The Legend of Zelda is one of the bestselling Nintendo franchises of all time. That coupled with the series’ consistent and incredibly high scores means that no matter which one you pick up, there is oodles of fun to be found. But it also means that any title with a score under 90% is objectively bad for the series. Luckily for fans, we’ve weeded out the winners from (I seriously hesitate to say losers) the losers in the series. Nintendo is incredibly diligent about releasing updated games to prolong the longevity of their titles, so we tried hard not to focus on remakes. Rest assured, for almost every aging title, Nintendo has released an updated version. And most of those are just as good — if not better — than the original.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1999)
99% on Metacritic
When Ocarina of Time was first released back in 1998, it garnered almost perfect reviews from every major video game magazine. This little beauty is the highest-ranked Zelda game of all time and for good reason. It’s lengthy, it’s challenging, and it was the first time players could explore Hyrule in all its three-dimensional glory. Everything about this game still works incredibly well, and back in the day, its soundtrack was positively lit. Besides the incredible gameplay, Ocarina spawned the legendary water level that still has Zelda fans quaking in their Iron Boots. Its got time travel, magical instruments, and features Epona, the series’ first rideable horse! After all these years, there’s still a ton of magic in this title, and I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to fangirl just thinking about playing it again for the first time. I envy anyone who hasn’t gotten to play this title yet.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
97% on Metacritic
Ah, Breath of the Wild. There wasn’t anything quite like it in the Zelda franchise before it arrived. Sure, open worlds had long been a thing when this beauty dropped in 2017, but no one does anything quite like Eiji Aonuma and Hidemaro Fujibayashi. Breath of the Wild turned Zelda on its head in terms of game and level design. Players were given absolute freedom to progress however they saw fit, and even dress Link in whatever armor they wanted. Sure, outfit changes were introduced back in Ocarina of Time (another reason why it’s the best) but Breath of the Wild gave players a real chance to imagine themselves as the stoic hero. There are literal hours of fun in BoTW and with Tears of the Kingdom sharing the high praise, there is no reason not to pick this title up and give it a go.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)
96% on Metacritic
Tears of the Kingdom is almost upon us, and this years-in-the-making sequel has already proven itself to be everything and more. It may not have topped its predecessor’s score, but critics are already raving about the ingenuity behind the new mechanics and the absolutely stunning world-building that Nintendo has added to the already well-realized Hyrule. With some phenomenal new abilities and an even more open world to explore, there is no doubt that Tears of the Kingdom is an absolute must-play.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2003)
96% on Metacritic
While Critics heaped their praise on Wind Waker when it hit the scene back in 2003, the game wasn’t well received by fans. Post Ocarina of Time audiences were looking for realism, and the cell-shaded “cutesy” art just wasn’t cutting it. The test of time, however, has seen the title rise in popularity. As it turns out, that simplistic art stood the test of time, and the stellar gameplay has carried Wind Waker into the modern age of gaming fairly easily. This one stands out as a personal favorite, with this incarnation of Link defying the preset odds and somehow managing to save the world even without being a “Chosen One.”
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000)
95% on Metacritic
Miyamoto just loves to innovate, doesn’t he? This title breaks the RPG mold by giving players one of the most menacing time limits in gaming history. In an extended Groundhog Day-style reset, Players have to save the day in 3 days or less. A sequel to Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask was widely said to have been the best video game ever made upon its release. This one is a bit darker than other Zelda entries, but the morose music and increasingly depressing subject matter only help fuel your inner hero to save the day. With puzzles spawning over various timelines, this one has tons of fun around every corner, so long as you can get behind quitting the game every time you save.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past/ Four Swords (2002)
95% on Metacritic
The first half of this mashup is a remake of the classic NES title. The revamp garnered tons of praise after its release, so if you don’t have access to an NES, this is the way to indulge in the classic title that started it all. Four Swords is really where this package shines, however. The first Zelda game to include multiplayer, Four Swords captured fan attention and has left most of the fandom dying for another shot at a multiplayer experience. Eurogamer called this one, “A Gateway drug into the genre.” You can’t beat that!
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)
95% on Metacritic
Wow, Nintendo sure does an amazing job of almost nailing that perfect score. 2006’s Twilight Princess was no exception. Players yet again step into the role of Link, but this time, rather than trying to desperately save a princess he’s never met, our hometown hero is just trying to save the people he loves. With a sprawling open world interspersed with bogs of the Twilight realm, Twilight Princess strikes an easy balance between dark and light. Its many levels, clever gadgets, and gorgeous art direction easily land Twilight Princess as one of those “must-play” games. With the added bonus of a vicious little sidekick and a furry form, Twilight Princess — just like many entries before it —withstands the test of time.
The Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds (2013)
91% on Metacritic
Okay, we know that the 3Ds probably don’t sit on most gamers’ shelves anymore, but maybe you should go get one for this little guy. This game revisits the world in A Link to the Past so anyone who has played that title will get a little boon of nostalgia. The game uses a mix of 2D and 3D, allowing Link to traverse the dual kingdoms of Hyrule (3D) and Lorule (2D) as he attempts to stop Gannon from being resurrected yet again. The game shook up the linear approach to dungeons, allowing players to navigate each area as they saw fit, rather than being forced to complete quests in a specific order. It’s well worth a playthrough just for the incredibly satisfying experience of switching between the two very contrasting versions of the world, and for the duality of Hyrule and what it means for the power of the Triforce.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007)
90% on Metacritic
You know, it’s hard for a handheld game to pack quite the punch of its console counterpart, but Phantom Hourglass really did manage to live up to Wind Waker — its predecessor’s — good name. Phantom Hourglass picks up where Wind Waker left off. Link partners with a steamboat captain to find the recently kidnapped Tetra (it just wouldn’t be Zelda if our Princess wasn’t in danger) and yet again takes to the high seas in order to save the world. The title was praised for its controls, and ironically, the main point of contention for Phantom was discontinued in 2014. Designed for the 3DS, the game was praised for its inventive use of the handheld’s features, even if critics felt it was aimed at more casual gamers. While I wouldn’t carve out a day to power through this entry, it’s certainly worth keeping around for a bit of light gaming.
The Legend of Zelda (1987)
84% on Metacritic
Listen, I know I said we weren’t including anything under 90% but indulge me on this one. This classic NES game takes a different set of skills than modern games and may seem inaccessible to younger players. That being said, this game defined a generation of gaming. Sitting at a comfortable 84% on Metacritic — even after all these years — The Legend of Zelda (well, many games from the late 1980 in general) showed the general public just how fun gaming could be. Rather than gobble quarters, the original Legend of Zelda was designed to be a slow burn, one that challenged players and made them come back time and time again. There was nothing on the market quite like it when it hit shelves during a summer when Dirty Dancing reigned supreme. The classic game requires no small amount of exploration and relies on trial and error in many enemy encounters. Nowadays you can bypass the struggle with a good game guide, but the challenge is still there. This one is worth playing just to experience the groundbreaking, genre-defining game that would change the face of gaming. I mean, this is basically the blueprint for RPGs!