Top 10 best Zelda games of all time, ranked
It’s dangerous to have
Zelda opinions. Here, take mine!
You can learn a lot about someone by asking what their favorite The Legend of Zelda game is.
It’s a series so vast and so popular that anyone who plays video games has some opinion of it. You have the people who got into video games because they played Ocarina of Time as a kid. You also have the people who say Zelda has never been good since it went 3D. Even the games someone didn’t play can be revealing. For example, I considered whether or not I was qualified to write this list because I never touched The Minish Cap or A Link Between Worlds. Hey, don’t look at me, I skipped the 3DS game because someone gave it a 6.5.
In other words, an objective ranking of Zelda games is impossible. Yet by the same token, every time someone ranks their favorite Zelda games, the greater the chance that someone’s niche tastes and opinions will finally get the light of day. With that in mind, here is my very subjective, deeply imperfect ranking of the 10 best Zelda games that does not include The Minish Cap. I’m counting on you in the comments to tell me where on the list that should belong.
10: Zelda II: Adventure of Link
(1987)
If I were to rank weird NES sequels that are considered black sheep of their respective series, Zelda II would be near the top of that list.
It is bewildering, confusing, and often just too dang hard. It’s also a fascinating merger of side scrolling action and RPG elements that remains interesting to this day. Even if the Zelda series abandoned this formula, it spirits lives on in indie games like Infernax.
9: The Legend of Zelda
(1986)
The original Legend of Zelda is a bit awkward by modern standards. It has archaic design quirks and a messy translation that practically necessitates that you play it with a strategy guide open.
Having said that, there’s something endearing about the sheer simplicity of The Legend of Zelda. You get plopped right onto the field, go into a cave, get a sword, and you’re in your first dungeon in a handful of minutes if you know where to go. It’s immediately easy to learn, yet uncovering all its secrets is a commitment of its own.
A wildly impressive game upon release, and still worth playing today despite its age.
8: Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of Ages
(2001)
Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages owe a lot of their identity to Link’s Awakening. In fact, friends often thought I was playing Link’s Awakening back when these released.
Still, the novelty of releasing two full-length connected Zelda games that focus on action and puzzles respectively helps these titles stand out to this day. With all the Zelda games that have received remakes, I say these should be the next titles to get a fresh coat of paint.
7: Twilight Princess
(2006)
It’s funny that Twilight Princess was once celebrated as a return to “mature” Link after the cel-shaded art style of Wind Waker resulted in relatively weak sales. Yet now, Wind Waker enjoys greater fan acclaim while Twilight Princess is relatively more divisive. For me, while Twilight Princess isn’t a series highlight, it is still a fun Zelda romp with its own appeal.
It’s clear this one was made for Ocarina of Time fans, and it does perfectly well building on that formula. Personally, my memories of this game are tied up with the launch of the Wii, so Wolf Link sections probably didn’t bother me just because of my sheer excitement playing my new console. Still, I’d stand by Twilight Princess being well worth your time.
6: Ocarina of Time
(1998)
There are two types of people in the world: Those who think Ocarina of Time is the best game of all time, and those who disagree.
I’d personally say Ocarina of Time hasn’t aged that well to receive such accolades. Still, if you can go into this one without expecting the pinnacle of all video games, Ocarina of Time is very enjoyable. The puzzles and exploration are on point, and the contrast between the early game as a child and the later game as an adult still sticks with me. As the game that set the formula for nearly two decades of Zelda titles, it’s still impressive that they got this one so right.
5: A Link to the Past
(1991)
A Link to the Past is a great sweet spot between modern sensibilities and retro charm. Though there’s a greater focus on story than the NES titles, it still has the immediacy that pushes you right into action and exploration without hesitation. It also has genuinely incredible aesthetics and music for its vintage. The first look at the Dark World atop the Pyramid of Power is striking to this day.
While there are a few rough edges here, A Link to the Past stands up remarkably well to today’s standards.
4: Majora’s Mask
(2000)
Here’s my thing about Zelda games: I like when they get weird. As far as weird Zelda games get, they don’t get weirder than Majora’s Mask.
