Daily Debate: Which Zelda Game Makes the Best Introduction for First-Time Players?
Posted on February 18 2024 by Nick Miller
With a video games series as long and as storied as The Legend of Zelda, it can be difficult for first-time players to know where to start. How can they know which game will give the best experience to someone who has no experience? Which game relies the least on a familiarity with themes and staple gameplay elements, so that anyone can jump in with relative ease?
This might be a tough question to answer because The Legend of Zelda has evolved drastically with time. With the shift to 3D, we saw the series’ standard gameplay get completely overhauled. The jump from traditional 3D to Breath of the Wild also marked a massive shift in gameplay which redefined what it means to be a Zelda game. So, while there probably isn’t a single definitive answer, everyone certainly has an opinion on which game they’d introduce a newcomer to. So, which game do you think makes the best introduction for first-time players?
While there may not be one right answer, I do feel there are few clear-cut wrong answers: Majora’s Mask and Tears of the Kingdom. This isn’t to say these games are bad, because they aren’t. They just don’t make good introductions as they are direct sequels to other games in the series. Although every Zelda game may be a standalone tale, an understanding of the events that these iterations of characters experienced provides a context that benefits the story greatly. These games also benefit from a familiarity with gameplay. Both Majora’s Mask and Tears of the Kingdom were built on the foundation of their direct predecessor while introducing massive new gameplay elements in masks and Ultrahand, respectively. Knowing these games’ controls and physics, having the feel of Link’s movement built into your muscle memory, allows players to give all of their attention to new gameplay elements without having to develop fundamental skills. So, while they certainly are playable for newcomers, they aren’t preferable.
If I had to answer this question myself though, I would have a hard time deciding between three options: A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, and Breath of the Wild. Each of these represent the best of their respective eras of Zelda history, with Ocarina and Breath of the Wild both being the introductory titles for their new style of game. In many ways, these games were made with new players in mind, so they excel at easing players into their gameplay in a fun and natural way.
If I had to pick only one though, I’d probably go with Ocarina of Time. It was my first Zelda game. It’s the game that made gaming more than just a passive hobby for me. If I felt anyone could experience that game the way I had, I’d turn them onto it in a heartbeat.
Now we want to hear your thoughts. Which Zelda game do you think makes the best introduction for first-time players? What makes that game such a great first impression? What was your first Zelda game? Tell us all about it in the comments!
Nick is a writer for Zelda Dungeon and a longtime fan of the Zelda franchise. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, archery, skateboarding, and some good ol’ fashioned family time. He’s an advocate for physical media and an avid video game collector. His favorite Zelda game is Ocarina of Time, though Breath of the Wild and the Link’s Awakening remake are close contenders.
