Every Legends of Zelda Game, Ranked

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The Legend of Zelda is Nintendo’s most critically acclaimed game series, and with good reason. Since the original game came out in 1986 and 1987, Nintendo has consistently delivered excellent titles. Over the years, dozens of Zelda games have been released, and while most are highly praised by both players and critics, a few haven’t quite lived up to the series’ standards.

We’ve ranked every major game in the series, including those not made by Nintendo. The ranking considers how well each game was received by players and critics, how many copies it sold, and its overall influence on the game’s story. While most games fit into the official storyline, a few don’t. We focused on original releases and didn’t consider updated versions, though artwork might reflect changes from those updates.

26) Zelda’s Adventure

Nintendo made a surprising decision to collaborate with Phillips Interactive Media, the creators of the Phillips CD-i. This partnership led to several games based on popular Nintendo franchises, including The Legend of Zelda. Unfortunately, the resulting Zelda games are widely considered to be the worst in the series. Zelda’s Adventure is often cited as the absolute worst. It drastically departs from established Zelda lore, with a reversed storyline where Zelda sets out to rescue Link. This third Zelda title for the CD-i is plagued by clunky controls, a weak story, and uninspired voice acting, creating a truly unpleasant gaming experience.

25) Link: The Faces of Evil & Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon

Before Zelda’s Adventure, the Phillips CD-i saw the release of two Zelda games on the same day: Link: The Faces of Evil and Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon. These games are often considered two parts of one larger story. They borrowed familiar elements from Zelda games of that time, making them somewhat easier to get into. Players control either Link or Zelda, and both games were built using the same graphics. While not considered official parts of the Zelda story, they are more playable than the third CD-i Zelda game. However, the stories themselves aren’t very strong, and the cutscenes, featuring live-action video, are often considered cheesy due to awkward dialogue and poor voice acting.

24) Link’s Crossbow Training

Don’t think of this game the same way you did the previous two; all the later Zelda games have been well-received by both players and critics. That definitely holds true for Link’s Crossbow Training, a 2007 Wii game that came with the Wii Zapper accessory. It uses the Wii’s motion controls, letting you aim and fire Link’s crossbow at different targets. The game takes place in the world of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which came out the year before. Some Zelda fans might find it a little short, but it’s still enjoyable to play and revisit Hyrule, even if just for a short time.

23) Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is the second game in the Zelda series and continues the story directly after the first. You play as Link on a quest to save Princess Zelda, who has been put under a sleeping curse. This game is quite different from the original Zelda; instead of the top-down view, it’s mostly a side-scrolling adventure with platforming and role-playing elements, and it also includes a world map. It’s known for being very challenging – many players relied on tips from Nintendo Power magazine to get through it – but once you learn how the game works, it’s a truly rewarding experience.

22) The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes

Several great Zelda games are available on handheld systems, including The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes, which came out on the Nintendo 3DS in 2015. It was the second original Zelda game for the system and the third to focus on multiplayer, letting up to three players team up. Players control the same Link from A Link Between Worlds alongside two other Links to break a curse on a princess. The game features fantastic music, and its wireless multiplayer was a major highlight. However, playing the game solo wasn’t as enjoyable, and there were some problems with finding other players online when it first launched.

21) Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is the third game in the Hyrule Warriors series, which combines the action-packed gameplay of Dynasty Warriors with characters and settings from The Legend of Zelda. This installment takes place during the Imprisoning War, a key event in the story of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and complements the flashbacks featured in that game. It includes many of the enemies from Tears of the Kingdom and boasts impressive visuals, sound design, and responsive combat. Despite blending these two franchises, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is officially part of the Zelda storyline and is a welcome addition to the series.

20) Hyrule Warriors

I still remember when the first Hyrule Warriors came out in 2014! It was so cool to see the Legend of Zelda series try something totally new with that fast-paced, hack-and-slash style of gameplay. It was made with Koei Tecmo, the team behind Dynasty Warriors, which made perfect sense given how the game plays. It originally came out on the Wii U, but thankfully they brought it to the 3DS and Switch too! What I really loved was that it wasn’t tied to the main Zelda timeline – it felt like a fresh story that still managed to pull in all the classic Zelda elements. It was a big hit, and it’s awesome that we’ve gotten two more games because of it!

19) Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is the second game in the Hyrule Warriors series, but it’s a prequel to the popular game Breath of the Wild, taking place a century before its events. This makes it officially part of the established storyline, paving the way for future games like Tears of the Kingdom and Age of Imprisonment. The game follows Link and Princess Zelda as they gather allies to defend Hyrule from the powerful Calamity Ganon. Players can expect large-scale battles with many enemies, all brought to life with impressive visuals, sound design, and gameplay.

18) The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Released in 2011 for the Wii, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is actually the earliest story in the Zelda series. The game centers around the origins of the Master Sword and follows Link as he attempts to rescue Zelda, his childhood friend, after she’s kidnapped from their home in the floating village of Skyloft. Players will enjoy challenging quests and clever puzzles in the game’s dungeons. Skyward Sword uniquely uses the Wii’s motion controls, letting players physically block and attack like Link. The game was incredibly popular, and a remastered version released in 2021 sold over four million copies.

17) Cadence of Hyrule

While not officially part of the main Zelda series, Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda successfully blends the worlds of rhythm gaming and the Zelda franchise. It’s a fun and engaging rhythm game inspired by Crypt of the NecroDancer, featuring familiar Zelda elements, great music, and charming, retro-style graphics. Whether you’re a Zelda fan or new to the series, you’re sure to enjoy it.

16) The Legend of Zelda

The original Legend of Zelda game was a groundbreaking release on the NES, packaged in a distinctive gold cartridge and notably featuring a save function – a big deal for longer role-playing games back then. It quickly became a sensation, introducing innovative gameplay elements and laying the foundation for the immersive story and world that The Legend of Zelda is known for, making future sequels inevitable. While newer installments have built upon its ideas, this shouldn’t diminish its importance – the original Legend of Zelda truly deserves its legendary status.

15) The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Unlike most Zelda games, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom puts Princess Zelda in the hero’s role. She’s on a quest to rescue Link, and she uses a special item called the Tri Rod to help her. The game’s art style is reminiscent of the Link’s Awakening remake. Players will also appreciate the increased freedom of movement, which allows for more creative problem-solving. Overall, Echoes of Wisdom is a fun and refreshing addition to the Zelda series, offering a unique experience by letting you play as Zelda and introducing some new twists on familiar gameplay.

14) The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Released in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap introduces a unique shrinking ability. Link finds a magical cap called Ezlo that reduces his size to that of a Minish – about the size of a thumb! This changes the gameplay by altering the scale of the world, creating new possibilities for exploration. It’s a clever addition to the Zelda series. While it’s the 12th Zelda game, The Minish Cap actually tells a story that happens before the events of Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures. With its excellent gameplay, it remains a beloved classic for many fans who played it in the early 2000s.

13) The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Released in 2009 for the Nintendo DS, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks continues the story after The Wind Waker and follows on from Phantom Hourglass. Players control Link and Princess Zelda as they journey across Hyrule, trying to prevent the Demon King Malladus from returning. The game features a rich story, challenging dungeons filled with puzzles, and makes great use of the DS touchscreen and other handheld features for a more interactive experience. Players travel between locations by train, which also includes its own set of puzzles to solve.

12) The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

Before Spirit Tracks, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass came out on the Nintendo DS in 2007. It continued the story from The Wind Waker, which had been released on the GameCube in 2002. The game featured a top-down perspective with impressive 3D graphics and cinematic cutscenes. It cleverly used the DS’s touchscreen and microphone in gameplay, and even allowed players to connect online using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The developers really aimed to showcase the DS’s capabilities, and they succeeded, earning the game numerous awards, including Game of the Year.

11) The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Released in 1993 for the Game Boy, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was the first Zelda game on that console. It differs from other games in the series by taking place on the island of Hojolint, rather than Hyrule, and doesn’t feature Princess Zelda or the Triforce. Players control Link as he’s stranded on the island, guarded by the Wind Fish. To escape, Link must collect eight musical instruments, solve puzzles, and battle monsters, ultimately using the instruments to awaken the Wind Fish. A remake of the game was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2019, updating the graphics and gameplay while keeping the original story intact.

10) The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

Released in 2004 for the GameCube, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures is the eleventh installment in the beloved Zelda series. Players control Link, but this time he’s joined by three copies of himself, created using the powerful Four Sword. Together, they work to bring peace back to Hyrule. The story builds on elements introduced in Zelda II, including the character of Shadow Link, and offers a captivating narrative and enjoyable gameplay. Uniquely, the game also supported the Game Boy Advance, which could function as a controller. The game’s top-down perspective is reminiscent of the classic A Link to the Past.