Much could be said about its gameplay revolving around a three-day cycle you repeat over and over until the game’s conclusion. For me, Majora’s Mask is all about its foreboding atmosphere. The end of the world literally hangs above you, driving a sense of urgency to everything you do. You get to learn about the people and places around you, which establishes you as a helpful observer more than a grand hero of time. There are also moments of whimsy here, which ironically drives the inherent terror of this setting further when you realize how much is as stake. I’m not saying everyone needs to beat Majora’s Mask, but you should experience it in some fashion. Even if it’s via an internet creepypasta.
3: The Wind Waker
(2002)
The official “too much water” Zelda game.
Though I get the overworld exploration can be a chore, Wind Waker is overflowing with so much personality that I can’t help but love it.
While it was chided at the time for being too kiddy, there are still plenty of epic moments here that stand as high points for the franchise. On top of that, I love Link’s nimble controls here that naturally build off the N64 Zelda titles. Of the 3D Zelda games that existed before Breath of the Wild, this is the one I’ll always want to return to.
2: Breath of the Wild
(2017)
In a post Elden Ring world, Breath of the Wild feels fresher now than it did in 2017. For the longest time, I could not get over quirks like weapon durability that hang over the entire adventure. Now, Breath of the Wild feels distinct because of how oddly meditative it is. Without the promise of valuable upgrades and weapons essential to your build, Breath of the Wild is a game driven by your own curiosity.
Go where you want, do what you want, there’s no wrong answer as long as you’re having fun.
There is a core story here, but at the end of the day, Breath of the Wild is about your stories. Maybe you solved a puzzle in an unexpected way, or maybe you laughed hard tossing a bomb into an enemy camp and watching everyone fly off a cliff. It’s easy to see why Breath of the Wild has redefined Zelda games as we know them, and I hope Tears of the Kingdom shows this style of Zelda game is not just a one-trick pony.
1: Link’s Awakening
(1993)
I know, I know, this is a bold pick for best Zelda game. Objectively, I know Breath of the Wild is the more well-designed video game. Yet like I said at the top, someone’s pick for best Zelda game tells you a lot about them. I can be summed up as “one of those people who cried at the ending of Link’s Awakening as a kid and won’t shut up about it roughly 30 years later.
”
Honestly, I have a hard time feeling anything towards most Zelda games. They’re fun adventures with big stories, but they don’t speak to me in the way my favorite games do. Link’s Awakening is the sole exception. I love Koholint Island because it’s such a weird, whimsical place. Every story beat is distinct and memorable, despite the incredibly limited hardware this game is running on. Yet at the same time, there’s a thick air of melancholy hanging over everything you see and do. I love how Link’s Awakening uses its setting to drive home the impermanence of life. Everything will fade away someday, but life is like that, and you can’t live inside of a dream forever.
Zelda games love to iterate on the central core of its story. The tale of Link and Zelda defeating Ganon is meaningful if you grew up attached to these characters and love to see how the story changes time and time again. Yet I love Link’s Awakening because Link isn’t the legendary hero who saves the island.
He’s just a person trying to find their way, getting to know and love the world around him before it inevitably ends. In real life, we can’t relate to saving the world by ourselves. We relate to happy memories punctuated by painful goodbyes. This is the Link I can immerse myself into, and this is why Link’s Awakening is so special. It’s odd, it’s different, yet ironically, it’s the most human Zelda game ever created.
Or maybe The Minish Cap is better, this list really feels incomplete without playing that.
Timothy Monbleau
Freelancer — Timothy started writing community blogs for Destructoid in 2012. He liked it so much he decided to write articles for the site professionally. His love for JRPGs and the Ys series will endure forever.
All 18 Legend of Zelda games ranked from worst to best
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Rebecca Spear / iMore)
For over 35 years, the Legend of Zelda franchise has been going strong, taking players to the mythical Hyrule on unforgettable adventures time and again.
The formula for this series has constantly evolved into something better with each entry, and as some all-time games lists will tell you, it features some of the best games ever made. While not every game can be Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild, each new Zelda game offered something new to the franchise through new mechanics, storytelling, or hardware. We all have our favorites, but which of these games earns the highest rank?
We’ve taken on the difficult task of ranking each Legend of Zelda game so far.
What’s in a rank?
