Link's journey began in 1986 with the release of the first Legend of Zelda game for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). This action-adventure game introduced players to the land of Hyrule, where Link, a brave young hero, must rescue Princess Zelda from the clutches of the evil Ganon. The game's success spawned a franchise with over 20 mainline games, numerous spin-offs, and a devoted fan base.