Without a doubt, if there's one quintessential video game saga that has captivated and, at times, moved countless players, it's The Legend of Zelda . Link's adventures have unfolded across 36 titles released over the past 36 years. Today, we present a compilation of all The Legend of Zelda games in chronological order.
Nintendo's most mythical story
One of the most acclaimed and desired sagas by all "gamers" are the titles of the Link warrior story. A story in which we have accompanied him to save Zelda and the kingdom of Hyrule from numerous dangers.
In this compilation, we've grouped all the titles released in this Nintendo franchise in order of their release so you can quickly and easily see a complete overview of the saga. If you're already a fan of these games, you'll know that this isn't the chronological order of the story's events. If you'd like to see this classification and get a quick recap of the main events in The Legend of Zelda , Nintendo itself released a video in a " Draw My Life" style that tells its story:
Of course, in this classification, in addition to sharing the game's history and release year , we'll also tell you the platform it was available on when it went on sale. This can be incredibly useful if you want to relive the good old days by playing it again, or if you're new to the series, to discover and enjoy what we've all been enjoying for years. If you're interested, this video on our YouTube channel explains how you can play emulators on a Mi TV Box, although the process is the same for any Smart TV:
Regarding the scoring system we'll use to evaluate the different titles, to be as critical as possible we've used the scores provided by Metacritic . This website bases its verdict on user opinions and the number of reviews received over the years.
All The Legend of Zelda games
Now that everything is clear in this classification, let's begin to list each of the 36 titles that Nintendo has published in this saga so far. We start from the original game, from 1986, until we reach the most current ones. And, at the end, we will tell you about some details of what is to come.
The Legend of Zelda (1986)
The Legend of Zelda was the title that started it all in this long story. Originally released for the Famicom Disk System, it was later ported to the NES . The story takes place in the land of Hyrule, where Link's main objective is to rescue Princess Zelda from Ganon. This is made possible by collecting the eight fragments of the Triforce, a powerful artifact first introduced in this game.
In this case, there is no Metacritic score for the first installment.
Classic NES Series: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987)
Zelda II is the second installment, released just one year after the original game. Again using the NES as the platform, this installment continues Link's mission to rescue Zelda, but Nintendo decided to implement several gameplay changes. It focused more on combat and on Link gaining experience to improve his abilities, eventually allowing him to cast spells.
This title was not as popular with most of the public as the original, receiving a score of 73 according to Metacritic.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991)
Fast-forwarding to 1991, we have A Link to the Past, a title that debuted on the SNES , although it's also available for the Game Boy Advance . In this game, Nintendo returned Zelda to its "original" gameplay but with a small improvement that later became a hallmark of the series: the parallel worlds of darkness and light.
The third installment of Zelda, in its GBA version, gets a score of 95 on Metacritic.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (1993)
Link's Awakening was the first installment in this series designed exclusively for the Game Boy handheld system and its Color DX version. This title leaves the kingdom of Hyrule behind to explore Koholint Island, where Link is imprisoned and must escape.
In this case, we again don't have a Metacritic score for it (it's too old). However, we do find a rating for its 2019 Nintendo Switch remake , which received a total of 87 points . This title features graphical improvements, compatibility with a newer console, and some gameplay tweaks, but it retains the same gameplay as the original cartridge for the handheld.
See offer on AmazonThe Legend of Zelda BS (1995)
The Legend of Zelda BS , which stands for Broadcast Satellaview , was an "extension" of the original game released for the SNES that could only be played via a telephone connection after being downloaded. It featured some changes to the character designs and graphics, but overall it was the same game from 1986.
As it is a slight extension, we again have no evaluation from Metacritic.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
Ocarina of Time was originally released for the Nintendo 64 , and later came the Nintendo 3DS version . Considered one of the best games in the series, it was the first title in which we saw Zelda in 3D, allowing us to explore Hyrule in all its splendor.
