When it comes to the iconic Legend of Zelda series, most people immediately think of Nintendo consoles. After all, Nintendo has been the home of this beloved franchise since its inception. However, there is one non-Nintendo console that has managed to secure the rights to host Zelda games - the Philips CD-i.

The Philips CD-i, released in the early 1990s, was a multimedia console that aimed to offer more than just gaming. It featured interactive CD-ROM games, movies, and educational content. In an unexpected turn of events, Nintendo and Philips collaborated to create three Zelda games for this console.

The first game, "Link: The Faces of Evil," was released in 1993. It deviated from the traditional gameplay style of Zelda games and instead adopted a side-scrolling action approach. The game follows Link as he battles against Ganon to rescue Princess Zelda. While the gameplay and overall quality of the game received mixed reviews, it remains an interesting addition to the Zelda franchise.

A year later, in 1994, "Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon" was released for the Philips CD-i. Similar to its predecessor, this game also features side-scrolling action gameplay. Players control Princess Zelda as she embarks on a mission to rescue Link and defeat Ganon. Despite its unique concept, the game received criticism for its clunky controls and questionable animation quality.

The third and final Zelda game for the Philips CD-i was "Zelda's Adventure," released in 1995. This game returned to the traditional top-down perspective and gameplay style of the original Zelda games. Players take on the role of Zelda as she explores the land of Tolemac and battles against the evil Gannon. Although it received better reviews compared to the previous two CD-i titles, it still fell short of the high standards set by Nintendo's own Zelda games.

While these Zelda games on the Philips CD-i may not have achieved the same level of success or recognition as their Nintendo counterparts, they hold a unique place in the franchise's history. If you're a die-hard Zelda fan looking to experience every aspect of the series, then you might want to consider exploring these lesser-known entries on the Philips CD-i.

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