Zelda Dungeon’s Best Zelda Ever Ranking List – 2024 Edition!
Posted on December 28 2024 by Rod Lloyd
It’s that time again! The annual tradition continues! Zelda Dungeon’s Best Zelda Ever ranking is back!
Every year, the fantastic folks at ZD come together to rank every single Zelda title from worst to best. The task is arduous, and it isn’t always controversy-free, but the results are without exception something the team is truly proud of. This is the feature we look forward to all year long.
The thing that makes Best Zelda Ever so special is how many different factors are at play to make each year’s ranking so unique. New voices join the team, veteran staffers move on to greener pastures, new games hit store shelves, and old games get reevaluated. 2024 demonstrated all those factors, and then some. Even before Nintendo surprised us with a brand-new Zelda adventure in the form of Echoes of Wisdom, everyone here was anxious to see if Tears of the Kingdom — which claimed the best debut in BZE history — would remain in contention for the top spot or fall in the ranking as recency bias fades. And then there was the case of A Link to the Past; was last year’s drop just a fluke, or a sign of a larger trend among the fanbase?
Needless to say, there were a lot of question marks pertaining to 2024’s Best Zelda Ever list. But before we jump in, allow me to first explain the finer details and methodology of this ranking.
We have ranked all 21 mainline Zelda titles, including Echoes of Wisdom, as well as three high-profile spinoffs: Hyrule Warriors, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, and Cadence of Hyrule. If a particular game has been re-released, remastered, or remade completely, we asked our staffers to consider all releases of that game collectively, to the best of their ability. Link’s Awakening, Link’s Awakening DX, and Link’s Awakening (2019) were considered together, for example.
A total of 29 Zelda Dungeon staff members contributed to this list, including our entire writing team, members of our management team, and members of our YouTube crew. Each staff member submitted their own personal ranking of Zelda games, from worst to best, and all submitted rankings were then consolidated into this master list. As always, crafting a list of this size with so many different types of games is an intense challenge. Every person considers different aspects when assessing a game’s quality, from its gameplay, to its story, to its historical significance. We left it up to our staff members to decide how they weigh certain aspects of each game over others when determining their individual rankings.
As we’ve done the past few years, we developed a points system in order to consolidate all of our individual lists into a single master list. This points system is meant to accommodate staff members who haven’t played every Zelda game out there while rewarding members who have played more Zelda games than others. Here’s how it works: each staff member’s least favorite Zelda is awarded only one point, and every subsequent game received points based on its number of spots from the bottom of the ranking. So, if a game is ten spots from the bottom, it received ten points. If a staffer had only played ten Zelda games, their favorite could only rack up ten total points; but if a staffer had played every Zelda game, their favorite got 24 total points. This way, staff members who have played every Zelda game have greater voting share than those who have only played a few. In the end, we tallied the total points each game earned and ranked all games according to total points.
But that’s enough blabbering from me! Below, you’ll find the thoughts, opinions, critiques, and insights of our incredibly talented writing staff. We’re very proud to once again deliver Best Zelda Ever to everyone! Let’s get down to it!
Best Zelda Ever 2019 | Best Zelda Ever 2020 | Best Zelda Ever 2021 | Best Zelda Ever 2022 | Best Zelda Ever 2023
24. Tri Force Heroes
Highest Rank: 17 | Lowest Rank: 24 | Last Year’s Rank: 22 | Avg Points per Author Played: 3.9
9/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
Despite escaping the indecency last year, The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes once again finds itself at the very bottom of our list.
Let’s allow Kora Burton to get us up to speed. “What can we say?” Kora asks. “Multiplayer Zelda games historically don’t fare well on this list. For the past five years, Tri Force Heroes and Four Swords have jockeyed back and forth for the title of, well… Worst Zelda Ever. After crawling painfully forward a spot in 2023’s ranking, in 2024 Tri Force Heroes has again slipped behind – which is sad because the game should have had a lot going for it.
“In the era of the DS, when multiplayer games had become so much easier to play with friends and there was more potential than ever for success in this arena, Tri Force Heroes could have become a classic worthy of nostalgia.”
Alexis Anderson agrees that Tri Force Heroes possessed potential. “As a Four Swords Adventures enthusiast, I was thrilled when Tri Force Heroes was announced. It was a chance to reintroduce audiences to Zelda multiplayer, and I had hoped it would capture the charm, satisfying puzzle-solving, and collaborative spirit that draws me to Four Swords Adventures, as well as encourage fans to revisit the underrated title and maybe even pave the way for a sequel!
“Alas, Tri Force Heroes didn’t quite work.”
“Elements that work at times feel grating at others,” Kora continues. “While the totem mechanic where the Links stack one on top of the other to complete tasks is interesting and sometimes really fun, in more tense scenarios, the amount of overt verbal communication it takes not to fumble can be frustrating, especially in the final stages of the game where coordination timing is crucial. And, as other staff writers have criticized heavily in previous years, Tri Force Heroes‘ single-player mode is so unplayably slow with its use of lifeless ‘Doppels’ that it isn’t remotely worth the time or effort.
“While Tri Force Heroes might be the ‘worst’ Zelda on this list, though, I wouldn’t consider any game here to be a ‘bad’ Zelda – it just happens that this title, in the minds of many, has more flaws than not.”
As years pass and games of the 3DS generation become harder to play, it seems inevitable that Tri Force Heroes will remain low in this list. But you never know what the future holds. In fact, Alexis is confident that the game will continue to find admirers. Pointing to the game’s bold setting, campy presentation, and emphasis on costumes, she says, “Over time, its brand of weirdness will add to the intrigue around the series, and it’ll serve as a fun ‘deep cut’ for those whose passion drives them to play every Zelda game. I appreciate any Zelda game that is a bit of an anomaly; it adds spice to the mix, even if it is admittedly flawed.”
“If you can get two friends together to play it with you,” affirms Kora, “it can still provide a few hours of fun, although perhaps at times the laughs are at the game’s expense.”
23. Four Swords
Highest Rank: 10 | Lowest Rank: 24 | Last Year’s Rank: 23 | Avg Points per Author Played: 3.56
5/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
As pointed out above, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords has spent the past several years trading the bottom spot back and forth with Tri Force Heroes. Both games share many of the same strengths and weaknesses, so the answer of which game tops the other always comes down to a few particular factors. In 2024, Nintendo adding A Link to the Past & Four Swords to its Switch Online service was one such factor that earned this game the upper-hand.
But there are other considerations. Emi Curtis, for example, points to Four Swords‘ impact on Zelda‘s history. “At the time of its release, Four Swords served a very specific purpose that for, all things considered, it accomplished. It introduced multiplayer to Zelda, it provided a little extra incentive to get A Link to the Past on the Game Boy Advance, and it introduced Vaati, which I think we’re all a little thankful for. Four Swords wasn’t trying to be the next Zelda game. It was a fun, little experiment included as a pick-up-and-play adventure to bust out with your friends on the schoolyard.”
That emphasis on fun is further complimented by Alex Weber. “At best, Four Swords is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. If you and three friends want to have a chaotic time playing Zelda together, it’s one of your best options, especially since it is now available via Nintendo Switch Online. It will be a time of laughs and hijinks, yet somehow the most long-standing memories of these moments are attributed to the people you are playing with, not the game itself.”
“Unfortunately,” Alex qualifies, “when put up against the other Zelda titles, the Four Swords experience in comparison is lackluster, forgettable, and commonplace. The puzzles are purposefully simple enough for any non-gamer, a phenomenon that increases accessibility yet decreases the game’s wit and whimsy. The music is low-impact if not derived from other Zelda games, and the story doesn’t quite shine through as much as other games.”
Emi, meanwhile, doesn’t mince words. “Four Swords has aged about as well as expired milk in a desert.” Ouch.
“For the purposes of archiving, I think it has its place on Nintendo Switch Online, but the original Four Swords experience is just not attainable in this day and age. Far more robust games are made in 24 hours at game jams these days. And with none of the classic Zelda hallmarks to help it stand up on its own two feet, there is really no reason to play this campy, little experiment anymore.
“It will live as a cute nostalgia piece in my mind,” confesses Emi, “but I’m afraid for those who missed it, you just had to be there.”
22. Hyrule Warriors
Highest Rank: 3 | Lowest Rank: 24 | Last Year’s Rank: 19 | Avg Points per Author Played: 4.636
9/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
The first Hyrule Warriors title has experienced a gradual descent in the ranking over the years, and this year marks the first time it has dropped out of the Top 20. While the game will probably never sink to the very bottom, the future prospects of this Zelda spin-off seem dim.
Hyrule Warriors will always have its defenders though. Take Heather Beard, for instance, who says, “Hyrule Warriors holds a very special place in my heart. It was one of the few games that my husband and I decided to purchase again when the Switch released. We sunk a ridiculous amount of time into the Wii U version of the game, and we did the same for the Definitive Edition that was released for the Switch. Despite the fact that it was not a mainline Zelda game, it was definitely a favorite because of the co-op opportunities that it presented.
“The story was unique and fun, and it, in my opinion, did a great job of tying many Zelda games together into something new.”