As expected, this installment's score is the highest in the entire saga, reaching 99 points.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (2000)
Two years later, Nintendo continued the saga with the sequel , Majora's Mask , the "darkest" installment in its series. Originally released for the N64 (and later ported to the 3DS ), this title sees Link travel back to the kingdom of Hyrule through a parallel realm called Termina. There, the warrior must prevent the moon from falling and destroying the kingdom within just three days.
Its score? A 95 on the Metacritic scale.
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages (2001)
These two games, released in 2001 for the Game Boy Color, deserve to be included together on this list, as they complement each other perfectly. Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages tell two separate stories that continually intertwine. While you can play one of these titles without the other, you'll have a much better understanding of the final story if you complete both.
In this case, we did not find a score for either of the two cartridges.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords (2002)
Four Swords is a multiplayer mode that served as an expansion for A Link to the Past on Game Boy Advance . This cooperative multiplayer mode was later followed by Four Swords Adventures in 2004 for GameCube . The latter received a Metacritic score of 86.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002)
The Wind Waker became the title in which our main character looked "worst." Not so much in terms of graphics, since the earlier installments were of lower quality, but because of the game's overall aesthetic. It resembled a children's cartoon world. In this title, originally designed for the GameCube , our warrior traversed the sea from island to island and explored dungeons to acquire enough power to defeat Ganondorf. Today, it's considered one of the best in the entire franchise, far surpassing other games like Ocarina of Time , which have aged much worse.
It received a 96 on Metacritic thanks to its gameplay, as it's considered one of the best in the entire franchise, having been the first to experiment with a massive open world. It was remastered for the Wii U in 2013, and rumors of a Nintendo Switch release persist.
The Legend of Zelda: The Minishcap (2004)
Until The Minish Cap , we had traversed Hyrule from end to end with Link, but this time, this warrior crosses the portal to the Minish realm, becoming a miniature version of himself. A Game Boy Advance exclusive.
This game was also very popular among fans of the series, scoring 89 points.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)
Originally released for the GameCube , and later ported to the Wii and Wii U, Twilight Princess is another rather dark adventure in the series, where Link transforms into a werewolf as part of the gameplay. This installment received a score of 96 on Metacritic , and rumors persist that a remaster for the Nintendo Switch is in the works.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007)
Phantom Hourglass is a sequel to Wind Waker that came to the Nintendo DS . It features a very similar aesthetic and gameplay, but with one key difference: the ability to draw your route using the DS's touchscreen. This game received a score of 90 on Metacritic.
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009)
In 2009, Nintendo repeated the same successful formula with The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, only this time replacing the open world of the sea with train tracks and a very detailed map that players could explore with complete freedom. These two games are true masterpieces, on par with the original Wind Waker. It has a score of 87 on Metacritic.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011)
The next major title in this saga was Skyward Sword for the Wii . This title begins the story of Zelda and Link, which starts on the floating islands of Skyloft and Skyloft. In this realm, humans rule the skies and demonic creatures the land. As always, we see the duality between worlds so popular in the series. It received a score of 93 on Metacritic and is considered one of the best-designed installments in the entire saga.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword has been available for Nintendo Switch since July 16, 2021, and is a direct port of the original Wii title, but with improved graphics, both in resolution and overall texture and effect quality. Unfortunately, Nintendo hasn't updated the controls, which are very awkward when using the camera.
Its launch price, as always, is the one set by the Japanese for their most important novelties, that is, 59,99 euros, and it is an extraordinary opportunity to take a great Zelda everywhere.
See offer on AmazonA Link Between Worlds (2013)
A Link Between Worlds is the sequel to A Link to the Past , but this time designed for the Nintendo 3DS . The story takes place in the same setting as its predecessor, but several generations later. A young blacksmith's apprentice must save the seven sages to discover his true purpose. This time, Zelda has new abilities, most notably the power to transform into a painting and move through walls. A Link Between Worlds received a score of 93 on Metacritic.