When it comes to The Legend of Zelda series, there really isn’t a bad game. Each is pretty unique in its style, puzzles, story, and overall delivery. When ranking these games, we have a lot to consider other than our personal favorites. For example, it was a little unfair to include graphics since something released on the Game Boy won’t be able to go toe-to-toe with a game on the Nintendo Switch. Plus, it can be difficult to get your hands on some of these games if you don’t have access to the original release or older consoles.
We’ve taken under consideration playability, cultural impact, availability at the time, accessibility, story, characters, critical acclaim, and which entries stood the test of time. While it was difficult to put aside personal bias, we did finally agree upon this order. Of course, as time passes, this list may change as newer games forge a different path for this franchise.
Legend of Zelda games ranked: 18 — 13
We’ll start this all off by taking a look at the Zelda games that rank lower on our list.
18. The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
| Category | Information | Header Cell — Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Tri Force Heroes | Row 0 — Cell 2 |
| Date | Oct. 22, 2015 | Row 1 — Cell 2 |
| Platform | Nintendo 3DS | Row 2 — Cell 2 |
Rounding out the bottom of our list is a game that had good intentions but was just the wrong game at the wrong time.
Tri Force Heroes is actually a direct follow-up to A Link Between Worlds, though you may not know it based on the game’s art style and its focus on multiplayer. Link is joined by two other Links throughout his adventure, called Doppels, and the whole game is based around three Links solving puzzles by working together.
We have a soft spot for the cooperative game, but because of the 3DS limited hardware, communication with your teammates was shoddy at best, and the shared life bar meant that you’d pay for your teammate’s mistakes. Playing by yourself allowed you to jump between the three Links, but it only made the three-player design feel more like a gimmick and less like a gameplay mechanic. Speaking of multiplayer, you either needed three friends or no friends, and there was no two-player option. In the end, despite Tri Force Heroes’ unique, forward-thinking story and focus on multiplayer, the game is ultimately too limited and forgettable.
17. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
| Category | Information | Header Cell — Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Four Swords | Row 0 — Cell 2 |
| Date | Dec. 2, 2002 |
Row 1 — Cell 2 |
| Platform | Game Boy Advance | Row 2 — Cell 2 |
The Four Swords was the series’ first foray into multiplayer, and it was impressive for the time. Originally released alongside the Game Boy Advance (GBA) version of A Link to the Past, Four Swords contained a whole new multiplayer campaign. Using GBA link cables, four players can connect to one another and dungeon crawl, solve puzzles, and work together while competing for a high score.
While it receives bonus points for being the first true multiplayer Zelda game, the biggest issue with it was just that — you couldn’t play it by yourself. You needed at least one other player to access the game. This was fixed in the game’s re-release on the 3DS, but because of its loose storyline and focus on dungeon crawling rather than the exploration the series is known for, it ended up not having the legs of other full-fledged entries.
16. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Zelda Spirit Tracks (Image credit: Nintendo)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
| Category | Information | Header Cell — Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Spirit Tracks | Row 0 — Cell 2 |
| Date | Dec. 7, 2009 | Row 1 — Cell 2 |
| Platformer | Nintendo DS, Wii U | Row 2 — Cell 2 |
This handheld Zelda title, which was a direct sequel to both Phantom Hourglass and Wind Waker, is all about trains… for some reason. In Spirit Tracks, Link is just a blue-collar guy, working as an engineer for the Royal family. When Princess Zelda contacts him to investigate some disappearing train tracks, Zelda’s body is snatched.
She’s stuck as a spirit and needs Link’s help to set things right.
Spirit Tracks has the makings of a great Zelda game. It’s full of humor and it makes use of Zelda as a second protagonist, something that doesn’t happen often enough in Zelda games. However, our biggest complaint comes from the controls. We were never a fan of Nintendo’s wacky control schemes, and while the touchscreen controls work, they never felt as comfortable as using regular old buttons. Traveling across the overworld by train was fun, but never as fun as flying or sailing.
15. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Zelda Phantom Hourglass (Image credit: Nintendo)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
| Category | Information | Header Cell — Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Phantom Hourglass | Row 0 — Cell 2 |
| Date | June 23, 2007 | Row 1 — Cell 2 |
| Platform | Nintendo DS, Wii U | Row 2 — Cell 2 |
Phantom Hourglass is the handheld successor to The Wind Waker and earns a spot just above its sequel.
