In the Wii U Thread that Doesn't Suck, I mentioned how much I'm enjoying Wind Waker and someone responded that it they didn't think as highly of it as I do, but preferred Ocarina of Time. I'm curious how those of you who have played a number of the Zelda titles over the years would rank them and why.
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Your Favorite Zelda?
- Thread starter Eradan
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Comixbooks
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Original Zelda
then Twilight princess
then Twilight princess
Domingo
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Probably the first one. When I was young I used to marathon that game just to beat it in 4-5 hours. I probably won it 15-20 times and it never got old.
I also really liked Ocarina of Time. Link to the Past never did it for me personally, but it was a great game too.
I also really liked Ocarina of Time. Link to the Past never did it for me personally, but it was a great game too.
Ocarina of Time seems to be really popular. I'm guessing that the 3DS version is the best to play now?
I did buy a SNES just to play Link to the Past back in the early 90s but never finished it. Will need to see what the best way to play it now is.
I did buy a SNES just to play Link to the Past back in the early 90s but never finished it. Will need to see what the best way to play it now is.
SeymourGore
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Link to the Past is my favourite of the series, getting the master sword was one of my best gaming moments as a kid.
Also have fond memories of making a grid based map for the original Legend of Zelda. And finally getting the boomerang in that game making combat a lot easier.
As for OoT, I really enjoyed it, however, I got stuck on the water dungeon, and just never went back to complete the game. Definitely on my to do list, and if I pick up a 3DS it will be one of my first game purchases for it.
Also have fond memories of making a grid based map for the original Legend of Zelda. And finally getting the boomerang in that game making combat a lot easier.
As for OoT, I really enjoyed it, however, I got stuck on the water dungeon, and just never went back to complete the game. Definitely on my to do list, and if I pick up a 3DS it will be one of my first game purchases for it.
ganesh21
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1. Link to Past
2. Ocarina of Time
2. Ocarina of Time
r00k
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1 Link to the Past
2 Link's Awakening
3 Ocarina of Time
Haven't played any of the others
2 Link's Awakening
3 Ocarina of Time
Haven't played any of the others
The original.
None of the later games in the series have nearly as good a sense of exploration and discovery since most of the "secrets" are not at all secret. The labyrinth dungeons are also my favorite; the later games fall too hard on the "go that way to get the item, then go the other way and use the item" trope.
None of the later games in the series have nearly as good a sense of exploration and discovery since most of the "secrets" are not at all secret. The labyrinth dungeons are also my favorite; the later games fall too hard on the "go that way to get the item, then go the other way and use the item" trope.
Wind waker HD I loved it before but the HD remake fixed just enough and made it look even better
Twilight princess
Then Original legend of Zelda amazing how even now I still remember some of the secrets and dungeon paths.
D
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Twilight Princess - This one is the most atmospheric to me. It's moody, and really pulls me in. It's got a lot of interesting characters, the overall plot is compelling, and some of the locations are pretty breathtaking. I like the motion controls. They're tight, and get the job done just fine. No need to wildly swing the Wiimote all over the place. Small flicks get the job done fine. Z-Targeting takes care of most of the aiming, and just leaves non-moving targets for actually Wiimote aiming. No big deal at all, and I never understood the complaints. It's got fun sub-games, it's got a pretty nice sense of humor too. The human/wolf mechanics are cool, and the whole twilight aspect is intriguing. The only thing that would make this one better is if it was bigger and longer.
Ocarina of Time - This one fills in the back-story and lore for Twilight Princess in some ways. It's not 100% direct between the two, but you get a feeling for the history. The world is big, there's tons to do with plenty of side-quests. The music is still ingrained in my head today. My daughter's ringtone is Saria's Song.
I own a porcelain ocarina too, just so I can attempt to play some of this music. Excellent story, and it really kind of sets the tone for Hyrule-proper Zelda games.
