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For most newcomers, start with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, then play Tears of the Kingdom. That pair teaches modern Zelda without requiring knowledge of the older games. Choose Link’s Awakening for a shorter, guided adventure, Echoes of Wisdom if you want to play as Zelda and solve creative puzzles, or the Ocarina of Time remake if you want the classic 3D formula on Switch 2 from 5 November 2026.
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Free plan / price | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breath of the Wild | Most newcomers | Open-air exploration; 100+ shrines; 180+ weapons | Price not stated in the supplied Nintendo listing | Switch; Switch 2 Edition | Oct 2026 |
| Tears of the Kingdom | Second game after Breath of the Wild | Land, sky and Depths; Ultrahand, Fuse, Ascend and Recall | $69.99 regular US listing | Switch; Switch 2 Edition | Oct 2026 |
| Link’s Awakening (Switch remake) | Short, guided first adventure | Top-down dungeons; 26.5-hour GameFAQs average | $59.99 regular US listing | Switch; Switch 2 compatible | Oct 2026 |
| Echoes of Wisdom | Puzzle fans and anyone wanting to play as Zelda | Echo-copying system; 28-hour GameFAQs average | $59.99 regular US listing | Switch; Switch 2 compatible | Oct 2026 |
| Ocarina of Time (Switch 2 remake) | A modern route into classic 3D Zelda | Overhauled visuals, orchestral music, voice acting and modern camera; launches 5 Nov 2026 | $59.99 digital; $69.99 physical | Switch 2 only | Oct 2026 |
Prices are Nintendo US regular listings checked in October 2026 unless otherwise specified. The Ocarina of Time remake is announced but unreleased on 30 October 2026, so its final quality cannot yet be judged.
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Which Zelda game should I play first?
Start with Breath of the Wild. It is the clearest introduction because it explains its rules through exploration rather than assuming that you know Zelda history. Link wakes after a 100-year sleep with no memories, and the player learns movement, combat, cooking, climbing and shrine puzzles while exploring Hyrule in almost any direction.
The game is deliberately self-contained. You do not need to know who Link, Zelda or Ganon were in earlier games, and no timeline reading is required. Nintendo’s current store description presents it as a fresh beginning: “No kingdom. No memories. After a 100-year slumber, Link wakes up alone in a world he no longer remembers.”
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What makes it a good first lesson
- Its open-air map lets you leave a difficult encounter and return later instead of following one prescribed route.
- Nintendo lists more than 100 Shrines of Trials, giving you short practice spaces for combat, physics and environmental puzzles.
- More than 180 weapons can be found, so experimentation is part of normal play rather than an optional activity.
- Its central ideas—climbing, gliding, using weather and physics, and solving problems with several tools—remain useful if you continue to its sequel.
The trade-offs
This is a large game. ZeldaSpeedRuns’ GameFAQs compilation gives Breath of the Wild an average play time of 80 or more hours, a community average rather than a Nintendo promise. Weapons wear out, and the open map can feel less guided than a traditional dungeon-by-dungeon Zelda. If you prefer a compact story with clear rooms and objectives, choose one of the alternatives below.
Should I play Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom first?
Play Breath of the Wild first, then Tears of the Kingdom. Nintendo’s product copy explicitly calls the latter “this sequel to the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild game,” and its systems build on the earlier game’s movement, map language and survival habits.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteTears of the Kingdom adds a much larger activity set: the surface of Hyrule, floating islands and the Depths, plus Ultrahand construction, Fuse weapon crafting, Ascend and Recall. Those tools are exciting once the basics are familiar, but they create more decisions and more complicated puzzle solutions than a first-time player needs. The game also averages 80 or more hours in the GameFAQs figures compiled by ZeldaSpeedRuns.
Both games are available as original Switch releases and enhanced Switch 2 Editions. Nintendo’s Switch 2 versions improve resolution, frame rate, loading, HDR and save features; active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can obtain the upgrades at no extra cost according to Nintendo’s store information. The original Switch file sizes are 14.4 GB for Breath of the Wild and 16.5 GB for Tears of the Kingdom; the Switch 2 Editions are listed at 24.1 GB and 20.1 GB respectively.
What is the easiest Zelda game for beginners?
For the gentlest introduction, choose Link’s Awakening on Switch. For a puzzle-first experience in which you control Princess Zelda, choose Echoes of Wisdom. Neither requires knowledge of another Zelda game.
Link’s Awakening: the compact classic
The Switch remake turns the Game Boy adventure into a polished, top-down game with a small world, distinct dungeons and a clear sequence of objectives. Dadnology describes it as the gentlest on-ramp. The remake adds modern mapping, extra item slots and Chamber Dungeons, while retaining the dreamlike island setting and compact scale.