Unfortunately, when it comes to video games, a great story always needs to be complimented by great gameplay. And, as Judy Cooper puts it, Hyrule Warriors‘ particular playstyle wasn’t enough to keep some players invested in its narrative. “I wanted to love Hyrule Warriors, I really did,” says Judy. “But after a couple of hours of running around feeling both clueless and bored, I gave up on the game. I didn’t see much of the story, so I didn’t get drawn into the game’s style, and I think therein lies the problem.
“Personally, I’m a sucker for a good story. I need this to really invest in games, and the Zelda series usually delivers in spades. While I now know that Hyrule Warriors has its own unique story of events, for me, the gameplay felt too foreign to ensure my patience as that story unfolded. I had expected the familiar pace of Zelda games I’d already played, and instead I was thrown into the thick of things, having to repeat the same challenges over and over.
“I can understand why people love it, but unfortunately, I just don’t fall into that category.”
Even Heather can admit that Hyrule Warriors “can get very repetitive, very fast, especially if you fail a challenge.” But that hasn’t stopped her from appreciating the charms of the game, especially when it’s played in the ideal environment.
“All things considered, Hyrule Warriors is better played with a friend, or someone you love, and that’s why it holds a special place for me.”
21. The Adventure of Link
Highest Rank: 7 | Lowest Rank: 24 | Last Year’s Rank: 21 | Avg Points per Author Played: 4.458
5/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link will always have a hard time finding admirers. With its side-scrolling levels, RPG-esque progression system, and crushing difficulty, The Legend of Zelda‘s first sequel offers an experience nigh-unrecognizable to what we’d see in the series moving forward. So for generations of Zelda fans that discovered the series at any point beyond the late 80s, this one will always stick out as an oddity.
It’s apt to describe Zelda II as a “product of its time.” As Sean Gadus details, “After the early success of The Legend of Zelda, Nintendo created a radical and experimental sequel that foregoes many elements of its predecessor in favor of new concepts like magic spells, experience points, and limited lives. The Adventure of Link is a challenging, grindy game that rewards precision and grit. While it is clearly a game trapped in the now-ancient game design conventions of its era, the game’s place in the Zelda series is more complicated than many fans wish to acknowledge.”
Nicole Scott concurs: “Judging The Adventure of Link is a puzzling endeavor. I feel compelled to observe it in context with the rest of the Zelda canon. Doing so causes me to have a wildly harsh perspective on the game. It lacks many of the staples the series’ greats harness, such as memorable side characters and mechanically distinct dungeon progression. However, criticizing it in this way is a fallacy, as Zelda was still establishing itself. It can only be judged by its features, which were ambitious, and not comparatively with its more recent siblings. This saves the game a bit in my eyes, but not by much.
“While I respect those who are able to develop the skill necessary to fully embrace the golden nuggets of Zelda II — as many games in the franchise are considered too easy nowadays by fans — I think it is still fair to knock this entry down many pegs because of its lackluster items, flat in-game story, unforgiving combat, and inaccessibility to the average gamer.”
So how should we view The Adventure of Link in 2024? Sean has his answer: “In some ways, The Adventure of Link is a victim of history in that it is retrospectively judged on the fact that it is different from all of the Zelda games that followed it. Perhaps most importantly, The Adventure of Link is an early, critical example of Nintendo’s refusal to fall in line with industry conventions and fan expectations, something that has proven to be simultaneously Nintendo’s greatest strength and most jarring weakness as a video game titan.”
20. Cadence of Hyrule
Highest Rank: 10 | Lowest Rank: 24 | Last Year’s Rank: 20 | Avg Points per Author Played: 6.565
5/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
“Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring the Legend of Zelda is a giant mouthful of a name,” begins John Lortie. “The game melds three concepts that shouldn’t work together: roguelite progression, rhythm-based movement, and a whole slew of Zelda goodness. It’s also a collaboration between Nintendo and indie developer Brace Yourself Games featuring one of the Big N’s most-beloved intellectual properties. Between the name, the fusion of gameplay styles, and an unparalleled trust of an indie team, nobody knew how the resulting game would be.
“Turns out, it’s pretty fun.”
Built on the solid foundation of indie darling Crypt of the NecroDancer, this rhythm-based Zelda spin-off has won over countless fans with its charm, challenge, and unforgettable soundtrack. But even its fiercest defenders will admit that the game’s peculiarities make it hard to approach.
“Cadence of Hyrule is a game that I nearly quit after an hour or so and almost never came back to,” recounts Jared Eubanks. “For those who aren’t musically inclined or familiar with rhythm-based games, there is a steep learning curve at the beginning of the game when you are just trying to get basic movement down. I found myself dying often while having precious few hearts and paltry weapons at my disposal.
“However, I came back to it and pushed through until it clicked, and I’m really grateful that I did. It turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience once I had my movement rhythm down and more hearts and stronger weapons to work with. To my pleasant surprise, it turned out to be one of my favorite Zelda games.”
Jared’s experience was one shared by John. “Though the rhythm-based movement wasn’t initially for me, I played through the game with it enabled the whole time. The music is great, the spritework is cute, and the title is incredibly forgiving thanks to powerups you can purchase on Game Over. Cadence is also a fun couch co-op experience; toss a Joycon to a buddy and settle in for an evening of adventuring. There are tons of secrets to find in this Hyrule each time you start a new campaign.”
“Even though it’s in a 2D format,” proceeds Jared, “Cadence of Hyrule tips its cap toward the entire Zelda series up through Breath of the Wild with its enemies, music, weapons, puzzles, locales, allied races, etc. The pixelated artstyle is endearing, and the soundtrack is masterful with its remixes of classic favorites particularly from A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time. And the way familiar bosses were reimagined by integrating musical instruments was both clever and joy inspiring.
“It really is a delight of a game if you can push through the initial discomfort.”
19. Phantom Hourglass
Highest Rank: 12 | Lowest Rank: 24 | Last Year’s Rank: 18 | Avg Points per Author Played: 6.708
5/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass was the first Zelda adventure developed for the Nintendo DS, and, as with most games hitting that system back then, it needed to utilize the DS’ trademark touchscreen. That conceit, in equal measure, provided the game with various interesting gameplay possibilities and opened it up to numerous criticisms.
“Creating a new game in a series often involves walking a fine line between trying new things and tying back to past themes,” explains Josh Wittmershaus. “Phantom Hourglass takes a genuine effort to achieve both these things, and while there is undeniably a charm to the game that has created a small but dedicated following, it’s the combination of old and new that causes Phantom Hourglass to consistently stagnate near the bottom of the yearly rankings.
“In Phantom Hourglass, Link is mysteriously transported to a new but strangely recognizable world. Sound familiar? That’s because it is: Majora’s Mask already covered that trope. The endless sailing, digging for treasure, and exploring islands across a vast sea? A clear attempt to retain the joys that fans found in The Wind Waker. Waking up at the end and realizing it was all a dream? Aside from the fact that it’s already an overplayed cliché, we already saw it in the franchise with Link’s Awakening.”
And then there’s the DS hardware to consider. “The inclusion of clever uses of the Nintendo DS, such as closing the screen and blowing into the microphone,” Josh proceeds, “are mechanics that made me smile, but ultimately fail the test at being ‘gamer intuitive.'”
“Phantom Hourglass is a game that lives and dies by its reliance on the DS touchscreen,” seconds Rod Lloyd.
“For better or for worse, every part of the adventure involves the player dragging a stylus across that screen, whether it be basic traversal, combat of all kinds, and various forms of puzzle-solving. Looking at the experience for what it is, I can admit that the touch controls work far better than they have any right to, and the developers thought up some very clever, inventive ways to capitalize on them. But these controls are never quite ideal for a seasoned Zelda player. The stylus often lacks the precision of button controls, combat and movement is awkward, and the act of just holding the DS to play can get tiresome and painful fast.
“It’s a shame that Phantom Hourglass‘ identity is so tied to the touchscreen, because there really is a fantastic Zelda adventure hiding under that gimmicky surface. The game hosts a collection of great dungeons (the Temple of Courage and Ghost Ship being two standouts), provides its share of satisfying quests, and boasts one of Zelda‘s best character arcs with Linebeck. Even the polarizing Temple of the Ocean King has won me over!”
Perhaps Josh best sums things up this way: “Phantom Hourglass did well at trying to combine unique novelty with the themes of old Zelda games. It just didn’t provide the right chemistry for a successful game.”
18. Age of Calamity
Highest Rank: 6 | Lowest Rank: 24 | Last Year’s Rank: 16 | Avg Points per Author Played: 6.346
3/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
Like its predecessor, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity has experienced a gradual descent in our ranking since it debuted a few years back. Luckily, various gameplay improvements and a setting tied to the beloved “Era of the Wild” help buoy this game reasonably above the original.
“All the Musou spinoff games developed by the folks over at Omega Force have been wildly different in their own ways,” shares Kristen Rosario, “and the team continued that trend with Age of Calamity. This title provides some notable story highlights, with a better outlook on the pre-Breath of the Wild Hyrule. And the playable cast, while not as eclectic as the original, still brings really fun movesets to the table (some more surprising than the others) to help us mow down waves of bad guys.”
