What is the best Zelda game ever?

From pixelated NES dungeons and Game Boy dream-island detours to open-world Hyrule and sky-island sequels, this lineup spans nearly forty years of adventure. Cast your vote!

1

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

2023 sequel adding sky islands, Ultrahand crafting, and the depths beneath Hyrule.

1000pts

2

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

2011 Wii origin story introducing motion-sword combat and the Master Sword's lineage.

969pts

3

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

2006 darker Wii/GameCube entry where Link transforms into a wolf in the Twilight Realm.

925pts

DZ

4

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

2017 Switch open-world reinvention with physics-driven traversal across the kingdom of Hyrule.

925pts

BE

5

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

1991 SNES top-down classic with the Light and Dark World twin-dungeon structure.

848pts

6

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

1998 N64 landmark that defined 3D action-adventure with time travel and Z-targeting.

807pts

7

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

2013 3DS sequel to A Link to the Past with wall-merging traversal and rentable items.

807pts

WE

8

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

1987 side-scrolling NES sequel with RPG mechanics and a unique combat system.

727pts

DI

9

Hyrule Warriors

2014 Koei Tecmo musou crossover featuring large-scale battles with the Zelda cast.

727pts

10

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

2002 GameCube cel-shaded ocean adventure praised for its expressive art style.

623pts

DI

11

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

1993 Game Boy dream-island adventure beloved for its surreal tone and intimate scope.

290pts

12

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages / Seasons

2001 Game Boy Color companion duology developed by Capcom with linked passwords.

242pts

13

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

2000 N64 darker entry built around a three-day time loop and a falling moon.

242pts

14

The Legend of Zelda

1986 NES original that invented the open exploration template of the entire series.

242pts

15

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

2004 Game Boy Advance entry where Link shrinks to explore a hidden tiny world.

0pts