Released in 1986, The Legend of Zelda puts the player in the shoes of the elf-like character Link as he journeys across the land of Hyrule to rescue Princess Zelda from the malevolent Ganon.
The game’s open fantasy world, action-adventure gameplay and thrilling music were a major influence on fantasy role-playing games to come.
Legendary composer Koji Kondo established the series’ trademark sound with his score.
The original opening theme is widely recognized in the gaming world and beyond.
Listen to the episode to hear beloved music from franchise titles like Breath of the Wild, Ocarina of Time, A Link to the Past and more!
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Generous support for the music heard on this program comes from the Robert T. and Ruth Haidt Hughes Memorial Acquisitions Fund.
Thanks to Michael Culler for engineering assistance and to Christine Kyprianides for production support.
Amanda Sewell is IPR's Music Director, and Keith Brown is GAMEPLAY’s host and executive producer. Emily Duncan Wilson is IPR's Digital Content Manager.
Here's the episode's playlist:
Manaka Kataoka - Main Theme (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) - The Laurence Manning Trio: Laurence Manning, piano; Daphnee Sincennes Richard, violin; Lou Dunand-Vincent, cello
Yasuaki Iwata - Mipha's Theme (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) - The Laurence Manning Trio: Laurence Manning, piano; Daphnee Sincennes Richard, violin; Lou Dunand-Vincent, cello
Koji Kondo - The Legend of Zelda: Main Theme (The Legend of Zelda) - Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra; Voces Tokyo
Akito Nakatsuka - Town Theme (Zelda II: The Adventure of Link) - The Noble Demon
Akito Nakatsuka - Palace Theme (Zelda II: The Adventure of Link) - The Noble Demon
Koji Kondo - Hyrule Castle (The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past) - The Game Brass
Koji Kondo - Lost Woods (The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past) - The Game Brass
Koji Kondo - Battle with Ganon (The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past) - The Game Brass
Minako Hamano, Kazumi Totaka, Kozue Ishikawa - You're Lost [Link's Awakening: Mysterious Forest] (The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening) - DiscoCactus, featuring insaneintherainmusic (Carlos Eiene), tenor saxophone; Dom Palombi, drums
Koji Kondo - Castle Town Market (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) - Slovak National Symphony Orchestra / Allan Wilson, cond.
Koji Kondo - The Legendary Blade (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) - Slovak National Symphony Orchestra / Allan Wilson, cond.
Hajime Wakai, Takeshi Hama - Ballad of the Goddess (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword) - ROZEN; Voices of Termina; REVEN, soprano
Yasuaki Iwata - Kass's Theme (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) - Patti Rudisill, violin, viola; Israfelcello (Andrew Dunn), cello
Yasuaki Iwata - Tarrey Town (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) - Patti Rudisill, violin, viola, piano; Diana Dunn, English horn
Hajime Wakai - Molduga Battle (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) - Patti Rudisill, violin
