Nintendo has expanded its Nintendo Music library with the addition of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, one of the mos debated entries in the Legend of Zelda franchise. Available now to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, the update includes both the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Famicom Disk System versions of the soundtrack. Each version runs for roughly 16 minutes, with the NES release featuring a bonus three-second “Secret Entrance” theme, bringing its total track list to 20 tracks.
Released in 1987, Zelda II marked a bold departure from the original game’s top-down exploration, introducing side-scrolling combat and RPG-style leveling mechanics. While these changes divided fans at the time, the game’s music has remained a standout feature, with themes like the Palace track earning praise for their energy and memorability. The Famicom Disk System version even includes a slightly different encounter theme, a variation that later resurfaced in The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap during mini boss battles.
This addition is notable not only for its nostalgic value but also because it marks the 100th game to join the Nintendo Music platform, according to fan tracking. The service, launched in October 2024 for iOS and Android in select regions, offers curated soundtracks from Nintendo’s history exclusively to paying Switch Online members. While Zelda II’s arrival has been warmly received, some fans have expressed surprise that, nearly a year after launch, the app still lacks any pre-Switch Pokémon soundtracks.
With Zelda II now part of the collection, Nintendo Music continues to grow as a hub for retro gaming audio, giving longtime fans and newcomers alike a chance to revisit, or discover, the distinctive sounds of one of the most unconventional chapters in the Zelda series.