“Age of Calamity could have easily retained the 2014 original’s mechanics, structure, and approach to side content,” Brandon Schmitz picks up. “Instead, like many of Koei Tecmo’s recent collaborations, the game goes to great lengths to capture the spirit of its source material. In so many ways beyond the superficial, this spin-off evokes Breath of the Wild as if it were translated into a proper action game.
“The first Hyrule Warriors left a more indelible impression on me overall, but Calamity’s moment-to-moment gameplay definitely feels more refined.”
Of course, as is the case with the first Hyrule Warriors, one’s mileage varies based on how much one enjoys the Warriors experience. As Kristen points out, “The only real downside with this game is, like with most other Musou games, the repetition you’ll encounter when trying to complete specific tasks. But while the gameplay style isn’t not for everyone, it is one that has evolved over 24 years and shows no signs of slowing down.”
Age of Calamity‘s story, marketed as a bonafide prequel to Breath of the Wild, also proved polarizing. “A lot of people disagreed with the narrative switcheroo at the beginning of the third act,” says Kristen. “Instead of getting the inevitable tragic finale we were all expecting, the game’s story goes a route that a lot of fans disliked… but I thoroughly enjoyed.”
Brandon is another true believer. “Though its story may not provide the honest-to-goodness prequel that many of us were hoping for, I’ve come to appreciate that late-game twist. After all, this is a Warriors title — the more playable characters, the better! There isn’t much in the way of character development, sure, but simply playing as these folks for dozens of hours helped develop a bit of a soft spot for them within my heart.”
17. Spirit Tracks
Highest Rank: 8 | Lowest Rank: 23 | Last Year’s Rank: 15 | Avg Points per Author Played: 7.52
4/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
While the gap between both games has closed a bit since last year, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks once again tops its DS predecessor Phantom Hourglass. That, of course, comes down to the myriad quality-of-life improvements the 2009 title made to the formula.
“Having learned from its predecessor, Spirit Tracks has more refined gameplay,” declares Nick Miller. “One of its biggest improvements over Phantom Hourglass is in the central dungeon, the Tower of Spirits. Despite serving an identical function to Phantom’s Temple of the Ocean King, the Tower of the Spirits avoids monotony by letting players jump right to their desired floor instead of forcing them through rooms and puzzles they’ve already solved. This is just one of the ways that Spirit Tracks is a direct improvement over Phantom Hourglass.”
Charles Xavier can provide a few more examples. “It definitely has overall better dungeons and boss fights than its predecessor, Phantom Hourglass. It has a fantastic musical score, “Realm Overworld” being a stand out for me. And on a conceptual level, it has very interesting elements that are full of charm, perhaps more so than some other entries in the series.”
All that praise, however, must also come with criticisms. As Charles asserts, “Although Spirit Tracks is generally regarded as the better of the two DS Zelda titles, if the stylus controls from Phantom Hourglass didn’t end up being someone’s cup of tea, Spirit Tracks will not change that opinion. Another major gameplay hurdle is the Spirit Flute, which utilizes the mic on the DS. Although I never struggled with it, many people have accounts to the contrary, with some even stating it’s the reason they gave up on the game – there is certainly a reason it is the most infamous Zelda instrument to date. The game’s biggest flaw, however, is the train’s linear functionality, which eliminates the type of exploration that I prefer in a Zelda game.”
For Nick, that fatal flaw was personal: “As a kid who grew up loving trains, it pains me to say this: Spirit Tracks just did not scratch the exploration itch that I have for Zelda games. I love driving the train, and I love that you can pull on a rope with the stylus to blow a whistle. However, riding the same rail lines, seeing the same rocks and trees, the same enemies in the same places — it all just gets so boring. I know trains are this game’s hook, but riding through an empty field knowing that you can’t veer to the left or right even in the slightest doesn’t do it for me.
“So, Spirit Tracks is such a unique game for me because, in every other Zelda game, I have more fun exploring the overworld than I do completing dungeons, whereas Spirit Tracks is the inverse.”
16. Four Swords Adventures
Highest Rank: 3 | Lowest Rank: 22 | Last Year’s Rank: 17 | Avg Points per Author Played: 8.125
5/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
Ranking significantly higher than the series’ other two multiplayer games, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures has long been favored by those lucky enough to have played it in the right environment. If you can get your hands on the hardware and accessories needed to play this one properly — not to mention three other friends and plenty of free time — you will without a doubt find the best party experience ever offered by the name Zelda.
“Four Swords Adventures magnified what Four Swords established to such a degree that it is very hard to overlook,” starts off Kristen. “The increased chaotic cooperative nature of the game, the larger levels to explore, as well as the use of the Game Boy Player for certain situations makes this one a Zelda title that’s fun for all…
“The game is certainly not without its faults though. Anybody who has watched our playthroughs of Four Swords Adventures at the Zelda Dungeon Marathon knows full well that this game is definitely not something you can complete in one night. The average playthrough can get a bit tiring at times — perhaps to the point of pure exhaustion. And while it is fun with friends, Four Swords Adventures inherits both the good and bad of the original.
“So know your gaming buddies well, as this title can start to become irritating if you’re not on the same page as they are.”
Brandon Schmitz offers his own unique perspective. “Full disclosure: I have only played Four Swords Adventures as a single-player experience. As someone who ranks this game fairly low among the rest of the series, I totally acknowledge that I may be missing a critical aspect of its overall identity. Even so, given my history with single-player modes in games that were primarily built with multiplayer in mind, Adventures works surprisingly well.
“The prospect of controlling four Links at once may sound like a nightmare, but it’s pretty seamless! Additionally, the Link to the Past-inspired aesthetic couples well with its Wind Waker-era audio design. That said, what holds Four Swords Adventures back from ranking higher on my list isn’t so much its failings — rather, it’s just a testament to how influential most of its brethren are. So much of what the game does — while solid — has simply been done better in most other Zelda games.”
15. The Legend of Zelda
Highest Rank: 3 | Lowest Rank: 22 | Last Year’s Rank: 14 | Avg Points per Author Played: 8.462
3/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
The game that started it all stands strong at the 15th spot. The Legend of Zelda may appear a bit archaic to modern audiences, but its influence, imagination, and innovative nature help it to stand out among other titles of its era.
“The game that launched an entire series back in the NES era still deserves a healthy dose of respect from any Zelda fan,” proclaims Leslie Jacobson. “At the time of its release, very few games focused on exploration and secrets with a well-crafted story. What made the original The Legend of Zelda stand out among other exploration-based games of its time was how easy it was to play yet how difficult it was to master. The game was built to be just difficult enough that players had to swap secrets and strategies with their friends or colleagues in order to experience all the game had to offer. The fact that it has stood the test of time speaks volumes to its enduring quality.
“For a modern gamer, however, the original can present some unique challenges,” Leslie admits. “There is no tutorial. There is no quest marker to tell you what to do next or where any of the hidden secrets are. Getting a Game Over in a later dungeon can set a player back so far that it’s discouraging. Today, players have walkthroughs, maps, and even videos if they get stuck, all of which I recommend if you truly want to experience everything this humble game has to offer.”
Jared Eubanks cosigns on that recommendation. “I would recommend to all Zelda fans, regardless of skill level or age, to complete a playthrough of The Legend of Zelda at least once in their life. I would argue that there is a sense of duty to not overlook the venerable game that started it all. It is a memorable experience to see where specific gameplay mechanics, lore, enemies, and characters began.
“It’s also a must to have a trusty walkthrough guide and map at hand. It is easy to get lost in the overworld. The riddles from the old men littered throughout the game are hardly helpful and incredibly cryptic. The secret walls to bomb or bushes to burn are not obvious. The retro 8-bit art style may not endear you to it either in the moments when you are confused or frustrated.
“The Legend of Zelda is a classic with an acquired taste for those who want to master it. We should all experience it in full at least once.”
14. Oracle of Seasons
Highest Rank: 4 | Lowest Rank: 21 | Last Year’s Rank: 13 | Avg Points per Author Played: 9.56
4/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
The Oracle games once again stand side by side on the ranking. And it was very, very close this year. In fact, the Oracle titles were separated by one single point, meaning an additional staff member could have easily reversed the order. So, despite Oracle of Seasons coming up short again this time around, please know that it was a dead heat. Things could very likely look different next year, but for now, Seasons stands as the weaker Oracle game on this list.
One’s first impression of Oracle of Seasons depends on what one values in a Zelda game. For John Lortie, who ranked Seasons higher than any other staff member, it all comes down to presentation. “Oracle of Seasons had me hooked from the opening cinematic. Link on Epona, journeying to a temple to be set off on a sacred quest by the Triforce itself. I can hear the accompanying music in my head as I write this. It set the stage for the whole Holodrum adventure.
“Link switches between seasons with the Rod of Seasons; walking across the snow gives chimney access to a house with a perpetually-locked door. Climbable vines cover cliffs in the summer while insects drift aimlessly through the humidity. Seasons is dripping with atmosphere.”
Alex Weber, on the other hand, needed some time to warm up to Seasons‘ charms. “Playing Oracle of Seasons for the first time is like eating a doughnut that you didn’t know was filled. The first couple bites are expected, almost even boringly so. You’re kind of regretting getting yourself into this situation. The pacing of the first bit of the game as it gets going is an odd combination of the developers wanting to reference the first Zelda game but also wanting to make it simple to ease the players into the experience. As a seasoned Zelda fan, if you will, you’re left wanting more until you hit the first taste of jelly.”
