Choosing the best Zelda game among all the past titles is an overly difficult task to embark on. Which is why we’ve decided to list out some of the finest titles from the series, so that you can read about them and decide for yourselves upon the one you want to buy first. The much loved action-adventure genre has been blessed with some legendary Zelda offerings in the past, and games from the series still continue to delight fans from time to time. Featuring high fantasy settings, these titles offer delightful blends of action, adventure and puzzle gameplay, and feature some of the most memorable moments ever seen in video games. And the atmospheres they manage to create with their soundtracks and visuals too are unforgettable. Let’s take a look at some of the finest Zelda titles which have been released till date.
1 – Ocarina of Time 3D
Released for the 3DS in 2011, this game is an updated version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time which had come out in 1998 for the Nintendo 64 console. But at no point does it seem like game from the past. It’s overly impressive visuals, its superb 3D effects, its stellar soundtrack and of course, its utterly enjoyable gameplay, all contribute towards an exciting experience which you can extract through your 3DS handhelds.
2 – The Legend of Zelda
The iconic first entry to the series still remains one of the most influential video games of all time. Designed by the masters, Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka themselves, this wonderful offering introduced us to the setting of Hyrule and the protagonist Link for the first time ever, even as it asked gamers to collect eight fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom so as to save Princess Zelda from the clutches of series antagonist, Ganon. Equipped with complex levels and exciting gameplay scenarios, The Legend of Zelda was first released in 1986, but can now be played on a variety of modern platforms including the Wii, the 3DS and the Wii U.
3 – Majora’s Mask
Adopting a relatively darker theme as compared to other Zelda offerings, Majora’s Mask told the story of the Skull Kid who steals a powerful ancient artifact to cause the moon to slowly fall towards Termina, where it crashes after three days. It’s up to Link now to constantly keep travelling back in time in order to stop the moon from destroying the world. This game was launched back in 2000, and it also introduced a number of gameplay innovations to the series in the form of Link’s ability to transform into different beings and more.
4 – Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess is still referred to by many as one of the greatest Zelda games of all time. This Wii and GameCube offering focuses on Link’s antics as he tries to save Hyrule from being engulfed by a corrupted parallel dimension known as the Twilight Realm. More than anything, it’s well designed and challenging puzzles will definitely keep you engrossed throughout its entire duration.
5 – The Wind Waker HD
The Wind Waker was launched in 2003, and earlier this year we saw its outstanding HD adaptation hit the Wii U to rave reviews. A lot of uniqueness is brought to this game by the fact that it incorporates cel shading graphics and a younger Link character. Although gameplay remains more or less basic, small additions like wind control mechanics and more bring a lot of freshness into The Wind Waker HD.
6 – A Link to the Past
A Link to the Past once again required our protagonist to save Hyrule from the evil intentions of Ganon, and in the process, rescue the seven descendants of the Sages. An extremely popular yesteryear offering, A Link to the Past gave the series some of its most popular elements such as the Master Sword, an alternate or parallel world and a few other things. Originally an SNES game, it’s now available for the Wii.
7 – Link’s Awakening
In 1993, a Zelda game made its way to a handheld console for the first time ever in the form of Link’s Awakening which was released for the Game Boy. Stranded on a remote island guarded by a creature called the Wind Fish, Link is required to fight monsters and solves puzzles in order to find eight musical instruments which will help him escape from the island. Some really enjoyable gameplay has been thrust into this title by Nintendo, and those hoping to grab it for modern platforms will be pleased to know that it’s available for the 3DS as a downloadable.
8 – Skyward Sword
2011 saw the release of one Nintendo’s finest ever offerings which came in the form of Skyward Sword. Allowing you to make use of the Wii’s MotionPlus peripheral for sword-fighting, it presents a completely different gameplay experience altogether. An enthralling atmosphere, frenzied boss battles and lots of collectibles contribute towards a truly immersive experience.
9 – Phantom Hourglass
Adopting a stellar control scheme aimed at taking advantage of the Nintendo DS’ cool features, Phantom Hourglass didn’t take much time to climb up the popularity charts. Once again, you are controlling a young Link, even as he’s trying to save his friend Tetra from the story’s antagonist, Bellum. This brilliant game has some really challenging puzzles for you to have a crack at, and it even impresses with its stunning visuals.
10 – A Link Between Worlds
The latest Zelda game to be released, A Link Between Worlds is set in the same world as that of the 1991 SNES classic A Link to the Past. Available exclusively for the 3DS, it takes you back to the feel of the latter game, but maintains its freshness by means of a number of worthwhile additions. Prime among those is Link’s ability to transform into a drawing and move along the walls of dungeons, thus opening up a bevy of new gameplay scenarios.
Conclusion:
It would be extremely difficult to pick out one among them and call it the best Zelda game. We’re of the opinion that anyone looking for Zelda titles can indulge in any of these games in order to gain the experiences which make them so special.