Wind Waker (this one really teeters back and forth with OoT and TP depending on my mood) - I've probably played this one the most. It's got a different feel to it than the top two, which is a good thing. It's a little bit more light-hearted adventure, and has a really nice sense of exploration to it. I prefer the Wii U version as it streamlines some of the minor issues with the GC version. It's really quite cool when you learn what all of the islands really are. There are metric tons of things to do in this game. Tons of hidden secrets, hundreds of characters, etc. This game is just packed full of nice little touches, jokes, history, etc. It's why it occasionally takes over my top slot for these games.
Skyward Sword - I'll cut and paste this from the other thread: While we're on the subject though, I also highly recommend Skyward Sword. It's got a different feel from the other ones. The story is a bit different, the characters and enemies are a bit more unique, and it has a lot of cool mechanics like some time manipulation things that aren't how you'd normally see them in a game. (for example, you can restore the state of an area as it was in a different time, but only in that specific area, so you walk out of that area of effect, things are back to the present condition.) Some interesting puzzles based on that sort of thing. It's still familiar enough to give you that overall Zelda feeling, but it's different too. Kinda like playing one of the hand-held ones. It's not typical Hyrule and its denizens. The motion controls are quite improved as it uses WiiMotion Plus. If you hold the controller at a certain angle and slice something, that's how it gets sliced in the game.
Majora's Mask - This one took me the longest to gel with. I like the idea, I like the twisted take on the world and characters that were familiar, but different from what you knew from OoT. The time mechanic, while it gets easier, and a non-issue after a while, is kind of busy-work to me. Remember this happens here. Remember that happens there. This person appears on this day... I think the new journal system on the 3DS version is going to be VERY helpful at taking a bit of that busy-work out. I'm not a totally lazy player, but I also don't have the sort of time I used to either.
Link Between Worlds - I like the mechanics of this one, but not sure how I feel about "renting" equipment. I really haven't played it much, but it looks like when I do, I will enjoy it. I've mostly watched my daughter play it, so I don't have a huge understanding of everything yet. I place it here due to the potential I see with it, not from play experience.
Phantom Hourglass - I really like the ability to draw on the map to solve puzzles, remember where things are, etc. It also had the sailing which I liked from Windwaker. It relies heavily on the resources available on the DS, which is good and bad. My microphone died on one of the DSes I had. So I couldn't blow out candles/torches, blow away clouds, etc. So it was pretty useless until I picked up a DSi. The temple of the ocean king can be pretty annoying as it's timed every time you go into it. It drove me nuts at some points. Still, this is a pretty good Zelda game overall.
Minish Cap - I only played this a few times, just due to bad timing. What I played, I really liked, and I will likely pick it up for the Wii U on the virtual console, and play it through completely.
These last few, while I hold them in high regard, I haven't played nearly as much as the rest, and can't really give an in-depth opinion. They're on my go-back-to list. I've played the original quite a bit, but only at friend's houses as a kid. Not enough to really get anywhere. I had a C64, not a NES.
Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda
Link's Awakening
Spirit Tracks
Ocarina of Time - This one fills in the back-story and lore for Twilight Princess in some ways. It's not 100% direct between the two, but you get a feeling for the history. The world is big, there's tons to do with plenty of side-quests. The music is still ingrained in my head today. My daughter's ringtone is Saria's Song.
I own a porcelain ocarina too, just so I can attempt to play some of this music. Excellent story, and it really kind of sets the tone for Hyrule-proper Zelda games. Wind Waker (this one really teeters back and forth with OoT and TP depending on my mood) - I've probably played this one the most. It's got a different feel to it than the top two, which is a good thing. It's a little bit more light-hearted adventure, and has a really nice sense of exploration to it. I prefer the Wii U version as it streamlines some of the minor issues with the GC version. It's really quite cool when you learn what all of the islands really are. There are metric tons of things to do in this game. Tons of hidden secrets, hundreds of characters, etc. This game is just packed full of nice little touches, jokes, history, etc. It's why it occasionally takes over my top slot for these games.
