t’s rare to find a video game franchise in which every entry is beloved by fans — but The Legend of Zelda might just fit that category. Since the release of the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) game in 1985, the series has reinvented itself numerous times, almost always to overwhelming praise by devotees.
The most recent pivot came with the arrival of 2017’s Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch — the first truly open-world Zelda game — and the 2023 sequel, Tears of the Kingdom. Aside from being some of the best Zelda games to date, these two had the privilege of introducing millions of new fans to the franchise. They’re the two top-selling Zelda games of all time, and it’s not even close.
So, whether you’re one of those new fans who has played the Switch games and is looking to dive deeper, or you’ve never played a Zelda game in your life, read on for the top picks depending on your play style and preferences.
Introduction to the Zelda Universe
Before you embark on your journey into the Zelda universe, the franchise has a few important aspects to keep in mind.
Zelda is unlike most franchises in that the games are not chronological and don’t follow a single storyline. And while the games share a common protagonist — called Link — in most games, it’s actually a different version of Link.
There are some games (like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom) that are direct sequels or prequels to each other, but it’s most helpful to think about Link as the Spirit of the Hero rather than a single character. Regardless of the timeline, Link always represents the Spirit of the Hero.
How to Start Your Hero’s Journey
The franchise has a significant disparity in game styles and difficulty levels. Some are fast-paced and action-packed, while others require hours of meticulous exploration and puzzle-solving. There are top-down roleplaying games (RPGs), side-scrolling adventure games, 3D open-world games, and more. Some Zelda games feature a cartoonish, highly stylized design, while others are darker and more realistic.
With so many differences across games in the franchise, the best place to start depends on the type of game you like to play — which is why we’ve picked out the best Zelda games in a variety of categories. Read on to find the best Zelda game for you, and get excited as you embark on this incredible journey!
The Best Introduction: Ocarina of Time
The release of the Nintendo 64 facilitated Nintendo’s transition from 2D to 3D game graphics. Two years later, The Legend of Zelda made the jump with Ocarina of Time. Considered by many to be the best Zelda game of all time, this game revolutionized the gaming world with its innovative 3D gameplay (in fact, this might be the most critically acclaimed video game of all time).
You can’t go wrong with Ocarina of Time for an intro to the series. It’s a classic story of Link fighting back evil in the realm of Hyrule. There is so much to explore, and each new world is a delight to behold. The characters are lovable and memorable, and the dungeons are challenging but not over-the-top difficult. You’ll have to go into this one understanding that the gameplay and graphics may feel dated compared to modern adventure games. However, they still work well enough to make this worth playing.
If you’ve never played a Zelda game before or want to take your next steps into the franchise, Ocarina of Time is one of the best places to start.
Next steps: TheWind Waker, Twilight Princess
For Open-World Fans: Breath of the Wild
While Ocarina of Time is a great place to start, the world can feel fairly linear. There’s plenty to explore within the limits of each area, but the dungeons and regions are relatively self-contained.
Fans who prefer a fully open-world experience (think Skyrim, The Witcher, Elden Ring) should check out Breath of the Wild. This is another top-rated Zelda game and the franchise’s first foray into open-world gameplay.
In Breath of the Wild, Link wakes up with amnesia 100 years after a massive calamity occurred in Hyrule. He slowly pieces his memories back together to save the region. The gameplay is a mix of exploration and combat. In lieu of the in-depth dungeons from prior entries to the series, Breath of the Wild features shrines that center around a single theme. These challenge the intellect, while the enemies encountered in the open world will challenge your combat skills.
It’s a near-perfect game in every respect, from the breathtaking art style to the tight combat to the incredible amount of content and exploration. For fans who prefer an open-world game, this is definitely the right place to start.
Next steps: Tears of the Kingdom, The Wind Waker
For RPG Fans: A Link to the Past
The first Legend of Zelda game is a traditional top-down RPG style. Though the series has evolved away from this gameplay style, for RPG fans, plenty of great Zelda games fit the genre.
Chief among these is A Link to the Past, released on Super NES in 1991. Much as Ocarina of Time pioneered the 3D action-adventure format, A Link to the Past perfects the top-down style. The gameplay is dense and action-packed. There’s plenty to explore, from challenging dungeons to a diverse overworld to two entirely different realms connected by a portal.
For those who aren’t typical fans of traditional RPGs, this game may prove to be overly challenging, and the art can definitely feel a bit dated (even though it is delightful for its time). But for RPG fans, there’s no better place to jump into the series.
Next steps: The Minish Cap, A Link Between Worlds
For A Challenge: Majora’s Mask
Remember how I said a handful of Zelda games are actually sequels? Majora’s Mask is one of those. The story takes place just a few months after the conclusion of Ocarina of Time. However, playing Ocarina of Time before Majora’s Mask is not strictly necessary, as the latter is a mostly self-contained story.
Majora’s Mask features the same 3D gameplay as Ocarina of Time but takes place in Termina, a darker version of Hyrule. The key difference is a giant moon that will crash in three days.
This three-day timetable introduces a new layer of challenge to the game. The in-game clock progresses quickly, giving players only an hour of real time until the moon crash. There are strategies to reset or slow down the clock, but constantly having to keep the time constraints in mind adds a significant challenge layer.
If you’re looking for a challenge and Zelda's best gameplay, this is the game for you.
Next steps: Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess
Conclusion
As you may have gathered by now, The Legend of Zelda as a franchise holds several of the most critically acclaimed games ever. It’s hard to go wrong when starting this series, but because gameplay styles vary so much among the games, it’s best to jump in with a style that you really enjoy.
Personally, Ocarina of Time will always hold the spot as my favorite Zelda game of all time. I’ll never forget the triumph I felt at finally beating the Water Temple after several days of trying and failing back when I was in middle school and how that game made me fall in love with the franchise.
I hope this guide has helped you find your first (or next!) Zelda game, so you can start making those incredible memories for yourself.
