Is The Legend of Zelda an RPG?

[Sephiroth]

Nope. The core element that makes an RPG (any type of experience system) is missing. While we're at it, Vagrant Story also isn't an RPG.

If that were the real deal tons of games that are no RPG at all would be RPGs. And Zelda at least rewards you, works with different damage formulas, guard formulas/ways to increase/decrease that gives you more hearts. In other words, you do not level up but everything necessarily associated with that is in it. As in other games. So this whole stat thing just because two variables are missing is very questionable in the first place. And then it has the other stuff that RPGs are also known for.