So what is the jelly in this analogy? Well, both John and Alex agree that Seasons‘ strengths lie in its cleverness. The dungeons, the combat, and the season-shifting mechanics all work together to test the player in uniquely satisfying ways.
“Once the game starts to really take its own shape with the seasons gimmick and the unique dungeons, it becomes a thrilling experience you didn’t expect,” opines Alex. “You are challenged to think in three dimensions in a two-dimensional Zelda game, and are introduced to clever puzzles on a level that hadn’t quite been reached as of 2001. As mediocre as you may think the beginning is, the heat definitely ramps up, eventually culminating in one of the hardest boss fights in the series.”
John agrees completely. “I’ve seen it frequently said that this is the more combat-oriented Oracle (Ages supposedly has a greater emphasis on puzzles). I won’t speak to the veracity of that sentiment, but I will say that Seasons is the more well-rounded of the pair. It introduces the Magnetic Gloves and Roc’s Cape, both of which lead to some great dungeoneering moments. And the final battle tests players’ wits and reflexes.
“In short: Oracle of Seasons may have started as a remake of The Legend of Zelda, but players will quickly discover that the game is a unique adventure.”
13. Oracle of Ages
Highest Rank: 4 | Lowest Rank: 21 | Last Year’s Rank: 12 | Avg Points per Author Played: 10.435
6/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
For for the fourth year in a row, Oracle of Ages bests its sister game on the Best Zelda Ever list. And like in years past, that reality largely comes down to the story it tells and the gameplay ideas it presents.
For Chakell Herbert, Ages‘ narrative gives it the edge. “To me, Oracle of Ages‘ story just beats out Oracle of Seasons. With Veran adjusting things in the past that affect the present, the stakes are slightly higher than they are in Seasons in my book. Veran also has much more depth and is more calculating and interesting than Onox, her Seasons counterpart. There is also the presence of one specific character who really clinched Ages as my favorite of the two games – Ralph. Ralph’s little arc (though straightforward and simple) set him apart as a lovable character, and the revelation of him being a descendent of Queen Ambi added to his importance and upped the intensity when Link has to stop him from defeating his ancestor and erasing himself from existence!
“With all of this, and a brilliant time travel mechanic, Ages is a solid entry in the series.”
Nick Miller meanwhile goes to bat for Ages‘ inventiveness. “Oracle of Ages is a puzzle-heavy 2D Zelda adventure that manages to introduce so many new elements while maintaining that familiar Zelda spirit. Plus, there’s just something so refreshing about exploring a land that isn’t Hyrule, even if they share many of the same elements (e.g. similar characters, a Lost Woods).
“Any complaints that I have of this game are nitpicks at best,” Nick continues. “I think the animal companions were underutilized, and I don’t understand why the game would limit you to having just one after introducing all three. I also hate that the player must tap the D-pad to move around underwater with the Mermaid Suit; that alone makes Jabu-Jabu’s Belly a total slog. Giving too much weight to such complaints, however, would do a disservice to this incredible game. Oracle of Ages is an absolute stunner that stands toe to toe with the best that 2D Zelda has to offer.”
Deciding on which Oracle game provides the better adventure may always come down to personal taste, but the bigger question is why they both fall short of the remaining titles in this ranking. In Chakell’s opinion, it’s because neither can stand as a complete experience without the other. “My one gripe with both of the Oracle games is that they are incomplete without each other,” she adds.
“Without linking the two games and getting the true ending, you miss out on so much lore, storytelling, and epic boss battles in the endgame. Without each other, the Oracle titles are two incomplete halves of a much mightier whole. Sometimes I wonder why Nintendo didn’t just combine them into one giant adventure rather than dividing them!”
12. The Minish Cap
Highest Rank: 3 | Lowest Rank: 15 | Last Year’s Rank: 11 | Avg Points per Author Played: 13.645
3/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
Not only does The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap mark the half-way point of this ranking, but it stands as the separation between the merely good and the truly great. Having accumulated over 100 points more than the Oracle games, this crown jewel of the Game Boy Advance era has earned a stronger reputation than any other title discussed so far. But, at the same time, it falls several dozen points short of the highest tiers of the ranking, where some of the closest contentions take place.
Despite that fact, it seems everyone on our staff has nothing but great things to say about The Minish Cap. Its charm, presentation, gameplay, story, and characters all come together to make one of the most solidly effective Zelda adventures out there. Take Judy Cooper, for instance, who calls The Minish Cap a “wonderful game that’s full of pixelated charm!”
“I find the story endearing,” relays Judy. “And I have a particular fondness for Ezlo as a companion, even though I didn’t really warm to him at first. When it comes to the overworld and dungeons, I think this game is really well-designed. Exploration feels vast for such a small game and the pacing as you proceed further in-game is just right. Vaati is also a really interesting antagonist, and his final battle is one of my favorites on a handheld console.”
What about The Minish Cap‘s trademark shrinking mechanic? Well, Julia Wilson finds a lot to appreciate there. “I loved that Link was able to change size to that of one of the small Minish folk and access hidden areas. The game has an adorable charm about it, like when you must enter the small hidden Minish Village and eat a Jabber Nut to understand the residents. It was also great fun to use the Cane of Pacci to jump to higher platforms.”
Leslie Jacobson can’t agree more with these assessments. “I had the opportunity recently to replay The Minish Cap after only running through it the one time back when it was released. It still holds up well and almost feels like a modern game that went for a retro style rather than the game simply being a product of its time. I loved all of the references to past games in the series. Ezlo was a compelling character, even if his squawking sometimes felt more annoying than a ‘Hey! Listen!’ at the wrong time. The game still looks great because of the careful attention to the detailed art. The story is solid as well.
“If you have not picked up this hidden gem, you really need to give it a try.”
11. Link’s Awakening
Highest Rank: 2 | Lowest Rank: 21 | Last Year’s Rank: 7 | Avg Points per Author Played: 13.586
0/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
We now enter the most contested portion of our ranking. I must stress that only a paltry 20 points separates the eleventh and eighth games on the list, meaning that a single staff member could have drastically changed the order of the next four titles. It was that close! So, with that said, let’s see which title took the bottom spot in the batch.
After achieving its highest Best Zelda Ever placement last year, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening tragically sees the biggest drop of any game in 2024 as it falls from seventh to eleventh. It’s a sad sight to see, personally speaking, as our writers have showered such glowing praise on the game.
“Link’s Awakening is like if you took everything about the Zelda series and distilled it into a joyful, fruity concentrate,” Nicole Scott articulates. “It has a legendary trading sequence, curious characters, jaunty music, cheeky cameos… all with an aching twist of melancholy and severity as the delicious flavor runs out. This game really pushed the series from a storytelling perspective, and few Zelda games since have achieved as devastating of a reveal as this one — especially when it involves characters as beloved as Marin.
“It has one of the most surreal and clever ending chapters in the franchise, too, with an appropriately difficult boss fight to cap off the journey. Link’s Awakening is concise yet resonant, with a pace that makes this title so easily justifiable for a regular revisit.”
“I see Link’s Awakening as the perfect distillation of the classic Zelda formula,” chimes in John Lortie. “Journey around a world, unlocking more of it with dungeon items while acquiring the macguffins that unlock the final boss. It’s a relatively straightforward adventure – I can 100% the Game Boy versions in roughly six hours each while the Switch remake takes me a long weekend. The story is a bittersweet mystery that’s one of the best Zelda yarns ever spun. It also features a rare-for-the-series true ending.”
Some of Link’s Awakening‘s greatest strengths lie in its quirkiness. A game where you learn to mambo from a giant fish, dust a mischievous racoon in magic powder, or trade a can of dogfood for a banana is sure to remain firmly in your memory. Everyone can call out at least one moment that helps this silly adventure stick out.
Julia Wilson can definitely name a few: “Whilst Link’s Awakening is not one of my top games, it contains some really fun elements. I loved taking BowWow for a walk (a precursor for Wolf Link?) — he had a great time devouring the Moblins, that’s for sure. This game also sticks out in my mind as the one where Link becomes a thief! Why suffer carpal tunnel attempting to cut enough grass to get the 980 rupees to buy the Bow, when you can just steal it instead?! I immediately did so, only for the onscreen text to display, ‘You got it for free. Are you proud of yourself?’ That obviously isn’t the end of it either, as the Shopkeeper is quick to claim his revenge and Link is referred to as ‘Thief’ by others.”
At the end of the day, it’s clear that the joy Link’s Awakening elicits will always earn it a high spot on this list. I’m sure the game will see the Top Ten again in the future. For now, let’s give John the last word: “This game captures my imagination like no other. It’s not a world that pulls me in so much as it’s one to visit regularly, using it as a mirror to reflect how my life has changed while Koholint remains the same. Link’s Awakening is an absolute joy of an adventure.”
10. A Link to the Past
Highest Rank: 1 | Lowest Rank: 19 | Last Year’s Rank: 10 | Avg Points per Author Played: 14.63 | First-place finishes: 1
2/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
A lot of Zelda Dungeon staff members, myself included, hoped that the #10 placement of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past in 2023 was just a fluke. Surely, a cherished classic like this one would bounce back to its former glory. Well, as hard as it is to swallow, our staff has collectively, once again, placed A Link to the Past in the tenth position.