Skyward Sword - I'll cut and paste this from the other thread: While we're on the subject though, I also highly recommend Skyward Sword. It's got a different feel from the other ones. The story is a bit different, the characters and enemies are a bit more unique, and it has a lot of cool mechanics like some time manipulation things that aren't how you'd normally see them in a game. (for example, you can restore the state of an area as it was in a different time, but only in that specific area, so you walk out of that area of effect, things are back to the present condition.) Some interesting puzzles based on that sort of thing. It's still familiar enough to give you that overall Zelda feeling, but it's different too. Kinda like playing one of the hand-held ones. It's not typical Hyrule and its denizens. The motion controls are quite improved as it uses WiiMotion Plus. If you hold the controller at a certain angle and slice something, that's how it gets sliced in the game.
Majora's Mask - This one took me the longest to gel with. I like the idea, I like the twisted take on the world and characters that were familiar, but different from what you knew from OoT. The time mechanic, while it gets easier, and a non-issue after a while, is kind of busy-work to me. Remember this happens here. Remember that happens there. This person appears on this day... I think the new journal system on the 3DS version is going to be VERY helpful at taking a bit of that busy-work out. I'm not a totally lazy player, but I also don't have the sort of time I used to either.
Link Between Worlds - I like the mechanics of this one, but not sure how I feel about "renting" equipment. I really haven't played it much, but it looks like when I do, I will enjoy it. I've mostly watched my daughter play it, so I don't have a huge understanding of everything yet. I place it here due to the potential I see with it, not from play experience.
Phantom Hourglass - I really like the ability to draw on the map to solve puzzles, remember where things are, etc. It also had the sailing which I liked from Windwaker. It relies heavily on the resources available on the DS, which is good and bad. My microphone died on one of the DSes I had. So I couldn't blow out candles/torches, blow away clouds, etc. So it was pretty useless until I picked up a DSi. The temple of the ocean king can be pretty annoying as it's timed every time you go into it. It drove me nuts at some points. Still, this is a pretty good Zelda game overall.
Minish Cap - I only played this a few times, just due to bad timing. What I played, I really liked, and I will likely pick it up for the Wii U on the virtual console, and play it through completely.
These last few, while I hold them in high regard, I haven't played nearly as much as the rest, and can't really give an in-depth opinion. They're on my go-back-to list. I've played the original quite a bit, but only at friend's houses as a kid. Not enough to really get anywhere. I had a C64, not a NES.
Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda
Link's Awakening
Spirit Tracks
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Youn
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Here are the ones I've played, from most favorite to least:
1. Link to the Past - holds up great after all these years
2. Link's Awakening - great non-zelda game (just started playing Oracle games which are similar)
3. Adventures of Link - loved the challenge and change of pace
4. Ocarina of Time - memorable, despite the ugly graphics, loved the ending
5. Wind Waker - fun, but starting to feel like more of the same story-wise
6. The Legend of Zelda - just "ok", even as a 5-year old I wanted more story
7. Twilight Princess - nothing new here, chore-like, annoying side-character, forgettable story
1. Link to the Past - holds up great after all these years
2. Link's Awakening - great non-zelda game (just started playing Oracle games which are similar)
3. Adventures of Link - loved the challenge and change of pace
4. Ocarina of Time - memorable, despite the ugly graphics, loved the ending
5. Wind Waker - fun, but starting to feel like more of the same story-wise
6. The Legend of Zelda - just "ok", even as a 5-year old I wanted more story
7. Twilight Princess - nothing new here, chore-like, annoying side-character, forgettable story
DogsofJune
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ChuckLogan
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The 3DS version is the best version of OoT. A remake of Majora's Mask is also going to be released next month if you want to play that one again or experience it for the first time.
You can get a Link to the Past on the Wii U eShop.
Maybe the first Zelda game you play will be the best one. Because they are all very similar. Or at least the ones I have played are. In fact I might go as far as to say if you played one Zelda game you've played them all.
