It seems like you're referring to The Legend of Zelda series, which includes various games featuring the iconic character Link and the princess, Zelda. The series has indeed experimented with different gameplay styles over the years, leading to various interpretations and styles of gameplay.
The original The Legend of Zelda, released in 1986, introduced the top-down perspective with action-adventure gameplay. This style continued in several subsequent games, such as A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening.