Zelda Games Better Than Ocarina Of Time (In Specific Areas)

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Released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was a huge hit with players. It was the first Zelda game to be fully rendered in 3D, and its expansive world felt truly immersive at the time. Remarkably, it still holds the top spot on Metacritic with a score of 99.

While Ocarina of Time is undoubtedly a culturally important game, it’s debatable whether it still deserves the title of the best Legend of Zelda game. Even the updated versions on GameCube and 3DS have noticeable flaws. In fact, several other Zelda titles offer improvements and could easily be considered the best in the series.

The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past

Perfecting The Formula

Even today, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past remains a very accessible and enjoyable game. It’s considered one of the greatest Zelda titles ever made, and also ranks among the best games on the Super Nintendo. This game was incredibly influential, laying the groundwork for the gameplay seen in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The story begins with Link searching for three pendants to obtain the Master Sword, but this turns out to be just the start of a larger adventure: rescuing seven maidens who are imprisoned in crystals.

Players could only fight Ganon after unlocking a unique twist: being transported to a dark, alternate version of Hyrule. This ‘Dark World’ made the game feel much larger and cleverly used the existing map in a fresh way. This feature is a key reason why A Link to the Past stands out, even compared to Ocarina of Time. The game also avoids unnecessary filler, boasts appealing 16-bit graphics, and offers responsive controls whether played on the original SNES or through emulation on newer systems like the Switch. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was exceptional when it was released in 1992, and it remains so today. If you enjoy this game, you should definitely also try its 3DS successor, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.

The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

A High Seas Adventure

When The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was first released on the GameCube, its unique, cartoon-like art style – called cel-shading – surprised many fans. Some initially disliked the change from the more realistic look of previous games, feeling it appeared too childish. However, the game’s visuals have aged remarkably well. Many fans now consider the 2013 Wii U version, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, to be even better than the beloved The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Both The Wind Waker games stand out from other Zelda titles because of their unique underwater setting and focus on sailing. While this created a feeling of open exploration, it could be frustrating to navigate without the right tools. The updated versions significantly improved the experience by streamlining sailing, fixing Link’s controls, and improving key quests like the Triforce search. Even compared to the 3DS Ocarina of Time, the updated Wind Waker feels smoother to play. Though the world is large and sometimes sparsely populated, Hyrule’s oceans are much more appealing to explore. A highlight for fans is Link’s surprisingly expressive animations, which are a direct result of the game’s distinctive art style.

The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD

Barking Up The Right Tree

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess took the series in a surprisingly different direction, even more so than The Wind Waker. It was released on both the GameCube and the Wii, and each version had unique differences. Players often debated which version was better. But the game’s most striking feature was Link’s ability to transform into a wolf, and the introduction of Midna, a character who traveled with him. Compared to previous Zelda companions like Navi, Midna was a welcome change; she actively helped with gameplay and didn’t constantly bother players with hints or scolding.

Similar to The Wind Waker, a remastered version called The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD was released for the Wii U and was even better. While the controls were slightly adjusted, all three versions remain enjoyable to play. In many ways, the game—including its wolf transformation sections—felt like a more expansive take on The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which is why it appealed to players when it first came out in 2006. Unlike Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess offered a complete, mature story throughout, and that’s arguably its biggest strength. It would be great if players on the Switch or a future Switch console could experience either The Wind Waker or Twilight Princess in HD, but unfortunately, both of those improved versions are currently only available on the Wii U.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

The New Standard

Similar to how Twilight Princess was released on two consoles, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild came out on both the Wii U and the Switch. The gameplay was nearly identical on both systems, though the Switch version loaded slightly quicker. Now, it plays even better on the newer Switch 2 console, making that the ideal way to experience the game. Like Ocarina of Time did in 1998, Breath of the Wild fundamentally changed the Zelda series. After nineteen years, Nintendo delivered another groundbreaking leap forward for 3D Zelda games by offering players a truly open world. Players weren’t restricted by a linear story or a set number of large dungeons. Following a short introduction, they were free to pursue the main quest or explore and create their own adventure.

While Tears of the Kingdom offers excellent control, stunning graphics, and engaging combat, and expands the world with new areas and creative building options, Breath of the Wild remains the more impactful and innovative game. Many consider Breath of the Wild not only better than Ocarina of Time, but the best Zelda game ever made. Both games have flaws – like difficult climbing in the rain or weapons that break – but Breath of the Wild has resonated with players since its release in 2017 and continues to be highly regarded.

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2025-11-06 11:37