How does something like this happen? It has nothing to do with a lack of respect, that’s for sure. Many of my fellow ZD veterans are quick to acknowledge the legacy, influence, and historical significance of this SNES masterpiece.
Consider Kora Burton among that group: “To me, the lasting value of this title to the Zelda series is right there in the name: A Link to the Past. The series’ third game is where many elements and familiar motifs of the franchise first came to life, and without this title, there would be no connective tissue between the first couple of series installments which most folks here have ranked relatively low, and every single title to come after it on this list, both chronologically and in terms of our ranking.
“Do you feel a thrill when you stumble across the Master Sword in the series’ many iterations of the Lost Woods? Do you enjoy the more cinematic moments of the Zelda series, with intriguing backstories and recurring musical motifs? Does Link feel more human to you when he’s juxtaposed with family members and other memorable characters? For all of these elements of the series and more, we have A Link to the Past to thank. It was the true start of Zelda storytelling.”
“While we see the title that arguably set the tone for the rest of the series slip in the rankings compared to previous years,” assesses Josh Wittmershaus, “I think it’s all-the-more important to point to the historical impact this game has. Many of the motifs we recognize as classic Zelda songs and sounds originated in A Link to the Past. The map itself has been a foundation for both A Link Between Worlds and Echoes of Wisdom, two games that top their topographical predecessor in the rankings this year.
“Still, as time goes on, and the graphics, mechanics, and overall abilities of games continue to improve, it’s evermore important to look back at the games that started it all, and it’s never too late to experience a game like A Link to the Past for the first time and see where all the incredible Zelda games we have now came from.”
At the end of the day, a notable demographic shift at Zelda Dungeon might serve as the best explanation for A Link to the Past‘s decline in recent years. In what is perhaps a reflection of the larger Zelda fanbase, we have more Gen Z staffers on our team than ever before. As gamers who grew up playing Zelda games of the Wii, Wii U, and Switch eras have become more prominent voices across the web, we’ve seen opinion on A Link to the Past soften. Let’s turn to Aubriel Eastman, the youngest writer on staff, for her perspective.
“I have to admit that my opinion of A Link to the Past isn’t quite as stellar as those of most Zelda fans,” she proclaims. “Since playing through the game for the first time with a friend, I’ve been asking myself one question: how did we reach a conclusion so different from the general consensus? While pondering this question for this article, I tried to examine my personal biases so I could give A Link to the Past as fair a writeup as I could. I came up with two possibilities: age and difficulty.
“I’m a Gen Z Zelda fan, so perhaps my age colored my perception a bit. I grew up in the age of the Wii, the era in which graphics continued to become more polished and more 3D. However, graphics aren’t really the problem for me; I tend to judge a game based on its content rather than on how it looks (I adore Link’s Awakening and the Oracle titles). So maybe the problem is difficulty? The bosses in this game are pretty hard, to the point that I was grateful for the existence of save states. But I think we can refute this possibility with the fact that I love games that are arguably much harder, like Hollow Knight and Elden Ring.
“Is the problem perhaps… not me, but actually the game itself?” Let her cook.
“Regardless of my personal feelings on the game, I can say that A Link to the Past did a lot for the Zelda series and established much of the iconography that would carry on to future installments. For this reason, and the fact that so many Zelda fans still seem to enjoy it, I’m glad this game exists.”
9. Echoes of Wisdom
Highest Rank: 2 | Lowest Rank: 14 | Last Year’s Rank: N/A | Avg Points per Author Played: 14.464
1/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom makes its Best Zelda Ever debut at a respectable #9. But to some staffers, even that wasn’t high enough. “When I heard that Echoes of Wisdom had only been placed at ninth for this year’s ranking, I wasn’t happy,” confesses Kora Burton. “I thought some staff may have anticipated recency bias in their rankings and punished the newest Zelda title too hard in response.
“Echoes of Wisdom is an amazing game that seemed to give everyone what they wanted: a new top-down game, a return to more traditional dungeon structures, loads of puzzles, a combination of approachability and complexity, and finally – finally! – a mainline title starring a playable Princess Zelda. I am so pleased to have a very special Zelda title on my hands, one that I can share with the little girls in my family. They are now going to be able to grow up seeing more of themselves in the hero they are controlling. It is one thing to be told as a girl that video games are for you, too, but it is another thing to see and feel it for yourself and to be represented on the screen.
“There are many other Zelda games I might reach for first when it comes to craving nostalgic experiences or more iconic series playthroughs; but when it comes to reaching for a Zelda title that speaks to my lived experiences and captivates the inner child who wants to be a princess saving the world, Echoes of Wisdom is at the top of the stack.”
Heather Beard, pardon the pun, echoes that sentiment. “It is quite exciting to see Echoes of Wisdom crack the Top 10 for Best Zelda Ever in its very first year, because I feel like the game truly deserves the honor. Echoes of Wisdom not only provided what I didn’t know I was missing from a ‘new’ Zelda game, but it also provided the long-awaited opportunity to play as our favorite princess in a mainline game for the very first time.
“Echoes of Wisdom presented a truly wonderful story in an art style that I believe will become the standard for top-down Zelda games to come. The game brought back a lot of what we all fell in love with regarding the series, but with a modern twist. Each playthrough can still be unique while referencing back to the classic puzzles and mechanics that we know and love.”
Speaking of modern twists on a classic formula, something all our editors agree on is that Echoes of Wisdom was exactly what the Zelda fanbase needed after the release of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone,” recites Kristen Rosario. “That’s the feeling a lot of us had when playing through the two open-air Zelda titles. They’re amazing in their own right, but we were hungry for a return to the traditional Zelda formula.
“That’s why Echoes of Wisdom was certainly a breath of fresh air. Traditional dungeons that each have their own unique spin, a focused story that puts the lore of the franchise up for debate once more, a spectacular soundtrack, and, of course, the opportunity to play as Princess Zelda for the first time in the series. She also comes with the new echo system that not only provides a different style of play, but rewards players for thinking outside the box in a lot of situations.”
Kristen also speaks for the group when he says that, “There are a couple of things that hold Echoes of Wisdom back from being perfect though. The way the echoes are categorized when you need to use them gets really tedious after a while, the smoothies you can create are only really useful in Hero Mode, and then there’s Swordfighter Mode which has gotten a mixed response considering how over-reliant you become on it in the game.”
“All in all though,” concludes Heather, “Echoes of Wisdom was a fantastic first start to seeing Zelda as the main character. I hope this isn’t the only chance that we have to play as the titular princess. Echoes of Wisdom has paved the pathway to hopefully more adventures where we journey as Princess Zelda.”
8. Skyward Sword
Highest Rank: 1 | Lowest Rank: 22 | Last Year’s Rank: 8 | Avg Points per Author Played: 14.75 | First-place finishes: 3
1/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
From this point forward, every game you’ll read about topped at least one staff member’s individual ranking. In the case of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, three different staffers consider it their best Zelda ever.
Aubriel Eastman is one of those people. “Skyward Sword is very special to me. During the ‘Follow Fi’ sequence, I remember looking up at the sky and watching the stars sparkle while letting the gorgeous music wash over me. It was a rare moment of stillness in a video game. Skyward Sword has a lot of quiet instants like that, if you’re paying attention.
“The game also has a lot of colorful, exciting things to enjoy. I love the bustling atmosphere of Skyloft, the act of soaring through the sky to visit islands, and the quests you get from the vibrant NPCs. Additionally, out of all Zelda main quests, this was the one I felt most invested in seeing to the end. The emotional connection between Link and Zelda is intertwined throughout the whole plot, and it really made me root for them to reunite.”
Aubriel’s honest appraisal, unfortunately, does not reflect everyone’s opinion of this Zelda title. As Charles Xavier aptly points out, “Skyward Sword is an interesting title that seems to either be ranked very highly by some, or only middle of the pack for others.” A lot of that has to do with the game’s emphasis on motion controls. “In my experience,” Charles states, “the motion controls were always enjoyable, but I know many others may disagree. The HD port of the Switch fortunately remapped the controls for an optional button layout, making that the definitive version of the game to play if someone dislikes the motion controls.”
Charles has plenty to praise about Skyward Sword though: “The art direction for this title is a definite strength, from the concept art down to the finished product – impressionism is its biggest influence, which it nails beautifully. It has fantastic music, being the first title where each track was recorded with an actual orchestra rather than with synthesized instruments. The game also has massive strengths with its dungeon design, and the character writing is typically considered among the best that the series offers.”
Emi Curtis is another writer who has noticed Skyward Sword‘s strengths drowned out by its weaknesses. “Really, the biggest problem is Skyward Sword tried to be too many things at once. It wanted to live up to the fantasy of dynamic motion-controlled swordplay, be the big Zelda origin story, and toss in all manner of mechanics to live up to that big glory. In its defense, it did some of these things really well.
