What’s the Best Order to Play The Legend of Zelda Games?

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The Legend of Zelda saga spans close to four decades and boasts over twenty primary installments. Although these games can typically be played in any sequence without significant problems, fans wanting a chronological journey through the series might ponder the optimal order. While discussing this topic can get intricate, there are indeed several play orders that dedicated Zelda enthusiasts should mull over when immersing themselves in The Legend of Zelda games.

There are valid points to consider when going beyond the three main options presented. However, any method chosen from this point forward is entirely justifiable and promises a fantastic journey within the Zelda series.

In What Order Should You Play the Zelda Games?

Release Order

A straightforward method for diving into the world of Zelda games is by playing them as they were released, beginning with The Legend of Zelda from 1986 and concluding with the upcoming title, Echoes of Wisdom, in 2024. This approach offers a unique advantage for players as it provides a direct look at the series’ transformation throughout its almost four decades, offering valuable insights into its development.

To put it simply, the initial two Zelda games might seem confusing for players unfamiliar with titles from the NES era. If a player’s first experience is difficult or frustrating, they may hesitate to continue with the series. Although these early games do feature key elements like Ganon and the Triforce that are central to the series, they don’t offer much in terms of backstory. As a result, players starting from the beginning will need some time to fully immerse themselves in the captivating Zelda universe that fans adore.

To put it simply, if a player values experiencing the series evolution directly and isn’t deterred by the difficulties associated with playing NES games, they should opt for the original release sequence of the Zelda games. Here’s the chronological order:

1. The Legend of Zelda (NES) – 1986
2. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES) – 1987
3. A Link to the Past (SNES) – 1991
4. Link’s Awakening (Game Boy) – 1993
5. Ocarina of Time (N64) – 1998
6. Majora’s Mask (N64) – 2000
7. Oracle of Ages (Game Boy Color) – 2001
8. Oracle of Seasons (Game Boy Color) – 2001
9. The Wind Waker (GC) – 2003
10. Four Swords Adventures (GBA/GC) – 2004
11. Twilight Princess (Wii/GC) – 2006
12. Phantom Hourglass (DS) – 2007
13. Spirit Tracks (DS) – 2009
14. Skyward Sword (Wii) – 2011
15. A Link Between Worlds (3DS) – 2013
16. Tri Force Heroes (3DS) – 2015
17. Breath of the Wild (Wii U/Switch) – 2017

  1. The Legend of Zelda (1986)
  2. The Adventure of Link (1987)
  3. A Link to the Past (1991)
  4. Link’s Awakening (1993)
  5. Ocarina of Time (1998)
  6. Majora’s Mask (2000)
  7. Oracle of Seasons & Oracle of Ages (2001)
  8. Four Swords (2002)
  9. The Wind Waker (2002)
  10. Four Swords Adventure (2004)
  11. The Minish Cap (2004)
  12. Twilight Princess (2006)
  13. Phantom Hourglass (2007)
  14. Spirit Tracks (2009)
  15. Skyward Sword (2011)
  16. A Link Between Worlds (2013)
  17. Tri Force Heroes (2015)
  18. Breath of the Wild (2017)
  19. Tears of the Kingdom (2023)
  20. Echoes of Wisdom (2024)

Modified Order

As a dedicated Zelda gamer, I strongly suggest diving into the games out of sequence for an enriching introduction to this captivating universe. Instead of starting from the beginning, consider tackling titles like “Ocarina of Time,” “Majora’s Mask,” “The Wind Waker,” “A Link to the Past,” and “Link’s Awakening” first. These games offer an accessible entry point that lays a solid foundation for understanding the intricate lore and immersive world-building that defines this legendary series.

These games – “Ocarina of Time”, “Majora’s Mask”, and “The Wind Waker” – as well as “A Link to the Past” and “Link’s Awakening” – share a common narrative thread. This connection is one of the reasons experts often suggest playing them together, rather than just a couple or a few of them.

As a fellow gamer diving into the world of Zelda, I’ve got two suggestions for you on the sequence to play these five games. If you’re a fan of the more modern 3D Zelda games, I’d recommend starting with option one. On the other hand, if your heart lies in the classic 2D Zelda series, then option two should be your pick! Happy gaming!

