Zelda II: The Adventure of Link similar games & best alternatives

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link - zelda-ii-the-adventure-of-link_1.avif
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link - zelda-ii-the-adventure-of-link_2.avif
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link - zelda-ii-the-adventure-of-link_3.avif
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link - zelda-ii-the-adventure-of-link_4.avif
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link - zelda-ii-the-adventure-of-link_5.avif
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link - zelda-ii-the-adventure-of-link_6.avif

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Family Computer Disk System, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Entertainment System • 1987

Should you play it?

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is the second major installment in The Legend of Zelda series and the direct sequel to the first game. Like its predecessor, it features dungeons that must be located in the overworld and searched for an item that will prove useful. However, the game presents many very important gameplay changes compared to the previous one, affecting especially the movements and the combat. Moving around the world map involves encounters with enemies that take place on a side-scrolling playfield rather than the top-down perspective for which the series became known.

What works

  • Innovative combat system
  • Deep rpg progression
  • Challenging and rewarding gameplay
  • Unique side-scrolling zelda experience
  • Engaging music and atmosphere

Things to keep in mind

  • High difficulty and frustration
  • Punishing respawn system
  • Opaque progression and hidden secrets
  • Dated graphics and limited storytelling
  • Lack of modern quality-of-life features

What to play next

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Similarity map

How to compare these games

Compare nearby games

Each card is a nearby game on the similarity map, compared with Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. Swipe sideways to move between games. Titles already listed in What to play next are left out.

  • Cover and title: open that game’s page.
  • What works / keep in mind: the same highlights as the desktop comparison panel.
  • Bars: the main motivational differences versus this game.
How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

Swipe to compare nearby games with Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. These titles are not in What to play next.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Violence, Survival, Fellowship, Intimacy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Leadership.

Last update: 02/09/2026