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ZeldaSpeedRuns’ GameFAQs average is 26.5 hours. Nintendo’s US listing gives a regular price of $59.99, and the game is playable on Switch 2 with a listed 6.1 GB Switch 2 file size (5.9 GB on Switch).
Echoes of Wisdom: play as Zelda
Nintendo’s succinct pitch is “Save Hyrule—this time with Princess Zelda!” Zelda uses the Tri Rod to create echoes of objects and monsters, turning observation and experimentation into the main puzzle language. A timed swordfighter form supplies direct combat, but the game generally emphasizes solving situations creatively; CBR characterizes it as easier than most entries.
It is a strong choice for a younger player, a puzzle fan or anyone who specifically wants Zelda as the playable hero. The GameFAQs average is 28 hours. Nintendo lists a regular US price of $59.99 and file sizes of 5.6 GB on Switch and 5.7 GB on Switch 2.
Ocarina of Time: the classic 3D route
From 5 November 2026, Switch 2 owners can play a remake of the 1998 game with overhauled visuals, orchestral music, full voice acting, expanded cutscenes, jump and dash commands, a right-stick camera, Threads of Time objective tracking and microphone ocarina input. Nintendo calls it “a great entry point into this legendary series.” That is Nintendo’s positioning, not an independent verdict; reviews were not available by 30 October 2026.
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The remake is digital-only at $59.99 or physical at $69.99 in the listed pricing. It is a Switch 2 exclusive with an estimated 27 GB file size. If you do not own Switch 2, the original Nintendo 64 version is available through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. The original averages 42.6 hours in ZeldaSpeedRuns’ GameFAQs figures.
Do I need to play older Zelda games before the new ones?
No. Most Zelda games tell a self-contained legend with a new version of Link and Zelda. Returning elements such as the Master Sword, Triforce and Hyrule are thematic connections, not prerequisites.
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Series director Hidemaro Fujibayashi explained to Game Informer on 7 December 2023 that placing each game too precisely in the chronology can restrict creativity. The official timeline is therefore best treated as a lore map and a way to notice echoes between games, not as a syllabus that dictates your first purchase.
Nintendo’s 8 September 2026 40th-anniversary message makes the same point in a different way, welcoming fans whose first memories began with the 1986 original, 1998 Ocarina of Time or 2017 Breath of the Wild. All three are legitimate starting doors.
What is the official Zelda timeline order?
The published chronology begins with four games before the split and then divides after Ocarina of Time. It is interesting for lore-focused players, but following it from the start forces you into older controls and harder-to-access hardware before you reach the modern games.
Before the timeline split
- Skyward Sword
- The Minish Cap
- Four Swords
- Ocarina of Time
Hero is Defeated (Downfall branch)
- A Link to the Past
- Link’s Awakening
- Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons
- A Link Between Worlds
- Tri Force Heroes
- Echoes of Wisdom
- The Legend of Zelda
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
October 2026 timeline summaries from Metro and ZeldaSpeedRuns place Echoes of Wisdom between Tri Force Heroes and the original NES game. Nintendo’s 40th-anniversary catalogue counts the Oracle pair as one of its 20 core entries, while ZeldaSpeedRuns counts them separately as 21 main games.
Hero is Triumphant (Child Era)
- Majora’s Mask
- Twilight Princess
- Four Swords Adventures
Hero is Triumphant (Adult Era)
- The Wind Waker
- Phantom Hourglass
- Spirit Tracks
Where do Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom fit?
They sit in a late, separate block rather than requiring you to complete one of the three older branches first. A Nintendo Live 2024 Sydney slide placed the pair apart from the established branches, while later Japanese-history updates have kept their exact connection deliberately unsettled. Reports in October 2026 describe a second founding of Hyrule before Tears of the Kingdom’s Imprisoning War. That lore is still volatile; it should not delay your first game.
What are the best Zelda play paths after choosing a first game?
Use a path that matches your preferred style instead of trying to complete all 20 catalogue entries in release order.
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Path A: modern open-air Zelda
- Breath of the Wild
- Tears of the Kingdom
- Then try Echoes of Wisdom, Link’s Awakening, Ocarina of Time or Skyward Sword HD according to taste.
Path B: short and gentle
- Link’s Awakening
- Echoes of Wisdom or A Link to the Past through Nintendo Switch Online
- Breath of the Wild when you want a larger sandbox
Path C: classic 3D pilgrimage
- Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 from 5 November 2026, or the Nintendo 64 version through Switch Online + Expansion Pack before then
- Majora’s Mask, which follows the same Link
- The Wind Waker through the Switch 2 GameCube library, or Breath of the Wild
Path D: 2D classics
- A Link to the Past
- Link’s Awakening DX
- Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons
- The Minish Cap
Where can you play Zelda games in late 2026?
