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For most players, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the best place to start: it makes exploration the heart of the adventure and gives you room to find your own way. This ranking covers the distinct mainline adventures, not every remake, remaster, port, or spin-off. The order is an editorial judgment based on exploration, dungeons and puzzles, combat and pacing, story and atmosphere, innovation, and how approachable each game is to play today.
What counts as a mainline Zelda game?
This list ranks each distinct mainline adventure once. Remakes and remasters are versions of their original games, not additional entries; ports are not separate adventures. Multiplayer-focused titles are excluded from the numbered ranking because their place in the mainline catalogue is disputed. Spin-offs, including the Hyrule Warriors games, are also outside scope.
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There is no single uncontested count. Nintendo’s official series history spans the franchise’s decades, and its displayed release dates are European dates. Nintendo Life counts 28 mainline entries under a broader approach that includes remakes and remasters, and notes disagreement about multiplayer titles. That is a scope-dependent count, not a universal official total.
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The placements weigh six things: freedom to explore and how well the world connects; dungeon and puzzle design; combat, controls, challenge and pacing; story and atmosphere; what the game adds to the series; and practical playability through current editions. This is an editorial framework, not Nintendo’s scoring system or a claim of critical consensus. A player who prefers intricate dungeons may reasonably rank a classic above an open-world entry.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
The Zelda games ranked
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Best for: players who want to explore at their own pace.
Breath of the Wild is the series’ strongest all-around starting point because curiosity is a reliable way forward. You can set out toward a distant landmark, climb around an obstacle, or follow an unexpected trail rather than simply moving from one prescribed dungeon to the next. Its broad approach to exploration is the clearest expression of the series’ sense of discovery.
The trade-off is that its compact Shrines and flexible objectives do not deliver the same sequence of large, themed dungeons as several older games. Choose it for an inviting world and self-directed play, not for a traditional dungeon ladder.
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Best for: players who want the classic 3D Zelda structure.
Ocarina of Time remains an excellent balance of adventure, memorable dungeons, combat, and story. Its progression gives each major area a clear identity, while its journey through Hyrule builds a strong sense of occasion. It is a more guided experience than the open-world games, but that structure makes it an especially clear introduction to classic 3D Zelda.
Its age shows in the controls and presentation compared with modern releases. If those feel dated, the 3D remake is a version to consider rather than a separate entry in this ranking.
3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Best for: players who want a concentrated top-down adventure.
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This is the strongest classic 2D choice for a newcomer who wants a carefully paced journey, satisfying exploration, and a steady run of dungeons. Its overhead view makes the action easy to read, and its world rewards curiosity without asking for the scale or time commitment of a modern open-world game.
It is more structured than recent Zelda, and its older presentation is part of the package. Choose it for the series’ traditional rhythm, not for free-form exploration.
4. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best for: players who want open-world exploration with creative problem-solving.
Tears of the Kingdom builds on the open-world approach with a remarkable emphasis on making and experimenting. Its tools invite players to solve problems in personal, sometimes surprising ways, and the layered setting gives exploration a fresh dimension. It is an ambitious follow-up for players who already enjoy the freedom of Breath of the Wild.
That freedom can also make the experience less focused: experimentation and a large world are not everyone’s preferred way to spend time in Zelda. It works best if you want to tinker as much as you want to fight or solve conventional puzzles. GamesRadar+’s 2026 ranking placed it second in its own top ten, a useful reminder that editorial orders vary.
5. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Best for: players who want a lighter, characterful voyage.
The Wind Waker pairs expressive visuals and a warm tone with a strong sense of travel. Its sea gives the adventure a distinctive pace, and its dungeons retain the series’ familiar puzzle-and-item structure. It is a good fit for players who want classic 3D Zelda with a more playful atmosphere.
Long stretches of sailing can slow the journey, particularly for players who prefer a tightly packed sequence of objectives. Its HD remake is the version to look for if available on the platform you use.
6. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Best for: players who like unusual structure and a more unsettling mood.
Rank #2
- Step into a world of adventure—now enhanced for the Nintendo Switch 2 system!
- Use your ingenuity to survive and thrive in Hyrule
- Support your journey with ZELDA NOTES on the Nintendo Switch app
Majora’s Mask is one of the series’ most distinctive adventures. Its repeating schedule gives the world a feeling of urgency and makes side stories matter in a way few other Zelda games attempt. The transformation masks add variety to how Link moves through the world and tackles challenges.
The time limit and the need to learn the cycle can be stressful. It is a rewarding choice for players who enjoy planning and atmosphere, but not the easiest first Zelda for someone who wants a relaxed, straightforward quest.
7. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Best for: players who want a compact, self-contained 2D game.
Link’s Awakening offers a tightly designed island, clever dungeons, and a distinctive story without the scale of a sprawling adventure. Its compact scope makes it an approachable way to experience top-down Zelda, and the Switch remake provides a modern presentation while retaining the original game’s overall structure.
