The Legend of Zelda Series: Where to Start? Part 2
We continue our look back at the nearly-forty-year-old The Legend of Zelda series with part two of our Where to Start? feature. With the first part covering the titles from the series' first twenty years, this time out we run through the games from 2006 to now, including its more recent set of spin-offs.
By Andi Privitere , Alex Fuller , Sam Wachter , Casey Pritt , Cassandra Ramos , Pascal Tekaia , Amaan Bhimani , Michael Baker , Jordan McClain , Ezra Kinnell , Matt Masem , and Kelley Ryan
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Available on: Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii U
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess occupies an odd place in the Zelda pantheon. It certainly has its fans, but it also has a reputation as the one that the developers were “forced” to make after the backlash The Wind Waker received. However, that doesn’t take away from the sheer quality of the experience. The game has a more realistic graphical style and designs, which means those visuals don't age as gracefully as The Wind Waker ’s, but everything else, from the world to the dungeons to even Link himself, is so quintessentially Zelda in its personality and execution that it’s an easy place to recommend players start their Zelda journey.
What stands out in the sea of good qualities is the narrative. While not quite as dark as Majora’s Mask , it’s easily one of the most mature of the whole franchise, with some genuinely surprising moments. Midna is an all-time favourite character in the franchise, easily surpassing every other navigator. It’s one of the few times in the series that a character develops past their original state and becomes better than when we first met them. Unfortunately, Twilight Princess hasn’t made its way to the Switch yet, leaving only the Wii U remaster and original Wii and GameCube releases as options, so those without those consoles will be out of luck. Thankfully, those who don’t have access to the remaster won’t be missing too much, as the remaster doesn’t change enough to make it a definitive experience. — Ezra Kinnell
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Available on: Nintendo DS
Phantom Hourglass is, to date, probably one of the least played games in the franchise, owing in large part to the fact that it was designed specifically with the DS in mind, and limiting its longevity beyond that system’s life span. As a direct sequel to The Wind Waker , it sees Link and Tetra sailing the Great Sea when they encounter a mysterious Ghost Ship. However, the Ghost Ship soon vanishes again, with Tetra still on board, leaving Link to pick up her trail in a big chase to rescue her once again. Apart from sailing sections similar to what was seen in The Wind Waker , one of the game’s central mechanics is the large-scale Temple of the Ocean King, a dungeon housing several sea glyphs that function as maps to point Link along on his quest. However, exploring the temple requires players to sneak past invincible enemies and deal with a health-draining curse that saps Link’s life once he enters, which can only be staved off with the help of the mythical Phantom Hourglass.
The fact that Phantom Hourglass is one of the franchise’s few direct sequels makes it a less-than-ideal place for newcomers to jump in, even if the connections to The Wind Waker are rather minor. There are a handful of returning characters, including Tetra herself, and of course, sailing across the Great Sea is reminiscent of its forebear. The game also has a very similar graphical style to The Wind Waker . Further, it has a somewhat lower difficulty than many other entries in the series, though the gameplay gimmicks of the Temple of the Ocean King are an acquired taste that won’t suit everybody. Obtaining a DS cartridge of the game isn’t too difficult or expensive, at least, always supposing one still has access to a handheld system to play it on. — Pascal Tekaia
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Available on: Nintendo DS
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is a unique game in the series. It's the only threequel, taking place about 100 years after Phantom Hourglass , itself a direct sequel to The Wind Waker . There is no Triforce, Master Sword, or Ganondorf, even if the main villain bears a resemblance to him. This is also the first time in a mainline title that Princess Zelda is playable, albeit only for certain parts of the game. Perhaps the most obvious aspect that stands out is the use of trains. Link begins the game after having graduated as a train engineer. Special train tracks not only connect the different parts of New Hyrule, but were laid down to imprison the Demon King Malladus, and the only way to travel around Hyrule is by riding a special train. Like Phantom Hourglass , Spirit Tracks also makes good use of the two screens and the DS's features, such as the touch screen and microphone.
