Contrary to popular belief, this was NOT the only Zelda game to feature side-scrolling sequences. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (1993) also included several of these.
As of 2023, this is the only main Zelda game that does not utilize currency or trade to acquire items. It is also the only one that doesn't use "The Legend of Zelda" in the international title, even though the Japanese version does ('The Legend of Zelda 2: Rinku no bôken').
The names of many of the towns in The Adventure of Link were later used in the game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) as character names. Among the names used were Rauru, Saria, Mido, and Darunia.
Link's Shadow, the final boss in this game, later reappeared as a mini-boss in Ocarina of Time's Water Temple.
First game to introduce the Triforce of Courage, and feature the now-familiar "three golden triangles" shape for the united Triforce. This symbol has its roots in 13th century Japan, and is known as a 'Mitsuuroko' (Three Scales), the emblem of the Hojo clan who ruled Japan at the time. It has appeared prominently in Japanese iconography since, and has been used in many company logos as well.