Though everyone has a different idea on which Zelda games are the greatest (), there are a few obvious favorites. Since I could hold a controller, I've been playing The Legend of Zelda games. I've also managed to play many of the games when they were published, including the several remakes. But even though I've played through a lot of them many times, I don't respect the older games simply because they were the first.I'll do my best to provide reasons for each choice, and just to be clear, there is no set sequence in which they are listed. You'll have to determine which episode is the finest overall; these are merely our selections of the best in the series. To get a comprehensive understanding of the most recent developments, you can also read our Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review.Now let's go into our ranking of the top Zelda titles.
The Kingdom's Tears - Switch
Among all the Zelda games, Tears of the Kingdom is undoubtedly the largest. And guess what? It may be the finest after all. TotK is an experience unlike any other, well worthy of its 10/10 in our
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review. It takes all the greatest concepts from the larger franchise and blends them with the best parts of Breath of the Wild.This journey, which takes place years after the events of Breath of the Wild, expands the map's already enormous scope by exploring areas underneath and above Hyrule. Nevertheless, since the game is sandbox, it never becomes scary and offers lots of entertainment as you travel around Hyrule to four old temples that are home to formidable enemies.See our guides for
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom shrines,
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom depths, and
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom bubbul gems to get a head start on Hyrulian culture.
A Connector Between Realms - 3DS
In case you were unaware, this is a spiritual continuation of the beloved game, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. So much so that it is referred to as A Link to the Past 2 in Japan. Without the former, Link Between Worlds would not be possible. It builds upon its predecessor while surprise you by playing on your nostalgia and affection for the first one.That being said, Link Between Worlds works really well because it does so many novel things with a well-known universe. Along with the option to rent almost every item and go through the dungeons in any order—a feature that makes puzzles so much more enjoyable—you can now travel between a world of light and one that has been disturbed by evil. Link may now change into a painting and move on walls.Add in a ton of entertaining little details like the little Maiamai hiding somewhere and the fantastic new characters and adversaries that are presented, and you have a formula for a very classic entry that a lot of people underappreciate. Even though it's a top-down adventure, it's one of the few games that really makes the most of the 3DS's 3D capabilities, making this version of Hyrule one of the most immersive we've ever visited. You really should play this game if you possess a 3DS and haven't before, although we do advise starting with Link to the Past to make sure you grasp most of the throwback signals.
Wii, Wii U: Twilight Princess (HD)
See, Twilight Princess makes a lot of mistakes. The overworld is eventually meaningless, the beginning is really slow, and I've never been a huge fan of the edgy dark graphic style. However, Twilight Princess has some of the most brilliantly thought-out dungeons in the whole Zelda series, in addition to some amazing skills and weapons that subtly enhance each level. In addition, Midna is the greatest friend Link has ever had in a Zelda game. It's hardly even a question, really.The dungeons in Twilight Princess are very intricate, and the grandiose designs complement the game's more ambitious weaponry, such as the amazing spinner and double claw shoots. In addition, almost every dungeon presents you with a massive, terrifying enemy that must be defeated by mastering certain equipment. This place has so much goodness to offer.Though the HD version of Twilight Princess brings a lot of the art closer to the original vision and has some nice gameplay adjustments that allow for a smoother experience, I have wonderful recollections of purchasing a Wii at midnight and racing home to play it till five in the morning.
Twilight Princess Switch edition is now everything we need.
Link's Resurrection - Flip
This one may be strange, but I'm glad it exists anyway. It began as an attempt to adapt Link to the Past to the Game Boy, but it quickly developed into a strange beast of its own, with Link having to acquire many musical instruments after washing up on an unidentified island in order to awaken the powerful Windfish. This bizarre journey has a vibrant ensemble of fantastical characters, including both Yoshi and Chain Chomp from the Mario video games. It almost seems like a dream.Grezzo's HD adaptation adds so much pleasure with its toyetic design and subtle depth of field effects, which makes the game seem like it was playing in our minds when we were just young nippers, even if it was extremely spectacular back on the Game Boy. It also has some of the greatest top-down puzzles in a Zelda game, and even while the style and charming, folky soundtrack might be a little confusing at times, they add to the game's appeal. A charming entry that's also a fantastic way to introduce youngsters to the series—as long as you play it with the guide open.
N64, GameCube, 3DS, Switch Online - Majora's Mask
Majora's Mask, often called the darkest Zelda game—and for good reason—traps our protagonist in a time loop, set only a few days before the world ends as a result of an enraged-looking moon crashing onto the village of Termina. This game exudes a tangible feeling of dread, particularly while speaking with each resident in the last minutes. Nevertheless, with some cunning time travel and some amazing dungeons, you have a chance to rescue everything. This time loop mechanism is very nicely done, and it's really enjoyable to gradually grasp the nuances of this environment.This is a very memorable narrative, especially when you add in some amazing new opponent designs (like Skull Kid and the several bosses) and some amazing new powers with the various masks you may earn. I won't get into the specifics of the disagreements between the 3DS and the original N64 version at this time. Because of its crisp graphics and simplified missions, I much like the 3DS version, although I can see why some people find the modifications bothersome. Fortunately, both versions are quite simple to play: the original version can be accessed via the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pak library, and the 3DS version is still widely accessible.
