Daily Debate: Which Zelda Title Is The Best Starter Game For A Child?

Posted on April 21 2019 by Judy Calder

One of the great things about the Legend of Zelda franchise is that it is suitable for fans of almost any age. The series holds a vast amount of lore that more experienced gamers can sink their teeth in to, while on the flip-side, the individual story-lines of each game are relatively easy to follow. This means that younger players who may be totally inexperienced with the Zelda series can immerse themselves in one title in particular and then grow to love and understand what the tale is all about.

However, story-lines aside, it can be argued that specific Zelda titles are better suited as an introduction to the franchise than others. Some might say that titles which are available on certain consoles are perfect for younger players, while others may argue that a title’s art style is definitive when a child picks up their first Zelda game. Either way, fans of the series will have their own opinion on the matter, which may be based on more than just console availability and art style.

For me, I think that the console is important to this matter. My first Zelda game was played on the Nintendo 64, but I was disappointed when I had to leave the game behind because it was time to go outside. This is why I think that games which are available on handheld consoles are the perfect choice, even if they do sometimes require the use of a stylus. Further to this, I believe that art style is a vital component. I hate to admit it, because I adore the art style as seen in Ocarina of Time, but Toon Link wins this one, hands down! In my opinion, the colors and designs used in the games where Toon Link appears are more friendly to a child’s eye. This leads me to conclude that Spirit Tracks is the perfect starter game for any child who is about to experience the Zelda franchise for the first time.

Which Zelda title do you think is the best starter game for a child and why? Let us know in the comments below!

This Daily Debate was inspired by Discord user @Brodige