Ocarina of Time was my first. Haven't replayed it in many years, but at the time I thought it was a gaming master piece. I think it was the first video game EGM magazine awarded a perfect 10. After that I picked up a used SNES and Link to the Past. The 2D graphics were tough to swallow. I remember thinking the game was harder than OOT and I never finished it.
Ocarina of Time was my first. Haven't replayed it in many years, but at the time I thought it was a gaming master piece. I think it was the first video game EGM magazine awarded a perfect 10. After that I picked up a used SNES and Link to the Past. The 2D graphics were tough to swallow. I remember thinking the game was harder than OOT and I never finished it.
Here's my ranking, with the disclaimer that I prefer the 3d take to the series and haven't played the handheld games.
1. Majora's Mask - I love the darker world, the real consequences to actions, and how alive Clocktown feels. It has the best side quests.
2. Ocarina of Time - Has the strongest main storyline of the series. Close second to MM.
3. Twilight Princess - Slightly edges out Wind Waker because the main plot kept me interested throughout and I liked the interaction with Midna. The dull, empty over-world hurts it.
4. Wind Waker - For most of the way, I was close to calling it my favorite. But the last 1/4th of the game was tedium and really brought it down.
5. A Link to the Past - Classic. Really perfected the 2d formula. I have no big complaints, I just don't find that formula as compelling as the more narrative driven 3d games.
6. Skyward Sword - I really enjoyed the first third of the game... through the first desert section. Then the story seemed to fall off the rails and there was a lot of repetition. It had its moments but...
7. Legend of Zelda - The first one I played. Still holds a soft spot for that, but the hunting for secrets aspect that others love was done too much here.
8. Adventure of Link - Playable, but hard, and the transition to side-scrolling was a poor innovation.
1. Majora's Mask - I love the darker world, the real consequences to actions, and how alive Clocktown feels. It has the best side quests.
2. Ocarina of Time - Has the strongest main storyline of the series. Close second to MM.
3. Twilight Princess - Slightly edges out Wind Waker because the main plot kept me interested throughout and I liked the interaction with Midna. The dull, empty over-world hurts it.
4. Wind Waker - For most of the way, I was close to calling it my favorite. But the last 1/4th of the game was tedium and really brought it down.
5. A Link to the Past - Classic. Really perfected the 2d formula. I have no big complaints, I just don't find that formula as compelling as the more narrative driven 3d games.
6. Skyward Sword - I really enjoyed the first third of the game... through the first desert section. Then the story seemed to fall off the rails and there was a lot of repetition. It had its moments but...
7. Legend of Zelda - The first one I played. Still holds a soft spot for that, but the hunting for secrets aspect that others love was done too much here.
8. Adventure of Link - Playable, but hard, and the transition to side-scrolling was a poor innovation.
crusty_juggler
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Someone already made a satirical CDI Zelda post huh? Drats.
Well, of the Zelda games I have played, I liked A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening the best. I'm a sucker for SNES and Gameboy titles.
Well, of the Zelda games I have played, I liked A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening the best. I'm a sucker for SNES and Gameboy titles.
A Link to the Past is my all-time favorites. If you have a 3DS I recommend trying A Link Between Worlds. My only problem with Between Worlds is it felt a bit too much like The Past. I know it’s the same world but man, move some of the items to new locations at least.
Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker are about equal to me.
Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker are about equal to me.
Very interesting to read everyone's responses. I think I'm going to play Ocarina of Time next, when I pick up my N3DS in a few weeks. I expect to finish Wind Waker HD this weekend and will switch gears with the Resident Evil remake which releases on Monday, I think. That will probably keep me busy until Feb 13.
I owned Ocarina for 3DS at one point but must have traded it because I couldn't find it. While searching, I did find an unopened copy of Twilight Princess for the Wii. When in the hell did I buy that?
I owned Ocarina for 3DS at one point but must have traded it because I couldn't find it. While searching, I did find an unopened copy of Twilight Princess for the Wii. When in the hell did I buy that?
