It's incredible how so many of these early Nintendo games came almost fully formed, boasting many of the elements that would go on to make their respective series so successful. Even if The Legend of Zelda can be frustrating in a modern context, as it uses the player reading the instruction manual as a crutch to elucidate many of the tricks required to reach the finish line, the game's cryptic nature and emphasis on exploration help the experience feel like solving a satisfying, Hyrule-sized puzzle box.

I would strongly recommend finishing The Legend of Zelda without a guide, only relying on in-game clues and the charming instruction manual—both of which are full of amusing early Japanese-to-English translation quirks. Not only is it a more rewarding way to play the game, but it's also a singular experience, one that's almost impossible to replicate in today's era of heavy-handed tutorials and extensive online guides. This isn't the best Zelda game, but it might be the most essential.