I love how the NES Zelda 1986 summary encapsulates the AAA WeSterN DeZign:
Link begins the game equipped only with a small shield, but can enter a cave and receive a sword from an old man who advises, "
It's dangerous to go alone! Take this."
[16] Throughout the adventure, Link finds and acquires various items that increase his abilities further, including Heart Containers which increase his life meter; magic rings which decrease the amount of damage Link takes from enemy attacks; and stronger swords which allow Link inflict more damage to enemies. These items are mainly found in caves scattered throughout the land. Some are easily accessible, while others are hidden beneath obstacles such as rocks, trees, and waterfalls.
[17]Defeated enemies sometimes drop items including hearts, which refill the life meter, and Rupees, the in-game currency. Rupees can also be found in hidden treasure caves and are used to buy equipment, information, and ability upgrades.
Hidden in the overworld are entrances to eight large dungeons housing the pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom.
[18] Each dungeon has a unique maze-like layout of rooms connected by doors and
secret passages, often barred by
monsters (which must be defeated) or by blocks (which must be moved to gain entrance).
[19] Dungeons also contain useful items Link can add to his inventory, such as a
boomerang for stunning enemies and retrieving distant items, and a magical
recorder that lets Link teleport to the entrance of any dungeon he has previously cleared.
[20] Once Link has collected all eight pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom from these dungeons, he gains access to a ninth and final dungeon in order to defeat Ganon and rescue Zelda.
[21] The game may be completed by traversing any given dungeon on the overworld and is largely flexible to players, although gameplay steadily increases in difficulty, and some rooms can only be passed by using items gained in previous locations. There are dungeons with secret entrances which must be uncovered while freely wandering the overworld after acquiring useful items. This freedom allows many ways of progressing through the game. It is possible to reach the final boss without receiving the normally vital sword at its outset.[22]The game world contains 600 separate scenes,[23]with the overworld consisting of over 97 scenes and the underworld consisting of nine multi-scene labyrinths.[24]