Nintendo’s Zelda is one of the best gaming series in history. This action-adventure RPG franchise has enthralled players the world over with its pioneering exploration, storytelling, and game design. Picking the best Zelda games is no easy task, but aggregated Metacritic ratings are a good guide to go on. These are the best Zelda games with the highest aggregated Metacritic Metascore ratings.
1. Ocarina of Time (Metascore: 99)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was almost gaming perfection as the most highly rated video game in history. This was the game that revolutionized the gaming landscape for how it thrust Zelda into a fully realized 3D world. Ocarina of Time set a benchmark for 3D action gaming with its innovative Z-targeting, context-sensitive controls, unforgettable music, cinematic atmosphere, and sprawling interconnected world.
You can play Ocarina of Time on the Switch via Nintendo Switch Online. However, Nintendo has also announced it will launch a ground-up remaster of Ocarina of Time for the Switch 2. That will be a full visual rebuild of the classic original game.
2. Breath of the Wild (Metascore: 97)
Breath of the Wild revolutionized the open-world gaming genre by tearing up the traditional Zelda formula on the Switch 2. Gone were restrictive quest markers in a Zelda game that gave players unprecedented exploration freedom. Breath of the Wild removed artificial barriers that enabled players to explore its dynamic world in any order of preference.
Aside from the joy of exploration, Breath of the Wild is one of the best Zelda games because of its emergent gameplay. This game’s unique chemistry and physics engine enables players to engage in environmental experimentation for overcoming obstacles. Breath of the Wild incorporates an environment that’s almost like a periodic table of known elements.
3. Tears of the Kingdom (Metascore: 96)
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom redefined the sprawling world of Breath of the Wild with massive sky islands and a subterranean depth layer. What really set Tears of the Kingdom apart from the other best Zelda games, however, is its Ultrahand and Fuse abilities that empower you to engineer custom vehicles and weaponry. Tears of the Kingdom’s deeply engaging story and detailed, themed dungeons also made it one of the great Zelda games to play.
4. The Wind Waker (Metascore: 96)
Wind Waker for the Nintendo GameCube had a more unique, cel-shaded toon graphical aesthetic that set it apart from other Zelda games. This was a Zelda game that swapped the lush green fields of Hyrule for a vast sea for players to sail through to explore scattered islands. Sailing the Great Sea in Wind Waker actually made for a refreshing and immersive change. Aside from that, Wind Waker is among the best Zelda games because of its fluid combat, memorable story, and iconic soundtrack.
Nintendo released a Wind Waker remake on the Wii U with upscaled graphics. That remake also includes a few gameplay tweaks such as the Swift Sail and a Hero Mode. However, players with Switch consoles can play Wind Waker via the Nintendo Switch Online library + Expansion Pack.
5. Twilight Princess (Metascore: 95)
Twilight Princess for the Wii was a Zelda game that struck upon a darker, grittier tone by casting Hyrule in a slightly more somber shadow. This Zelda game felt more immersive than others with its unique Wii Remote controls for sword swinging and arrow firing. It also featured epic dungeons, dynamic duel Wolf Link gameplay mechanics, and one of the most memorable Zelda companions in the form of Midna.
6. Majora’s Mask (Metascore: 95)
Majora’s Mask was another of the best Zelda games on Nintendo 64, based on the same engine as Ocarina of Time. This Zelda game broke away from the traditional Hyrule setting with an adventure based in the doom-laden Termina. It was an open-ended adventure with a 72-hour time loop that generated palpable tension. Players also loved Majora’s Mask because of its deeply connected NPCs, eerie tone, and transformative masks for more dynamic gameplay.
Majora’s Mask is admittedly slightly overshadowed by Ocarina of Time. However, a Majora’s Mask remake is speculated to be in the pipeline for the Switch 2. For now, you can play Majora’s Mask with the Nintendo Switch Online library + Expansion pack.
7. A Link to the Past/Four Swords (Metascore: 95)
A Link to the Past/Four Swords for the Game Boy Advance is actually two Zelda games packed into one. The main reason this is one of the best Zelda games is primarily because of its enhanced, portable port of the classic A Link to the Past SNES title. A Link to the Past has always been a masterpiece of game design with its ingenious dark/light world dichotomy, great dungeon layouts, and iconic series staples it introduced.
However, Four Swords also revolutionized the Zelda series with its chaotic multiplayer gameplay. This multiplayer Zelda title incorporated a fun mix of competitive and co-op gameplay with players collecting Force Gems and Rupees across levels. It incorporated some brilliant puzzle design and unique Link formation mechanics for a terrific multiplayer mode.
Those seven best Zelda games above are among the most highly-rated video games in history. The consistent glowing Metacritic reviews of Zelda games highlight exactly why Nintendo’s Link action-adventure series is up there with the best gaming franchises in history. Few other long-running game series can match the consistent excellence that Nintendo’s Zelda franchise has sustained.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login