A Switch or Switch 2 covers the recommended modern route. Nintendo’s compatibility listings include the original Switch versions of Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Echoes of Wisdom, Link’s Awakening and Skyward Sword HD on Switch 2. Echoes of Wisdom and Link’s Awakening receive Switch 2 visual and HDR updates.
Switch 2 editions and exclusives
- Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have enhanced Switch 2 Editions released 5 June 2025.
- The Ocarina of Time remake launches 5 November 2026 and is Switch 2 only.
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is also a Switch 2 title, but it is a musou spin-off rather than a first Zelda adventure.
Games included with Switch Online libraries
Switch Online includes The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II, A Link to the Past, A Link to the Past & Four Swords, Link’s Awakening DX and The Minish Cap. The Expansion Pack adds Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons and, on the Switch 2 GameCube library, The Wind Waker.
Games that require older hardware
Twilight Princess is available on Wii, GameCube and Wii U HD; Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks are DS games; A Link Between Worlds and Tri Force Heroes are 3DS games; and Four Swords Adventures requires GameCube hardware. Do not stop a first-time playthrough to hunt down every unavailable entry.
Which Zelda games should beginners postpone?
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link: its side-scrolling combat and punishing early sections make it an outlier even among classic games.
- Majora’s Mask: its three-day cycle, darker tone and relationship to Ocarina of Time are easier to appreciate after that game.
- Tears of the Kingdom: save it for after Breath of the Wild because its building and layered world add substantial complexity.
- Original NES The Legend of Zelda: it is historically important but cryptic, with little of the signposting modern players expect.
- Twilight Princess: its long village opening is a slower on-ramp, and there is no current Switch remaster.
- Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures and Tri Force Heroes: these are multiplayer-focused experiments rather than representative solo introductions.
How long do the main beginner choices take?
The following figures are ZeldaSpeedRuns’ compilation of GameFAQs averages, published 10 October 2026. They are community averages, not guaranteed completion times and not measurements of Switch 2 Editions.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute| Game | Average play time | What that means for a newcomer |
|---|---|---|
| Breath of the Wild | 80+ hours | A long-term exploration game; finishing the main story is optional before moving on. |
| Tears of the Kingdom | 80+ hours | Another very large adventure with additional systems and areas. |
| Ocarina of Time | 42.6 hours | A medium-length 3D journey with a more directed route. |
| Link’s Awakening | 26.5 hours | A compact dungeon-led campaign. |
| Echoes of Wisdom | 28 hours | A similarly manageable campaign centered on puzzle solutions. |
| A Link to the Past | 30.2 hours | A concentrated 2D template available through Switch Online. |
| Skyward Sword | 46.9 hours | A longer, more linear origin story for the Master Sword. |
How should you choose if two options sound equally good?
- Choose freedom and experimentation for Breath of the Wild.
- Choose a short, room-by-room adventure for Link’s Awakening.
- Choose puzzles and playing as Zelda for Echoes of Wisdom.
- Choose the classic 3D structure for the Switch 2 Ocarina of Time remake from 5 November 2026.
- Choose a direct continuation with more systems only after completing enough of Breath of the Wild to understand its world and controls.
What should you play after your first Zelda?
After Breath of the Wild, continue to Tears of the Kingdom if you want the same Hyrule expanded into the sky and Depths. After a 2D game, switch to the other 2D style or move to Breath of the Wild for a dramatic change of scale. After Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask is the most direct follow-up because it uses the same incarnation of Link; Skyward Sword HD is the choice for players interested in the Master Sword’s origin.
Tears of the Kingdom producer Eiji Aonuma described that version of Hyrule to Game Informer in 2023 as an “apotheosis,” or final form, and said he did not expect a direct sequel to that same world. That makes it a natural endpoint for the modern open-air route rather than a reason to wait for another numbered continuation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play the Zelda games in release order?
No. Release order is useful for seeing how the series’ design changed, but it begins with cryptic NES games and includes hardware that is difficult to access in 2026. A style-based path gets you to a suitable first experience much faster.
Can I play the Switch 2 editions if I own the original cartridges?
Nintendo lists enhanced editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, with an upgrade route for active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. Check the current Nintendo eShop listing for the exact upgrade entitlement attached to your account.
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Is Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 a remake or a new Zelda story?
It is a remake of the 1998 Nintendo 64 adventure, not a new sequel. Nintendo lists redesigned visuals, music, voice acting, controls and expanded scenes, while the original remains available through Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
Which Zelda games support multiplayer?
Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures and Tri Force Heroes are the notable multiplayer-focused entries. They are better treated as optional experiments after you know whether you enjoy Zelda’s core solo exploration and dungeon design.
When does the live-action Zelda movie release?
Nintendo’s 40th-anniversary announcement gives a worldwide opening date of 30 April 2027. An IGN roundup lists 26 March 2027, so treat Nintendo’s date as the currently preferred one until the distributor resolves the discrepancy.
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