The Zelda series has always been special. Combining exploration and dungeon crawling, they have mostly been incredibly engaging and brilliant. With the next in the series, Skyward Sword, recently unveiled, I have decided to rank my favourite games in the series.
9. The Minish Cap
Sure, it maybe the weirdest Zelda game in the series (excluding the CD-I games, naturally) and it was rather short for a Zelda game, but the Minish Cap was undoubtedly a fantastic Zelda experience. The first original Zelda game for the GBA, it had charming visuals, well-rounded game play, great music and the very cool gimmick of being able to make Link minuscule.
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| Hello, handsome. |
8. Spirit Tracks
Phantom Hourglass was a fantastic game, but not without it's flaws. Spirit Tracks fixed all of them, adding more difficulty and classic dungeon puzzles while also retaining amazing bosses, great level design, mind-boggling visuals for a DS game and super music. A must-play for DS owners and a wonderful experience.
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| ALL ABOARD! ME GO CHOO CHOO!!! |
7. The Legend of Zelda
Although it may have aged badly, considering it just throws you in the middle of nowhere and leaves you to do the rest, credit must be given to the original Zelda for it's epic music, massive size and save system. Personally, I preferred Link's Awakening, but this game needs recognition for starting one of the best franchises in gaming.
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| If it wasn't for this game, you'd be nothing. |
6. Twilight Princess
Although I'll probably be wanted dead for this ranking, hear me out. Twilight Princess had amazing level design, a vast world and a very epic storyline, but that can't hide the fact it feels like a remake of Ocarina of Time. No voice acting was a let down and two-thirds through the game went dungeon-crazy, giving us all dungeons and not enough exploration. And let's face it: it didn't look nearly as good as Wind Waker.
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| Return the boy/girl, foul beast! |
5.Oracle of Ages/Seasons
When Nintendo takes risks; they often pay off. Case in point: Oracle of Ages/Seasons, the best Gameboy Colour games and two of the best portable games of all time. When Nintendo let Capcom use the license, we were all sceptical. But WOW! the games were incredible. Wonderfully crafted quest, beautiful graphics and top notch design made these games truly excellent and the perfect swan songs to the Gameboy Colour.
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| A portable masterpiece. |
4. Wind Waker
Although a little on the easy side, Wind Waker is a shining example of how to make a compelling and brilliant game. The visuals are of course brilliant, using cell-shading and 2D sprites to make the world feel like a living, breathing cartoon. The gameplay from Ocarina of Time was refined and the level design remains the best in the series. The world was massive and beautiful, the game was over 30 hours long and the music is superb. Wind Waker, remains to this day, the most adorable Zelda game and one of the best Gamecube games of all time.
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| The thrill of adventure! |
3. Majora's Mask
A superbly dark and innovative Zelda game, Majora's Mask was not the follow-up to Ocarina of Time that fans were expecting, but was nonetheless an instant masterpiece. The storyline remains the best in the series and was masterfully told, with a dark fantasy vibe and some genuinely sad moments. The new mechanics, such as the 3-day time line, use of masks and the owl-statue save system, have influenced many games. I like to think of this game as the Empire Strikes Back of the series, as it is darker, more intelligent and well told than Ocarina of Time. I would have given it a higher position than Ocarina, had it not been for a lack of innovation and well... Tingle.
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| How a sequel should be made. |
2. Ocarina of Time
This wouldn't be a Zelda list without Ocarina of Time, as it revolutionised modern adventure games and superbly brought the series in 3D with a great bang. Astonishingly innovative, OoT grasped you and never let go until the credits started rolling. A sublimely epic adventure and the pinnacle of N64 gaming, Ocarina of Time is one of the best games of all time. However, it's not my favourite. That, of course, goes to...
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| A universal favourite |
1. A Link to the Past
Right from the stunning opening, Zelda fans knew they were in for something special. This game is undoubtedly the best Zelda, as it gave the player unparalleled freedom and a world that, for the first time in the series, truly felt alive. The game encouraged exploration, and brought great level design and gave players a proper story. While Ocarina of Time was revolutionary in bringing the series to 3D, A Link to the Past set in foundation all the elements of a brilliant Zelda game. Everything; from the music, gameplay, graphics and story, were perfect. This is a game that just got it right, and it definitely is the greatest Zelda of all time.
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| Phenomenal |
So know that we know what the best Zelda games are, what will the series bring next? I personally think Skyward Sword is set to be one of the best Zelda games in recent years. The visual style seems to be a mix of Wind Waker and Ocarina of Time's look, and does look like an impressionist painting. Motion Plus apparently works fantastic; I can't wait to use it, and the setting of Skyloft seems to be new and original. Ocarina of Time is getting a modern remake for the 3DS, which also looks fantastic. Either way, whatever the series has next, we can feel safe knowing the next game will be good. Why? Because it's f*****g Zelda, that's why!
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