Summary

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Ocarina of Time are considered the best and most influential titles in the series.
• Tears of the Kingdom is a standout entry with unique art style and immersive gameplay.
• Four Swords and Tri Force Heroes offer multiplayer experiences but lack the depth of exploration and discovery found in other Zelda games.

Even players with the highest standards would be hard-pressed to find a downright bad game in The Legend of Zelda's game catalog, but some are better than others. First debuting back in 1986, The Legend of Zelda has seen a long series of consistently engaging games for players to explore and conquer. Taking a look at this legacy helps reveal which Zelda titles stand out from the pack as truly exceptional experiences.

Every Zelda game follows the adventures of protagonist Link, most often on a quest to defeat the villain Ganon and save the kingdom of Hyrule. Despite maintaining these elements, the franchise has reinvented itself several times, with iconic games like A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time providing new templates for successors. The best Zelda games are both innovative and thrilling to play in their own right.

20 The Legend Of Zelda: Four Swords (2002)

Released For The Game Boy Advance, Re-Released For DSi And 3DS

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords is essentially bonus content for the Game Boy Advance version of A Link to the Past than a full-fledged installment in the Zelda series, dipping into multiplayer gameplay for those interested. It can be fun in short bursts, but it's hardly a standout experience. The game was re-released in 2011 alongside The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Anniversary Edition for the Nintendo DSi and 3DS.

19 The Legend Of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (2015)

Released For The Nintendo 3DS

Tri Force Heroes is a minor evolution to the multiplayer Zelda experience, offering a perfectly enjoyable co-op experience but little more. It was the first Legend of Zelda game to offer online connectivity rather than relying on the use of link cables. Short, puzzle-oriented levels can be fun with friends, but the breadth of exploration and discovery that usually colors Zelda games won't be found here.

18 The Legend Of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004)

Released For The Nintendo GameCube

Four Swords Adventures is the most developed co-op Zelda game, with the strongest focus on story and the most polished single-player alternative. Unlike the other multiplayer titles, Four Swords Adventures still offers plenty for a solo player to experience and has earned enough notoriety to gain a Metacritic score of 86. With the advances in online multiplayer, it has left many hoping to see a remake of the game on the Nintendo Switch or the next console.

17 Zelda 2: The Adventure Of Link (1988)

Released For The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) And Game Boy Advance

Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link was an early experiment for the series, abandoning the top-down gameplay of the first game and pivoting into side-scrolling action for dungeons and towns inside a larger world map. Zelda 2's influence as a 2D action RPG can still be felt today, but players will need to surmount the brutal difficulty curve to find something to love here. The Adventure of Link was re-released for the Nintendo GameCube as part of The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition set.

16 The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons (2001)

Released For The Game Boy Color

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle games bear more resemblance to Link's Awakening than any other Zelda titles do, although developer Capcom brought a unique angle to these games. Oracle of Seasons shakes things up with the ability to change seasons, shifting up the world around the player for a fresh experience. The Rod of Seasons requires Link to visit the four spirits of the seasons in their towers to learn how to wield the power of the rod.

15 The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (2001)

Released For The Game Boy Color

Choosing between Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages is largely a matter of preference, with Seasons offering a greater focus on combat and Oracle of Ages leaning into more difficult puzzle experiences. Puzzles are often the real standout of 2D Zelda games, which may just give Oracle of Ages the edge. That being said, Oracle of Ages is not a game to enter into lightly. Some particularly cryptic dungeons can prove frustrating, and backtracking is a major necessity in this particular title.

14 The Legend of Zelda (1987)

Released For The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

The original The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Entertainment System is the game that started it all, and although it debuted in 1987, it is a classic title that holds up to this day. The graphics and story may be limited compared to later entries, but many aspects that still define the series were established in this groundbreaking title. The Legend of Zelda places a lot of faith in players, taking on a particularly non-linear approach and hiding many of its secrets well. For those interested in challenging exploration, this still offers an experience unlike any other, although its fun may not be as refined as the very best Zelda games.

13 The Legend Of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007)

Released For The Nintendo DS

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.

12 The Legend Of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009)

Released For The Nintendo DS

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks acts as a sequel to Phantom Hourglass, continuing Toon Link's adventures. Rather than sailing the sea, Link explores the world of Spirit Tracks via the titular railway. This shift split players down the middle, with many preferring this change and others missing the sea. Because of this, although Spirit Tracks marks a general improvement by refining many of the game's ideas and eliminating some sticking points, its Metacritic score dropped to 87 compared to Phantom Hourglass's 90.

11 The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening (1993, 2019)

Released For The Game Boy, HD Remake For The Nintendo Switch

is unlike any other Zelda game, abandoning the Hyrule setting for the strange Koholint Island. The strength of this particular title lies first and foremost in its atmosphere, which is just uncanny enough to give the game a uniquely enticing feel. In both its original iteration and the Nintendo Switch remake, Link's Awakening is a fun and memorable diversion from the typical Zelda approach. The HD remake for the Nintendo Switch received a Metacritic score of 87 and 4 out of 5 stars in Screen Rant's review.

