Highlights
- The Legend of Zelda series has captivated players since its debut in 1986, with engaging narratives, imaginative worlds, and iconic characters like Link.
- Certain installments like The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess have grown in popularity over time, thanks to their unique settings, action-packed stories, and innovative gameplay mechanics.
- Majora's Mask and A Link to the Past remain beloved classics, offering dark and challenging experiences alongside expertly designed gameplay and engaging storytelling. Breath of the Wild embraced open-world freedom, impressing players with its groundbreaking design and attention to detail. Ocarina of Time revolutionized gaming with its slick mechanics and timeless story of good versus evil.
Since first exploding into the gaming world back in 1986, The Legend of Zelda has managed to captivate players with its imaginative storytelling and engaging fantasy world. Lead protagonist Link has also become established as one of gaming's most iconic player characters, further adding to the series' enduring legacy.
Since the beginning, The Legend of Zelda series has continually pushed gaming mechanics in new and innovative directions, often setting itself several steps ahead of its peers. Each of its compelling narratives, many of which zero in on Link's quest to save Princess Zelda, have proven to be complex and multi-layered, taking players on fascinating journeys. The charming sense of adventure found in nearly every game is a key part of the series' appeal. With so many years of gaming to run through, certain installments may seem a bit dated by the impressive standards of the ninth generation of gaming. However, some offer so much and more that they remain impressive to this day, providing them with a rare timeless quality in the gaming medium.
6 The Wind Waker's Reputation Has Grown Over The Years
At the time of its initial 2002-03 release, The Wind Waker left fans scratching their heads due to its polarizing cel-shaded graphics. The art style gave the game a colorful, cartoony style that was met with both love and hate in equal parts.
In the years since, the game's legacy has improved considerably thanks to its impressive sailing mechanics and vibrant world. Its plot, which focuses on Link's latest struggle to put a stop to the evils of Ganondorf, this time on a remote island. Locked into another battle for the coveted Triforce, Link must also save his sister from the dreaded warlock. While some dismissed it as being slightly childish at the time, The Wind Waker's unique setting, action-packed story, and inventive gameplay mechanics have allowed it to swell in popularity over the years. Now considered one of the series' finest installments, this GameCube classic got a Wii U update back in 2013. Both console versions are still worth the effort today.
5 Twilight Princess Gave Players The Best Of The Best In Dungeon Design
From the scenic Ordon Village all the way over to the haunting Twilight Realm, this 2006 entry wowed players with its incredibly detailed realization of the Kingdom of Hyrule. In an exciting twist for players, this alternate timeline-set adventure introduced a wolf transformation feature.
For those who played this game on the Nintendo Wii, the console's motion controls provided a new, immersive layer to the gameplay, allowing players to fully assume the role of Link. The game's impressively detailed graphics, and atmospheric art style have aged well, still packing an aesthetic punch all these years later. The dungeon exploration aspect of the game is also commendable, providing players with plenty of intriguing finds and challenges to overcome, making it all the more addictive as an overall gaming experience. With an emotionally resonant, consistently immersive storyline and detailed gameplay, it's hardly surprising Twilight Princesshas established itself as a fan favorite entry over the years.
4 Majora's Mask Is A Dark, Challenging Take On The Series
Taking players into surprisingly dark territory by the standards of the series, the sequel to Ocarina of Time impressed players with its emotional maturity. The thoughtful plot zeroes in on Link seeking out his polarizing navigator, the fairy Navi.
Despite some players rolling their eyes at the renewed emphasis on Navi, the story takes Link into a surprisingly complex plot involving the titular mask and a slew of interesting characters. Majora's Mask is revealed to be the vessel for an Armageddon-level event, something Link rather unsurprisingly is tasked with putting a stop to. Serving as both an excellent follow-up and an effective standalone adventure, this dramatic 2000 installment in the beloved fantasy series boasts similarly slick controls to Ocarina of Time. With its more introspective plotting and character development, Majora's Mask remains an imaginative must-play for Zelda fans to this day.
3 A Link To The Past Is Peak Gaming From The Super Nintendo Era
Released back in 1991 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, A Link to the Past remains a beloved classic in the long-running Zelda series. The enduring nature of its appeal lies in its slick gameplay for the time and imaginative storytelling.
A Link to the Past remains an engaging classic all these years later thanks to its expertly designed blend of action-packed combat, exploration and, perhaps most importantly, its absorbing puzzle-solving. Navigating dangerous dungeons, overcoming obstacles, and doing battle to save Princess Zelda, this old-school trip to the Kingdom of Hyrule establishes a neat balance between player progression and challenging but rewarding gameplay. With an engaging, well-developed narrative from start to finish, A Link to the Past enjoys a well-earned status as an effective, surprisingly challenging, retro classic three decades on from its initial unveiling.
2 Breath Of The Wild Embraced Open-World Freedom To Startling Effect
A masterclass in open-world gaming, 2017's Breath of the Wild quickly proved itself to be one of the Wii U's strongest, most memorable releases. Boasting a remarkable sense of freedom for players, the expansive epic took Link's adventures further than ever before.
Much of this game's enduring appeal can be found in its groundbreaking design and its enormous open world. Taking players into the heart of a meticulously devised rendition of the Kingdom of Hyrule, the game world offers superbly detailed landscapes, a variety of climates, and an encouraging emphasis on exploration. Taking a step back from more traditional, linear entries in the series, Breath of the Wild allows players a grander sense of agency to choose their path and solve the game's many puzzles and challenges at their own pace. With extensive attention to detail and such intricate, thought-provoking gameplay, Breath of the Wild hasn't aged a day and will likely continue to impress players for many years.
1 Ocarina Of Time Revolutionized Fifth-Generation Gaming
This 1998 Nintendo 64 release immediately set itself apart in the gaming world thanks to its slick, groundbreaking game mechanics. Bolstered by a remarkable, imaginative story, Ocarina of Time remains an impressive treat to this day.
Taking control of Hylian hero Link, players must stop the monstrous Ganondorf, the Great King of Evil, from using the Triforce to plunge all of Hyrule into total darkness. Brimming with memorable characters and well-paced storytelling, Ocarina of Time is a classic tale of good versus evil that continues to resonate with players now as it did back at the time of its release. Its innovative controls also help prevent it from being as dated these days as one might expect. The original game to employ context-sensitive actions, Ocarina of Time also simplified targeting through its Z-targeting system, which allowed players to easily shift Link's focus to enemies and/or objects where needed. Overall, this masterclass in action-adventure gaming still manages to pack a punch all these years later.