The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo’s greatest franchises. Every tale is similar, with a hero emerging to defend Hyrule, the current Princess Zelda, and defeat the entities of darkness, whether they’re new threats or recurring villains.
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The games are known for their grand scale adventures, dungeons, and puzzle solving. With each new generation of consoles, the adventure continues to grow as the player is given new abilities, such as controlling the wind, transforming into different species, or using an ancient slate to modify the world around you. There are so many good games in this franchise, so here are the best experiences.
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The Legend Of Zelda – Nintendo
A Classic To Remember
The Legend of Zelda
- Released
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February 21, 1986
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- ESRB
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E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
The original Legend of Zelda is a much better game than its strange sequel on the same console. However, this is not because the game is bad or anything, but rather because the first title sets the stage for all future games.
From the moment you get your first sword, The Legend of Zelda makes it simple for you to start exploring and eventually make it to the first dungeon. Item variety is also great, with flaming candles, boomerangs, bows, and so much more.
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The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past – Super Nintendo
The Power Of Super Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Released
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April 13, 1992
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- ESRB
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E For Everyone Due To Mild Violence
Sure, The Super Nintendo technically had an interesting remake of the first game that barely anyone could play, but at least it had one mainline Zelda game to take the crown. A Link to the Past is a massive leap forward from the NES days.
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These graphical changes and fluid gameplay make Hyrule look and feel better than ever before. This is also where the timeline first started showing signs that it would jump around as the franchise grew.
10
The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – Game Boy
A Short But Sweet Entry
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993)
- Released
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August 6, 1993
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- ESRB
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t
The Legend of Zelda got bigger with the Super Nintendo. With the Game Boy, it got smaller to fit the pockets of fans everywhere. However, this did not change the fact that Link’s Awakening is a sweet entry to the lineup.
This game features a few other familiar faces from other Nintendo games as you beat dungeons, play minigames, and meet some new friends that might just be imaginary.
9
The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle Of Seasons – Game Boy Color
A Battle Between Two Halves
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
The Game Boy Color has two exclusive Legend of Zelda titles that link together to form a full narrative. Both games have a different focus, with Oracle of Ages focusing more on time traveling and puzzle solving.
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Meanwhile, Oracle of Seasons focuses more on shuffling through different seasons and combat. If one of these games has to take the crown, Oracle of Seasons has the more unique gameplay mechanic, since changing seasons also changes the aesthetic of the location designs.
8
The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask – Nintendo 64
A Surprising Victor For The Nintendo 64
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
- Released
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October 26, 2000
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- ESRB
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E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask offers so many interesting gameplay choices that it triumphs over Ocarina of Time in many ways while keeping the core gameplay of its predecessor intact.
You have 72 hours before the Moon crashes into Termina, where everyone has their tragic tale that makes you feel very invested in the daily lives of the NPCs. Not only does this title give the Ocarina of Time more to do, but Link can also transform into different species and use their unique abilities.
7
The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past And Four Swords – Game Boy Advance
Revisiting The Super Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords
- Released
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December 2, 2002
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo R&D2
, Capcom - Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- ESRB
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E For Everyone // Mild Violence
While it is fun to have a brand-new Zelda game where you learn the origin of Link’s hat, the winner in the Game Boy Advance era is the port of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
This wins because the cartridge not only offers a solid solo experience but offers a multiplayer experience for up to four players to compete in. This game has the best of both worlds.
6
The Legend Of Zelda: Collector’s Edition – Gamecube
Starting The Gamecube Era Strong
The Legend of Zelda: Collector’s Edition
- Released
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November 14, 2003
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
, Nintendo EAD - Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
- ESRB
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e
Wind Waker is a fantastic game and Twilight Princess is the perfect return to the Hyrule of Ocarina of Time. However, if you were around during the age of the Gamecube, the best Zelda game came packaged with the system.
The Legend of Zelda: Collector’s Edition is bundled with the original game, Zelda II, Ocarina of Time, and Majora’s Mask. Not only is this incredible value, but it also includes a 20-minute demo of The Wind Waker which prompted many fans to try to speed run a dungeon in the time limit. This is the game that got many players into the franchise.
5
The Legend Of Zelda: Spirit Tracks – Nintendo DS
A Sequel To Wind Waker
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
- Released
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December 7, 2009
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- ESRB
-
e
The Nintendo DS didn’t have that fantastic Legend of Zelda game you just had to have. Both mainline games released in this era were pretty rocky with their fair share of glitches and bugs. However, if one takes the crown, it is The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks.
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Here, Zelda is helping you out in spirit form, which gives the gameplay that little twist needed. Also, you get to play as a Link that is indecisive about what kind of future he wants for himself, which is relatable.
4
The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword – Nintendo Wii
Motion Controls
- Platform(s)
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Wii
- Released
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November 20, 2011
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
- ESRB
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E10+ for Everyone E10+: Animated Blood, Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence
The Nintendo Wii’s motion control gameplay was one of the more promising innovations for the console. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword enhanced the mechanics with Wii Motion Plus.
It feels great to swing your Wii Mote around while you’re hacking and slashing through enemies. While the controls could be tricky to get used to, once you’ve mastered them, it becomes one of the more enjoyable games with sword-fighting mechanics.
3
The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD – Nintendo Wii U
Sailing The Seas In HD
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD
- Released
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September 20, 2013
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
- ESRB
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E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence
The Nintendo Wii U started as a dark age for Nintendo but ended on a high note. It also had plenty of HD remakes, including a revamped version of The Wind Waker.
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There is nothing more satisfying than sailing the seas and visiting islands as you search for your sister. However, the Wii U makes this part of the game so much easier with the Swift Sail. This is just one of the many quality-of-life improvements given to the game for the HD version.
2
The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds – Nintendo 3DS
One Of The Best Zelda Games In Your Pocket
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
- Released
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November 22, 2013
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- ESRB
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E For Everyone due to Fantasy Violence
The Nintendo 3DS offers plenty of unique gimmicks. It also has a Legend of Zelda title that continuously turns Link into a 2D wall drawing.
While the game offers unique gameplay it also goes back to the era of the overhead camera with dungeons more reminiscent of the NES days of the franchise. It’s good to mix the old with the new and The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds does this perfectly.
1
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild – Nintendo Switch
Sometimes The First Game Triumphs
- Released
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March 3, 2017
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- ESRB
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E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is not only the last hurrah for the Nintendo Wii U but also the greatest Zelda game on the Nintendo Switch. With the timeline going further than ever before, Breath of the Wild feels like its own isolated era.
This is one of the biggest open worlds for the franchise and standing on the cliffside at the start of the game is the perfect indicator of the scale of the title. Tears of the Kingdom might have a fun crafting system, but Breath of the Wild feels like the more cohesive and grounded experience.
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