Spirit Tracks is an often-overlooked title in The Legend of Zelda series, and there is a lot to enjoy. The game has exciting boss fights and fun puzzles, and it's nice to see Link and Zelda journey together, becoming closer, and generally being adorable. However, this doesn't make for a good entry into the series as a whole. While this is partly due to its nature as a sequel, the story is actually separate enough from The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass to be easy for a newcomer to follow. What makes this game an awkward starting point is its use of a train to traverse the overworld. While only a few Zelda games are truly open world, the series is known for its large overworld that not only connects the various locations, but often has lots of items, people, and secrets. Overworld travel in Spirit Tracks is, pardon the pun, on rails. There is no way to travel freely outside of the set tracks. Traveling by train can also become dull, as it takes a while to get from one place to another, even with warp gates unlocked. It would be best to start with a more traditional Zelda game, then play Spirit Tracks later. This game is also currently unavailable on modern systems, as it was only released for the DS and on the Wii U's Virtual Console, which can no longer be purchased due to the Wii U eShop shutting down. Those wanting to play it will have to rely on the second-hand market. — Cassandra Ramos
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Available on: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch
As the 25th-anniversary title and the first game in the Zelda timeline, Skyward Sword is another strong contender for being the series' best starting point. As an origin story, it teaches newcomers the basics of the Zelda universe firsthand by placing them in the boots of the first hero to raise his sacred blade against the forces of evil. Skyward Sword is a modern game with a newcomer-friendly narrative and traditional Zelda gameplay, helping to introduce newer gamers into the series without being too much of retro culture shock, making it an excellent choice for a multitude of reasons.
The game captures the best of both worlds, with watercolor art and expressive characters that embody the lighter side of the series, while its orchestrated soundtrack and epic story show players the heights of grandiosity that the series can reach. What sets it apart are its endearing depiction of Link and Zelda's relationship, its precision combat based on directional sword swings and timely deflections, and some of the best-designed and cleverly themed dungeons in the series. The HD remaster available on the Nintendo Switch also addresses the two most common complaints with the Wii original by including an alternate control scheme and limiting interruptions from the companion Fi, further isolating it as one of the most accessible and refined games in the series. At its greatest, Skyward Sword is a shining example of everything that The Legend of Zelda is and can be, and though it remains something of an underrated pick due to the problems with the original and some padding issues, it's an earnest and fulfilling adventure that can make a believer out of anyone. — Amaan Bhimani
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Available on: Nintendo 3DS
I have weirdly fond memories of The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds , not the least of which was that it was a first-anniversary present from my wife. While she’s not much of a game enthusiast, she enjoyed watching me work my way through the trials and tribulations of Hyrule and Lorule.
As a something-quel to the 1991 game, A Link to the Past , this title is an intentional throwback to the top-down adventure view, in a style the series hadn’t really seen since Minish Cap on the Game Boy Advance. It even draws direct parallels to its predecessor, matching points on the main map with a nearly 1:1 exactness at times. But even so, A Link Between Worlds is far more experimental than it would seem at first glance. On the gameplay side, the utility of renting most equipment from the get-go changes up the usual progression format, opening up the map early on while teasing the player with the unknown. The gimmick for the game, the portrait curse, allows Link to contour himself to any flat surface, allowing for distinctly two-dimensional thinking to solve various puzzles, and even when battling the final boss. As for the story, Lorule provides an interesting dark mirror to Hyrule, with a wimpy hero, an enslaved Dark Lord, and a proactive girl-boss of a princess who is up to shenanigans of her own.
For enthusiasts of the series, it is a surprising breath of fresh nostalgia, giving all the old-school vibes of yesteryear with puffs of fresh concepts and gameplay. But for me, it was simply having a wonderful Christmastime. — Michael Baker
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes
Available on: Nintendo 3DS
Located to the north of Hyrule Kingdom is Hytopia, an elegant land where magic thrives and style rules the day… until an evil witch curses the Princess Stylia into forever wearing the ugliest jumpsuit in existence, and the land falls under a chill, afraid to be fashion-conscious for fear of being cursed in return. Unlike the Four Swords titles, which are equally as competitive as they are cooperative, Tri Force Heroes requires Link and two doppelgangers, or one to three players, to work cooperatively, as they navigate puzzle-based areas which offer up to three tools commonly found in other Zelda titles, such as bombs, a hammer, and a boomerang. The three characters can also stack up as a “totem” by perching on each other’s shoulders, and this “totem time” mode is often required to navigate the various levels, as well as for conquering the boss at the end of each set of stages.
While other Zelda titles give minor benefits for upgrading Link’s tunic, Tri Force Heroes allows Link to craft a variety of outfits that bestow unique benefits when worn. These can tie into the weapons being wielded, like the bow-improving Kokiri Clothes, or they can change how players might interact with the world, such as the Goron outfit that makes players immune to fire damage and lava safe to swim in. Available exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS, Tri Force Heroes had more ambition than quality gameplay, and with online play for the 3DS family of systems offline, it’s now locked to local co-op play only, making it a poor choice for beginner Zelda fans. Seek it out if you’ve got some friends keen on couch co-op and a completely unserious plot. — Andi Privitere
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (2019)
Available on: Nintendo Switch
While there have been multiple re-releases of Zelda titles, there is a reason why the more recent Link's Awakening has its own entry in this feature: it really feels like a different game from the original. The 2019 remake was developed by Grezzo, and while it has the spirit of the 1993 release, there's a lot to praise about the overall transformation of its graphics and its accessibility options. However, the remake is also often criticized as being too generous when it comes to heart containers, offering thirty-two to the original game's twelve, making it a much easier experience to complete.