“The scene of climbing the thread in the Ancient Cistern is an incredible moment. The art direction is absolutely stunning… and then there’s The Imprisoned… And The Imprisoned again… and again, and he’s far from the only boss that sees an unbearable amount of repetition. This ends up being the problem all too much in that there’s these great ideas, but they get bogged down in the massive clutter of things going on in Skyward Sword.”
As polarizing as this game may be, we can’t deny the fact that a devoted group of defenders come to bat for it each and every year. “Despite all its flaws, Skyward Sword is my favorite game of all time” champions Aubriel. “I’ll concede that it has design issues, but the incredible highs of this game more than make up for those in my opinion. I’ll never forget the emotional journey that I went on playing this game for the first time; I hope more people come to appreciate Skyward Sword in the future.”
7. Majora’s Mask
Highest Rank: 1 | Lowest Rank: 22 | Last Year’s Rank: 5 | Avg Points per Author Played: 15.321 | First-place finishes: 3
1/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
Like Skyward Sword, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask claimed the top spot on three staffers’ lists. I’m certain the renown this game enjoys comes down to its emotional resonance and quality world-building. And when you consider what went into its development, it’s a marvel this this title came together as brilliantly as it did.
“In an age of ever-expanding game worlds, the intricacy and precision of Majora’s Mask’s game world shines,” Sean Gadus makes known. “Developed in less than two years, the follow-up to Ocarina of Time succeeds by blazing its own trail through the gaming wilderness, something that later Zelda sequels like Tears of the Kingdom would decline to do. The brilliant three-day time loop in Majora’s Mask is unlike anything else in the Zelda series, an ambitious mechanic that requires the player to think about time and space in precise ways. Key quests require the player to understand not just where a character will appear, but WHEN they will appear in that specific location.
“Majora’s Mask is a snapshot of a world in crisis, and despite its time-loop shenanigans, the individual stories of Termina’s citizens have a surprising amount of nuance and sentiment. It is the rare game where side quests and the stories of minor NPCs feel essential to understanding the overall themes of a game.”
Another editor to praise Majora’s Mask‘s three-day time cycle is Judy Cooper. “I appreciated that this feature allowed for some kind of nonlinearity in Zelda, giving me the opportunity to experience the parts of the game based on when I made certain choices. It made the game feel bigger back in the day, and I like that it had so many exciting moving parts.
“One of my favorite moving parts of Majora’s Mask is the questline involving Anju and Kafei. This is a prime example of the moving parts that make this game so great. Using the three-day cycle, I could decide the fate of so many NPCs in-game. And best of all, each interaction during this side quest felt important. In fact, I’d call this entire part of the game an actual work of art. To this day, it stands out to me just as much as the main quest, what with the emotional outcome of each choice made.”
Speaking of emotion, Chakell Herbert is quick to speak on this game’s impact on her personally. “There are few games that haunt me as much as Majora’s Mask does. I am haunted by the sheer terror of the apocalyptic story. I am haunted by the stress my child self experienced while dealing with an actual consequential three-day time limit. And I am haunted by the endless NPCs in Termina who had so much depth and emotional character arcs in every corner of this tiny world.
“The haunting nature of this masterpiece of a game requires me to approach it only at certain moments in time when I am emotionally prepared enough to process what the world of Termina evokes. This is why it’s not at the very top of my personal favorite Zelda list, but still high enough to show its significance and brilliance.
“All in all, it’s a masterpiece, and considering it was made in only a year, it astounds me that with the ample time developers have to work on newer entries in the series, there has yet to be another Zelda game that haunts me like this one always will.”
6. The Wind Waker
Highest Rank: 1 | Lowest Rank: 16 | Last Year’s Rank: 4 | Avg Points per Author Played: 15.893 | First-place finishes: 3
1/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker may have fallen out of the Top 5 this year, but it remains a beloved classic to many on the Zelda Dungeon team.
“I say that many Zelda games hold a special place in my heart,” expresses Heather Beard, “but I think the one that takes up the most room would be The Wind Waker. It was the Zelda game of my childhood. I started replaying it earlier this year and was instantly reminded of why I fell in love with this Zelda game in the first place. The Wind Waker is a brilliant adventure steeped in charm and lore, set to the backdrop of an amazing soundtrack. To this day, it’s still a classic.
“And to echo another ZD writer, the game did lay the foundations of the open-world Zelda titles that we have today. I believe that without The Great Sea we wouldn’t have the open exploration that we see in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.”
Aubriel Eastman is the writer Heather is alluding to. “The Wind Waker is the definition of charm itself. I love the art style, the sound effects, the characters, and sailing the Great Sea. This game laid down the foundations for openness in Zelda games and absolutely oozes the spirit of adventure. From the Forest Haven to Dragon Roost Island, there isn’t a single place in this game without an endearing atmosphere and delightful music. The title theme of this game is one of my favorite Zelda songs ever.
“The Wind Waker is a cheerful and unforgettable adventure that I will always treasure.”
For all that The Wind Waker does right, it does suffer a few standout shortcomings that have kept it from climbing much higher in the BZE ranks. Let’s turn to Alexis Anderson, who has to temper her praise with a little criticism: “I wish I was a bigger fan of The Wind Waker, but I found the game to be very easy and at the same time tedious (basically just because of the obligatory sailing).”
“However, it’s a classic for a reason!” Alexis qualifies.
“The standout element of The Wind Waker, for me, is the music. The songs original to the game are incredible. Hearing them immediately transports me back to a specific island or temple, and many of them have a breezy, free-flowing tone that matches the seafaring nature of the game. Its renditions of existing Zelda songs are also magical; the Hyrule Castle theme from this game is my absolute favorite version of the theme and one of my top five all-time favorite Zelda songs.
“Further, the characters are memorable (Tetra!!), the toon design is iconic, and the game is full of shenanigans that remind me of the Four Swords Adventures art where the Links are just messing around — i.e. Link wiggling in and being shot out of a barrel, the hero picking up piggies and running from that snot-nosed boy, a private island with a sentient standee butler, Tingle being presumably responsible for all the skulls in the Windfall Island jail (not to mention the devious mice down there), and a Hylian girl falling in love with a Moblin. This game set the bar for toon-style (and subsequently diorama-style) Zelda games and has yet to be dethroned.”
Ultimately, Heather says it best with this: “The Wind Waker is still loved by many to this day. It’s a game that the community still wishes to see ported. It’s a title that has become timeless for its charm and story, and one that upholds the classic Zelda gameplay that we look back to time and time again.”
5. A Link Between Worlds
Highest Rank: 1 | Lowest Rank: 12 | Last Year’s Rank: 9 | Avg Points per Author Played: 16.519 | First-place finishes: 1
1/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
Last year, speaking as the person who ranks The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds #1 in his ranking every year, I was shocked to see my favorite Zelda game surpass its SNES predecessor A Link to the Past. This year, I’m as equally shocked to see it crack the Top 5 for the first time in BZE history. It seems the Zelda community is finally recognizing this title for the fantastic adventure it is.
Alex Weber, who recently replayed this one after finishing Echoes of Wisdom, sure has. “I had pretty high expectations going in, and A Link Between Worlds was even better than I remembered. Wall-merging provides such a satisfying range of movement, enabling the existence of complex puzzles and making you think out of the box in a rewarding way. The way I’ve always referred to A Link Between Worlds is that it either makes you feel really stupid or really smart; there’s no in-between, and that’s what’s fantastic about it. The existence of Maiamais, and even the occasional string of rupees that gives the stubborn player a challenge they can’t refuse, stand out in my memory. The developers expect me to get there, and I’m going to figure it out or die trying, sometimes literally!
“Often I hold a Zelda game high based on how clever it is, and the wit in A Link Between Worlds is unmatched. Even upon replaying, I needed to re-solve puzzles I had already figured out a few years prior. A Link Between Worlds re-invigorated the A Link to the Past map in a refreshing way, much like Echoes of Wisdom, but A Link Between Worlds‘ faith in the player’s intelligence is unparalleled.”
“I do not think there is a more underrated Zelda title than A Link Between Worlds,” adds Emi Curtis. “It’s an entry that I have repeatedly seen forgotten about in the greater discussion of the series as a whole. Which is a shame, because A Link Between Worlds is Zelda at some of its best. Despite being a Zelda that pays a heavy homage to the games before it, the unique wall-moving mechanics offer the game an identity that is uniquely its own. The puzzles are some of the best in the series and really capture that ‘a-ha!’ kind of ethos that was synonymous with that era of the series.
“My favourite part of course though is the interesting decision to play with the idea of the ‘destiny’ of the series’ lore. Silly name aside, the idea of Lorule and seeing these darker versions of these characters we know so well is something the series really hasn’t ever touched on nearly so heavily. I deeply enjoyed getting deeper into that idea of seeing them break their archetypes, and it really makes for an interesting subversion of the hero-villain-princess tropes of the series, especially given how the game’s final act goes. If you somehow haven’t yet made the time for this one, I promise you, it is absolutely worth the investment of dusting off your old 3DS and taking the plunge.”
Rod Lloyd, this game’s biggest champion, wraps things up this way: “A Link Between Worlds, to me, marks the high point of top-down Zelda. It respectfully carried on the traditions of its 8 and 16-bit brethren — A Link to the Past most directly — and it set the stage for the experimental phase the series would embark on in the following years. In that way, it bridges the gap between two generations of Zelda games, and it exemplifies all the strengths of both.
