{"id":352803,"date":"2024-11-27T15:13:56","date_gmt":"2024-11-27T21:13:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jbsgame.com\/?p=352803"},"modified":"2024-11-27T15:16:49","modified_gmt":"2024-11-27T21:16:49","slug":"the-10-best-zelda-games-of-all-time-ranked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jbsgame.com\/the-10-best-zelda-games-of-all-time-ranked\/","title":{"rendered":"The 12 Best Zelda Games of all Time, Ranked"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever since its inception in 1986, The Legend of Zelda<\/em> has been a staple for not only Nintendo fans but everyone who enjoys video games. <\/p>

It doesn’t matter if you’re loyal to another platform; everyone adores the Zelda<\/em> series because it sets the standard for the industry’s future. They’re the games to which every other game is compared. However, there are rather a lot of Zelda<\/em> games, making the series feel like one that’s almost impossible for newcomers to approach. Anybody can find an entry that looks good to them and know they’re not about to play the dud of the series or some obscure spin-off no one has ever heard of, so here are the 12 best Zelda<\/em> games of all time, ranked. <\/p>

The 12 best Zelda games of all time<\/h2><\/iframe>

In the list below, we’ve ranked the twelve best Zelda<\/em> games of all time according to how much we enjoyed them when going through them. We’re well-versed in the series and, having extensive knowledge of every entry, feel we’re qualified to build this list so that it can help anyone looking for the best of a fantastic franchise that’s very difficult to know where to start. <\/p>

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12: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons \/ Oracle of Ages (2001)<\/strong><\/h3>

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons<\/em> and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages<\/em> owe a lot of their identity to Link\u2019s Awakening<\/em>. They use a lot of the same gameplay conventions and graphics, which is how Capcom was able to release two full games at the same time. Also, yeah, Capcom made these games? That\u2019s weird to think about.<\/p>

The real novelty here is that once you beat one game, you\u2019ll get a code to enter when you start the second one, and you get a sort of \u201cSecond Quest\u201d version. It lets you choose which order to play the games, while maintaining a consistent narrative. It was quite innovative for its time, pulling off a simplistic version of what games like Mass Effect<\/em> would do years later. <\/p>

Still, the novelty of releasing two full-length Zelda games that focus on action and puzzles, respectively, helps these titles stand out to this day. With all the Zelda<\/em> games that have received remakes, we say these should be the next titles to get a fresh coat of paint. You can play them now on your Switch<\/a> with a Nintendo Online subscription if you don’t want to invest in the original hardware.<\/p>

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11: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)<\/strong><\/h3>

There are two types of people in the world: those who think The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time<\/em> is the best game of all time and those who disagree. We personally don’t believe Ocarina of Time<\/em> holds up as well against any other 3D Zelda<\/em>. That said, we understand its place in history and respect the myriad ways it pushed video games forward as an art form. <\/p>

Still, if you can go into this one without expecting the pinnacle of all video games, Ocarina of Time<\/em> is very enjoyable. The puzzles and exploration are on point, and the contrast between the early game as a child and the later game as an adult still sticks with us. As the game that set the formula for nearly two decades of Zelda<\/em> titles, it\u2019s still impressive that they got this one so right.<\/p>

The 3DS version of this game pretty much did everything right to modernize it as best as they could. It allows for swapping between more cumbersome equipment quickly, and the textures are much nicer on it. The addition of the 3DS\u2019s motion controls were especially nice for those of us who appreciate the feature for aiming ranged weapons. That said, you can also find the original on your Nintendo Switch Online service, if you have that subscription.<\/p>

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10: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)<\/strong><\/h2>

It\u2019s funny that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess<\/em> was once celebrated as a return to \u201cmature\u201d Link after the cel-shaded art style of Wind Waker <\/em>resulted in relatively weak sales. Yet now, Wind Waker<\/em> enjoys greater fan acclaim while Twilight Princess<\/em> is more divisive. For us, while Twilight Princess<\/em> isn\u2019t a series highlight, it is still a fun Zelda<\/em> romp with its own appeal.<\/p>

It\u2019s clear this one was made for Ocarina of Time<\/em> fans, and it does perfectly well building on that formula. Our memories of this game are tied up with the launch of the Wii, so it may be hard to separate the excitement entirely. In retrospect, the waggle controls for sword fighting aren\u2019t super fun. But, the point-and-shoot capabilities of the Wii Remotes give Twilight Princess the best Bow and Arrow in the series. <\/p>

Still, we’d stand by Twilight Princess<\/em> being well worth your time. The game’s captivating worlds and use of the Wii hardware are still impressive today. We remember taking hours to master specific attacks and sniff out NPCs as Wolf Link, but we wouldn’t change them for the world. If you happen to have a Wii U around, the HD port is probably the best way to play the game.<\/p>

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9: The Legend of Zelda: Majora\u2019s Mask (2000)<\/strong><\/h2>

Here\u2019s the thing about Zelda<\/em> games, especially The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask<\/em>: We like it when they get weird. As far as weird Zelda<\/em> games get, they don’t get weirder than this. Much could be said about its gameplay revolving around a three-day cycle you repeat over and over until the game\u2019s conclusion. For us, Majora\u2019s Mask<\/em> is all about its foreboding atmosphere. The end of the world literally hangs above you, driving a sense of urgency to everything you do.<\/p>

You learn about the people and places around you, which establishes you as a helpful observer rather than a grand hero of time. There are also moments of whimsy here, which ironically drives the inherent terror of this setting further when you realize how much is at stake. We’re not saying everyone needs to beat Majora\u2019s Mask<\/em>, but you should experience it in some fashion, even if it’s via an internet creepypasta<\/a>.<\/p>

Fortunately, you don\u2019t have to go far to find a good way to play this. The remake on 3DS was a bit divisive for hardcore fans because it made some of the bosses easier, but overall, it\u2019s also a less cumbersome version of the game. If you\u2019re a purist, the Nintendo Switch Online offers the original N64 game for you to play.<\/p>

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