9) The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds continues the story established in A Link to the Past, building on its familiar art style and gameplay with enhanced features. The game follows Link as he embarks on a quest to save Hyrule after Princess Zelda is kidnapped by Yuga, who plans to revive the evil Ganon. Link escapes to a parallel world called Lorule and, with the help of a magical bracelet that lets him transform into a painting and merge with walls, he must travel between worlds to stop Yuga. The game’s 3D graphics are a major upgrade from the 16-bit visuals of A Link to the Past, and look fantastic on the Nintendo 3DS.

8) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

While its sequel is also excellent, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past remains a standout title, largely due to its compelling story and improvements over earlier games. As the third Zelda game and the first on the Super Nintendo, it offered a significant leap in graphics, sound, and technology compared to the NES versions. The game follows Link on a quest to protect Hyrule and vanquish Ganon. It uses the same overhead perspective as the original Zelda and introduced now-classic elements like the Master Sword, setting the standard for future games in the series.

7) The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Released in 2006 for both the GameCube and Wii (and serving as a launch title for the Wii), The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess takes place over a century after the events of Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, but in a different version of the timeline than The Wind Waker. The story centers around Link’s quest to protect Hyrule from being consumed by the mysterious Twilight Realm. A unique feature of this game is Link’s ability to transform between his human form and a wolf, adding a fresh element to the series. With its compelling story, impressive art style, engaging combat, and well-designed levels, Twilight Princess is a highly recommended title for Zelda fans.

6) The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Many fans consider The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker one of the best games in the series. Released for the GameCube in 2003, it takes place in a world of islands and a huge ocean. The story follows Link as he tries to rescue his sister from Ganon, who wants to use the powerful Triforce. Along the way, Link teams up with Princess Zelda, reborn in a new form, and even a talking sailboat! The game is known for its exciting ocean exploration, challenging dungeons, and helpful power-ups. But even beyond the gameplay, its beautiful and unique art style makes it a must-play. While later Zelda games shifted to a more realistic look, The Wind Waker remains special and holds a cherished place among fans.

5) The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons & Oracle of Ages

Released in 2001 for the Game Boy Color, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages are the seventh and eighth games in the Legend of Zelda series. Similar to other paired releases, these two games are best experienced together, as they form one complete story. Seasons sends Link to the world of Holodrum, while Ages takes him to Labrynna. The full storyline is revealed only after playing both. Like the earlier games, they use a top-down perspective and feature classic Zelda elements like puzzles, dungeons, and enemies.

4) The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

Released in 2000 for the Nintendo 64, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is a fan favorite and considered one of the best games in the Zelda series. Taking place after the events of Ocarina of Time, it reuses many of the same characters and graphics, but with some improvements to how the game is played. The story follows Link as he travels to the world of Termina and tries to stop the moon from falling. He does this by transforming into different forms using masks and manipulating time with his ocarina. Though not as widely known as Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask remains popular with fans, and a remastered version with updated graphics was released in 2015.

3) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Before Breath of the Wild offered its expansive open world, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was widely considered the best game in the series. Released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, it greatly improved upon earlier Zelda games with its use of 3D graphics – a stunning advancement for its time, even if the visuals seem a bit outdated now. Ocarina of Time introduced many features that are now staples of the Zelda franchise and is still enjoyable to play today. It even received an updated version for the 3DS in 2011, cementing its place as a standout title in the series.

2) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Released in 2017, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild completely redefined the Zelda series and had a huge impact on the gaming world. The game is visually stunning, with breathtaking landscapes, and offers a massive world for players to explore as Link on his journey to rescue Princess Zelda and defeat Calamity Ganon. With a compelling story, excellent voice acting, and beautiful music, Breath of the Wild rightfully won Game of the Year awards and continues to be considered one of the greatest video games of all time, having sold over 34 million copies.

1) The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

After five years, Nintendo finally released a follow-up to Breath of the Wild, and it exceeded expectations. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom continues the story of the previous game, taking everything players loved to an even higher level—both in terms of gameplay and the new areas set high in the sky. Link can now build a huge variety of devices to help him on his journey, leading to incredible inventions that let him fly and manipulate objects in ways never before possible. It’s a truly exceptional game, and arguably the best Legend of Zelda title to date—at least for now.

What are your favorite and least favorite Zelda games? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-24 18:48