“Worlds provides a top-notch collection of standout dungeons, and it allows players the freedom to approach many of them in whatever order they want. It offers a familiar toolset of items and weaponry to its hero, while also rethinking how players collect and use those tools to great effect. And it sets its adventure in an overwhelmingly familiar world, while also utilizing a modernized control scheme to make traversing that world more comfortable than ever. A Link Between Worlds truly is the best of both worlds.
“The only thing holding A Link Between Worlds back from pushing even higher on this list now is a proper high-definition re-release. It’s due time for another generation to learn about this game’s greatness.”
4. Twilight Princess
Highest Rank: 1 | Lowest Rank: 17 | Last Year’s Rank: 6 | Avg Points per Author Played: 16.741 | First-place finishes: 2
2/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess experienced a bit of a dip in last year’s ranking, but it once again finds its way among the elite in 2024. In many ways, this title is defined by the moment in which it was released, for all the good and all the bad. Its chunky standard-definition visuals and midi sounds invite some ire today, but it was a bombastic, cinematic spectacle back in 2006. Its pacing may suffer when compared to the open-world titles of the modern generation, but its story and characters continue to endear even the most jaded players.
Twilight Princess is the truest definition of “better than the sum of its parts.” And as the conclusion to the era that began with Ocarina of Time, this game succeeds based on what emotions it elicits from its audience, 18 years ago and today.
“Even among the wider entertainment landscape, so few pieces of media have left as great an impact on me as Twilight Princess,” Brandon Schmitz shares. “Despite having played video games long before this title’s release, Link and Midna’s adventure played a tremendous role in deepening my appreciation for not only this medium, but also fiction as a whole.
“Certainly, I’ve read, watched, and played through much more complex and nuanced stories since 2006. And yet — unlike many other works that I gravitated toward around that time — Twilight Princess resonates with me almost just as strongly today. This adventure boasts top-tier dungeons with a defined sense of place, a haunting musical score, a companion whose arc eclipses that of any other Zelda character, and a seemingly effortless knack for generating hype.”
Nicole Scott was equally moved by Twilight Princess when it released: “While some argue this is a lesser Ocarina or simply a moodier Majora, there is more nuance with Twilight Princess. How is it that the conflicting feelings and motifs I associate with this game — the bite of the 2006 winter, bonding with my sister and father, and a stomach-full of butterflies in eager anticipation — coexist in such a beautiful way? It is because Twilight Princess achieved what few entries in the series could do. It embraced extremes.
“Twilight Princess has unprecedented emotional and cinematic range. The pain of watching Zelda drop her sword juxtaposes with the unmitigated freedom of riding the open fields on Epona. Seeing Colin tied and captured raises the stakes in a way that makes goat-herding feel like a jolly riot. Everything from the game’s dramatic soundtrack, laughable character designs, hyperniche dungeon items, and edgy atmosphere make it one of the most risky yet unashamed entries in the Zelda canon.
“Other games lean into their lightheartedness and quirk or their sorrow and grief. Twilight Princess delivers both, the brightness and darkness, and it does so with bravery.”
Josh Wittmershaus meanwhile considers Twilight Princess in its historical context. “A lot of people view Twilight Princess as the franchise’s way to reinvoke the nostalgia of the Nintendo 64 days after some controversial reception for The Wind Waker. This attempt to return to the past – rather than moving forward in the series in terms of mechanics and aesthetics – has caused Twilight Princess to suffer its own controversies, making it one of the more divisive games in the series. It’s a game that exists in a weird sort of limbo in a number of different ways – but it’s this limbo that makes the game the beautiful gem that it is.
“The game, after all, lives in the twilight – a liminal capsule that arguably bridges two eras of the Zelda franchise. Twilight Princess was the last major title that didn’t feature an orchestral soundtrack, signaling an end to a style of sound that now can be deemed analog by comparison. Arguably one of the darkest titles in the series in terms of content and mood, the game is also littered with self-aware goofiness (two words: Malo Mart). While Midna is one of the strongest companions in the game, the absentee Zelda created its own imbalance for diehard franchise fans. Twilight Princess really is a game that exists in both the day and the night, and lives up to its name for that.
“Even without the Switch port many fans have been clamoring for, I don’t see this game’s popularity and reputation sunsetting anytime soon.”
3. Tears of the Kingdom
Highest Rank: 1 | Lowest Rank: 18 | Last Year’s Rank: 2 | Avg Points per Author Played: 16.241 | First-place finishes: 4
0/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
In 2023, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom not only claimed the best debut in Best Zelda Ever history, but it only came up short of topping the whole ranking by two measly points. So with all of us now nearly two years removed from the game’s release, we were anxious to see how much of that impressive performance could be attributed to recency bias and how much momentum would carry over into 2024.
Ultimately, Tears of the Kingdom, like so many games before it, witnessed a dip in the ranking as our team spent more time considering its strengths, weakness, significance, and legacy firmly outside its launch window. In fact, of the eight staffers who voted Tears #1 in their personal lists last year, only four stood by that arrangement. Chakell Herbert did so confidently.
“When it comes to gameplay and mechanics, I always say that Breath of the Wild walked so that Tears of the Kingdom could run,” she proposes. “The versatility of this adventure is unlike anything else in the series thus far. Being able to craft virtually any kind of contraption to accomplish your most daunting feats was one of the most wild (no pun intended) features the Zelda series has seen so far.
“I know that many fans were skeptical of returning to a map that we already traversed for another full-fledged adventure. But to me, enough changes were made that it refreshed the world enough to set it apart and allowed it to stand on its own. In fact, from the get-go, Tears of the Kingdom is Breath of the Wild’s opposite in my book. While Breath of the Wild was all about Link being a singular glimmer of hope on a solitary, lonely journey in Hyrule, Tears is different from the starting point. This game’s theme of connection is apparent from the first shots of our hero and princess together, and even more so when Link fails to grab her hand as she falls into the abyss.
“I believe connection and relationships are the main theme of Tears of the Kingdom, which is something we haven’t really seen before in a Zelda game.”
Leslie Jacobson likewise praises Tears‘ marriage of gameplay and narrative. “Tears of the Kingdom took what Breath of the Wild started and made it even better. The huge, open world we experienced in Breath of the Wild was changed just enough to be at once familiar and yet still different and mysterious. I know I kept thinking, ‘I wonder what’s happened to…’ and having that as the driving force behind my initial exploration of the game. I felt I was able to enjoy the game more because I was already familiar with most of the mechanics as well, which was a struggle for me in Breath of the Wild. I am no Hyrule Engineer, but what I’ve seen others build with Ultrahand astounds me in just how detailed and developed the building system is. The building mechanics could stand on their own as a truly fun and unique game.
“What really got to me, though, was Zelda herself. Her story from Breath of the Wild of ultimate failure, though never giving up, plus her story of self-sacrifice in Tears of the Kingdom, made her one of the best-written versions of the titular princess.”
“I love this game,” professes Julia Wilson. “It took so many elements from Breath of the Wild and did it better. I loved being able to stand on the back of a dragon and travel around Hyrule; this was such a zen experience, plus it made farming dragon parts a breeze. The Zonai Devices, combined with Ultrahand and Autobuild, meant the only limit on your creations was your imagination. And before a certain glitch was patched, it was great fun to take out a Lynel using a small wall of treasure chests as a distraction! The addition of the Sky Islands and The Depths added different aspects to a familiar Hyrule, enabling new challenges to exploration. Plus being able to seamlessly dive from the Sky to the surface was exhilarating.”
So what contributed to Tears of the Kingdom‘s drop in the ranking? It might be that more players, away from the glow of the release window, started to notice some of the game’s flaws. “As good as Tears of the Kingdom is, it is not without its criticisms,” Leslie admits. “So much of it plays exactly the same as Breath of the Wild that many fans felt it did not warrant an entirely new game with a more expensive price tag. The widely criticized weapon-breaking system is still present, although eased by the Fuse ability. The return to the memory system for telling the game’s main story is hindered by the fact that the scenes are best when watched in order, yet the only way to know that order is an easily miss-able clue.
“Despite its supposed flaws, however, Tears of the Kingdom offers hours and hours of exploration, secrets, and a rich story for those willing to go forth and seek it.”
Over the next few years, we’ll no doubt continue to see Tears of the Kingdom reappraised time and time again. No one knows where this game will land on Best Zelda Ever lists to come. No matter what happens though, those impacted by Tears of the Kingdom, like Chakell, will continue to advocate its greatness.
“Tears of the Kingdom’s focus on our need for connections, community, and meaningful relationships is a direct parallel to Breath of the Wild’s focus on discovering one’s inner strength. While they both can stand strong independently as complete stories, when combined, they enrich each other and become one full-fledged narrative that comes full circle in the end, leaving little to be desired. I for one still think it’s one of the greatest (if not the greatest) endings in the series, and I am not sure how Nintendo will manage to top it in upcoming titles!”