Tetra has been kidnapped by an evil Ghost Ship, and it’s Link’s job to save her. He jumps aboard Captain Linebeck’s ship and heads off to find the spirits of Courage, Wisdom, and Power to find his friend again. Like any other game in the series, it has puzzles, exploration, and a fun story. Unfortunately, there’s really not much to it otherwise.
Phantom Hourglass utilizes the Nintendo DS’s stylus to perform all tasks. You can essentially play this game with one arm tied behind your back. Also, rather than multiple temples, Link has to keep returning to just one. The goal of this game is exploration: checking out islands, finding treasure, and filling your Phantom Hourglass with sand. While it has all the parts of a Zelda game, it just doesn’t have a strong narrative or captivating gameplay like others. Sure, the stylus is neat, but much of the game is sailing around pulling up treasure and returning to the same dungeon. There’s fun to be had here, but there are definitely better Zelda games to play.
Zelda II: Adventures of Link (Image credit: iMore)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
| Category | Information | Header Cell — Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Title | The Adventure of Link | Row 0 — Cell 2 |
| Date | Dec. 1, 1998 | Row 1 — Cell 2 |
| Platform | NES, Famicom Disk, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Switch | Row 2 — Cell 2 |
Zelda II has always been the black sheep of the series, but the original was a tough act to follow. The second entry in the series introduced RPG and map exploration to the franchise and experimented with side-scrolling, magic spells, and random battles. Unfortunately, not everyone loved these changes. Another issue with the game was its cruel difficulty spikes and extremely unforgiving puzzles.
This is what was called a «Nintendo Power» game; areas were so well-hidden that they needed a guide.
That’s not to say Zelda II wasn’t fun. There’s enjoyment to be had here along with the challenges, and it has some of the greatest music in the series. It was a trailblazer in its time and a showcase that Nintendo wasn’t afraid to play with the formula. It was also the first game to introduce the infamous Dark Link! While the game may have fallen in the rankings since its release, it is still a good one.
13. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Skyward Sword Hd Link And Zelda Romantic (Image credit: Nintendo )
Swipe to scroll horizontally
| Category | Information | Header Cell — Column 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Skyward Sword | Row 0 — Cell 2 |
| Date | Nov. 18, 2011 |
Row 1 — Cell 2 |
| Platform | Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch | Row 2 — Cell 2 |
This Wii-centric entry divided the fan-base. While the sky-inspired adventure introduced some of the mechanics now used in the critically-acclaimed Breath of the Wild, Nintendo needed to iron out the kinks first. In this entry, Link and Zelda are childhood friends living on Skyloft island. Of course, adventure calls these heroes chosen by fate as they must battle the looming evil of the Demon King, Demise.
While this game has plenty of fun puzzles, new mechanics like the stamina bar and repairable weapons, and a whole cast of characters, these innovations were largely ignored because of one flaw: the motion controls. Players were forced to play the game using the Wii MotionPlus controls, and they were finicky at best. Combined with the nunchuck, you were basically at their mercy.
Additionally, Skyward Sword suffered from a lack of things to do.
There may have been a whole sky to explore, but it felt very empty. However, if you could look past those flaws, this was a pretty fun game! And with the Skyward Sword HD Remaster coming to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo has tweaked some of these flaws. We’ll definitely have to revisit this one.
- 1
Current page:
Page 1
Next Page Page 2
Get the best of iMore in your inbox, every day!
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
Sara is the Freelance Coordinator, writer, and editor at iMore. When not editing or writing away, she’s glued to her Nintendo Switch, Xbox, or PS5, though she’s a retro gamer at heart.
iMore Newsletter
Get the best of iMore in your inbox, every day!
Thank you for signing up to iMore. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem.
Please refresh the page and try again.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Zelda: Breath of the Wild
©
monk70
News
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is considered the best game ever by Japanese users, or at least in a poll by Japanese broadcaster Asahi, which has compiled a list of the 100 greatest video games in history.
The top 10 also includes the classic Dragon Quest V and Final Fantasy VII, as well as Dragon Quest III, Chrono Trigger and Super Mario Bros.
3.
The following is a complete list of 100 titles from any period, combining new and old games. This is, among other things, an interesting picture of the current preferences of Japanese users.