That said, being easy is not necessarily a criticism here. Link's Awakening is a charming experience, and the upgrades the game has in terms of the puzzles, mini-games, and exploration are excellent for newcomers to the series and those who are less familiar or experienced with this style of game. Those who adore the original may find the changes made here much more frustrating than complimentary. The game, upon release, also had tons of noticeable slowdown issues. If you've somehow never played a Zelda game before, or you're looking for a more accessible and simple game to jump into the series, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake is a fantastic option, giving players a classic experience, but with improvements and a delightfully wondrous world to explore. — Sam Wachter
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Available on: Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Over eight years since its release, the Nintendo Switch launch title continues to defend its place among gaming's best. Some skeptics remain, but for any player who values freedom and exploration, Breath of the Wild could easily become their favorite game of all time. Many will point to the sequel for certain improvements, but Breath of the Wild has the benefit of greater overall cohesion and direction. Breath of the Wild is an intentional and immersive quest that's defined less by awe-inspiring set pieces and sandbox creativity, and more by quiet admiration for its world and the mastery of fundamentals.
The game is often lonely and beautiful, with its hostile creatures and natural landscapes evoking the same sense of danger and adventure that the original game did, only in a modern form. Minimalist sound design drives home the severity and isolation of exploring a ruined world, just as it shows the beauty of the small things like grass rustling in the wind or the weight of each footstep. For every desolate field, there's a story of calamity, and for each struggling settlement, there's a story of courage against the odds. Players who yearn for dense atmosphere and environmental storytelling will feel like they've found a new home in Hyrule, and every sight and sound will become embedded in their minds as they see all that this world has to offer.
If there's an imposing mountain on the horizon, it can eventually be climbed, and if there's a seemingly insurmountable enemy in the way, it can eventually be triumphed over. Through completing main and side objectives and discovering new items and towns, players slowly become familiar with the open world, and everything that once seemed intimidating becomes a source of pride once conquered. Like most Zelda games, one may think there's a constant voice telling the player to go here and do that, but unlike the rest, that voice is the player's own, and fulfilling its every demand both satisfies our inner explorer and makes Link stronger. Breath of the Wild is perhaps less of a traditional Zelda game, but it is the purest distillation of the series' ethos, of the dream that Shigeru Miyamoto had of a game that could capture the wonder of venturing off into the woods as a kid. For that reason and for all others listed above, can readily be seen as one of the best games to start with. — Amaan Bhimani
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Available on: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
It was not particularly surprising to hear of Nintendo’s plans to follow up on the immensely successful Breath of the Wild . However, not too many would’ve expected the level of creativity that Nintendo built on top of it for Tears of the Kingdom . Nintendo took its time in creating the sequel, with six years between the two, but it paid off magnificently. The game begins in fine style by introducing players to the Sky Islands above Hyrule, offering plenty of stunning new views, and also adding the dark, atmospheric Depths below, giving players a huge world to explore.
However, where Tears of the Kingdom really stands out is its approach to puzzle-solving. Gaining the powers of the Zonai allows Link to combine different items for almost infinite purposes, starting from finding ways to prop up a sign and going all the way up to building a weaponised vehicle. While all of the puzzles have a definite solution, the tools provided frequently allow for multiple possible ways of achieving a goal. The game is more than happy to let players bypass something with a trick of their own, and it encourages them to think for themselves rather than search for a specific solution that has been laid out.
Despite being a sequel, the game’s story is such that players can readily jump straight in with Tears of the Kingdom should they choose. Thus, Tears of the Kingdom is easily amongst the best titles the Nintendo Switch has to offer, and players really can’t go wrong playing this at any point during their Zelda adventure. — Alex Fuller
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Available on: Nintendo Switch
For nearly forty years, Link has maintained his status as the main playable protagonist in the main Legend of Zelda series. Over time, however, fans' requests to play as its titular princess grew increasingly frequent, until Nintendo finally released Echoes of Wisdom for the Switch in 2024, co-developed alongside Grezzo. This title sees Zelda stepping firmly out of the damsel-in-distress role to free both her kingdom and Link from the clutches of darkness. Although the game is both adorable and enchanting, a few contingencies make it a less-than-ideal first taste of the series' formula.
