Why I’ll Always Preorder Zelda, Even Blindly

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I vividly remember being a kid, sitting on the floor with my brother, playing old Nintendo games on our small TV. We loved everything from Super Mario Bros. 3 and Excitebike to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Battletoads. When we weren’t playing those, we were collecting Pogs or searching for turtles outside. Those childhood memories are remarkably clear, but nothing stands out more than discovering The Legend of Zelda. It was the first game that made me feel like a true hero, and it opened up a world that felt so much bigger than anything I knew. I didn’t realize how difficult the game was, or how popular the Zelda series would become, but looking back, I’m grateful I experienced it at the start. It’s meant a lot to me ever since.

I’ve been playing The Legend of Zelda for over thirty years, and I plan to continue as long as I’m able to hold a controller. Like Super Mario, it remains popular and successful for good reason. Zelda games consistently rank among the greatest of all time, praised for their innovative design and lasting impact on the video game industry. The series has earned some of the highest review scores ever seen, with several games receiving perfect scores and Ocarina of Time even holding a world record. While those accolades are impressive, Zelda means something more to me personally—which is why I’ll always preorder the latest installment, without hesitation.

The Legend of Zelda Has Earned My Implicit Trust

My connection with Zelda isn’t about what I get in return, or relying on anything from her. It’s a deep trust that no matter what happens or where life takes me, being with her will always feel safe and comforting, like returning home.

Let me be upfront: I don’t believe every Zelda game is flawless. There are even some I’ll never play again, including the original The Legend of Zelda on NES – the game that first drew me into the series. But my enjoyment of Zelda isn’t tied to whether it’s perfect or not. It seems today’s gaming conversations often demand perfection, with many dismissing games rated below an 8 out of 10. Fans can even react strongly to critics giving even beloved franchises a good, but not perfect, score. I’ve never felt that way, and especially not when it comes to Zelda.

I don’t approach each new Zelda game expecting a perfect score. Instead, I come to it with a lot of faith, knowing that even if it has flaws, it will still offer something enjoyable. Sometimes that’s a fresh perspective on the world of Hyrule, a unique way to explore it, or an innovative gameplay feature that’s hard to put down. Often, it’s just the familiar comfort of revisiting a series I know and love. My connection with Zelda isn’t about what the game does for me, but about the confidence that each new adventure will feel like returning to a beloved place.

Ocarina of Time Was My First Love

My love for gaming really started with Ocarina of Time. I rented it and ended up keeping it much longer than I should have! I was completely obsessed, constantly thinking about the game even at school. Back then, gaming wasn’t as popular, so I didn’t have many friends to share my excitement with. All I could focus on was getting home from the bus, dropping my bag, and playing Ocarina of Time until my mom returned from work.

What really stood out to me about Ocarina of Time was its incredible scope. It might not have been the biggest game world ever, but it gave you a level of freedom I hadn’t experienced before, and there was always something new to discover. I was constantly surprised by how much the game had to offer – I even thought I’d finished it after collecting the Spiritual Stones, but it kept going! Beyond just feeling alive and reactive, the game constantly challenged you to think creatively. I remember getting completely stuck on Phantom Ganon in the Forest Temple, but then I had a dream that showed me the solution, and it actually worked when I tried it the next day!

Knowing how many awards Ocarina of Time won, I realized I wasn’t the only one who loved it. But for me, that recognition wasn’t the most important thing. What mattered was how deeply I connected with the game personally. It was the first game I kept thinking about even when I wasn’t playing, the first virtual world that felt real enough to appear in my dreams, and the first time I understood how powerfully a game could capture my imagination. Even before anyone started talking about its score or its place in gaming history, Ocarina of Time showed me what games were capable of, and that’s why I’ve been a Zelda fan ever since.

Games Like Majora’s Mask and The Wind Waker Kept That Love Alive

After playing Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask really solidified my love for the Zelda series. It was surprisingly darker than its predecessor, which I actually found appealing. I’ve always been drawn to spooky things, and Majora’s Mask felt like the closest I’d gotten to playing a horror game at that age. That darker tone really captivated me and made me want to keep playing. Beyond that, the game’s focus on collecting and transforming with masks was incredibly fun, appealing to both my desire to collect things and my love of experimentation. And being able to continue the story from Ocarina of Time felt like finding a missing piece of the puzzle.

Following that, The Wind Waker came out, and I think it’s one of the greatest Zelda games of all time. While its cheerful style initially surprised a lot of people, I really appreciated the shift. After playing games as serious as Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, The Wind Waker‘s bright and lighthearted feel was a welcome change, and I found it genuinely funny. I actually played the whole game the week I had my wisdom teeth removed, and even though I was in pain, exploring the vast world and sailing the open seas was the perfect distraction and felt better than any medicine.

In the Age of “Never Preorder,” Zelda Already Has My Money

If a franchise still holds my attention after all this time, it proves how strong it is and gets me excited for whatever they announce next.

I know I’ll enjoy any Zelda game from the start, regardless of what others say. I’ve even found things to love in Zelda games that many people dislike. That doesn’t mean I think they’re all perfect, but the good parts always outweigh the flaws for me. Even when a game is frustrating, I still want to finish it and understand its ideas. I have a strong connection to the series, and that means I don’t let reviews or popular opinion change how I feel about a new Zelda release.

As a long-time fan, I have to say the last ten years of Zelda have only made me trust Nintendo even more. Breath of the Wild really reminded me what makes this series so special when they really try something new, and then Tears of the Kingdom blew me away – they still know how to surprise me, even when I think I have a good idea of what’s coming! These games proved that Zelda can still change and grow without losing what makes it Zelda, and it showed me my love for the series isn’t just about remembering the old games. When a franchise can still grab my attention after all this time, it tells me everything I need to know before they even announce the next game.

The joy I find in the Zelda series has surprisingly spread to my wife. I introduced her to Breath of the Wild, and she loved it so much I’d sometimes wake up in the middle of the night to find her still playing! She then played Tears of the Kingdom and is now just as passionate about the series as I am, which is amazing considering how much Zelda has always meant to me. That’s why, even though it’s smart to be cautious these days, I’ve already pre-ordered the new game. It’s not about knowing everything beforehand; it’s about having faith in a series that’s been a constant companion for decades and always delivers a wonderful experience.

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2026-01-15 21:09