3D Zelda First

  1. Ocarina of Time (1998)
  2. Majora’s Mask (2000)
  3. The Wind Waker (2002)
  4. A Link to the Past (1991)
  5. Link’s Awakening (1993)

2D Zelda First

  1. A Link to the Past (1991)
  2. Link’s Awakening (1993)
  3. Ocarina of Time (1998)
  4. Majora’s Mask (2000)
  5. The Wind Waker (2002)

Following the completion of those five games, it would be advisable for players to revisit the initial installments of “The Legend of Zelda” series. The early games in this series might now seem more appealing, and for a clear understanding, let me list the sequence of the subsequent games:

1. The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
2. A Link to the Past
3. Link’s Awakening
4. Ocarina of Time
5. Majora’s Mask
6. Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages (released simultaneously)
7. The Wind Waker
8. Twilight Princess
9. Phantom Hourglass
10. Spirit Tracks
11. Skyward Sword
12. A Link Between Worlds
13. Tri Force Heroes
14. Breath of the Wild (latest release)

  1. The Legend of Zelda (1986)
  2. The Adventure of Link (1987)
  3. Oracle of Seasons & Oracle of Ages (2001)
  4. Four Swords (2002)
  5. Four Swords Adventure (2004)
  6. The Minish Cap (2004)
  7. Twilight Princess (2006)
  8. Phantom Hourglass (2007)
  9. Spirit Tracks (2009)
  10. Skyward Sword (2011)
  11. A Link Between Worlds (2013)
  12. Tri Force Heroes (2015)
  13. Breath of the Wild (2017)
  14. Tears of the Kingdom (2023)
  15. Echoes of Wisdom (2024)

“Chronological” Order

The timeline associated with the popular game series, Zelda, is often discussed among its enthusiasts. Some gamers may suggest playing the games sequentially for a more cohesive narrative experience, as it presents stories spanning multiple games without interruptions. However, potential players should bear in mind two points before opting for this method:

1. The chronological order might not always align with the release date of each game, which can lead to some confusion.
2. Certain plot points and character developments may be spoiled if a player decides to follow this sequence and has not played earlier games in the series.

  1. The timeline has branching paths. This means that, at some point, the player will need to decide the order in which they want to play through the paths, as they operate independently of one another.
  2. The first games in the timeline do not contain the furthest-past events in the history of Zelda‘s universe. While players should be able to understand where those events fit into the timeline when they encounter them, in games like A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time, they will not be getting a straightforward chronology even if they follow the timeline.

If a player doesn’t mind the sequence of events in the Zelda series, here’s an easy way to play through the games in chronological order:

1. The Legend of Zelda (1986)
2. The Adventure of Link (1987)
3. A Link to the Past (1991)
4. Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages (2001 – played in any order)
5. Ocarina of Time (1998)
6. Majora’s Mask (2000)
7. The Wind Waker (2002)
8. Four Swords Adventures (2004)
9. The Minish Cap (2004)
10. Twilight Princess (2006)
11. Phantom Hourglass (2007)
12. Spirit Tracks (2009)
13. Skyward Sword (2011)
14. A Link Between Worlds (2013)
15. Tri Force Heroes (2015)
16. Breath of the Wild (2017)
17. Link’s Awakening (1993 remake – 2019)
18. Cadence of Hyrule (2019)

The Legend of the Goddess and the Hero (Play First)

  1. Skyward Sword (2011)
  2. The Minish Cap (2004)
  3. Four Swords (2002)
  4. Ocarina of Time (1998)

The Hero is Defeated Timeline (Option 1)

  1. A Link to the Past (1991)
  2. Link’s Awakening (1993)
  3. Oracle of Ages & Oracle of Seasons (2001)
  4. A Link Between Worlds (2013)
  5. Tri Force Heroes (2015)
  6. Echoes of Wisdom (2024)
  7. The Legend of Zelda (1986)
  8. The Adventure of Link (1987)

The Hero is Triumphant Timeline – Child Era (Option 2)

  1. Majora’s Mask (2000)
  2. Twilight Princess (2006)
  3. Four Swords Adventures (2004)

The Hero is Triumphant Timleline – Adult Era (Option 3)

  1. The Wind Waker (2002)
  2. Phantom Hourglass (2007)
  3. Spirit Tracks (2009)

Not Classified (Play Last)

  1. Breath of the Wild (2017)
  2. Tears of the Kingdom (2023)

Players Should Not Be Afraid to Skip Zelda Games

No matter how a player chooses to approach the series, they should bear in mind this crucial point: It’s perfectly okay to bypass a specific Zelda game if it proves challenging or unenjoyable. While completing every game has its merits, the joy of playing the series should always take precedence. Players are encouraged to skip titles that seem excessively difficult to get into, like the GameCube-exclusive Four Swords Adventures, which can indeed make finishing the entire series quite challenging.

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2025-02-26 21:35