2. Breath of the Wild
Highest Rank: 1 | Lowest Rank: 14 | Last Year’s Rank: 3 | Avg Points per Author Played: 17.172 | First-place finishes: 5
0/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
Don’t call it a comeback! Despite taking backseat to the shiny, new Zelda game in town last year, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has reclaimed the #2 position on this list. Beyond just the continued critical evaluations of Tears of the Kingdom that we discussed above, we can point to a few different factors that pushed this one back up. Interestingly, six of the staffers who ranked Breath of the Wild below its sequel last year did the exact opposite this year. Many of us clearly reconsidered how we weighted the pros and cons of each of these massive titles to determine which was better.
I, Rod Lloyd, was one of the people to reverse the order this year. After a lot of internal debate, I placed Breath of the Wild over Tears of the Kingdom in my ranking.
“Despite all the objective improvements made by its immediate successor — dungeons, enemy variety, gameplay refinements, etc. — Breath of the Wild stands tall because of its innovation and historical significance. The Legend of Zelda‘s first open-air title was exactly what the series needed at that point in time. When more guided adventures like that of Skyward Sword were getting stale, Breath of the Wild rewrote and re-energized the formula with its go-anywhere, do-anything philosophies.
“…And it was a revelation.”
Another factor that contributed to Breath of the Wild‘s rebound in the ranking was the introduction of several new writers into the Zelda Dungeon family. Some of those folks have very special connections to The Legend of Zelda‘s first Switch adventure, as evidenced by Jared
Eubanks.
“Breath of the Wild was my first Zelda game,” he discloses, “and it’s the one that hooked me into becoming an ardent fan of the series. While playing through most of the other games, I have come to love the older conventions of dungeons and progressively unlocking the map set by A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time. However, my love for Breath of the Wild has in no way diminished after seeing it in context of the other games. I don’t view its departure from the norms of the series as either good or bad, just different – and a kind of different that was done well. This year I replayed and beat it on Master Mode, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time and appreciated how well-designed of a game it is.
“The story and gameplay are streamlined, and they have just the right amount of content. Although Tears of the Kingdom provided some nice quality-of-life upgrades and twists on the familiar world, such as caves, I find Tears of the Kingdom to be bloated. The introduction on the Great Plateau in Breath of the Wild is just the right length, and then you are set off to do whatever you like with the sole goal of defeating Calamity Ganon. I found that freedom exhilarating and the world set before you begging to be explored. And although the plot may seem simple, I found the thread of Link venturing out in order to rediscover who he is as the chosen hero and to reconnect with allies from the past to be an inspiring and encouraging story in my own life. For that reason, it is still my favorite Zelda game.”
Charles Xavier has his own personal connection to Breath of the Wild. “In all my time as a Zelda fan, I’ve always found myself looking beyond the borders of the overworlds previous games provided. There was always something intriguing about those mountains and treelines in the distance, often blocked by tall ridges or extremely large and deep gorges. Breath of the Wild finally broke down those borders, which is something I’ve always wanted from the series.
“From the moment I stepped out of the Shrine of Resurrection, followed by that gorgeous pan around view of Hyrule, to shooting light arrows to take down Dark Beast Ganon, I cannot ever recall a moment when I felt that I wasn’t enjoying myself. Even while Korok hunting, which I know is completely pointless beyond maxing out inventory slots, I was always entertained because the gameplay loop is so enjoyable, and the sights provided by this iteration of Hyrule are so… breathtaking.
“There were many times while playing when I would begin to wonder if I was playing the best Zelda game to date, which is something I still grapple with to this day. The game is obviously not perfect (perfection is an impossible goal, afterall), but for me, it comes pretty close.”
“Few Zelda experiences can match one’s first time through Breath of the Wild,” resumes Rod. “From the moment you first see the Great Plateau — a vast, open sandbox that proves just a taste of what this adventure offers — the game at every moment successfully delivers the joy and intrigue of pure exploration, something the Zelda series was expressly built upon. Every geographical feature, every NPC interaction, every environmental system, and every gameplay mechanic works together brilliantly to invite and reward curiosity and adventurousness. It truly is a case of the experience being far better than just the sum of its parts.
“Breath of the Wild is more than a great game. It’s a masterpiece of game design and a watershed achievement in gaming history.”
1. Ocarina of Time
Highest Rank: 1 | Lowest Rank: 16 | Last Year’s Rank: 1 | Avg Points per Author Played: 18 | First-place finishes: 7
0/29 staffers had not completed the game and did not rank it.
The streak continues! For the SEVENTH YEAR STRAIGHT, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a game I once referred to as “the Citizen Kane of video games,” has decisively claimed the top spot of Zelda Dungeon’s Best Zelda Ever list.
And unlike in 2023, it wasn’t even close.
Ocarina pulled so far ahead in our points tally this year that I’m not sure what it’d take to overcome this titan of video game greatness.
“Ocarina of Time is the mack daddy of all Zelda games — hell, of all games period,” Alexis Anderson puts it plainly. “The merits of this title have all been preached to the choir before in great detail but are worth repeating. The game is just fantastic. Ten-out-of-ten story, puzzles, characters (Sheik! Saria! Navi!), weapons, bosses, temples, locations, and music. There are scary elements like the Skulltula house, alongside goofy elements like the Running Man; it strikes a quintessentially Zelda tone. Its mix of exploration and linearity is also perfect for me, and of course it firmly established the (unfairly maligned, if you ask me) Zelda formula.
“Ocarina of Time cemented the Zelda series’ place in the annals of history as well as assured its staying power.” No one can disagree there.
“I can’t tell you how many people I have connected with over the years through this game, particularly people who are older than I am,” Alexis carries on. “People find out that I’m a Zelda fan, and the first thing they say is, ‘Ocarina of Time, best game ever right?’ This title enabled me to connect with and relate to people I wouldn’t otherwise have much in common with, and that is something truly special. In this way, it expanded my horizons and my opportunities. When a game can reach beyond the screen and make an impact on someone’s life, it’s worth celebrating.”
You can count Nick amongst those impacted by this game. “Ocarina of Time is so special to me. I remember the first time I played it at a friend’s house. We went upstairs to his room and he said, ‘I want to show you this new game I got. It’s called Zelda.’ I hadn’t even heard of Zelda before. I had a Super Nintendo, but I only really played Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country, and Super Star Wars. So in my mind, video games were just 2D platformers. When my friend booted up Ocarina of Time and I saw Epona galloping across the screen, I was awestruck. In that instant, my perception of what video games were or could be exploded with possibility. We spent maybe 40 minutes goofing around in Kokiri Forest, but I needed more. And that Christmas, Santa Claus delivered.
“For me, Ocarina of Time is the game that made gaming a lifelong passion. It is the quintessential gaming experience with a deep story (for its time), a meaningful world to explore, and an innovative gameplay experience that has stood the test of time and that continues to inspire game design today. With the advancement of gaming technology, Zelda games since Ocarina have been able to provide bigger worlds, grander cinematic experiences, and greater gameplay options, but what Ocarina does better than all of them is consistency. It’s a tight-paced adventure that — despite progressing from beat to beat rather briskly — is so packed with meaningful content that it never feels rushed or half-baked.
“Everything that Ocarina of Time does, it does with intent, with passion, and with care. Everything that Ocarina of Time does, it does well.”
So as Ocarina of Time fends off the fiercest BZE competition it’s seen in years, how exactly should we view the game now? Sean Gadus has some thoughts. “Enough people have discussed what Ocarina of Time was in 1998; let’s talk about what Ocarina of Time is in 2024. In 2024, Ocarina of Time is still a perfect blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle solving. In 2024, Ocarina of Time still has almost perfect pacing and a balance of humor, joy, melancholy, and wonder. The game features some of the best music in Koji Kondo’s entire career, someone who is arguably the most storied composer in video games history.
“What was once one of the biggest and grandest video games of all time can still be acknowledged as an impeccably designed masterpiece that does as much with the technology of its time as any other game in history.”
And so, there it is! That brings to a close this year’s edition of Best Zelda Ever. Putting together this list was exhaustive, but immensely rewarding. As new games come out, new editors come on board, and Zelda continues to evolve, it’ll be interesting to again see where this legendary series takes us, and how that flow of time reflects each game’s legacy. From everyone at Zelda Dungeon, thank you for reading!
All quotes obtained firsthand. Make sure to let us know what your best Zelda ever is in the comments below! Make sure to follow the Zelda Dungeon team on Bluesky, X, and elsewhere. Contributing to this article were:
Rod Lloyd
Judy Cooper
Alex Weber
Kora Burton
Heather Beard
Alexis Anderson
Brandon Schmitz
Sean Gadus
Charles Xavier
Emi Curtis
Kristen G. Rosario
Chakell Herbert
Leslie Jacobson
Nick Miller
Josh Wittmershaus
Nicole Scott
Julia Wilson
Jared Eubanks
John Lortie
Aubriel Eastman
Featured Image: Zelda Dungeon Art Director Heather Beard
Rod Lloyd is the Editor-In-Chief at Zelda Dungeon, overseeing the news and feature content for the site. Rod is considered the veteran of the writing team, having started writing for Zelda Informer in 2014 as a Junior Editor. After ZD and ZI officially merged in 2017, he stepped into the Managing Editor role and has helped steer the ship ever since. He stepped up to lead the writing team as Editor-In-Chief in 2023.
You can reach Rod at: rod.lloyd@zeldadungeon.net
