Most Ambitious Zelda Games

As a long-time fan of The Legend of Zelda series, I must say that each new installment has always managed to take my breath away with its innovative mechanics and stunning world design. Among all the games, there are three that truly stand out for me, and today, I’d like to share my thoughts on them.

It’s undeniable that The Legend of Zelda has become one of the most admired and recognized gaming series. Its legendary stature might not have been achieved if the creative minds at Nintendo hadn’t had the opportunity to innovate and incorporate extraordinary mechanics and concepts into their work.

Due to their unyielding determination, numerous “Legend of Zelda” series games have left an indelible impact on the gaming industry and served as inspiration for countless other titles. Notably, some games within this series display greater ambition than others, and the seven following ones are the most remarkable in the entire collection.

7 The Legend Of Zelda

It Pioneered The Semi-Open Adventure Genre

Most Ambitious Zelda Games

Back then, the initial Legend of Zelda on NES might not appear too remarkable today, but it was incredibly forward-thinking for its time. In fact, it was a pioneer in the semi-open world adventure genre, which was scarcely present during that era. Its expansive scale was practically unheard of, making it a trailblazer in the gaming landscape of that time.

Beyond its already impressive storyline, The Legend of Zelda stood out with elements that were groundbreaking for their time, yet are commonplace today. For instance, it allowed for multiple save files and the possibility to progress through the game even by skipping essential items. Moreover, a New Game + mode, or Second Quest, was available, adding replayability to the experience. While it’s not entirely accurate to claim that this game singlehandedly invented the open-world adventure genre, it undeniably left a significant impact and would likely be quite different without it.

6 Skyward Sword

Showing Off The Power Of The Wii MotionPlus

The Wii system was famed for its groundbreaking motion sensors. While the initial Zelda series installment on the console, Twilight Princess, made good use of these controls, there was potential for Nintendo to explore further with this esteemed franchise. Eventually, they decided to create a new Zelda game specifically designed to take advantage of the Wii MotionPlus accessory.

The ultimate outcome was “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword,” an exhilarating journey that takes full advantage of the precise motion controls provided by the Wii MotionPlus. Actions such as firing arrows or manipulating Link’s new Beetle item feel as natural as can be, but the game’s combat system offers a fresh, unprecedented experience. It reacts to every movement made by the player, and enemies and bosses can adjust their responses based on the controls, compelling players to think on their feet by devising strategies using their own hands.

5 Phantom Hourglass

An Impressive Nintendo DS Game In Full 3D

The Nintendo DS revolutionized the gaming world by introducing dual screens and touch controls, although its graphics didn’t make a significant impact. However, a major shift occurred when Nintendo launched their own Zelda game that was entirely three-dimensional: “The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.

In contrast to many other 2D games on the handheld system during that time, Phantom Hourglass truly shone with its fully 3D design. Additionally, it was one of the first games to utilize the touchscreen control of the DS, a feature that was relatively uncommon at the time. The developers clearly took advantage of this unique system’s capabilities in an impressive way.

4 Majora’s Mask

It Combined Time Travel With Independent NPCs

The Ocarina of Time could be considered as the initial 3D Legend of Zelda game launched on the Nintendo 64. However, Majora’s Mask took all that was created for its predecessor and transformed it into a unique gaming experience. This game is set within a span of three days, which Link must revisit repeatedly through time travel – a concept still regarded as exceptionally innovative to this day.

The standout characteristic of Majora’s Mask lies in its primary setting, Clock Town, populated by numerous Non-Player Characters (NPCs). These characters adhere to routines dictated by the game’s internal clock, continuing their lives indifferent to the player’s current actions. Few modern video games can boast NPC behavior as intricate as that found in Majora’s Mask, making it still remarkable.

3 Tears of the Kingdom

The Building Mechanics Changed Everything

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom might appear similar to its precursor, Breath of the Wild, at a glance due to its shared elements. However, it’s not merely a follow-up; it introduces novel and distinct gameplay mechanics that fundamentally alter how you engage with the game.

In a league of their own, Link’s freshly acquired abilities are nothing short of remarkable. However, it’s the Ultrahand feature in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom that truly stands out, allowing players to pick up, merge, and construct just about any item within the game, fostering an unprecedented level of creativity. This single mechanic has greatly expanded the gameplay freedom compared to its predecessor, with the intricate physics behind it taking a full year of meticulous refinement. Moreover, this game’s ambition is evident in the introduction of entirely new and vast overworld maps – the Sky and the Depths – which were thoughtfully crafted alongside the original Hyrule map.

2 Breath of the Wild

It Changed Open World Games Forever

As a dedicated fan, I can honestly say that the long-awaited addition to The Legend of Zelda series in 2017, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, surpassed all expectations and marked a significant departure from the open-world games that had started to feel repetitive. It was a game like no other, offering an unprecedented gaming experience that redefined the industry.

The recently unveiled map of Hyrule was incredibly expansive and brimming with intriguing characters and destinations, a feat that was daring, not just for the series, but also for the gaming genre. However, what truly sets Breath of the Wild apart is its emphasis on player freedom: you can do whatever you wish, in any order you prefer, even taking on the final boss at the start of your adventure. This groundbreaking design approach was a significant risk for Nintendo, yet it paid off handsomely for them.

1 Ocarina of Time

The Best Transition To 3D A Gaming Franchise Could Ask For

The current success of this franchise can be attributed, in part, to “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.” During the 90s, the gaming industry was moving towards 3D, and some franchises struggled while others thrived. However, Nintendo took great care to ensure that “The Legend of Zelda” would not just adapt to this new dimension but revolutionize it, offering a vast playfield and groundbreaking mechanics.

In 1998, the game “Ocarina of Time” stood out as visually stunning, and though its open world was smaller compared to contemporary titles, it felt vast, brimming with various locations and characters. The narrative was grand, the dungeons intricate, the bosses were awe-inspiring, and the 3D combat system, thanks to the innovative Z-targeting mechanic, functioned flawlessly. Despite not holding up aesthetically as it once did, “Ocarina of Time” revolutionized video games forever, an achievement that might never have been attained if its developers hadn’t aimed for something exceptionally ambitious, shattering conventional norms.

2024-09-14 17:05