The Legend of Zelda Still Hasn’t Topped This Perfect 3-Game Story Arc

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The Legend of Zelda is known for constantly reimagining itself, largely because the story focuses on characters who are repeatedly reborn. Usually, each new game starts a completely new story, with fresh ideas and locations, rather than continuing the plot of previous ones. However, *Breath of the Wild* and *Tears of the Kingdom* are different – they’re a direct sequel, something the Zelda series hasn’t done often. It reminds me of some earlier games that created a fantastic three-game series, something we haven’t seen replicated since.

I was really happy to see how these games connected to each other. It was great to watch the characters develop and see storylines properly resolved. Unlike many other series where characters rarely reappear, *The Wind Waker*, *Phantom Hourglass*, and *Spirit Tracks* offered a strong sense of continuity, and I still enjoy them for that reason.

The Wind Waker Set the Stage for a New Era

When *The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker* was first released, it sparked a lot of debate among fans. Its unique, cartoon-like art style was a big change from previous games, particularly *The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask*, which had a much more mature and gloomy feel. However, twenty years later, many now consider *Wind Waker* to be one of the very best and most enduring games in the entire series. While its graphics were a daring move, the game’s storytelling was arguably even more innovative.

This adventure began in a completely new place – a strange, flooded world, unlike anything seen before in Hyrule. We later learn this takes place 100 years after *Ocarina of Time*, but what really grabbed me was the fresh setting. The story also felt different; instead of following a destined hero, it focused on Link’s journey to save his sister, and how he unexpectedly rises to greatness. He becomes known as the Hero of Wind, and while *Wind Waker* connects to previous games through familiar faces like the Hero of Time, Ganondorf, and Tetra (who is a reincarnation of Zelda), it still felt like a unique experience.

Beyond its story, *The Wind Waker* truly shines with its world design. Link’s adventure takes players from peaceful islands to a vast ocean, creating an unforgettable experience. The game’s lighthearted tone is balanced by themes of loss and heritage, offering both the familiar Nintendo magic and genuine emotional resonance. By successfully combining these elements with a fresh approach, Nintendo cemented *The Wind Waker* as a landmark title in the Legend of Zelda series – a theme of remembering the past while embracing the future that continued in its two follow-up games.

Phantom Hourglass Continued the Journey Seamlessly

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass continued the story of The Wind Waker, starting right after the previous game ended. Though initially seen as a side story because it was released on the Nintendo DS, players eventually realized it was a crucial part of the overall narrative. Like The Wind Waker, the game involved a lot of sailing, and followed Link and Tetra as they searched for new lands. It also introduced memorable new characters, such as Captain Linebeck.

Nintendo kept trying new things with the *Legend of Zelda* series, and *Phantom Hourglass* really highlighted that. The game heavily used the DS stylus, letting players draw paths for their boat, create notes on maps, and solve puzzles in unique ways. It blended these new ideas with the familiar gameplay that *Zelda* fans already enjoyed. Nintendo really used the DS’s features to make the game inventive and improve how players explored.

In terms of story, *Phantom Hourglass* built upon the core ideas that would define the upcoming trilogy by strengthening the connection between Link and Tetra, and using the ocean to create a sense of wonder. The game cleverly alluded to classic stories – for example, the character Oshus was reminiscent of the white whale in *Moby Dick* – which helped it stand out. With its engaging gameplay and story, *The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass* was a standout title for the DS, but Nintendo still had more in store.

Spirit Tracks Brought the Saga to a Satisfying Close

In *The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks*, Nintendo significantly changed the gameplay formula. Unlike the previous two games which focused on sailing, this installment took place in a kingdom linked by train railways. While players still used the stylus to control movement – similar to *Phantom Hourglass* – they now laid down train tracks instead of charting routes for a ship. Although surprising at first, this felt like a logical step forward and I came to appreciate how it represented the series’ core themes of growth and rebirth.

What I love most about *Spirit Tracks* is how Zelda wasn’t just a part of the story, but actively helped you play the game. She could take control of Phantom enemies and fight alongside Link, which was a really welcome change after so many games where she needed rescuing. Having her as a companion made the story, where you travel on the Spirit Train to defeat Malladus, much more engaging. The story itself was full of surprises, like the way Byrne both unleashed and then helped stop Malladus, making it a satisfying end to the series’ story arc.

The game beautifully concluded the trilogy’s ideas about family legacies, bravery, and personal development. While the characters Link and Tetra weren’t directly in *Spirit Tracks*, their spirit lived on in their descendants, who appeared a century later. The game cleverly built upon what made previous Zelda games great while also introducing innovative new elements, creating a familiar yet exciting experience that stayed true to the series’ heart.

I haven’t seen Nintendo replicate the success of *Breath of the Wild* and *Tears of the Kingdom* in any other *Legend of Zelda* game yet. It doesn’t seem likely we’ll get a third game continuing that storyline. While I’d be happy to see a new *Zelda* game explore different ideas, the future of the series is uncertain. No matter what Nintendo does, I’m excited to see what comes next, and I’ll always have the great memories of these three amazing games to enjoy in the meantime.

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2025-09-28 21:14