A recurring theme within the series as a whole is that Link embodies the virtue of courage, while Zelda exemplifies wisdom. Echoes of Wisdom represents this distinction all the way down to its core mechanics, which require Zelda to summon copies of various monsters and items for fighting and puzzle-solving purposes. The resulting experience is novel, and I would almost recommend this game to first-time players who enjoy brainteasers. However, the puzzles on offer expect a player who "speaks the language" of the Zelda series, and one has an almost overwhelming number of options available to solve them. It can be difficult to know if or when the tools needed to obtain treasure that is tantalizingly just out of reach have been collected. Those wanting to play this game, may find it preferable to familiarize themselves with some of the other top-down entries first. Whenever one elects to dip into Echoes of Wisdom , opt for playing on the Nintendo Switch 2, if possible, for much-needed performance boosts in areas that lag on the game's home console. — Casey Pritt
Hyrule Warriors
Available on: Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch
Having no real tie to the Zelda franchise, I didn’t give a second thought to Hyrule Warriors on the Wii U or 3DS initially. However, after Dragon Quest Heroes introduced me to the madness of Musou , I couldn’t help picking up the Definitive Edition along with my Switch. This game ended up being a near-endless treat for myself and my young sons, who had zero experience with the series prior. It’s an excellent game for newcomers to the series and those who’ve played them all.
Hyrule Warriors is a hack-and-slash Musou game where Link and more than two dozen of his series friends take on hundreds of enemies at a time. There are a handful of characters — like the amazing dual-crossbow-wielding Linkle — who debut in this title, but the bulk of the enemies, playable characters, and NPCs alike are from the myriad of other Zelda properties throughout the franchise’s long history. The early selling point of this game for me was the couch co-op-friendly split screen, so my kids could play together or with me. They loved this, and it was a great way to introduce them, and for a big chunk, me, to all these Legend of Zelda staples.
There is a ton to do in Hyrule Warriors , and a lot of it is just excellent Musou gameplay, but it also harkens back to the series' roots. Boss battles often require some sort of puzzle or trick method of dealing damage or breaking shields. Items such as bombs, the hookshot, bow, boomerang, and fire rod work exactly as they do in the mainline games. There is an abundance of fairies and rupees scattered all around. And then there’s Adventure Mode, which is a huge grid-based map inspired by the original Zelda overworld. Each square is a mini-mission with different rules, restrictions, or surprises. It’s completely separate from the main story, but can easily provide hundreds of extra hours of content. — Matt Masem
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
Available on: Nintendo Switch
While the first Hyrule Warriors had its own story and acted more as a celebration of the series at large, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity provides a more focused story and experience. It acts as a canonical spin-off to the Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom duology. Omega Force’s second Musou take on the series takes place a hundred years before the events of Breath of the Wild , when Calamity Ganon returns to try and destroy Hyrule, and allows Zelda to take on the role of main protagonist.
Musou games are all about wading through masses of enemies to reach objectives and boss fights, and things are no different here, though there's more of a focus on defeating the larger, more powerful foes that pop up throughout. Combat is relatively straightforward but highly enjoyable, thanks largely to the differences in the way characters control. While it may not deviate a huge amount from the usual Musou formula, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a strong title with plenty of appeal to both Zelda and Musou fans. Players will get the most out of the story if they have played Breath of the Wild first, but it’s still good fun even if they haven’t. — Alex Fuller
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
The third installment of the Hyrule Warriors series takes the phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” to heart. Much like its predecessor, it functions as a prequel, this time to Tears of the Kingdom . The game tells Princess Zelda’s story after she is sent back in time after touching a secret stone in the caves under Hyrule Castle during Tears of the Kingdom’ s opening cutscene. Upon her arrival, she meets King Rauru and Queen Sonia, the founders of Hyrule. From there, Age of Imprisonment ’s story focuses on Ganondorf’s betrayal and rise to power. While Princess Zelda and her journey back to her own time are the main focus of Imprisonment , there is a sword-wielding Zonai construct with a fighting style that is suspiciously similar to a certain blonde hero from the present. Playing through this game provides an interesting background to the Imprisonment War that was only hinted at in cutscenes during Tears of the Kingdom . The game handles the story incredibly well for a prequel/midquel, and will not spoil any major plot points for Tears . At the same time, players who have finished Tears of the Kingdom will get some subtle “if you know, you know” moments that will make them smile.