Top 100 games for Asahi TV viewers:
Spoiler
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
2. Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
3. Final Fantasy VII
4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
5. Splatoon 2
6. Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation
7. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
8. Chrono Trigger
9. Final Fantasy X
10. Super Mario Bros. 3
11. Pokemon Diamond / Pearl
12. Super Mario Kart
13. UNDERTALE
14. Pokemon Sword / Shield
15. Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen
16. Kingdom Hearts II
17. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
18. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
19. Suikoden II
20. Minecraft
21. Splatoon
22. Animal Crossing: New Leaf
23.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
24. Pokemon Red / Green / Blue
25. Tetris
26. Pokemon Black / White
27. Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
28. MOTHER 2
29. Okami
30. Apex Legends
31. Tactics Ogre
32. Biohazard
33. Final Fantasy VI
34. Final Fantasy V
35. Xenoblade 2
36. Pokemon Gold / Silver
37. Final Fantasy IX
38. Puyo Puyo
39. Dark Souls III
40. Xenogears
41. Momotaro Dentetsu: Showa Momo Heisei !
42. Persona 5
43. Xenoblade
44. Dragon Quest X: Rise of the Five Tribes Online
45. Kirby’s Return to Dream Land
46. Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line
47. Final Fantasy XIV
48 NieR: Automata
49. Kingdom Hearts
50. Pokemon Ruby / Sapphire
51. Final Fantasy IV
52. The Legend of Zelda
53. Tales of the Abyss
54. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
55. Yo-kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits / Fleshy Souls / Psychic Specters
56.
Super Mario Galaxy
57. Super Donkey Kong
58. Animal Crossing
59. Dead by Daylight
60. Pokemon Black 2 / White 2
61. Super Smash Bros.
62. Xevious
63. Final Fantasy III
64. Pokemon Heart Gold / Soul Silver
65. Suikoden
66. Ghost of Tsushima
67. Bloodborne
68. Pokemon X / Y
69. Super Mario RPG
70. Monster Hunter: World
71. Dr. Mario
72. Kirby Super Star
73. Gran Turismo 4
74. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
75. Animal Crossing: Wild World
76. Kirby Air Ride
77. Mario Kart Wii
78. Nobunaga’s Ambition: Zenkokuban
79. Metal Gear Solid
80. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
81. Dragon Quest Builders 2
82. Legend of Mana
83. Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past
84. Final Fantasy XI
85. Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation
86. Monster Hunter
87. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
88. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
89.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
90. Final Fantasy VIII
91. Street Fighter II
92. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
93. Persona 5 Royal
94. Fire Emblem : Genealogy of the Holy War
95. MOTHER
96. Romance of the Three Kingdoms
97. Super Mario World
98. Persona 4
99. Pokemon Platinum Version
100. Persona 3
|
Industry
Several songs from the Atomic Heart soundtrack conquered the Yandex.Music chart at once
|
Consoles
Over 45 minutes of Final Fantasy XVI gameplay — dungeon, mid-boss, boss, Akon fight and more
|
Industry
Developer Atomic Heart has created an official Instagram account for robot twins
|
Industry
The ballerina who gave movement to the twin robots in Atomic Heart is very pleased with the result
|
Industry
UK retail chart: sci-fi shooter Atomic Heart debuted at number seven
|
PC
Square Enix Finally Officially Confirmed Final Fantasy XVI for PC
|
Rumors
Rumor: horror The Evil Within 3 will be officially announced this year
|
Industry
About the skills, armor, guilds and world size of the Gothic remake
Journalists are disillusioned with crime thriller Crime Boss: Rockay City
|
Industry
Fallout: New Vegas remaster would be ‘awesome’ says Obsidian
|
Screenshots
The creators of the remake of «Gothic» showed the updated look of the Harpy
|
Industry
EA asks fans of the series if they want remakes of other Dead Space games
|
Movies and series
Cocaine Bear overtakes Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantum Mania in Friday box office
|
Trailers
Demonstration of Kazama Jin’s fighting skills in Tekken 8
TOP 15 games similar to Zelda
The video game industry owes a lot to The Legend of Zelda.
