Link no Bouken - The Legend of Zelda 2 (Japan) (Rev 1) (Collector's Edition)

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Famicom Disk System Adventure Revision Base The Legend of Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link Ver Rev 1 1987 Japan 1 Player 5 (0) 6

Link no Bouken - The Legend of Zelda 2 (Japan) (Rev 1) (Collector's Edition)

What is Link no Bouken - The Legend of Zelda 2 (Japan) (Rev 1) (Collector's Edition)?

Reviewed by the Retro Games Online Editorial Team · Updated June 8, 2026

Link no Bouken - The Legend of Zelda 2 (Japan) (Rev 1) (Collector's Edition) is the Japanese release of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link for the Famicom Disk System. Originally launched in 1987 and developed by Nintendo, this particular build carries a Rev 1 revision, suggesting minor fixes or optimizations applied after the initial run. The 'Collector's Edition' label on the retrogames.cc listing hints at a curated dump, but this remains the standard Japanese FDS version at its core. It's a side-scrolling action RPG hybrid, a bold departure from the top-down formula of its predecessor.

The game drops you into an overworld map where you travel between towns, caves, and palaces. Combat plays out in real-time side-scrolling stages; Link uses his sword and can learn magic spells by visiting wise men. Experience points let you level up attack, magic, and life stats, a feature unique to this entry in the classic series. Navigating Hyrule requires careful exploration, talking to villagers, and solving puzzles to progress through the story.

What makes this title stand out today is its sheer ambition - it tried to merge Zelda exploration with RPG mechanics and platforming action on limited hardware. The difficulty is famously high, especially in the later palaces, but that challenge has earned it a devoted following. If you enjoy early action RPGs or want to see where the series dared to go after the original, this Japanese revision offers a faithful, if demanding, experience.

How to Play Link no Bouken - The Legend of Zelda 2 (Japan) (Rev 1) (Collector's Edition) Online

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: A button (jump / confirm)
S: B button (run / attack / cancel)
Enter: Start / Pause
V: Select

When you start the game, you'll see the title screen and then a short cutscene. Press Start to begin. The menus are entirely in Japanese, but the layout is simple: the top option starts a new game, and the second continues a saved game (the FDS version uses save slots on the disk). After selecting new game, you begin in North Castle. Talk to the king by pressing the A button (X key) and then step outside into the overworld. The core loop involves exploring the world map, entering side-scrolling areas for combat, and visiting towns to gain hints and spells. Use the D-Pad to move, the B button (S key) to attack with your sword, and hold B while moving to run faster. Jump by pressing A (X key). You can also thrust your sword downward while jumping by pressing down and A. Pay attention to the red life bar at the top left. If you die you restart from the last town or palace entrance. Magic is vital later - each spell requires MP, which recharges by walking on the overworld or resting in towns. Because this is the Japanese version, you'll need to memorize menu actions or look up a translation guide for quest clues. A new player should know that leveling up is crucial. Talk to every villager, and don't rush into palaces underleveled. The game doesn't hold your hand, so be prepared to explore thoroughly. Save your progress using the FDS save function (the game prompts you at certain points). If you get stuck, the magic spells like Reflect and Fairy can help, but you find them by progressing through the main quest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who developed Link no Bouken - The Legend of Zelda 2?

Nintendo's internal teams developed this game, with Shigeru Miyamoto serving as producer and director. It was a direct follow-up to the original Zelda and pushed the Famicom Disk System hardware in new directions.

What makes Link no Bouken - The Legend of Zelda 2 stand out among Famicom Disk System titles of its era?

It blended side-scrolling action with RPG leveling and an overworld map, a departure from the top-down Zelda formula. This mix of platforming, experience points, and magic spells was rare on the FDS and gave the game a distinct, challenging identity.

Does Link no Bouken - The Legend of Zelda 2 have a multiplayer or co-op mode?

No, it is strictly a single-player adventure. The original Famicom Disk System version had no multiplayer support, and this Revision 1 does not change that.