Let's take a moment to reflect on and rank the best Zelda games of all time, relishing in the memories of our favorite adventures.
This year, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has become a smash hit, captivating players with Link's exploits across Hyrule and beyond. However, Zelda games have been captivating us for years, from the original top-down pixel metroidvanias to the more recent open-world RPG-style tales. Determining the absolute best Zelda game of all time is no easy task—it's a topic that sparks division, as every fan has their personal favorite.
As we celebrate the latest addition to Nintendo's long-standing series, let's take a moment to reflect on and rank the best Zelda games of all time, relishing in the memories of our favorite adventures.
Capcom and its subsidiary Flagship showcased their prowess in the Zelda franchise with the Oracle games, and they continued their success with the exceptional Minish Cap. This installment introduced gamers to the beloved side character Ezlo, who possessed the ability to shrink Link. The concept of the shrunken world of the Piccori people brought a fresh perspective to the series, and the vibrant and visually appealing graphics remain some of the most memorable on the Game Boy Advance.
While Minish Cap may not have been as lengthy as other Zelda titles, it more than made up for it with its rewarding gameplay. The game's shorter length allowed for a tighter, more focused experience, filled with memorable moments and clever puzzles. The charming characters, captivating storyline, and delightful gameplay mechanics combined to create a truly enjoyable adventure.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess stands as the realization of the promises made by Nintendo's early GameCube tech demos. While it may not have reached the same level of memorability and adoration as the cartoony Wind Waker, it still holds a significant place among the great Zelda adventures. One of the standout aspects of Twilight Princess is the character Midna, a snarky imp who accompanies Wolf Link throughout the game. Midna's witty and mischievous nature makes her a much more endearing companion than the often pestering Navi, and her story intricately weaves into the world and lore of Twilight Princess.
The HD version of Twilight Princess on the Wii U addresses many of the original game's notable issues, providing a more streamlined experience for players. For example, the requirement of cow herding, which was present in the original version, is no longer mandatory in the HD version. These improvements enhance the overall gameplay and make the HD version a more polished and enjoyable experience.
While Twilight Princess may not have reached the same level of widespread acclaim as some other Zelda titles, it still offers a memorable adventure with its dark and atmospheric world. The game's dungeons, puzzles, and rich storyline contribute to its enduring appeal. Players who experienced the HD version on the Wii U can appreciate the refinements that enhance the overall gameplay experience.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds was a delightful surprise upon its release on the Nintendo 3DS in 2013. Initially perceived as a mere copy of its predecessor, A Link to the Past, fans quickly discovered its unique qualities, including non-linear progression and well-designed dungeons. Far from being a simple imitation, A Link Between Worlds emerged as one of the most enjoyable and tightly crafted Zelda experiences in years. Unfortunately, due to its status as a portable entry, it tends to be overlooked when discussing the top Zelda games, which is a shame.
While the game's story takes place in the familiar realms of Hyrule (Light World) and Lorule (Dark World) from A Link to the Past, A Link Between Worlds offers a fresh take on the Zelda formula. It defies linear conventions and introduces new gameplay elements that greatly enhance the experience. The ability to rent the series' mainstay items from the character Ravio, such as the bow, boomerangs, and bombs, brings back the open-world feel of the original Zelda, allowing players to explore the beautifully detailed stereoscopic 3D world freely. This newfound freedom empowers players to tackle dungeons in any order they choose, collect heart pieces, and engage in exhilarating combat with spear-wielding Moblins.
A Link Between Worlds showcases the strengths of the Nintendo 3DS, with its immersive stereoscopic 3D graphics and engaging gameplay mechanics. The game successfully captures the essence of the classic Zelda formula while introducing fresh and innovative elements that make it stand out. Its non-linear progression and high-quality dungeon design make it a standout entry in the series.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening has always been considered one of the series' hidden gems, an underrated adventure with ambitious aspirations. Over the years, it has garnered recognition as not only one of the best Game Boy games but also one of the finest titles on the Game Boy Color, thanks to its fantastic enhanced port. However, the 2019 remake for the Nintendo Switch offers an even more exceptional way to experience the joys of Link's Awakening.
The remake of Link's Awakening for the Nintendo Switch is an utterly delightful rendition of the game. It takes the world, characters, and story off the beaten path, successfully standing on its own without relying on the familiar locations or characters like Zelda and Ganon that are typically expected to appear. This unique approach adds to the charm and allure of the game, making it a standout entry in the series.
Link's Awakening has seen three iterations, each building upon the formula and making the game even better. The DX version introduced an additional dungeon and enhanced the world with vivid colors. The 2019 remake pushed the boundaries even further with an updated art style that revitalized the characters, world, and overall visuals, breathing new life into the heartfelt moments throughout Link's journey.
Nintendo's remake of Link's Awakening for the Switch showcases a beautiful visual redesign and updated mechanics, revitalizing the densely-packed Koholint Island where the game takes place. The game is not only a lot of fun to play but also exhibits an intelligent structure that keeps players engaged. Additionally, it goes the extra mile to celebrate the Zelda series and Nintendo's wider history, making it a pure delight for fans and newcomers alike.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker has aged gracefully over time. While there was initially some resistance from fans due to its cartoonish, cel-shaded art style, the game's vibrant and colorful world is now widely appreciated for its beauty and unique take on Hyrule. The Wind Waker is set in a version of Hyrule covered by a vast body of water, with the remnants of society residing on scattered islands.
It's true that there is a significant amount of sailing in the game, and even with the improvements made in the Wii U re-release, the extended sailing sections can sometimes feel burdensome. However, when the sailing mechanics work well, they offer a zen-like and liberating experience that captures the essence of open adventure that the Zelda franchise is known for.
