The Legend of Zelda, a cornerstone of gaming history, has captivated players since its NES debut in 1986. Nintendo’s dedication to crafting breathtaking adventures has defined console generations, with many of Link’s quests ranking among the greatest games ever made. Ranking these iconic titles is a daunting task, but we’ve embarked on this Hyrulean journey, traversing from the 8-bit era to the expansive open world of Breath of the Wild and its successor, Tears of the Kingdom.
The Best of the Best: Top Tier Zelda Adventures
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild redefined the series, discarding traditional dungeons for 120 intricate shrines and colossal Divine Beasts. Weapon degradation, a controversial change, ultimately enhanced the gameplay. Breath of the Wild’s sprawling open world, brimming with secrets and breathtaking vistas, ushered Zelda into the modern era. This bold reinvention preserved the series’ signature sense of wonder while pushing it in a thrilling new direction. It stands as not only the best Zelda and Switch game but arguably among the greatest games ever created.
Link gazing at Hyrule in Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, a timeless classic, transitioned Zelda into 3D, revolutionizing the franchise. Every moment, from exploring Hyrule Field to the final battle with Ganon, remains captivating. This N64 masterpiece has aged gracefully, retaining its engaging gameplay.
Link holding the Master Sword in Ocarina of Time 3D
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, initially met with skepticism for its cel-shaded art style, is now recognized as one of the most visually stunning entries. Sailing the Great Sea, discovering new islands, and experiencing the touching story of Link rescuing his sister make this a truly unforgettable adventure. Its lore and unique ending set it apart, making it an ideal entry point for newcomers.
Link sailing on the King of Red Lions in Wind Waker HD
Excellent Entries: Zelda Games That Shine
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom builds upon Breath of the Wild’s foundation, shifting the focus from exploration to experimentation. Link’s ability to fuse items and create unique contraptions revitalizes the familiar Hyrule. This innovative gameplay makes Tears of the Kingdom a remarkable sequel, although it lacks the initial freshness of its predecessor.
Link using his new abilities in Tears of the Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, originally a handheld adaptation of A Link to the Past, evolved into a charmingly quirky adventure. Its experimental nature, featuring cameos from other Nintendo characters and unique gameplay elements, sets it apart. The Switch remake elevates this classic with updated visuals and refined gameplay mechanics.
Link exploring Koholint Island in Link's Awakening
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, a Super Nintendo classic, refined the original’s formula with stunning 16-bit graphics and the innovative concept of parallel worlds. Its expertly designed dungeons and clever puzzles cemented its place as one of the greatest games of the ’90s.
Link in the Dark World in A Link to the Past
Good Games, But Not the Greatest: The Rest of Hyrule’s Legends
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D, with its darker themes and unique time mechanic, offers a compelling and unsettling adventure in Termina. The pressure of the impending moon crash and Link’s transformative masks create a distinct sense of urgency.
Link wearing Majora's Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, featuring Zelda as the protagonist, introduces innovative gameplay mechanics with its Echo ability. However, a clunky UI and performance issues hold it back from reaching its full potential.
Zelda using her Echo ability
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, developed by Capcom, introduced the shrinking mechanic, allowing Link to explore Hyrule from a miniature perspective. This unique feature, combined with the Kinstone fusion system, makes for a refreshing Zelda experience.
Link with Ezlo, the Minish Cap
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, a 3DS sequel to A Link to the Past, introduced wall-merging and an item rental system, offering a fresh take on familiar gameplay.
Link merging into a wall in A Link Between Worlds
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, while a solid entry, plays it safe compared to other Zelda titles. Its darker tone and motion controls (on Wii) set it apart, but it lacks the innovation of other games in the series.
Link in wolf form in Twilight Princess HD
The Least Impressive: Zelda Games That Fall Short
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, while significant for its place in the Zelda timeline, was initially hampered by its motion controls. The Switch version addressed these issues, making it a more enjoyable experience.
Link flying in Skyward Sword HD
Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda, a unique rhythm-based spin-off, blends Zelda’s world with the gameplay of Crypt of the NecroDancer. While enjoyable, its unconventional approach may not appeal to all Zelda fans.
Gameplay screenshot of Cadence of Hyrule
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, released together on Game Boy Color, offered two distinct yet interconnected adventures. While impressive for their time, they haven’t aged as gracefully as other Zelda titles.
Link in Oracle of Ages
The Legend of Zelda, the game that started it all, remains a landmark title. Its open-ended gameplay and sense of discovery were revolutionary for its time.
The original Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, while featuring enjoyable train-based travel, falls short of other Zelda games in terms of dungeon design and overall impact.
Link conducting the train in Spirit Tracks
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, a cooperative multiplayer experience, offers a fun diversion from traditional Zelda gameplay but lacks the depth and exploration of other titles.
Four Links in Four Swords Adventures
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, a divisive entry with its side-scrolling perspective and RPG elements, deviates significantly from the established Zelda formula.
Link fighting an enemy in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, though sharing similarities with Spirit Tracks, is less engaging due to its less compelling dungeons.
Link sailing in Phantom Hourglass
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes, a cooperative multiplayer game for the 3DS, fails to capture the magic of the series and offers a forgettable experience.
The three Links in Tri Force Heroes
Conclusion: A Legacy of Hyrulean Adventures
With such an extensive catalog, The Legend of Zelda series has its share of triumphs and missteps. From the groundbreaking open world of Breath of the Wild to the timeless charm of Ocarina of Time, Link’s adventures continue to inspire and entertain. While not every game reaches the same heights, the series as a whole stands as a testament to Nintendo’s dedication to creating unforgettable gaming experiences.