Its smaller world and more linear progression are strengths if you want a focused game, but a limitation if your priority is a vast map and open-ended discovery.
8. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Best for: players who want a substantial, traditional 3D quest.
Twilight Princess leans into a more serious tone and a long, guided adventure. Its dungeons are a major draw, and its familiar sequence of regions and challenges makes it a strong choice for players who want the classic 3D formula at generous scale.
Its slower opening and more conventional structure can feel less immediate than the best entries. Consider it when dungeon progression and a darker atmosphere matter more to you than open-ended exploration.
9. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
Best for: players who want a puzzle-forward handheld adventure.
Oracle of Ages puts the emphasis on thinking through puzzles and navigating a world shaped by time. It offers the familiar top-down Zelda loop in a portable-sized adventure, with a distinct identity among the series’ 2D entries.
Its companion game, Oracle of Seasons, focuses more on action. The two are separate adventures, not alternate editions of one game.
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Best for: players who want a more action-oriented 2D entry.
Oracle of Seasons is a strong pick for players drawn to combat and movement through a changing world. Its seasonal changes provide a clear twist on the familiar top-down format, and it makes a useful counterpart to the puzzle emphasis of Oracle of Ages.
Neither Oracle game has the same broad recognition as the series’ most famous entries, but both deliver a satisfying classic adventure if you want more 2D Zelda after A Link to the Past or Link’s Awakening.
11. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Best for: players who want a fresh twist on top-down Zelda.
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Echoes of Wisdom is the latest mainline release identified here, launching on September 26, 2024. It stands apart by putting Zelda at the center and making the creation and use of echoes central to its puzzles and encounters. That gives the familiar top-down perspective a different problem-solving feel.
Rank #3
- Enhanced resolution, framerates, and load times optimized for Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore a massive open-air version of Hyrule with complete freedom.
- Solve physics-based puzzles, survive dynamic weather, and uncover hidden secrets.
- Customize your adventure with weapons, gear, and food you craft yourself.
- Use the ZELDA NOTES app for bonuses, item sharing, and social features.
Its less conventional approach may not suit players who want a straightforward combat-led adventure. For a new player, it is an appealing modern 2D option; for a traditional introduction, A Link to the Past remains the more representative classic.
12. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Best for: players who want a story-led, guided adventure.
Skyward Sword gives its journey a strong narrative frame and a deliberate progression through its areas. Its sword-focused combat asks for attention to direction and timing, while the dungeons and puzzles provide the familiar Zelda structure.
The original’s motion-control design is not for everyone. The HD edition offers control options that make it easier to play without motion controls, which is worth checking if control preference is a deciding factor.
13. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
Best for: players who want a brisk, charming top-down game.
The Minish Cap uses Link’s ability to shrink as a playful way to change how familiar spaces work. Its concise scale and bright character make it an inviting handheld-era entry, with puzzles that take advantage of perspective rather than relying only on combat.
It is a smaller adventure than the major 3D games, so it is best approached as a focused 2D outing rather than a sprawling series centerpiece.
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Best for: players who want a modern-feeling top-down game.
A Link Between Worlds revisits the world and broad structure of A Link to the Past while adding a wall-merging ability that changes how puzzles and traversal work. Its willingness to let players choose dungeon order gives it more flexibility than many classic entries.
That flexibility can make progression feel less carefully staged than in a strictly linear adventure. It is a particularly good pick for players who like 2D Zelda but want a more open approach to tackling challenges.
15. The Legend of Zelda: The Adventure of Link
Best for: experienced players curious about the series’ early experiments.
The second Zelda game is a substantial departure: side-scrolling action and RPG-like progression replace the original’s overhead exploration. That makes it historically interesting and genuinely different, but also a less representative choice for someone seeking the core Zelda formula.
Its difficulty and older design conventions make it a poor first recommendation for most players. Play it when you want to see how far the series once strayed from its familiar shape.
16. The Legend of Zelda
Best for: players who want to experience the series’ original exploration idea.
The 1986 original begins the series with a world that expects the player to explore, experiment, and find their own route. That directness remains compelling if you enjoy old-school discovery and are willing to learn by trial and error.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →It offers little of the guidance and quality-of-life support expected from a modern adventure. Approach it as an important early design, not as the easiest way to understand what the series became.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Zelda should you play first?
- For open-ended discovery: start with Breath of the Wild.
- For classic 3D dungeons and story: start with Ocarina of Time.
- For classic top-down Zelda: start with A Link to the Past.
- For a short, self-contained adventure: choose Link’s Awakening.
- For unusual systems and a darker tone: try Majora’s Mask.
- For inventive open-world tinkering: choose Tears of the Kingdom, especially if you already know you enjoy the format.
Current editions and access
Platform availability varies by region and can change. Nintendo’s 2025 investor materials list Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. They state that owners of packaged or downloadable Switch versions can purchase upgrade packs, and that Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can access the upgrades at no additional cost. Check Nintendo’s regional catalogue and retailer listings for current edition availability before choosing where to play.
