Every gaming enthusiast will tell you that The Legend of Zelda is one of the oldest and greatly valued franchises by Nintendo. Up-to-date, this legendary franchise continues to be highly acclaimed. What made and still makes the Legend of Zelda loved by many, is the excellent music, enjoyable puzzles, and the fascinating world of Hyrule. The characters, Zelda and Link are also greatly cherished.
Now, Legend of Zelda fans, snatch your Master Swords and Hylian Shields and let’s go for an adventure. Here are the top Zelda games…
A List of the best Zelda Games
15. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
The Adventure of Link tried to significantly alter the original formula employed in Zelda games. It featured mechanics derived from other Nintendo franchises of its time. The RPG elements and side-scrolling made this sequel earn a top point of view among gamers. This game is probably the most divisive in the series. Some of the Zelda magic was not evident in this one but it still has its fans and is definitely a masterpiece.
14. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Skyward Sword was meant to revive the Wii remote adapter. It was marketed and advertised as a finer way to employ motion controls. However, these controls also diminished the experience offered by a Wii game. It was the first game in Zelda’s timeline with admirable risks. The changes may not have been greatly embraced, but it is still a renowned Zelda game.
13. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD
This game brought back Nintendo to its grave look of Ocarina of Time. It featured proper motion controls for directing Link. With a parallel dimension where Link could become a wolf, it was similar to other games in the series. The Twilight sequel can be thought of as the darkest in Zelda’s history. The innovation, however, did not match that of other Zelda games. Even though it had the magic of Zelda games and excellent dungeons, it felt like a safe game. Nevertheless, it was a great game.
12. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
This was the second instalment of the two Nintendo DS Zelda games. It kept the cel-shaped cartoon visuals and the 3D perspective. It featured a steam train for worldwide travel and an enjoyable mechanic. The touchscreen controls were still solid and the dungeons were intriguing.
11. Cadence of Hyrule
The Cadence of Hyrule was developed by Independent Studio and it mashed up Zelda’s excellent setting with the mechanical rhythms of Crypt of the Necrodancer. It had a unique gameplay point of view which made it magical. You had the choice to play as Link or Zelda as you tried to save Hyrule. As opposed to walking, you were to hop across the map with the remixed Zelda beats.
You had to keep the rhythm to slay the enemies and keep your essential items.
10. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
This game became the best Nintendo 3DS game owing to its library’s strength. As opposed to finding new items, Link rented and later purchased them from a shopkeeper. This was a huge mechanic change and it did not appeal to every Zelda games’ fan. However, the twist also made you tread each of the areas differently. It made it possible for Link to maneuver in 2D by merging into walls. It felt like a continuation of A Link to the Past.
9. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages
These Oracle games were simultaneously launched on Game Boy Color and they employed a Pokemon model. Why they appear as a unit is because they made an overarching storyline but they were still different in their own ways. Ages sent Link to Labrynna, while Seasons gave him the ability to change seasons using a magical rod. These mechanics amounted to an excellent complement. However, to get to the finish, you had to navigate the individual dungeons. These Oracle games were tremendous.
8. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
This sequel substituted Link’s green cap with a magical hat (Ezlo). This green hat allowed for Link to decrease to the size of the Minish. He could now make his explorations in a very small size. Exploring and uncovering the secrets in this game was enjoyable because of the exemplary mechanics employed on the overworld and the dungeons. With just enough additional features, an interesting story, and outstanding characters, this game felt like a refreshed Zelda adventure.
7. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D
This is probably the grittiest of all Zelda games. It had a sense of uneasiness from the opening cutscene but felt like a different Ocarina of time reality. Link was to save the world from the Skull Kid and eventually, the moon. The game had a continuous clock and this game interestingly put time into use. Perceived time limit gives the game a distinct sense of urgency. Link could wear different masks with some giving him a shapeshift. The game confirmed that Nintendo could remake the 3D space.
6. The Legend of Zelda
It is this game that kicked off Link’s first adventure and heroic journey. Having been introduced as an NES game, The Legend of Zelda offered a gameplay loop that was bound to change the video games point of view. However, this initial entry gave gamers little direction and the dungeons’ discovery was not orderly. It still is a masterpiece of the incredible Zelda games.
5. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The game is recognized worldwide as one of the best games to ever be created. It was among the best N64 games of all time. It introduced Zelda into the era of the 3D games. This made it the most significant development in the franchise. From the initial steps of getting into the Hyrule open terrain, to Link retrieving the Master Sword, Ocarina of time was simply a marvelous experience. It has gracefully aged and remains to be a greatly engaging game.
4. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
Arguably one of the most visually stimulating of Zelda games, The Wind Waker was well received and greatly shined. The King of Red Lions boat was used to send players across the Great Sea. The overall sail and the stumble into new islands were delightful. Link was on a quest to rescue his sister who still made an appearance but not in her ordinary form. The ending made this masterpiece peculiar and perceptive.
3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
This game employed the basic formula that made its original sequel outstanding. With 16-bit visuals, the game began the idea of parallel worlds. It featured a Dark World and a Light World envisioned with stern features and different beings made from Ganon’s retrieval of the Triforce. The well-designed dungeons and witty puzzles made this game the best Super Nintendo game.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
This became the franchise’s first handheld entry. Transformed from a part of A Link to the Past, Link’s Awakening featured a SimCity character, 2D side-scrolling segments, and cameos obtained from Kirby. Koholint Island substituted Hyrule providing a charming experiment where Link could hop on Goombas. It was a distinct portable adventure. Since its launch, it has acquired two remakes with the Switch one giving it solid ground.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
In this masterpiece, the traditional dungeons were swapped with 120 small-scale puzzle shrines. The game also featured a huge number of Divine beasts and it was the game that modernized Zelda. Hyrule was turned into a lavish open world with treasured secrets. The mechanic and formula changes that came with this sequel eventually paid off. This game maintained the wonder of Zelda games and also propelled the Nintendo franchise into a new direction accompanied by the freedom to explore. It is the greatest Zelda game to be created.
Playing the Best Legend of Zelda Games
Through many decades, The Legend of Zelda has remained to be an outstanding enterprise and the series has continued to offer an extensive catalog of games. With each game tackling the main story differently, we have offered you an exemplary ranking of this unending journey.
Many of these games remain to be the very best creations by the Nintendo franchise and even with the wide variety, we feel that the ones provided here are the best Zelda games. Each of these entries is a definite classic and even some that may be perceived by some as “lesser” are also rather exceptional and unforgettable.