A talented developer named Infidelity has ported Zelda II: The Adventure of Link from its original version to Nintendo's 16-bit platform.
Port status:
Infidelity invites players to try out this adaptation, emphasizing that it is fully playable from start to end. He also advises them to review the included README file which details all known issues needing further refinement.
I'm guessing because he's not selling the ROM, the Patreon only gave you early access. It seems to have now been made available to the public for free.
Why hasn’t Nintendo done anything yet? It’s weird.
Nintendo are weird. Sometimes they don't do anything for years and then suddenly lawsuit over 10 gazillion in damages. When doing anything unlicensed with Nintendo properties, the rules of thumb are: Keep it low key, don't monetize it. Both common sense rules Infidelity didn't care to follow.
I was curious so I gave it a spin. It's just a literal port that runs in an snes emulator. It's got a super nintendo logo at the start but everything else appears to just be a 1:1 port. Not sure the value in this but would be cool if someone used this as a base to update the assets.
I asked because years ago, I saw a ROM for NES that took the original Japanese version and retranslated everything to English, fixing a lot of broken clues and storylines. I haven't been able to find it again.
I suppose it depends on how you determine best, but emulation is gonna be the cheapest and easiest.
Im very interested in getting a Nintendo Watch and Play - Zelda edition to play it on there. apparently the audio is better on the Japanese version of the game and the WnP allows you to choose what audio you want to play with as well as the language. though I’m site there is a modded rom you could emulate that does the same thing.
otherwise you can pick it up on Nintendo online shop, physical NES or the GBA classic rerelease cartridge.