In The Wind Waker, you'll navigate the waters with the help of a magical talking boat, explore some of the series' finest dungeons, and uncover the secret connections the game's story shares with Ocarina of Time. The only drawback is some late-game padding that prevents it from achieving an even higher position on the list of top Zelda games. However, many of these issues were addressed and mitigated in the Wii U's HD port, making it a more streamlined experience.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D is a unique and experimental entry in the Zelda series. Originally released just 18 months after Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask reuses many assets from its predecessor but presents a vastly different and strange experience. The game follows Young Link as he becomes trapped in Clock Town, facing the impending doom of being crushed by an angry, demonic moon. To prevent this disaster, Link must relive the same three days repeatedly, navigating the town's daily routines and unraveling riddles to save the world from destruction.
Majora's Mask 3D, the 2015 update for the Nintendo 3DS, enhances the gameplay experience by making it easier to track the game's numerous side quests and adding helpful hints when needed. This update allows players to fully explore and appreciate the game's intricate world and its myriad of secrets. Majora's Mask is often regarded as the weirdest game in the entire series, and this remake brings out its full potential.
One notable aspect of Majora's Mask is its somber tone and exploration of heavier themes. The game delves into topics such as abandonment, trauma, and death, setting it apart from other entries in the Zelda franchise. This mature and introspective approach contributes to the game's unique atmosphere and makes it a memorable experience for players.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is widely recognized as one of the greatest games on the Nintendo 64 and a significant milestone in the transition to 3D gaming. Nintendo successfully tackled the challenge of bringing Link's adventures into a new dimension, and the result was a game that not only excelled in gameplay but also left a lasting impact on the industry.
The original release of Ocarina of Time was already a brilliant game, but the 2011 remake for the Nintendo 3DS, titled Ocarina of Time 3D, further enhanced the experience. This version of the game is widely regarded as the best way to experience Ocarina of Time today. The remake improved the control system, smoothing out some of the rough edges of the original, and introduced an updated visual design that breathed new life into the world of Hyrule.
The tight camera control and the introduction of the Z-targeting system in Ocarina of Time allowed players to navigate the vast and sprawling version of Hyrule with ease, while also providing a means to confront and overcome the game's many dangers. Ocarina of Time 3D builds upon these foundations and refines them, offering a more polished and enjoyable gameplay experience.
Additionally, the updated visual design of Ocarina of Time 3D injected more spirit and vibrancy into the game's world. The enhanced graphics allowed players to appreciate the beauty of Hyrule in a new way, further immersing them in the adventure.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is widely regarded as one of the greatest games of all time and a seminal entry in the Zelda series. Much like other iconic 16-bit Nintendo classics, such as Super Mario World and Super Metroid, A Link to the Past expanded brilliantly on its NES predecessor and set the standard for future entries in the franchise.
The game boasted impressive graphics, gameplay mechanics, and a memorable soundtrack, all of which have stood the test of time. It introduced many ideas and elements that have since become core to the Zelda series, influencing later installments in significant ways.
A Link to the Past built upon the expansive top-down world of the original Legend of Zelda and refined its scope by incorporating an engaging storyline, a densely populated and immersive world, and the introduction of the Dark World—a parallel dimension to Hyrule. This expansion added depth and intrigue to the gameplay, offering a compelling adventure filled with secrets and surprises.
The game's design is a masterclass in adventure game design, featuring an impeccably paced grand story and a wide variety of puzzle-filled dungeons. These dungeons are home to some of the most imposing bosses in the series, providing challenging and memorable encounters for players.
A Link to the Past also pushed storytelling in new directions for its time, setting the mood early on with its unforgettable opening sequence. The scale of the game was impressive, and its version of Hyrule remains one of the largest and most diverse worlds in gaming, offering a sense of exploration and discovery that captivates players.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is widely recognized as a groundbreaking and transformative entry in The Legend of Zelda series. Released in 2017, it revolutionized the franchise by offering players an open-world experience with unprecedented freedom and exploration.
In contrast to the slightly more linear and story-driven approach of its predecessor, Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild took a dramatic shift in design philosophy. It presented a vast and immersive world where players could go anywhere and climb almost any surface. The game encouraged players to forge their own path and tackle challenges in any order they desired, granting a sense of freedom rarely seen in video games.
Breath of the Wild received some fair criticisms, such as its weapon durability system and occasional technical issues. However, it embraced the core elements of exploration and choice that have always been fundamental to the Zelda series. The game allowed players to interact with the world in meaningful ways, and the world itself reacted to their choices and actions. The vastness of the game world, filled with diverse landscapes, hidden secrets, and memorable characters, provided endless opportunities for discovery and adventure.
The game's world is richly detailed and meticulously crafted, with remnants of a post-cataclysmic Hyrule serving as a backdrop for the hero's journey. The ruins and monuments evoke a sense of melancholy and history, creating a poignant atmosphere throughout the game. Breath of the Wild's world is not only vast but also filled with over 100 mini-dungeons, each requiring players to think creatively and make use of their versatile toolset.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom represents the pinnacle of the Zelda series, offering a smarter, larger, and more intuitive experience that builds upon the foundations established by Breath of the Wild. While it may not reach the same groundbreaking heights as its predecessor, Nintendo has elevated the sandbox gameplay to foster even greater creativity.
This latest entry revitalizes familiar areas while introducing vast new regions that make the scale of Breath of the Wild seem comparatively small. The game is teeming with an astonishing number of tasks to undertake, mysteries to unravel, shrines to explore, and delightful distractions that divert you from your original destination.
With an overhauled set of abilities, players can construct peculiar and marvelous weapons and contraptions, opening up fresh avenues for survival and traversal across the expanded overworld. Islands suspended in the sky and dungeons hidden beneath the depths provide thrilling opportunities for exploration. The refined structure of the gameplay ensures a true adventure awaits.
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