40 Years Later: How The Legend of Zelda Changed Gaming in 1986 and Is Still Doing It in 2026

Even after 40 years, The Legend of Zelda continues to influence the video game industry. In fact, at least three Zelda titles consistently rank among the top 10 greatest video games of all time. A recent analysis, which combined data from over 900 “greatest games” lists, confirmed this, placing Breath of the Wild, Ocarina of Time, and A Link to the Past all within the top 10, with Breath of the Wild taking the number one spot. This is a unique accomplishment – no other franchise, including Super Mario, has managed to have so many games ranked so highly, proving the lasting impact Zelda has had on gaming since its debut four decades ago.







