"The Legend of Zelda", also known as "Overworld Theme",(TLoZThe Legend of Zelda)[1] "Light World",(ALttPA Link to the Past)[2] and "Hyrule Overworld Theme",(TLoZThe Legend of Zelda | ALttPA Link to the Past)[3] is a recurring Song in The Legend of Zelda series. It was first introduced in The Legend of Zelda as the overworld theme, and evolved into the theme song for the entire series. It was written by Koji Kondo.
The Legend of Zelda main theme appears in The Legend of Zelda as the overworld theme, and in the credit sequences of A Link to the Past and The Wind Waker. Parts of it appeared in the music of Hyrule Field in Ocarina of Time.
"The Legend of Zelda" can be heard during the true ending of Breath of the Wild.
The piece is in march tempo. In most versions, it begins with a slower, pensive version of the main theme, accompanied by ascending sets of three tones. This transitions into a faster marching beat and then introduces the full theme by repeating the first measure of the full theme twice. The full theme is composed of three statements, which then transition into a higher-pitched, melodic climax. The climax repeats three times, descending in pitch and changing key each time, until a quick set of beats returns the music to the original full theme. There is often an echo after each statement. With more sophisticated instrumentation, the piece usually uses an extensive brass section.
The Legend of Zelda theme song has appeared in all of the Super Smash Bros. games as background music for Zelda related stages and a victory theme for Link, Princess Zelda and Ganondorf.
In SoulCalibur II, this theme serves as the background music for the Cathedral stage, which is considered to be Link's stage.
An orchestral arrangement of "The Legend of Zelda" appears in Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival.[4]