Demon10000
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My all time favorite is A Link to the Past. It's an amazing game and does everything I like about the Zelda series perfectly.
I have a soft spot in my heart for Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link. Many people don't like this game, but it was so unique at the time. I have a T-Shirt that says "I am error" on it!
I have a soft spot in my heart for Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link. Many people don't like this game, but it was so unique at the time. I have a T-Shirt that says "I am error" on it!
Play Twilight Princess on Gamecube. Much better experience.
Although I thought Skyward Sword had some of the best motion controls on the Wii. I really liked it anyways but not my favorite Zelda.
D
Deleted member 83233
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I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be a total dick, and you are entitled to your opinion and play-style, but this made me laugh hard. Unless maybe you have carpal-tunnel-syndrome and a wrist-brace.
Actually, I know a lot of people agree with you. I just have never understood it. It all works fine for me, and actually becomes completely transparent and natural after a very short time. I never once felt like the controls held me back from doing what I needed to do. There are quite a few games out there with what I consider clumsy controls that actually do make it difficult to play the game. I just never found the Wii Zelda games to fall into that category.
Everyone's different of course, but I just can't see why they're so problematic to some.
Armenius
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The first Zelda I played is not my favorite . Out of the ones I played through to the end, I'd have to rank them as such:
. Out of the ones I played through to the end, I'd have to rank them as such:- Wind Waker (Gamecube)
- Original (NES)
- Ocarina of Time (N64)
- The Adventure of Link (NES)
TP on Gamecube goes for $60-$70 these days. I really wish I had picked it up that day I was in Circuit City 8 years ago... It was $40 brand new.
What? Wow so glad I didn't sell my copy now?!
Another vote for Link to the Past. Followed by Link's Awakening, The Adventure of Link, The Oracle series, Minish Cap, A Link Between Worlds, then the original Zelda. I can't stand any of the 3D Zeldas.
The reason for A Link Between Worlds being so low is that while it emulates LttP, you no longer find items in dungeons. Also, I played the original Zelda first when it first came out, but it never left much of an impression. Zelda 2 was the first Zelda I liked.
The reason for A Link Between Worlds being so low is that while it emulates LttP, you no longer find items in dungeons. Also, I played the original Zelda first when it first came out, but it never left much of an impression. Zelda 2 was the first Zelda I liked.
A Link to the Past is just to God damn hard. I'm getting ready to beat it, only took me ~10 hours, but I made extensive use of walkthroughs.
As for my favorite Zelda, not sure. Played a ton of them, but never more than a few hours if each besides Alttp. I'll let you know once I beat the whole series later this year.
As for my favorite Zelda, not sure. Played a ton of them, but never more than a few hours if each besides Alttp. I'll let you know once I beat the whole series later this year.
LeviathanZERO
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Link to the Past.
Just glorious. I've beat that game when it released and I was a kid, and still play it today. I never get tired of it.
Ocarina is a close 2nd, with Wind Waker closely behind it.
Never played Majora's Mask, so I'm pretty hyped for the 3DS version coming soon.
Just glorious. I've beat that game when it released and I was a kid, and still play it today. I never get tired of it.
Ocarina is a close 2nd, with Wind Waker closely behind it.
Never played Majora's Mask, so I'm pretty hyped for the 3DS version coming soon.
A link to the past was one of the highlights of my childhood gaming, i still have a copy of it somewhere, I didnt enjoy the other zelda games before the n64 at all (cant even remember there names) After that they are all pretty even for me. Might have to pick up a 3DS for the remakes.
Majora's Mask is my top Zelda game. I love that it is a different spin on the usual formula for the series. It's most definitely still a Zelda game, but it's got a completely different vibe. I loved all the side quests and collecting all the masks.
Everything else is basically tied for me for the most part. I enjoy certain things about each title, but I can't really say which I games I like more. I'm just a fan of the series, in general.
Everything else is basically tied for me for the most part. I enjoy certain things about each title, but I can't really say which I games I like more. I'm just a fan of the series, in general.