Best Zelda Games Ranked

The world of video games isn't starving for adored game series, but no other franchise has been as prolific or as endearing as the legend of Zelda

This series has reached its coral anniversary, 35 years of whisking us away to lands of Hyrule and beyond

Every fan has their favorite and is more than willing to make their pain and heard. But therein lies the franchise's beauty

There are so many entries with each game holding a unique place in our hearts

every aspect has been taking to account, gameplay, innovation, reception, impact, and legacy

With that in mind, AIPT has ranked the best Zelda games of all time

At number 19, Zelda 2, the Adventure of Link. The Adventure of Link is as divisive as Zelda titles come

While arguments can be made regarding a better Zelda game, good luck to finding that

The Adventure of Link divides fans on whether it's even a good game. To its credit, Zelda 2 took chances and tried mixing up the blueprint

The previous top-down perspective was replaced with side-scrolling, as well as placing a greater emphasis on RPG mechanics

The fact that the adventure of Link garners so much ire is more of a testament to the quality of the other Zelda entries into the series rather than the detriment of this game

At number 18, it's a legend of Zelda TriForce Heroes. Understandably, Nintendo was quick to underscore that TriForce Heroes was a departure from the expected experience

At its core, TriForce Heroes is a multiplayer game with the single. single-player campaign along for the ride

Like four-sword adventures, the emphasis was on co-op, meaning you can complete a level with

two other friends or play alone, switching from one character to another throughout

TriForce heroes draw heavily from a link between worlds aesthetic in terms of platforming, graphics

and enemy types, but remains largely forgotten. It may not hold a special place in many fans' minds, but it does provide the multiplayer

experience steep in the world of Zelda. A worthy undertaking. At number 17, The Legend of Zelda, Spirit Tracks

In Spirit Tracks, players use touch controls to guide Link as he travels from one location

to the next on the Steam Train that spans the globe, hence the name

The second Nintendo DS Zelda titles, Spirit Tracks carry over the cell-shaded cartoon visuals

and 3D perspective of Phantom Hourglass, but improving the combat and puzzle elements

implementing the touchscreen controls the DS is known for. Unfortunately, the train, the game mechanic meant to distinguish Spirit Tract from its peers

This is also part of the problem. It limits exploration, a significant contribution to any Zelda title

Number 16, The Legend of Zelda, Four Swords. Four Swords is only a handful of multiplayer Zelda titles, taking cues from length of the past

Unfortunately, the lack of technology was a hindrance. Connecting 4 Game Boy Advance System isn't a smooth operation

The Dungeons were procedurally generated or more accurately randomized, allowing for fresh challenges

cannot wonky dungeons with poor layouts aren't uncommon. Despite the obstacles, 4 Swords is a strong entry in the Zelda series with enjoyable gameplay and enough

depth for new and old players. At number 15, the Legend of Zelda, 4 Sword Adventures

4 Sword Adventures builds on the groundwork laid out by 4 Swords. Single player is possible

but defeats the purpose of a multiplayer Zelda game. The game is geared towards co-op

meaning the best experience come from playing with others. As long as you all had the right consoles and

gear. The standout feature here was the ability to control the game using your Game Boy

Advance while playing on the GameCube. When you walked off screen, your character would appear

in the Game Boy Advance, allowing you to explore airs and dungeons free of the invisible

tether that tied you to your teammates. The four sorts titles may feel detached from the

core games, but Zelda titles have become synonymous with innovation. In that regard, both

can easily be considered as success. At number 14, The Legend of Zelda, Oracle of Seasons

The Oracle of Seasons launched alongside Oracle of Ages in a Pokemon red and blue-type manner

However, the games proved to be much different from their monster hunting counterparts

Each game is an admirable addition to the Zelda phenomenon. While Oracle of Ages focuses on puzzles, seasons shine the spotlight on the action

The gimmick here was the ability to use the rod of seasons to alter the world's climate

Like any good Zelda game, this feature was used to solve puzzles in thoughtful ways

For example, a large tree may block your path, but shifting the season to winter, who will

The game with dead leaves that can now be crossed. But Nintendo had more extensive plans and mind, and the games could unlock content for one another

Number 13. The Legend of Zelda, Oracle of Ages. Seasons and Ages were meant to send the Gameboard color off with a bang

