Top 10 Zelda Games That Shaped the Franchise

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Summary

  • The Legend of Zelda games have evolved with new gameplay styles, branching into sequels and spin-offs.
  • Games like Twilight Princess and Majora’s Mask pushed the series into darker directions.
  • Ocarina of Time set the standard for 3D gaming and exploration, influencing future titles.

For more than three decades now, “The Legend of Zelda” has been a significant cornerstone in gaming history, often serving as one’s initial foray into high-fantasy adventure. The groundbreaking game on the NES paved the way for its success and marked the beginning of a prestigious Nintendo franchise.

Over time, the “The Legend of Zelda” series flourished like a mighty tree, branching out from its seed (the original game) into numerous sequels, prequels, and spin-offs. Each game brought something new to the series, either by establishing common features or by pushing boundaries with enhanced graphics on modern systems.

9. Zelda 2: Link’s Adventure

A Divisive Sequel That Paved The Way For Alternate Gameplay Styles

At first, players weren’t very fond of Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link because it abandoned the traditional top-down view and instead opted for a side-scrolling perspective during battles and dungeons. However, over time, many have come to admire it for its willingness to experiment and establish a precedent for the franchise’s potential in adopting fresh gameplay approaches.

Consequently, the sequence of handheld games and associated spin-offs have consistently explored fresh gaming concepts, following in the footsteps of their predecessors. Notably, Zelda 2 marked the introduction of Shadow Link as the game’s climactic adversary. Since then, Shadow Link has made occasional appearances across multiple titles within the series, including the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time.

8. The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Side Stories Would Continue To Explore New Concepts And Worlds

In the absence of the side adventure “The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening”, there wouldn’t be games like the “Oracle” series, “Majora’s Mask”, “The Minish Cap”, or “Echoes of Wisdom”. These titles continue the traditional gameplay style found in “The Legend of Zelda” while offering distinct stories and visuals in worlds other than Hyrule, apart from Link’s main quest.

Despite being initially released as a Game Boy title, Link’s Awakening achieved such widespread popularity that it was given an upgrade on the Game Boy Color and underwent a complete overhaul for the Nintendo Switch. The updated version proved so successful that it spawned a sequel, where Zelda takes center stage instead of Link.

7. The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past

Hyrule Became More Than A Wasteland Filled With Monsters

Initially, The Legend of Zelda games were simple adventures consisting of defeating dungeons, battling Ganon, and rescuing Princess Zelda. However, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past introduced a richer narrative with a more complex plotline, engaging dialogue, and higher stakes.

In the game A Link to the Past, Hyrule seemed even more vibrant as it showcased villages and other locations populated by Hylian characters, and its narrative was enhanced with genuine cutscenes due to the superior capabilities of the SNES console. This made the world feel more detailed and resembled a classic fantasy RPG starring Link, which many subsequent sequels would draw inspiration from.

6. The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Epic Storytelling That Would Appeal To All Ages

Generally speaking, many fans, including those who haven’t played the game, view “The Legend of Zelda” as a series suitable for families. However, “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess” demonstrated that the franchise could explore darker themes and visuals, while still retaining its family-friendly essence.

Readers found it unexpected when the narrative in “Twilight Princess” adopted a more somber tone, reflecting the influence of other popular fantasy epics like “The Lord of the Rings.” The storyline was portrayed as significantly grander, and certain ominous sequences and cutscenes appeared more cinematic than previously.

5. The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

The Leap To 3D Set A Gold Standard For The Series

The Nintendo 64 played a significant role in shaping both “The Legend of Zelda” series and the “Mario” franchise, particularly by introducing 3D visuals and gameplay that elevated them to new dimensions. Notably, “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” revolutionized the concept of traversing Hyrule’s world, offering an unparalleled level of immersion.

In essence, the open-world, third-person gameplay style of Ocarina Of Time served as a template for every primary Zelda game that followed. By expanding upon what A Link to the Past had initiated, Ocarina Of Time integrated cinematic cutscenes, character development, and a richly detailed Hyrule world teeming with side stories, making exploration more immersive. Furthermore, it was the first game to present Ganondorf rather than the traditional Ganon.

4. The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

Proof That Zelda Games Can Be Dark And Scary

The video game “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” is often as adored as it is criticized, with some applauding its innovative time loop feature, while others find it overly complex. However, regardless of whether it’s seen positively or negatively, there’s general agreement that it excelled in creating a chilling atmosphere compared to “Ocarina of Time”, which merely hinted at horror elements.

The unsettling nature of Majora’s Mask is consistently evident, from Link’s metamorphoses using the mask to the chilling side tales, as well as the haunting music that plays in the background. This game has significantly influenced subsequent titles, like Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, and Breath of the Wild, by incorporating darker themes and storylines into their development.

3. The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker

The Beginning Of Diverse Art Styles For Every Game

Besides offering an open-sea journey as thrilling as in “Pirates of the Caribbean”, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker demonstrated the possibilities for innovative visuals and features in every game. Instead of persisting with the visual aesthetic of “Ocarina of Time”, this title opted for a cel-shaded art style, which gave the world and characters a feel reminiscent of watching an animated series.

In contrast to Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker boasted a vastly expansive explorable area filled with numerous encounters, instances, side quests, and non-player characters to uncover. Such sprawling maps that appear endless fuel the player’s curiosity to explore every nook and cranny in future games, seeking out every hidden secret they can find.

2. The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword

The Origins Of The Timeline Were Finally Explained

Skyward Sword

In a nutshell, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword offers an upgrade to the series with motion-controlled precision and dives deeper into the mythology of Hyrule. This exploration adds depth to characters who were previously flat, providing more backstory for them. Although continuity isn’t usually the main focus for players, this game uncovers the origins of the long-standing fantasy adventure’s lore.

In the game “Skyward Sword”, the characters Link and Princess Zelda are under a curse by their adversary Demise, who repeatedly transforms into malevolent forces menacing Hyrule. As a result, Link and Zelda must be reborn to confront Demise’s darkness, establishing a heartbreaking cycle of fated struggle across history.

1. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Nintendo Strayed From The Formula And Created A Definitive Open World

Instead of making the player adhere to a specific path, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild allows players an extensive opportunity for exploration once the core gameplay is presented. Whether interacting with the numerous inhabitants of Hyrule or tackling shrines, Link has the liberty to do as he pleases without even finishing the initial storyline quarter.

In “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” the durability system, temperature variations, weather conditions, crafting abilities, and Sheikah tablet powers were key elements that contributed significantly to its immense popularity. As a result, it became one of the rare mainline games to receive a direct sequel, which built upon these initial concepts and took them to even greater heights.

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2025-01-24 07:05