Link: The Faces of Evil was the product of a compromise between Nintendo and Philips following their failure to release a CD-ROM based add-on to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The Faces of Evil differ from most conventional Zelda games as it is a platformer with a side-scrolling view, similar to The Adventure of Link. Stages are accessed from a world map, with more becoming available as Link clears an area or defeats a boss. The game have been subject to much criticism and Nintendo does not recognize it as part of the series.

Ganon and his cronies have seized the island of Koridai and kidnapped Princess Zelda. Link must fight through Ganon's minions to defeat the Faces of Evil and destroy Ganon to bring peace back to the island and save Princess Zelda.