Maybe that’s why there are so many games these days that — more or less distinctly address the ever-changing story of an elf boy in a tunic. The hero saves the magical kingdom and frees the princess (with a few dungeon stops and boss fights, of course). While there may only be one true Zelda series, there are many games that have recreated worthwhile and enjoyable experiences from Nintendo’s longtime foundation. Here are 15 of them, just in case you’re looking for another epic adventure. So…
15. Anodyne
Available on PC, Xbox One, PS4, iOS, Android
Slightly more surreal than most Zelda games, it’s all about the protagonist’s thoughts and actions. Instead of wildlife, the player will explore invented and unusual interpretations of the world around him — sometimes strikingly elegant, sometimes wild and gloomy.
Anodyne has a visceral sense of roaming and vulnerability that is characteristic of early Zelda games.
14. 3D Dot Games Heroes
Available on: PS3
Reminds me of the real Legend of Zelda for an 8-bit game console. Feature — instead of an all-seeing eye, the player looks into the camera with a third-person view. This is 3D Dot Games Heroes. There is a lot of focus on exploration and dungeon diving, and the presence of basic combat and a health system measured in red apples suggests that this game is similar to the inner workings of Nintendo, only with minor changes.
By the way, we don’t want to offend anyone! 3D Dot Games Heroes is a fun game in its own right, thanks to its tiled aesthetic (it was, at least until Minecraft became a phenomenon two years later).
The main feature is the ability to create the appearance of the character in your own way, so that it looks the way the player wants to see it. Some inventive hero designs can be found online, such as Cloud Strife, Mega Man, and even Link himself.
13. Psychonauts
Available on platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4
The game is based on platforming — that is, jumping from one dangerous ledge to another — quite a bit more than other games on the list, and this differs from the standard Zelda game. However, there is still a lot of focus on a richly detailed world full of quirky characters, solving environmental puzzles, and using abilities gained by the player during the adventure to unlock new paths.
This game has never made a lot of money, but according to the reviews of those who have played it, it provides an unforgettable experience.
12. Darksiders 2
Available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3
Unlike Darksiders 1 which copies The Legend of Zelda and doesn’t like it, Darksiders 2 is more personal . There are more open spaces to explore, the main character Death (yes, the player literally controls Death itself) has additional playstyle customization options, and there’s even an RPG twist — loot. The game is not exactly like its predecessor Zelda, but it still has a lot of focus on exploration, boss fights, where you have to solve puzzles, and characters press attack buttons and uncover hidden secrets.
Copies of Darksiders 2 can be found in shopping carts with any luck, but why not play on modern consoles and get the game that goes best with the Deathinitive Edition? Yes, it’s a stupid name.
11. Beyond Good and Evil HD
Available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3
Beyond Good and Evil (or simply BG&E) is a cult classic loved by those who played it . It’s never been a big commercial success, but it’s a bit like what would happen if you mixed Star Wars’ fast-pacedness with Zelda’s command set. There’s the main character Jade, a girl with a mysterious past who must fight to overthrow the evil empire, and alongside her is a ragtag band of rebels and her Uncle Pey’j, an anthropomorphic boar. Swap Epona for a hovercraft and Hyrule for the planet Hillys and you have one incredibly fun Zelda adventure.
10. Enter the Gungeon
Available on PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch
Enter the Gungeon is a fantastic choice for those who love the dungeons of 2D Zelda games but aren’t thrilled with the combat. Trade swords for firearms of all shapes and sizes, and Enter the Gungeon’s gameplay is Zelda-esque with a screen-filling curtain of bullets. The player can dodge bullets to avoid damage or flip tables to find cover. There is a great feeling that Enter the Gungeon will keep the player on their toes. Enter the Gungeon is also multi-player so your friend can always join in on the fun.
9.
Hob
Available on platforms: PC, PS4
If you want the game to gently take your hand and lay out all the little details of its world and rules, with the guarantee that you will understand everything.. Then Hob is not for you. The game is rendered in 3D with great art style and is presented in many ways as a classic top-down adventure. Hob channels this lonely, wandering spirit in a way that few games outside of the Zeld series itself can. The player will probably not know what’s going on for a while, but a craving for puzzles and curiosity will push them forward.
8. Hyper Light Drifter
Available on platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch
Of all the options in this article, Hyper Light Drifter is likely to disappoint the player.
