The Legend of Zelda franchise boasts a rich legacy spanning over 37 years, since the first game debuted on the NES in 1986. During this period, 18 different games have graced various Nintendo platforms. While not every instalment has been acclaimed, the series deserves recognition, having sold in excess of 125 million copies. As we eagerly anticipate the release of Tears of the Kingdom in a few days, it’s the perfect time to delve into the all The Legend of Zelda games in order.
In this guide, we’ll list the games according to their release dates, offering key insights into a select few. Discussing all 18 games would be a big task, but we’ll cover many intriguing details about the franchise that might pique your interest.
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What Is The Legend of Zelda?
It’s quite unlikely that you’re unfamiliar with the Zelda franchise, particularly in the wake of the epic success of the recent installment, Breath of the Wild. However, if you’re distant from Nintendo consoles or haven’t kept pace with older games, you might not have a clear understanding of the series’ identity.
The Legend of Zelda franchise falls within the action-adventure category. While it occasionally dabbles in role-playing elements, it emphasises engaging and enjoyable gameplay. The narrative revolves around Link and Princess Zelda, featuring mechanics such as puzzles, hand-to-hand combat, and climbing. Breath of the Wild, released in 2017, showcased the most impressive open-world design in the series’ history. This trend seems set to continue with Tears of the Kingdom, launching on May 12, 2023.
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18 The Legend of Zelda Games in Order
As it stands today, there exist 18 distinct The Legend of Zelda games that you can delve into. The narratives they weave can be somewhat complex, making it quite challenging to play through the events in their story order. Instead, engaging with all Zelda games in their order of release allows you to experience the series in the way the developers intended.
Here’s all Zelda games in order – from 1986’s The Legend of Zelda to 2023’s Tears of the Kingdom:
- The Legend of Zelda (1986)
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987)
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991)
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993)
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000)
- The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages (2001)
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002)
- The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004)
- The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004)
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)
- The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007)
- The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009)
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011)
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (2013)
- The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (2015)
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)
Given the sheer number of titles, it’s impractical to arrange them from best to worst. However, certain games in the series distinguish themselves with their unique characteristics.
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Best The Legend of Zelda Game
The best game in The Legend of Zelda series is Breath of the Wild. This isn’t a debatable selection – it’s a unified verdict among critics and gamers alike. This title, launched in 2017, clinched the game of the year award with ease. Yet, it transcends the accolades of a single year, it’s more apt to consider it one of the finest games ever created.
Breath of the Wild offers the most unrestricted gameplay in the series, an expansive open-world experience, and fully utilises the technical prowess of the Nintendo Switch – all of which elevate it to its rightful status. As Link, you can immerse yourself in the narrative and enjoy a breathtaking journey before Tears of the Kingdom comes.
Metacritic: 97 (User score – 8.7)
Worst The Legend of Zelda Game
Claiming the title of the least impressive Zelda game still implies being an above-average game in the broader gaming world. Tri Force Heroes, released for the Nintendo 3DS, isn’t bad per se, but it fails to meet the series’ usual high standards in several ways. The developers’ attempt at unique co-op mechanics significantly contributes to this perception. However, its negligible addition to the series’ lore and its rather lackluster combat mechanics don’t help its cause.
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is designed to be a wholly co-op experience. While solo play is an option, it’s unlikely you’ll find it enjoyable due to gameplay imbalances. Most peculiarly, the game enforces a mandatory three-player co-op. This means you can’t play the game with just two players. Your options are to either play solo, contending with mechanics ill-suited for a lone player, or assemble a team of at least three individuals.
Metacritic: 73 (User score – 7.3)
Must-Play The Legend of Zelda Game
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is an extraordinary game. Not only is it considered one of the finest titles of 1998, but it’s also frequently hailed as the pinnacle of the N64 era. Besides being a contender for the top spot alongside Breath of the Wild, it possesses a unique significance. For anyone wishing to delve into the Zelda series, Ocarina of Time is an essential starting point. It encapsulates everything that the franchise stands for.
In the present day, its 3D graphics may not seem particularly groundbreaking. However, in 1998, it was one of those transformative games that marked the end of one era and ushered in the next. Consider the profound impact made by Rockstar Games’ release of GTA III in 2001, with its revolutionary 3D graphics. Zelda had already pioneered this shift three years prior.
Metacritic: 99 (User score – 9.1)
Latest The Legend of Zelda Game
Tears of the Kingdom is the 18th instalment in the series. Released for the Nintendo Switch on May 12, 2023, the game is shaping up to be one of the greatest of all time. This impression is backed by the review scores it has received thus far. At the time of writing this article, the game boasts a Metacritic average of 97.
Picking up the narrative thread of Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom seems to surpass its predecessor in every aspect. Its open world is more expansive than ever before, the main story is significantly more engaging, and there are numerous side quests to immerse yourself in. If you consider Breath of the Wild to be the “Best Zelda game” like us, then you can appreciate the potential that Tears of the Kingdom holds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Zelda Games Connected?
Yes – all The Legend of Zelda games are connected in some way. While some narratives are clearly connected, others merely exist within the same universe. For instance, Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, which were released in 1998 and 2000 respectively, form a direct narrative continuum. On the other hand, Breath of the Wild unfolds a more expansive and distantly connected tale. However, don’t be daunted by the prospect of 18 games. You can still appreciate the story even if you cherry-pick and play them independently.
Why Is It Called Zelda?
The title “The Legend of Zelda” is derived from the in-game character, Princess Zelda. There’s a common misconception among those less familiar with the series, mistakenly identifying the main character, Link, as Zelda. However, the character garbed in the green outfit is indeed Link. The name Zelda was inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s wife. Series creator Shigeru Miyamoto revealed in an interview that he borrowed the name because he was fond of the sound of Mrs. Fitzgerald’s name.
Is Zelda Best Switch Game?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of the best games in Nintendo Switch. Currently, it holds the top spot with an average Metacritic score of 97. However, this could be subject to change with the upcoming release of Tears of the Kingdom, the series’ new instalment. The buzz around this new game suggests it could potentially outshine its predecessor. Promising a more expansive map, compelling open world mechanics, an overhauled combat system – it hints that May 12 might mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
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