And essentially, they did. After completing one of the two games they can be linked to form a single linear plot with an ultimate ending Seasons was a delightful experience but it was Aege emphasis on puzzle solving that granted a higher place in this list Ages counterparts the rod of Seasons was the harp of Ages which was used to travel through time Exploration was twice as fun as you uncovered

secrets from the overworld of Abrina in two time periods. Actions in the past manipulate the future

and the terrain would vary from one period to the next. Both Oracle titles received praise from

fans and critics alike. They rarely make the top five in terms of favorite Zelda titles

but they are by and far Zelda games worth experiencing. At number 12, The Legend of Zelda, Twilight Princess

After the cartoonish nature of Wind Waker, Nintendo approached Twilight Princess with a darker, grittier tone

more in line with Majora's mask. Link could transform into a wolf

which factor into all aspects of gameplay, including battle, puzzle solving, and even the ability to communicate with animals

Twilight Princess is worth playing for fans of the series and remains a decent action-adventure game

Though it has its shortcomings, it did little to move the series forward and rely on the formula introduced an Okina of Time and Wind Waker

On the positive note, the dungeon took full advantage of Link's wool form. Arguably, containing some of the series' best dungeons, the back-and-forth transformations

forced players to tackle puzzles with fresh eyes. But on the flip side, players were forced to play through the multiple times in both forms

While it did manage to make an indelible mark, other entries in the franchise meant and surpassed expectations

At number 11, The Legend of Zelda, the Phantom Hourglass. At the first mainline Zelda on Nintendo DS

Phantom Hourglass took advantage of the touch controls in dual-screen layout that defined the handheld

Admittedly, using the style to control every aspect of Link was polarizing

but once he became acclimated, Phantom Hourglass was clearly a jewel in the Zelda coffers

It was a direct sequel to GameCube's Wind Waker, even tactfully mimicking the art style

It also featured several multiplayer features. distinct from other titles. In battle mode, two players control Link and computer retrieve

force gems while opposing players impede their progress. In tag mode, players can trade treasure

and ship parts. While Phantom Hourglass may not invite the core Zelda mechanics fans are

accustomed to, Shear originally alone suggests Phantom Hourglass's place on this list

At number 10, The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword. No other Zelda

truly puts you on Link's shoes quite like Skyward's Sword. Designed to squeeze the most

to have the Wii Motion Plus peripheral, Skyward Sword introduced a unique system

The Wii's Nunchuk controls Link Shield and the Wii remote controls Link's Sword

Like any good Zelda game, this system contributed to the adventure, including puzzle solving and combat

requiring precision timing to defeat foes. And the controls, while innovative, could often be wonky

Nintendo's 2021 Skyward Sword Remaster has improved in the motion controls with the Switch's Joycoms

Players can opt out of the motion controls and use controller, but that defeats the purpose of Skyward

Sword's central mechanic. Thankfully, the visual upgrades are noticeable improvement to the original

Also, the signature Zelda exploration was limited, lacking the kind of free-roaming the series

has become known for. Thankfully, it also features some of the most well-designed dungeons the series

has to offer, and the story is compelling, even the series known for its storytelling

Skyward's sword isn't without its drawbacks, but is praised for its novel combat system

and immersive gameplay. At number nine, The Legend of Zelda. The Minish Cap

The Minish Cap is a Game Boy advances only Zelda title and holds a special place in young gamers' hearts getting their first taste of Zelda

Another flagship entry standing in the test of time and viewing traditional Zelda beats into the adventure

while introducing the game's standout feature, the Minish Cap. The Cap, named Eslo, allows Link to shrink to microscopic proportions

to locate fragments to save the Minish people. Its only drawback is that too formulaic

but it's a fascinating entry to Zelda lore nonetheless. Pickery, the shrunken world link finds himself in, provides a new setting for fans to delve into

The visual style is as charming as they come and dungeons are on par with the best of Zelda's 2D offerings

Despite being 15 plus years removed, the Minish Cat provides the traditional Zelda experience fans have come to love

Number 8, The Legend of Zelda, a Link between Worlds. When Nintendo announced a sequel to The Links of the Past, it set a high bar for itself

Deciding to return to that world inherently carries lofty expectations. But once again, Nintendo knocked it out of the park

A Link Between Worlds isn't merely a commendable sequel. It's among the best Zelda has to offer and remains many young gamers gateway into the series

Olympi Between Worlds took all the trapping from the links of the past and up the ante. The story takes place in a familiar landscape, the light world of Hyrule, and the dark world of low rule