A neon adventure set in a universe made up of fantasy and sci-fi in equal parts, HLD is rich in mystery and challenge. There are fewer puzzles here, but this is made up for by nature, which encourages the player to explore and uncover its secrets. But still, the basis here is the battle. Fast and scary, but as long as the player is ready, he will do it well.
7. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
Available on PC, Xbox One, PS4, 3DS, Switch, iOS about the life of Isaac, a young man who must hide from the murderous wrath of his mother. She believes that by the will of God, the son must die. Binding of Isaac doesn’t have scenic scenery or complex environmental puzzles to solve, but if the Zelda dungeon is to the player’s liking, then everything will happen at a fast pace.
And as an RPG, the Binding of Isaac sessions won’t last long — at least not individually. Only by the twenty-seventh part, you might want to look at the clock.
6. Darksiders
Available on platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3
Speaking of «dark», how do you like this option? In Darksiders, the game is played as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse — more precisely, for War. Humanity has been wiped out by an early Armageddon, and it’s up to you to scour the cursed hellish landscape that once was earth to find out why. Each major turn in the story encourages players to delve into themed dungeons, where each one has a unique power to use in war (such as projectiles and a grappling hook).
You Zelda fans already know this, don’t you?
With an edgy comic book aesthetic (comic book artist Joe Mad did the world and characters) and furious combat, Darksiders is often fondly referred to as «the best M-rated Zelda». If you like playing on a modern console, look for the Warmastered Edition.
5. Ittle Dew
Available on PC, iOS, Android
Let’s imagine that Zelda is funny. Ittle Dew, under the terms of Zelda, is served in a funny tone. A top-down adventure that puts the player in control of a hot-tempered young heroine as they fight cute creatures and explore dungeons. Aside from the emphasis on jokes, the biggest difference between Ittle Dew and the other Zelda descendants on the list is the blocky puzzles.
Here they are in abundance. But the main thing is the opportunity to explore the open world in your free time. Then, after mining other items, you can explore unexplored areas, and events where you will surely smile.
The new Ittle Dew 2 is available on PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch, but it hasn’t caught on as well as its predecessor.
4. Minit
Available on PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch
Zelda games often give players a lot of time to explore and explore the world wider (even in the mask of the major, Link could rewind time, to avoid death from the fall of the moon). And Minit asks the player to explore the world one minute at a time. Yes, 60 seconds is all the player gets before their life comes to an end, and only through many short adventures can the curse be broken.
It’s interesting, and perhaps not too close to the Zelda formula, but it still has a sense of exploration, puzzle-solving, and elemental combat. And all this in a minute.
3. Spiral Knights
Available on PC
Suitable for all Zelda fans who are craving another Four Swords Adventures game. Spiral Knights takes that multiplayer cave-dive idea and multiplies it tenfold, turning it into a true massive online game. Sure, you don’t wear a fantasy guy’s tunic, but playing what is basically a cross between Digimon and a knight in sci-fi armor is just as satisfying (and much more likable), and the ever-changing, mechanical labyrinth of Clockworks dungeon encourages you to play through the game over and over again.
And for free!
2. Okami HD
Available on PC, Xbox One, PS4, PS3, Switch
Imagine the wolf from Twilight Princess, give it a magic brush and expand it into a full-length game. Get Okami. Well, or something like that. Okami definitely has its own unique qualities: hand-painted Japanese art style, deep combat system and creative character design. But the influence of Zelda is still noticeable.
Amaterasu is a white she-wolf trying to bring life back to the enchanted land. To do this, she travels the world, helping NPCs, fighting hordes of dark spirits, and delving into dungeons. You gain new powers by encountering mystical figures throughout your journey, and it’s reminiscent of the Zelda versions of the games.
Ami even has an annoying, talkative little companion who will show you the next step in your quest. So we get Zelda good and bad.
1. Undertale
Available on PC, Xbox One, PS4, PS3, Switch
Undertale certainly evades a lot of the conventions of the Zelda series, but if you’re looking for an expansive world full of unique and interesting dungeons, unconventional and multi-level game mechanics and colorful characters, there are hardly many games that would be as warmly recommended as this independent brainchild. Undertale is practically a love letter to the early Zelda games, and there are even some clever references to the series. No need for a lot of words for fear of spoilers, but believe me, it’s better if you act blindly.