Wii U's Wind Waker (HD)
Wind Waker has such a wonderful quality about it. With its wide oceans that seemed to go for miles (at least in my impression of them at the time) and an abundance of things to find scattered all over the landscape, it was the first Zelda game that I felt really open to. I've always like the cel-shaded style that the artwork adopted since it gives Link and all the other characters a lot of individuality and character and fits nicely with the upbeat, inspirational narrative that reads like a bedtime story for kids.In addition, I like Wind Waker's fighting since it flows well, which is helpful in the game's many monsters and dungeons that are memorable. I may never be able to shake the catchy Dragon Roost Island music or forget the epic battle against Gohma, the huge scorpion adversary. The heartfelt nature of Wind Waker serves to further enhance the game's wonderful mechanics, which are further enhanced by the HD edition of this lovely journey. One of my best personal recollections of the series and an extremely necessary inclusion. But once again, why isn't a
Wind Waker Switch release available?
Ocarina of Time Online for N64, GameCube, 3DS, and Switch
For good reason, this one is at the top of a lot of people's lists. In addition to serving as the model for almost all subsequent Zelda games, Ocarina of Time had a greater impact on gaming culture than any other game before it. As a youngster, exploring the wide-open plains of Hyrule riding Epona seemed like a fantasy come true, and the terrible narrative of Ganondorf's destruction of Hyrule was both tragic and engrossing.Even though this was the series' first introduction to 3D dungeons, they are still among the most memorable. Switching between two timelines, one of which affects the other based on your choices, is still a brilliant feature in video games today. Fascinating gadgets like the hover boots and the glass of truth enable you modify how you interact with the universe. Ocarina of Time is undeniably a masterpiece when you include some of the most well-known video game music ever made. Anyone may play it on Nintendo Switch Online, but if you possess a 3DS, we also heartily suggest playing the lovely 3DS version.
SNES, GBA, and Switch Online: A Connection to the Past
I will now be completely honest with you. I never purchased A Link to the Past on the SNES, so I didn't play it until I was much older. As a result, I never understood the excitement around Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and even Wind Waker, which were all excellent games. Finally, I made the decision to sit down and finish playing the Virtual Console on the Nintendo Wii. I got it in a matter of minutes. I understand. With a game that still outperforms the majority of contemporary titles, Nintendo completely dominated the 2D sprite-based medium just before taking its first cautious steps into the world of 3D.Hyrule's geography in Link to the Past is cleverly and tightly packed, with action in every square of the screen and freedom to explore as you wish. Additionally, this is the first time we've seen the light-world/dark-world dynamic, and it works so effectively here that it should come as no surprise that it has returned so often. I can only image how revelatory it must have been over thirty years ago, since LttP still handles like a dream and every weapon and equipment feels delightful to use. This classic is available to play anytime you want with Nintendo Switch Online.
Breath of the Wild
on Wii U and SwitchRegarding Breath of the Wild, what more is there to say? Offering a significant change After the stultifyingly linear Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild completely blows off the training wheels, exactly when the series needed it most. Here, the world of Hyrule is the tale; you are creating it with each move you take, instead than Nintendo dictating the precise plot you will follow. Nintendo's attempt at creating an open-world game borrows a lot from contemporary Western games and wraps them in a gorgeous Ghibli-esque visual aesthetic that goes well with the Zelda series' recurring grandiose tone.Though battling the holy beats is an amazing experience, my favorite recollections of BotW aren't even of the massive setpieces; rather, it was the thrill I found in exploring, even against the tiniest opponents. Once, I struggled with four opponents in a treehouse for over two hours, experimenting with various item combinations and lobbing anything in sight, until I finally realized I could ignite an arrow, start a fire, and aim a blazing shot directly at my unwary opponents.In Breath of the Wild, Nintendo has effectively given you the greatest tools available in the form of an enormous sandbox. In fact, the game is so good that it's easy to overlook the wonderful tale at its center and the support that real voice acting provided. I beg you to choose this game for your Nintendo Switch if you only ever purchase one; it's a masterpiece in every sense of the term. If so, you should read our guides on
BotW recipe,
BotW memory locations,
BotW amiibo,
BotW Link, and
BotW Zelda. You may also read our
Breath of the Wild review to get a more deeper look at this game.
Notable citations
Hyrule's Cadence: Switch
Ever wished to outpace an abundance of bokoblins with a beat? Well, Cadence of Hyrule combines amazing music-infused gameplay with the top-down style of games like A Link to the Past. You must strike foes in time with the rhythm in order to correctly land attacks, and be aware that they are moving just as swiftly. This game has an abundance of incredible remixes of iconic Legend of Zelda songs.It's a wonderfully entertaining take on the idea, with some of the greatest Zelda song arrangements you've probably ever heard. We urge Zelda fans who haven't bought the game yet to put on their dancing shoes as the retail edition comes with all of the DLC.
Switch
Hyrule Warriors: Age of CalamityDo you like playing old-school musou titles like Dynasty Warriors? After finishing Breath of the Wild, are you curious in what transpired in the conflict one hundred years ago? It seems like you're in luck today. In Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Link and companions are thrust into a hectic action game where they must battle hundreds of enemies at all times rather than an open world and dungeons.Explore new character unlocks, chain attacks, and the real story of the conflict that took place a century ago. It's possible that this narrative may take some unexpected turns even if you anticipate how it will conclude. Playing Zelda the old way isn't what this is if that's all you desire. However, if you're looking for some pure action gameplay with plenty of foes to slay, this is a great treat and an enjoyable way to relive a little portion of Zelda's past. You may also take on the roles of several characters, such as Sidon, King Rhoam, and Zelda herself.There you have it, then! A list of the greatest Zelda games that is entirely subjective yet unquestionably accurate. But just in case you're tired of dressing like a green tunic for a while, be sure to check out our guide to the
best Switch adventure games if you need something to play right now.
