The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Ocarina of Time are widely considered among the best and most influential titles in the series. Tears of the Kingdom stands as a unique entry with a distinctive art style and immersive gameplay. Four Swords and Tri Force Heroes offer multiplayer experiences, but they lack the depth of exploration and discovery found in other Zelda games.
The Legend of Zelda is a Nintendo franchise that has become synonymous with producing great games, but which Zelda titles are the best? While the franchise boasts a rich history with consistently engaging games, some are demonstrably better than others. First debuting in 1986, The Legend of Zelda has undergone numerous iterations, showcasing the versatility and innovation of the series. Evaluating each Zelda game's individual strengths and weaknesses helps identify titles that stand out as exceptional experiences in the franchise's vast library.
Every Nintendo Console, Ranked By Their Games Nintendo is known for its amazing exclusive franchises, but has also had growing pains. Which console era is the best based on the popularity of its games?
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures is a co-op Zelda game that offers a perfectly enjoyable co-op experience, but it lacks the breadth and depth of exploration and discovery found in the mainline games. It was the first Legend of Zelda game to offer online connectivity rather than relying on the use of link cables. While the game can be fun with friends, the single-player experience may not be as deep or engaging as it is in the mainline games.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords required a GameCube and Game Boy Advances to play multiplayer, but releasing it on the Switch can fix that.
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons are two of Zelda's most underrated games, yet they shine brightly amongst the other Zelda titles. While developer Capcom brought a unique angle to these games, they remain overshadowed by more highly acclaimed releases. Oracle of Ages and Seasons offer a fresh perspective on the Zelda formula with their ability to change seasons and shift the world around the player for an immersive experience.Choosing between Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages is ultimately a matter of preference, with Season's focus on combat offering a more intense experience, while Oracle of Ages leans towards puzzles and intricate puzzles that require more thought and observation. Puzzles are often the true highlight of 2D Zelda games, and while Oracle of Ages may initially seem more accessible, it's not a game to be underestimated. Some of the game's dungeons can be quite cryptic and frustrating, with backtracking being a significant element in navigating these challenges.The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is a critically acclaimed video game released for the Nintendo DS in 2007. Despite its release 10 years ago, it remains a popular and highly regarded title. The game's graphics and story have aged well, but its innovative gameplay and exploration mechanics are still considered innovative. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass offers a unique and challenging gaming experience that is not for the faint of heart.
One of the few Legend of Zelda games to be a direct sequel to a previous game, Phantom Hourglass picks up after the events in The Wind Waker and sees Link heading to save Zelda's alter ego, Tetra, from Bellum. Phantom Hourglass makes creative use of the unique functions of the DS, asking players to blow into the mic and close the system for various tasks and utilizing touchscreen controls. Phantom Hourglass may not be at the top of many players' lists, but it still received a Metacritic score of 90.
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks builds upon the adventure of Phantom Hourglass by transporting players to the world of Spirit Tracks through the titular railway, offering a unique and contrasting experience compared to the traditional sea-faring gameplay of the first game. This shift in focus resulted in a split in player preferences, with some embracing the change and finding it refreshing, while others missed the elements of sailing the sea and prefered the familiarity of the first game. Consequently, Spirit Tracks's Metacritic score of 87 fell short of Phantom Hourglass's 90, suggesting a mixed reception among critics and players.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is a unique and unexpected title, setting itself apart from the traditional Hyrule setting and exploring the strange and mysterious Koholint Island.
A handheld classic developed by Capcom, The Minish Cap is a continuation of the Four Swords story. In this game, Link can shrink to a smaller size thanks to magic from his talking hat companion, Ezlo. This gimmick lends itself to charming puzzles and a unique angle on Hyrule, allowing Link to see things from an entirely new perspective. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap has a Metacritic score of 89.
A Link Between Worlds is an enchanting game that offers a unique blend of beautiful world and music, yet it is marred by annoyances like the distracting companion Fi. The game's languid pace and frequent distractions detract from its core strengths. While the Wii version of Skyward Sword boasts a high Metacritic score of 93, the Switch's re-release received lower ratings due to limited improvements.
The Legend of Zelda has 17 games and is celebrating its 35th anniversary. For someone new to the series, which game would be the best entry point to experience the world of Hyrule?
A Link to the Past, the first Zelda game to feature the Master Sword, played a pivotal role in establishing many of the core elements and recurring themes that have become synonymous with the series. It served as a foundation for the countless Zelda games that followed and continues to captivate fans with its timeless gameplay and captivating narrative.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is a highly expansive game that builds upon the elements established in its predecessor, Ocarina of Time. While the gameplay retains the core elements that made Ocarina of Time a beloved title, Majora's Mask introduces a new dimension of gameplay due to the introduction of Link's masks. This unique approach provides a more expansive and immersive experience.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023) released for the Nintendo Switch generated some controversy upon its release. Many fans had issues with the cel-shading design, believing that it made the game look too cartoony. Despite this, the game later became one of its most loved features, along with the introduction of Toon Link. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has gone on to become an iconic, classic title that competes with the best of the best and holds a Metacritic score of 96.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an innovative sequel to Breath of the Wild that pushes the boundaries of the Zelda formula with its vast new world and creative abilities like the Ultrahand and Fuse. Despite its impressive size, Tears of the Kingdom offers a refined and immersive experience with a captivating story and breathtaking visuals.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a video game released in early 2017 with endless hype. It has certainly lived up to its reputation. The game is unlike any Legend of Zelda title that came before it, with a massive open-world setting that has laid a groundwork for many other video games. Exploration of the massive map is encouraged with hidden features and distracting side objectives everywhere. The game's robust physics and tools make it creative and silly while also having an engaging narrative. BoTW won Game Of The Year at the Game Awards 2017 and has a score of 97 on Metacritic.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a beloved video game released for the Nintendo 64 and GameCube in 1998.
The game's enduring influence on the video game industry is undeniable, with its target-lock system becoming a standard feature in countless future titles. Ocarina of Time's lasting impact is evident in how it continues to inspire and influence developers, with its masterful design and gameplay setting serving as a blueprint for countless 3D adventure games.