with the 2017 release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the series has definitely come full circle, infusing Hyrule with a sense of quiet mystery and wonder that players simply had to discover for themselves.

In honor of Zelda's 35th anniversary, the Tom's Guide staff has put together a series of stories showcasing their personal favorite titles and the series' impact on players, game design, and even pop culture as a whole. The Legend of Zelda is no longer just a brilliant video game series. This ambitious series has always blended cutting-edge technology with rich traditions by offering fresh interpretations of age-old fantasy traditions.

Read on to find out how the Tom's Guide staff is celebrating the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda and what the game has meant to us over the years.

To celebrate The Legend of Zelda's 35th anniversary, Nintendo has announced an HD Switch port of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and a stylish limited edition Skyward Sword Joy-Con. We discussed why "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD" is the perfect remaster.

Staff writer Rory Mellon talked about how he started the Zelda series with 2017's "Breath of the Wild" - and how the classic Zelda games feel old now by comparison. After all, The Legend of Zelda looks very different to someone who started with one of the most experimental games in the franchise.

British editor Roland Moore-Collier writes about The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and the years-long quest to perfect the game. Even without seeing the ending, Roland argues that the game has more than earned its high reputation. Even modern open-world titles fall far short of its many charms.

I delved deeply into Joseph Campbell's literary theory to argue why The Legend of Zelda is not merely entertaining, but downright mythic. Link follows the archetypal "hero's journey," which helps to explain why Zelda endures not merely as a fun game series, but as part of a very modern mythology.

"The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" was the first game to give me a sense of the universe. The wide, mysterious ocean drew me into a vast world and made the unknown seem worth discovering. That sense of open adventure, anxiety, and fear must have been felt by Marco Polo and Ferdinand Magellan as they sailed the great ocean. It was Nintendo's brilliant design that compartmentalized it for 12-year-olds. Few games will ever equal it. - Imad Khan

Before The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was released, games were just something to do to pass the time. Mario, Mega Man, etc. were just sprites on the screen, meant to kill a few hours after school or on the weekend. But Ocarina of Time was much more than that. Here was an epic fantasy adventure with well-developed characters, a vast world to explore, and a story full of drama, humor, romance, excitement, and heartbreak. Stepping into the boots of Link's Hylia was not merely a means of challenging my gaming skills, but an entire world, and I felt privileged to have lived within it for 30 hours until the bittersweet ending. What is incredible is that the series has only gotten better and better since then. - Marshall Honorof

The Legend of Zelda is one of only a handful of series that feel like they are synonymous with gaming. Even those who have never touched a single title in the series know the iconic nature of the franchise. Show someone the Shield of Hylia and they will know who holds it.

"Breath of the Wild" was my first Zelda title and remains one of my favorite gaming experiences. It was bliss to explore the vastness of Hyrule and discover the secrets of the divine beasts and their sickly shrines. Since then, I've been able to dive into the back catalog of classic Zelda games and look forward to the upcoming Switch port. - Rory Mellon

My first experience with Link and his puzzle-centric adventures was The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, released on Nintendo's Game Boy. I remember the thrill of solving dungeon puzzles, discovering secret routes, meeting characters who could break the fourth wall, and breaking lots of pots. Despite the rudimentary visuals, Koholint Island felt like a deep and rich world. I did not play this game to the end.

Next came Ocarina of Time on the N64, an open-world experience that predated Fable and Skyrim. I still remember the fun of Hyrule Field in daylight and the horror of Hyrule Castle Town after Link pulled out his Master Sword. I did not play this game to the end.

Then came "Link to Between Worlds" on the 3DS, a seriously smart game that took advantage of the stereoscopic 3D capabilities of Nintendo's handheld gaming console. I did not play this game until the end.

My latest Zelda experience was Breath of the Wild. Not only is it a stunning entry in the Zelda series, but it is arguably one of the best games ever made. And, dear readers, I finished the game. - Roland Moore-Coyer

I grew up with The Legend of Zelda and have played many games, but the one I remember most is Ocarina of Time. I can talk about that game all I want, I can hum all the Ocarina songs, and I can remember how much my six-year-old self cried at the end when Link had to return the Ocarina of Time and the Master Sword. I was terrified of the "well" and it still makes me nervous, even though I know what's coming. The re-release of this game on the 3DS was a wonderful nostalgia trip and I still play this game and Master Quest re-releases from time to time. I also love "Twilight Princess," "Mask of Mujra," and "Breath of the Wild," but nothing compares to "Ocarina of Time" for me. - Jordan Palmer

The only Zelda series I've played is "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening". That was more than enough to get me hooked. I bought "Link's Awakening" when the national blockade first happened in the UK (March 2020), but that wasn't enough. As well as the cute cartoonish atmosphere, I was really impressed by the clever (and sometimes mind-twisting) puzzles, the adventurous gameplay, and the brilliant game design. I had never played the original game, so everything was fresh and exciting. However, if you are familiar with the series, it may feel somewhat repetitive. It was one of the first games I installed on my Nintendo Switch Lite at the time and remains one of my favorites to play on a depressing day. - Denise Privette

When my father bought me The Legend of Zelda in the 80s, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. At the time, Super Mario Bros. and Rad Racer were my preferred style of video games. But over the next few potions, dungeons, and rupees, The Legend of Zelda became one of my favorite video games. Sure, the puzzle solving was frustrating and the game itself felt almost repetitive. But nothing was more satisfying than randomly pushing a rock through the mountains of Hyrule to find the entrance to a secret dungeon. The subsequent Zelda/Link games were fun (and difficult), but to say that I beat the 80's classic would only earn respect from me. - Luis Ramirez