Top 10 Must-Play 2D Zelda Games You Can’t Miss

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Summary

  • 2D Zelda games offer mind-bending gameplay, tight level design, and a cozy aesthetic worth celebrating.
  • Echoes of Wisdom shakes up the top-down format by putting Princess Zelda in the protagonist role.
  • The Minish Cap is an underrated masterpiece with compelling gameplay and subtle contributions to the Zelda lore.

Despite modern video games predominantly being in the 3D era, including the Legend of Zelda series, there remains an undeniable allure to the classic 2D, top-down Zelda format. Even with the increased capabilities of portable consoles enabling Nintendo to create 3D games, they continue to develop Zelda games where the camera perspective is mainly from above.

Across the physics simulations in ‘Ocarina of Time’, the expansive open-world navigation in ‘Tears of the Kingdom’, and the captivating immersion of ‘Majora’s Mask’, the 2D games offer brain-teasing gameplay, meticulously crafted levels, and a charming ambiance unique to themselves. These games are definitely worthy of appreciation.

8. The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom

A Creative New Twist On The Top-Down Format

The game “Echoes of Wisdom” seems to strive to adapt the open-ended success of “Tears of the Kingdom” into a more compact setting. Previously, similar gameplay twists have been subtly hinted in the series, like the Cane of Somaria from “Oracle of Ages,” and building games with a top-down perspective, such as “Animal Crossing,” are not entirely new concepts. However, the Zelda style, atmosphere, and quality make this unique idea truly shine.

Playing as Princess Zelda offers a fresh experience, even though she has been playable in the series before. However, the gameplay style that revolves around object-echoing fits her character so perfectly that simply swapping her with Link would have been a lost chance. Fortunately, the developers opted to highlight Zelda’s creative thinking skills instead of her warrior abilities. This is demonstrated through the use of the Tri Rod, which enables her to create echoes of objects and creatures to solve puzzles and surmount challenges.

7. The Legend Of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

A Second Screen, A Second Sea, And A First-Rate Adventure

Despite Toon Link fans not receiving their anticipated sequel to “Wind Waker”, “The Phantom Hourglass” generously filled the gap on the DS by continuing his storyline and offering more open-sailing gameplay. Although some parts of the game involve 3D environments, such as boat rides and combat scenes, each level and explorable area is uniquely designed with a bird’s-eye view or top-down perspective.

The stylus function seamlessly complements its gameplay, including map navigation and underwater treasure hoisting. The narrative and writing are exceptional, though some may view the game as easy, it remains an excellent demonstration of why Link and Zelda warrant additional adventures showcasing a top-down perspective.

6. The Legend Of Zelda

One Of The All-Time Greatest For Good Reason

Back in the day, playing games on systems like the NES was quite an adventure, often filled with challenges that were tricky, tough, and sometimes felt a bit unfair. However, one gem from that era that I hold dear is The Legend of Zelda, even though it demanded my undivided attention and patience – especially without the manual, which was practically required reading back then.

Despite its difficulty level, this game has aged gracefully and remains as engaging today as it was when I first played it. If it weren’t for The Legend of Zelda (or TLoZ), gaming as we know it today might not be the same, and honestly, I can’t imagine a better alternative!

Despite being structured from top to bottom, “The Legend of Zelda” could be seen as an early form of open world, given that it permits players to choose any level they wish without limitations like loading times. However, the graphics don’t allow for distant views of mountains or landmarks due to technical constraints. It serves as a compelling example of why open-world games should not guide players every step of the way, as the thrill of exploration and pioneering are some of gaming’s most cherished moments.

5. The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle Of Seasons & Ages

Two For The History Books And Replayable Any Time Of Year

The ranking between these two games, “Oracle of Seasons” and “Oracle of Ages”, is a tough call due to their close similarities and exceptional qualities. They were developed simultaneously, offering a unique trading system that enables Link to obtain exclusive weapons and items by completing certain quests across the games. Additionally, both games boast an impressive save game feature called “link”. Notably, these titles showcase some of the most innovative ideas in the “Zelda” series thus far.

In each game, there are several variations of the main world. For instance, in “Ages,” this includes both the present and the past, while for “Seasons,” it represents different times of the year. Some “Zelda” games allow players to transform or modify the world, but none have offered such player control since. Both games maximize their unique gameplay elements, and despite being developed in a short period, they offer a high level of replayability with some of the franchise’s most enduring puzzles, quests, and dungeons.

4. The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Merging The Best Of 2D And 3D

Nintendo, equipped with the power of 3DS, might have thought that 2D gaming was obsolete. However, they opted for innovation by employing a 2.5D approach in the game “A Link Between Worlds“. This method employed a forced perspective on a 3D world to maintain the top-down feel, but it also introduced the third dimension to players in an unexpected way. For instance, when Link is pressed against a wall, he transforms into living graffiti, emphasizing the game’s dimensional depth.

In addition to its engaging gameplay element and being a nostalgic sequel, A Link Between Worlds stands out due to its polished story, dungeons, gameplay, and characterizations. This superiority is evident in the imaginative boss encounter designs, clever application and forward-thinking level design for the wall merging mechanic, and the unique, non-linear approach to dungeon exploration through renting items.

3. The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap

An Oft-Overlooked Masterpiece

This particular game, “The Minish Cap,” is somewhat overlooked and rarely mentioned these days, largely due to the unique period that the Game Boy Advance system found itself in – sandwiched as it was between the GBA and the DS systems. However, with its stunning pixel art graphics and addictive gameplay mechanic (where you shrink down to explore a miniature world), this game truly warrants more appreciation.

According to its central theme of discovering a vast universe within the minuscule, The Minish Cap delicately and subtly enriches the series’ lore. Although it is the first game set in Hyrule (in terms of canon), it doesn’t drastically alter or reinterpret previous games, but rather introduces intriguing elements such as the explanation for the appearance of rupees in the grass, and a history behind Link’s hat (up until another retcon occurred).

2. The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past (SNES)

A Legendary Promise Fulfilled (And Then Some!)

Initially, “The Legend of Zelda” set Hyrule ablaze in the gaming world. However, its follow-up, despite some intriguing concepts, fell short of expectations. “A Link to the Past,” on the other hand, seems like a genuine manifestation of the original vision for the first “LoZ,” enhanced by the polish that comes with maturity and innovation.

In a new and engaging way, “A Link to the Past” incorporated literary elements such as the hero’s journey (venturing into the Dark World), and it dared to innovate in gameplay (even stripping Link of his powers during his rabbit transformation). Furthermore, its dungeon design was outstanding, its music resonated, its puzzles were engaging, and its visual style became iconic.

1. The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Switch Remake)

A 2D Zelda Fan’s Dream

In my opinion, the classic Link’s Awakening truly nails everything that a top-down Legend of Zelda journey should be: outstanding dungeons, captivating storytelling, cozy and endearing towns and characters, and an exceptional soundtrack, even for a Game Boy game. What sets it apart and earns it the top spot is its remake on the Nintendo Switch. This revamp perfectly preserves the toy-like charm of the original while infusing it with its own unique flair and lush enhancements.

Link’s Awakening stands out not just as an exceptional 2D top-down Zelda game, but also incorporates 2D side-scrolling segments that succeeded where The Adventure of Link had previously fallen short. The game’s magical realism adds a delightful whimsy, yet beneath this surface lies an undercurrent of haunting foreboding, ready to be unearthed. This results in a game that is both vibrant and endearing when required, yet subtly chilling and eerie enough to leave a lasting impression on its players for years to come.

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2025-04-28 13:38