The gameplay is the same hack-and-slash combat as the previous games. This time around, players can experiment with different Zonai-themed weapons from Tears , including flame throwers, laser beams, time bombs, and rockets. These devices are integral to defeating the bosses of each area, as they take advantage of many different weaknesses that are vital to getting that enemy’s shield meter down. The game also introduces Sync Strikes, a mechanic that combines the special moves of two different characters, often resulting in a powerful combo that can turn the tide of battle. While the character count in this game isn’t as robust as the previous two Hyrule Warriors titles, the game makes up for it by making each character’s fighting style a unique experience. For example, each of the four sages has their unique elemental attack, making their use in battle vital for exploiting enemy weaknesses. Zelda and Rauru's attacks concentrate on light-based abilities, ideal for taking on monsters inflicted with gloom. The Construct, on the other hand, can change between swords, greatswords, and spears, allowing players to cater to their own fighting style. These additions help the combat feel fresh and polished, while maintaining the familiar feel of the previous two Hyrule Warriors titles.
Overall, Age of Imprisonment is a wonderful game that will delight anyone who can’t get enough Hyrule Warriors in their life. Anyone with a new Switch 2 looking for some action combat can easily get into this game and have a good time. — Kelley Ryan
Cadence of Hyrule
Available on: Nintendo Switch
Cadence of Hyrule both is and isn’t a Zelda game. It was originally a Zelda -themed piece of DLC for Brace Yourself Games’s Crypt of the NecroDancer , which grew in scope and eventually became its own standalone entry, but in that series. Players take on the role of Cadence, though they can switch to either Link or Zelda fairly early on, as the adventure unfolds as a collaboration among the three. The goal is to traverse a relatively familiar top-down Hyrule, delving into dungeons to defeat four fearsome champions and gather their instruments of power to ultimately defeat the villainous Octavo, who has put the King of Hyrule into a magical slumber with his golden lute.
Surprisingly, the game manages to ape the general feel of a Zelda title fairly successfully, while always staying consistent gameplay-wise to its rhythm-and-rogue-based roots. Hyrule feels familiar, particularly reminiscent of other titles like A Link to the Past . Enemies, tools, and items are generally consistent with the series, making the whole thing feel like a well-worn glove, familiar and comforting. Most important, of course, are the series’ well-established musical tracks, which here also serve as the beat to which players must time their adventure, or die trying. It’s a celebration of the franchise, particularly its music, so it’s not going to have nearly the same impact on newcomers to the series. Since its release, the game has received its own DLC, adding even more characters, locations, and music tracks from the Zelda franchise. A deep sense of familiarity isn’t required to progress, but the game’s unadulterated joy and reverence of its source material are significantly lessened without it, so it should ideally be approached after earning one’s wings elsewhere. The game is easily available on Nintendo Switch, both virtually on the Nintendo eShop and as a physical cartridge. — Pascal Tekaia
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
Available on: Nintendo DS (Europe-only)
Once in a while, a franchise will give birth to a strange, experimental title that ends up being the odd one out. In 2006, now-defunct developer Vanpool created one of the most bizarre spin-off games in the Zelda franchise, featuring one of the most divisive characters: Tingle! While Tingle is napping one day, Uncle Rupee calls out to him and tells him about a magical place called Rupeeland, and that he can get there if he feeds the western pool near his house with offerings of rupees. The game has three distinctive areas that must be completed to resurrect the tower that leads to Rupeeland. The game is essentially a drug trip wherein Tingle, who has little to no combat skills, must solve puzzles and hold onto as many rupees as possible to avoid dying. It's an absolute hoot of a premise, boasting beautiful visuals and a whacked-out story. However, it's not actually a fun game to play. For all of the game's creativity, the puzzles are quite challenging, the ally AI is garbage, and Tingle doesn't have much in the way of defense. It's a short game full of backtracking, and honestly, a lot of frustration.
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland was only released in Japan and Europe, making it a difficult game to track down, as second-hand copies are easily priced at around $200. This game exists purely for comedic purposes and is hard to recommend even to the hardcore Zelda fans because of what it is. It is an oddity, and one that really cannot be recommended as a starting point due to its lack of accessibility and price tag. — Sam Wachter
Thanks for reading the second part of our Where to Start? guide on The Legend of Zelda series. We hope that it is useful and helps others enjoy a much-beloved series, and welcome readers' own thoughts on the best entry points and play order. Wherever one chooses to jump in, there are going to be many hours of enjoyment waiting for them.
The post The Legend of Zelda Series: Where to Start? Part 2 appeared first on RPGamer .
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