Ever since the original The Legend of Zelda on NES released in 1986, Link's had a broad arsenal of weaponry to rely on when situations get tough. He's got a keen understanding of explosives and archery, but it's clear his main strengths lie in swordsmanship. The Legend of Zelda has given Link a plethora of powerful blades throughout the franchise, and many of them have become fan favorites. However, which Zelda swords are the best of the best?

Each Zelda game has a vast array of items for players to collect, so it's always fun to wonder what cool new weapons Link might stumble upon during his quest. Certain players might be fond of the destructive power of Zelda items like the Ball and Chain from Twilight Princess, but Link's sword is his quintessential method of dealing with enemies who cross his path. His blades throughout the series range in size, strength, and design, so there's obviously going to be some that are better than others.

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Since Link isn't the only character to wield a blade throughout the series, this list will focus exclusively on the ones he (and, therefore, the player) can use. With that in mind, here are the top five swords from The Legend of Zelda, ranked from worst to best.

#5 Four Sword

Top 5 Zelda Swords Four Sword

It might not appear in the most popular Zelda games, but the Four Sword's concept makes it one of the most unique weapons in the series. The Four Sword splits its wielder into four people, which dramatically extends their fighting capabilities. It's the basis for most of the multiplayer Zelda games, and Minish Cap uses it to create some engaging puzzles and boss battles. Minish Cap also told the tale of how the blade was crafted, so it's got no shortage of sweet lore, either.

#4 Great Fairy Sword

Top 5 Zelda Swords Great Fairy Sword

Majora's Mask was the second Zelda game to take place somewhere other than Hyrule, and this really shines in the design of its items. The Great Fairy Sword is a behemoth of a weapon that hits as hard as it is pink. It's got an intricate rose design on the blade that sells its mystical power in an instant. Unfortunately, the weapon can only be obtained at the tail end of Majora's Mask, which ultimately limits its usefulness. However, the Great Fairy Sword also made an appearance in Soul Calibur 2 as one of Link's most powerful weapons, healing him gradually over time.

#3 Gilded Sword

The Gilded Sword from The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask

As stated previously, Majora's Mask's Termina has some extremely interesting designs for its weaponry, and the Gilded Sword is one of the coolest. This weapon actually starts out as the Kokiri Sword, which is iconic but functionally underwhelming. Players can have it upgraded into the Razor Sword and then the Gilded Sword. This dramatically increases the sword's length and gives it a new design worth obtaining for aesthetics alone. Majora's Mask has a plethora of side quests, and crafting the Gilded Sword is one of the most memorable and useful of them all.

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#2 Master Sword

Top 5 Zelda Swords Master Sword

The Blade of Evil's Bane defines the word iconic, as it's the weapon Link is most commonly depicted with. It doesn't appear in every Zelda game, but it's usually a major element of the story when it does show up. Evil entities like Ganondorf and Demise can only be vanquished with the Master Sword, and it can only be wielded by the hero himself. In games like A Link to the Past, the Master Sword can shoot beams at foes when the player has full health. Skyward Sword reveals the backstory behind the creation of the Master Sword - and how Skyward Sword's infamously talkative Fi ends up residing within it for eternity. It's one of the only swords used by multiple incarnations of Link, which only brings its coolness factor up even more.

#1 Biggoron Sword

The Biggoron Sword from The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of time

While similar to the Great Fairy Sword in terms of functionality, the Biggoron Sword is simpler in design and more useful, since it's possible to get it comparatively early. It's a fantastic reward for completing Ocarina of Time's lengthy trading quest, as it's even more powerful than the Master Sword. Some players might prefer to use a shield, but the two-handed Biggoron Sword's massive reach, coupled with its devastating damage output, makes it a monster capable of annihilating Link's many enemies and bosses. It's not the flashiest sword in the Zelda series, but it's such a satisfying and useful upgrade that it's the best sword in the franchise.

Obviously, the Master Sword is the most important weapon Link can find, but that doesn't necessarily make it the best one by default. There's something satisfying about a legendary hero opting to use a weapon other than the one he was destined to wield, especially when it offers The Legend of Zelda players a brand new playstyle.

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