But every other aspect was enhanced. Combat is expanded to meet modern audiences demand and improved traversal made the world far more accessible than its precursor You could rent items like the boomerang bow or bombs taking full advantage of the open world It also introduced an ability to merge it to walls like a painting

adding another layer of depth to the puzzles. Working in concert with the rental items

dungeons can be tackled in nonlinear order, genuinely expanding upon discovery. The sequel to the total line between staying true to the original

and moving the series forward. A link between worlds an example of the sequel

that other franchises to look to for inspiration. It lives up to a story legacy while carving out a name for itself

Number 7. The Legend of Zelda, Link's Awakening. When ranking Link's Awakening, it's only right to include the 2020 Switch remaster

Even the early days of the Game Boy, Link's Awakening is a densely packed Zelda experience

that is just as much of a joy to play today as it was back in 93. Very few story or gameplay elements were changed, but the visuals were beefed up to style reminiscent

in Rankin Bass's Christmas Claimation movies. And it's adorable. Simply put, it's one of the best games ever to hit the Game Boy or the Switch

The game's shortcomings are overshadowed by all the quality of life improvements Nintendo made

Amebo support for unique unlockables enhances the already fantastic inventory at your disposal

and the dungeon creator adds hours to your experience. Nintendo could have phoned this one in, but instead built the game from the ground up

while striking the perfect balance between maintaining their riddle's essence and ushering it into a modern age

Number six, The Legend of Zelda, Majora's Maps. Many Zelda fans fall into one of two camps when it comes to Nintendo 64 Zelda

Okerring of Time, or Majora's Mask. And guess what? You're both right

At first glance, Majora's Mask seems like a hard sell. Pitting direction was arguing the most

experimental entry the series has ever seen. Majority's Mask pulls heavily from Okerine of Time

in terms of controls, game engine, and in-game assets, but introduce a time-based system

that forced players to manage every second and prevent a moon-based apocalypse. While it stands alongside Twilight Princess

at the darkest entry to the series I've ever seen, but George's mask is far more immersive experience

Link repeats events Groundhog Day style to prevent disaster. Nintendo also balanced a time system

allowing a three-day cycle that covered 54 minutes in real time. Taking into account non-playable characters' routines and scheduled events

to piece together riddles and make permanent changes to save Hyrule. The one minor hiccup was Remedy in 2015

when a 3DS update allowed players to track side quests. And how can we forget the mask-wearing mechanic

which can transform Link into a Goron, a Daku scrub, or Zora

Other masks also triggered various reactions from townspeople, factored into resolving side quests and getting to the narrator's heart

Understandably, fans might not get to play through every Zelda series, but I'll go for Broke and say Major's Mask is one experience that should not be missed

Number 5. Legend of Zelda, the Wind Waker. When the initial screenshot for Wind Waker were released, reactions were contentious

Despite showing an impressive technical demo that iterated on Okeranenium Times' darker, more realistic style

Winwaker turned out cartooning and bright. Then we get our hands-on time with Winwaker, and any trepidation became an afterthought

Winwaker remains one of the most beloved games in franchise history. With time, the overall consensus has shifted, as a game's visual style, combat system, and sea-based exploration are lauded for their novelty

For the very first time, linked with travel to seas, discovering remote islands instead of land-based

world. Using the titular Wind Waker, you can manipulate the winds to guide your travels. Each island

contains a bevy of secrets and you can honor seafloor treasures and even fight with a cannon. It was

nothing like past Zelda experiences, which was a welcome surprise. It wasn't the Zelda game

gamers had expected, and it's all the better for it. Wind Waker also marshals in

debitably the most incredible boss fight in Zelda to date, ending in one of the most iconic visuals

in video game history. Link standing atop the behemoth Gannendors, with his

sword pierced his scurling to his skull. Memerbolt only begins to describe the moment. Despite initial

sentiments, Winmaker became a critical and commercial success and continually topped Zelda's best

list, just like this one. Number four, the Legend of Zelda. The OG of Zelda games

the one that ushered in all we know is Zelda. If you like Zelda, then it's important to understand

just how much the original contributed to the franchise and the gaming industry in general. In terms of

sheer impact and paving the way for future iterations, few games can compete with the Legend of Zelda

It's perfectly blended puzzle solving with combat, exploration, and collecting. At standard inventory menu you enjoy in 90% of games you play, you can thank the Legend of Zelda for that

