There is no single, current set of “all 18” Legend of Zelda games: the count changes depending on whether remakes, multiplayer spin-offs and newer releases are included. The older iMore ranking behind that headline supports only its bottom six positions in the available material, so presenting a complete 18-game order would mean inventing fourteen entries. Here is what that ranking can support—and how to read it alongside newer games and other critics’ lists.
What counts as one of the 18 Zelda games?
A ranking needs a defined list before it can claim to cover “all” the games. The older iMore feature uses a fixed set and discusses its order as editorial judgment, not an official Nintendo ranking. Nintendo’s current catalog includes later releases such as The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, released September 26, 2024, as well as Switch 2 editions of earlier games. That makes the older article’s count unsuitable as a current, exhaustive catalog unless its scope is spelled out.
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One reasonable approach is to rank distinct mainline adventures and state how remakes and spin-offs are handled. Another is to reproduce a particular publication’s historical list exactly. Those are different projects: adding newer titles or treating a remake as a separate entry changes both the count and the competition. Nintendo’s official Zelda game catalog is the place to check its current listings; it does not supply a quality ranking.
The six positions the older ranking supports
The available extract from iMore’s older list supports these lower six placements, ordered from its last-place entry upward. It does not establish the other twelve positions, so a complete ranking cannot responsibly be reconstructed from it.
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- Discover Hyrule as never before: by making your own path, choices, and consequences
- Ingenuity is the key to survival: find multiple solutions to tons of dynamic puzzles
- Surprises hide around every corner: scavenge weapons, armor, plants, animals, and more
- Live off the land: find weapons and armor, cook food, and brew elixirs
- Utilize special technology: the in-game Sheikah Slate controls, objects and enemies in fun ways
| Rank | Game |
|---|---|
| 18 | The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes |
| 17 | The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords |
| 16 | The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks |
| 15 | The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass |
| 14 | Zelda II: The Adventure of Link |
| 13 | The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword |
These are iMore’s editorial positions, not Nintendo’s verdict or a universal consensus. The source material available for this article does not support descriptions of why each game occupies its particular place, so assigning individual strengths or weaknesses here would go beyond the evidence.
How to judge a Zelda ranking
iMore says its order weighs playability, cultural impact, historical availability, accessibility, story, characters, critical acclaim and staying power. Those criteria can point in different directions: a game’s influence on the series is not the same thing as how accessible it is to play today. A useful ranking makes its priorities visible rather than presenting a subjective order as settled fact.
There is also no single design ideal against which every entry can be measured. Open-air exploration, classic dungeon-led structure, control experiments and historical influence are distinct editorial axes. A reader who values one most may reasonably rank the games differently from a reader who prioritizes another.
What review scores can—and cannot—tell you
Metacritic’s ranking page reports these aggregate review scores: Ocarina of Time 99, Breath of the Wild 97, and both Tears of the Kingdom and The Wind Waker 96. These are Metascores shown on that page, not sales figures, player ratings or a definitive series ranking. Metacritic describes Ocarina of Time as “our highest-rated Zelda game, ever” in its own editorial ranking.
Rank #2
- Discover Hyrule as never before: by making your own path, choices, and consequences
- Ingenuity is the key to survival: find multiple solutions to tons of dynamic puzzles
- Surprises hide around every corner: scavenge weapons, armor, plants, animals, and more
- Live off the land: find weapons and armor, cook food, and brew elixirs
- Utilize special technology: the in-game Sheikah Slate controls objects and enemies in fun ways
Another publication can reach a different order using different criteria. Nintendo Life’s newer list places Breath of the Wild first and Tears of the Kingdom fifth. The difference is a reminder that aggregate acclaim and editorial preference are useful reference points, not a substitute for deciding what kind of Zelda experience you want.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Newer entries and current editions
Nintendo lists Echoes of Wisdom as released September 26, 2024; Tears of the Kingdom as released May 12, 2023; and Breath of the Wild as released March 3, 2017. Its catalog also lists Switch 2 editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom as released June 5, 2025. Those later releases illustrate why a historical 18-game list should not be presented as the current complete catalog.
Nintendo’s portal lists Ocarina of Time as releasing in 2026. Because that status is time-sensitive, check the official listing for its latest availability and platform details rather than assuming a release date or edition beyond what Nintendo currently shows.
Which Zelda game should you play first?
A ranked list is not the only way to choose. Start with the experience you want: a highly rated modern open-air adventure, a classic entry with a long history of critical acclaim, or a particular game you can access on your system. Metacritic’s scores can help identify widely acclaimed releases, but they cannot determine which mechanics, structure or era will suit you personally. Before buying or downloading, check the game’s edition and platform on Nintendo’s current listing.
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