10 The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2005)

Released For The Game Boy Advance

A handheld classic developed by Capcom, The Minish Cap is essentially 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.

9 The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011)

Released For The Wii, Re-Released For The Nintendo Switch

Skyward Sword features the first incarnations of Link and Zelda, and shows the origin of the legendary Master Sword. Unfortunately, it has a reputation for utilizing frustrating motion controls. A whole horde of Bokoblins can be easier to take down than one spider because imperfect calibration can make the stabbing motion difficult.

A beautiful world and music help, but a languid pace and annoyances like the distracting companion Fi distract from its best elements. The Wii version of Skyward Sword has a Metacritic score of 93, although the Switch's re-release dropped in ratings due mainly to insufficient improvements.

8 The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (2013)

Released For The 3DS

A Link Between Worlds has an all-new villain for Link to chase down, Yuga. Yuga is a sorcerer who not only kidnaps Princess Zelda but also plans to snatch the Seven Sages and resurrect Ganon. The game provides a fun new ability for Link to merge into walls as a painting in this adventure, which creates unique and imaginative puzzle experiences. The freedom of movement that the game adds to the traditional top-down Zelda formula makes fighting enemies and bosses more fun than ever before. A Link Between Worlds has a Metacritic score of 91.

7 The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)

Released For The Wii And GameCube

Easily the grittiest in the series, Twilight Princess is a fan favorite for those who didn't gel with The Wind Waker's style. A dark atmosphere haunts this game, as Link must prevent the kingdom of Hyrule from being overtaken by Zant and the Twilight Realm - with some help from Midna the imp. Twilight Princess takes a unique approach in many regards, such as giving Link a backstory and discussing mature themes. The game received a must-play score of 95 from Metacritic.

For those who find motion controls frustrating, Twilight Princess may be more enjoyable on the GameCube than the Wii.

6 The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past (1992)

Released For The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past is a classic in the series, as it was the first to include the Master Sword and was the beginning of many of the ongoing Zelda tropes that have been carried forward throughout the series. Heart pieces, bottles, Link's iconic spin attack, the sages, much of the lore of the franchise, and much more all began with A Link To The Past. It has been ported to many of the Nintendo consoles over the decades and is still a fan-favorite that is replayed regularly.

5 The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask (2000)

Released For The Nintendo 64 And GameCube

is more or less similar to the game that came before it, Ocarina of Time. The biggest difference is that the gameplay is more expansive, with the player having to use the masks that Link obtains to traverse through the game. Majora's Mask is one of the darker Zelda titles and features an impactful story inside the unique three-day system that the game operates under. A unique game with memorable masks, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask has a Metacritic rating of 95.

4 The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2003)

Released For The GameCube

The Wind Waker came with some controversy upon release. Many fans had issues with the cel-shading design, believing that it made the game look too cartoony, although that later became one of its most loved features, along with the introduction of Toon Link. The Wind Waker has gone on to become an iconic, classic title that competes with the best of the best and holds a Metacritic score of 96.

Easier difficulty than most Zelda games, Wind Waker might disappoint those looking to hone their skills, but a world filled with charm, memorable moments, and an exceptional take on Ganondorf makes this a standout.

3 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)

Released For The Nintendo Switch

is set in the same world as Breath of the Wild and is a sequel to that game, but with many opportunities for players to flex their creativity with Link's new Ultrahand, Fuse, and other abilities. Its already large map is significantly larger due to the addition of sky islands and the underground depths below.

Despite its fantastic design, it's difficult to immediately declare Tears of the Kingdom better than its predecessor. Breath of the Wild featured a revelatory experience of discovery that's hard to replicate in a direct sequel. Regardless, Tears of the Kingdom makes for another superb take on the Zelda formula. It earned itself a Metacritic score of 96 and 5 out of 5 stars in Screen Rant's review.

2 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (2017)

Released For The Wii U And Nintendo Switch

was released in early 2017 with endless hype - and it has certainly lived up to it. The game is unlike any Legend of Zelda title that came before it, with a massive open-world setting that laid a groundwork for many other video games. Exploration of the massive map is encouraged with hidden features and distracting side objectives everywhere. The robust physics and tools in the game 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.

1 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time (1998)

Released For The Nintendo 64 And GameCube

More than two decades after its release, Ocarina of Time still holds up as a big favorite among Zelda fans, with a wholesome Easter egg in Tears of the Kingdom making many players smile. This game has it all - a remarkable story, memorable characters, and as the title clearly implies, time-traveling.

The game is notable for introducing elements that would become commonplace in future video games, such as the target-lock system. Ocarina of Time arguably changed the gaming industry forever, as many game developers use this Zelda title as a blueprint for developing their own 3D adventure. When discussing the most influential video games of all time, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time always enters the conversation and holds an unbelievable Metacritic score of 99.

Sources: Metacritic (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)