<P> Since the original The Legend of Zelda was released in 1986 , the series has expanded to include 19 entries on all of Nintendo 's major game consoles , as well as a number of spin - offs . An American animated TV series based on the games aired in 1989 and individual manga adaptations commissioned by Nintendo have been produced in Japan since 1997 . The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo 's most prominent and successful franchises , selling over 75 million copies as of 2016 . </P>
<P> Since the original The Legend of Zelda was released in 1986 , the series has expanded to include 19 entries on all of Nintendo 's major game consoles , as well as a number of spin - offs . An American animated TV series based on the games aired in 1989 and individual manga adaptations commissioned by Nintendo have been produced in Japan since 1997 . The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo 's most prominent and successful franchises , selling over 75 million copies as of 2016 . </P>
when was the first legend of zelda released
when was the first legend of zelda released
1986
1986