Zelda series director Eiji Aonuma is not a fan of the franchise's origins - namely Legend of Zelda on NES.

Aonuma found the game too difficult and has never completed it, despite several attempts.

"I've never actually finished it," Aonuma explained to Game Informer. "I almost feel like there's still no game more difficult than it."

"Every time I try to play it I end up getting 'Game Over' a few too many times and giving up partway through," he said. "Certainly after playing the original Zelda for the first time, I didn't ever think that I wanted to make a game like that."

Aonuma only became a Zelda fan after playing SNES title A Link to the Past. "That sense of exploration of the world itself was really where I latched on to the series," Aonuma explained.

The original Legend of Zelda for NES features an unrelenting and vast screen-scrolling overworld, devoid of many features now familiar in Zelda games.

Nevertheless, the game introduced the series template for dungeon structure, enemies, and story, alongside weapons such as the bow and boomerang.

Aonuma is currently adding finishing touches to forthcoming Wii title Zelda: Skyward Sword, which launches 18th November in Europe.

Video: The latest Zelda: Skyward Sword footage.