# What is the best Legend of Zelda game of all time?

> Whether you swear by the revolutionary 3D dungeons, cherish the timeless 2D adventures, or live for the open-air freedom of recent entries — Zelda has never stopped surprising fans. Which game reigns supreme?

*By YPB Team · Published April 15, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-best-legend-of-zelda-game-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Ocarina of Time**
   The revolutionary 1998 N64 game that defined 3D adventure gaming and topped best-game-ever lists for over two decades.
2. **A Link to the Past**
   The iconic 1991 SNES game widely regarded as the definitive 2D Zelda experience, establishing the template for the entire series.
3. **Breath of the Wild**
   Nintendo's 2017 open-world reinvention that shattered Zelda conventions and became one of the most acclaimed games in history.
4. **Tears of the Kingdom**
   The 2023 sequel to Breath of the Wild featuring sky islands, underground depths, and the innovative Ultrahand ability.
5. **Majora's Mask**
   The haunting 2000 N64 sequel known for its three-day time loop, dark themes, and deeply emotional sidequests.
6. **The Wind Waker**
   The cel-shaded 2002 GameCube adventure set across a vast ocean, initially divisive but now celebrated as a masterpiece.
7. **Twilight Princess**
   The darker, more mature 2006 GameCube/Wii entry featuring an epic wolf-Link mechanic and one of the longest Zelda stories.
8. **Link's Awakening**
   Originally a 1993 Game Boy classic later remade in 2019, a charming and surprisingly emotional adventure far from Hyrule.
9. **Skyward Sword**
   The 2011 Wii origin story of the Zelda timeline, later remastered for Switch in 2021 with improved motion controls.
10. **A Link Between Worlds**
   Nintendo's clever 2013 3DS sequel to A Link to the Past, introducing the innovative wall-merging mechanic.
11. **Echoes of Wisdom**
   The 2024 Switch game placing Zelda herself as the protagonist for the first time, using Tri Rod echo abilities.
12. **The Legend of Zelda (1986)**
   The original 1986 NES game that started it all, creating the action-adventure template that defined a genre.
13. **Oracle of Ages / Seasons**
   Two linked 2001 Game Boy Color adventures that rewarded players who completed both with a secret combined ending.

Tags: fantasy, games, nintendo, rpg