The game's influence is undeniable, even today. The rest of the while still borrow from a 35-year-old game

The Legend of Zelda is still available in Nintendo E and worth a quick run If nothing else it worth to familiarize yourself with the 8 gem that started it all Granted the game doesn hold up as well as other entries in the list but the original

Zelda changed the video game landscape. It didn't just expand the video game world

It created lifelong gamers at a time when the industry was in critical need of consumers

willing to explore a digital world of fantasy. Number three. Legend of Zelda

A Link to the Past Launching in the Super Nintendo Entertainment System

A link to the past returned to a top-down perspective after the Adventure of Link's foray into 2D

It was an epoch in terms of Zelda games, as it was the game that nailed down the Zelda format

The movement opened up. Link could move diagonally and swipe his sword sideways, making battle less of a chore

The magic meter for the adventure of Link carried over, and for the first time, arrows became a separate item from the bow

Several franchise staples were introduced like the hookshot, the Pegasus boots, and the legendary Master Sword

For the first time, pieces of hearts could be found to unlock full heart containers, and the game featured multi-level dungeons never seen on the NES

Dungeons, a mainstained in Zelda series, began to reach new levels of intricacy with The Link to the Past

Older generations of gamers speak highly of a Link to the Past, and that praise is well deserved

To this day, the world is large and diverse enough to attract players of any age

A Link to the Past still rivals other Zelda titles, including O'Kerina of Time and the Breast of the World

It's a game that has to be experienced to be understood. Number two, The Legend of Zelda, Breath of the Wild

Breath of the Wild is a combination of every Zelda game that came before it, pulling in some of the best Zelda offerings while fully capturing the term open world

Many games claim to allow you do anything, but Breath of the Wild truly lets you loose

That gigantic mountain you're steering up at, have a go. Not enough stamina

Then use your wits to find smaller ledges to reach the peak incrementally. Nearly 20 years after Okinae of Time, breathed the while took the franchise to a place we hadn't considered

The only minor chink in its armor is the divisive weapon system, allowing weapons to break within the short window of degradation

While it takes them getting used to, once adjusted, it forces players to test all the weapons the game has to offer

Weapons also have statistics and the combat is more refined than ever, introducing slow motion mechanics and the ability to sneak up on unwitting foes

The game's physics are a thing to behold. Puzzles, combat, and discovery can be tackled in a variety of ways

We're melding a lightning storm at your own risk and temperatures have real-world effects

Warm clothing can stave off the cold and desert climates require lighter garb

Slide down the hill on your shield, surfer style, or leap off that cliff and glide to the valley below, all while accounting for the wind

In the history of gaming, no other title truly captured the term sandbox quite like Breath of the Wild

And at number one, The Legend of Zelda, Okina of Time. There are four games that are considered epochs in the Zelda

The Legend of Zelda, a length in the past, Breath of the Wild, and the Okerina of Time

Ocarina of Time for Nintendo 64 opened Zelda to a lush 3D world rife for adventure

In the early Nintendo 64 days, Nintendo was still testing the warders with true third-dimensional gaming

and Ocarina of Time came out swinging with a massive landscape waiting to be

discovered. Until Breath of the Wild came along, Okorne of Time was the blueprint for all Zelda

games that followed. It set the tone for the third dimension, introduced the targeting system

we've come to rely on, and the story elements have become staples in the world of Zelda

only to be reintroduced in alternate versions. The Deku, the Gorons, and the Zora were brought

to life in this N64 classic. For its time, the new technology provide developers with new ways

to challenge and engage players with puzzles, exploration, near-perfect controls, and dungeon-dehuntle

If you've played the Word Temple, you know what that means. But developers didn't stop there, introducing you to your trusty Steve, Epona

It may seem like a trope in modern gaming, but Ipona's introduction was mind-boggling back

in 1998. Most aspects of Okina time hold up today, and the rich story involving time travel still strikes

a chord. The economy of a young and old link was fascinating

The soundtrack is a masterpiece and isn't a stranger to plenty of Spotify playlists

When talking about the best games of all time in general, Okernery of Time is always in the conversation

No other game on this list has the gameplay, the story, the mechanics, impact, nostalgia, and sheer legacy that the Okerene of Time has

And there you have it. Every Mainline Legend Zelda game ranked. Feel free to like the video and head on note to AIPTcom.com where we welcome new writers for articles and video essays just like this one