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (2015)
Tri Force Heroes is the successor to Four Swords Adventures , although in this case, it's a Nintendo 3DS title and can be played without multiplayer, using a relay system. It seems that, on this occasion, it wasn't a very well-received or acclaimed title among fans of the series, receiving a mere 73 on Metacritic.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
We arrive at what is, to date, the latest major release in the series (since Link's Awakening is a remake , as we mentioned earlier) with the title Breath of the Wild for Nintendo Switch and Wii U. This title has been considered the most incredible and best-designed open-world game in video game history. Although the storyline is delightful in itself, the best part of this game is exploring the kingdom of Hyrule and discovering every corner of it. As expected, it received a score of 97 on Metacritic.
See offer on AmazonThe Legend of Zelda Tears of Kingdom (2023)
Nintendo always presented the game that follows the one released in March 2017 as "the sequel to Breath of the Wild " and the truth is that we have known it as such since its first official presentation at E3 2019.
But the news didn't stop there. Two years later we had access to a little more information , but nothing conclusive about what the final name would be or an approximate date of arrival in stores.
Since then, rumors have circulated, with insiders claiming it would arrive in 2021, then 2022, but finally, we have a moment to hold onto for the first months of 2023, following the announcement made by Nintendo on September 13: the game will be called The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom and we will be able to enjoy it from May 12, 2023.
Judging from the images, it continues the line started with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild , with a very similar graphical appearance, but new mechanics that will take us through the skies , flying and visiting enormous hanging continents in an adventure that will look upwards much more than the first title.
Remember: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is coming on May 12, 2023. What more could you ask for?
Other games that are not Zeldas
Although this article only covers developments related to the main franchise and what Americans call " canonical" games , there are other releases that have added depth to the story of Link, Hyrule, and Princess Zelda . This is the case, in recent years, with Hyrule Warriors , a branch focused on fighting and combat, similar to Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors , from which it borrows almost its entire gameplay style.
Hyrule Warriors (2014)
In 2014, Hyrule Warriors arrived for Wii U, later for New Nintendo 3DS and finally for Nintendo Switch.
It is a Musou game inspired by Koei Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors , with a virtually identical development, only sprinkling all the stages, characters, and enemies with the appearance of Zelda in its different versions, giving an original touch to a genre unknown to many fans of the saga.
Cadence of Hyrule Crypt of the Necrodancer (2019)
You also have another Zelda game (we're not talking about Super Smash Bros , which is already well known) called Cadence of Hyrule Crypt of the Necrodancer , which explores gameplay mechanics significantly different from any other title: movements limited by a beautiful 2D stage where combat takes precedence over any other defining element of the saga.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (2020)
Six years after the first Musou, Nintendo released Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity , which took virtually all of its graphics, characters and mechanics from Breath of the Wild , which arrived in March 2017 alongside the Japanese handheld.
special titles
Link and company have also received the occasional tribute. These titles are special and have had limited editions:
The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition (2003)
This game is a compilation. It was never sold individually, which gave it a certain exclusivity. The game could only be obtained in conjunction with some Nintendo GameCube packs that came out at the end of 2003. On the other hand, it was also possible to purchase it with the stars of Club Nintendo through the official website.
What is special about this game? Basically, The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition collects four of the great games of this franchise:
- The Legend of Zelda (NES, 1986)
The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES, 1988) - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64, 1998)
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Nintendo 64, 2000)
In addition, it includes a playable demo of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker , as well as a retrospective of the franchise from 1986 to 2003.
Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda (2021)
And if you want one last interesting fact about the saga, you can't miss the special Game & Watch for the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda that Nintendo released in 2021, which includes not only the first two original games of the saga for NES (from 1986 and 1987), but also alarm modes and timers themed around Link , the brilliant The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening for Game Boy, and Vermin, one of the first G&W games from the Japanese company in the early 80s.
The important thing, however, is that The Legend of Zelda saga is still very much alive and that fans of the Japanese game can start preparing their consoles for more and better sequels.
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