The Legend of Zelda is an iconic video game franchise.

Launched in 1986 in Japan and 1987 in North America, this Nintendo franchise has grown to feature over 20 main series games, making it one of Nintendo’s most successful endeavors.

The series’ brave hero, Link, along with Princess Zelda, serves as one of Nintendo’s beloved mascots, sharing the spotlight with Mario, Luigi, and Pikachu from the Super Mario and Pokémon franchises.

The latest addition to the series is Echoes of Wisdom, which debuted in late September. How does this game compare to earlier titles in the Legend of Zelda series?

Here’s a list of the top main series Legend of Zelda games, ranked:

11. Minish Cap

In this adventure, a young Link must rescue Princess Zelda from an evil sorcerer who is wreaking havoc in Hyrule. The Picori, a tiny race known only to children, play a significant role in the story.

Link uses a magical hat that enables him to shrink in size. His mission involves gathering elemental powers to restore the Picori blade and defeat Vaati.

This game is charming and can be completed in a relatively short time. Players particularly enjoy the segments where Link shrinks and solves puzzles involving both normal-sized and tiny objects, interacting with the Minish. The game remains enjoyable even after many years.

The game was developed by Capcom and released by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance in 2004 (2005 in North America), marking one of the last collaborations between the two companies in this series.

10. Twilight Princess

This title features Link transforming into a wolf.

Twilight Princess was among the launching titles for the Wii in 2006 and also released for the GameCube. It presents a darker narrative compared to previous games, depicting Hyrule as affected by the ominous Twilight Realm.

Link, alternating between his Hylian and wolf forms, solves puzzles and battles adversaries to protect the kingdom.

This game might have faced some unfair comparisons to its predecessors upon its release, but fans are beginning to recognize its value, featuring rich exploration, a cinematic experience, an engaging plot, innovative gameplay mechanics (including playing as a wolf), and interesting side quests.

9. Echoes of Wisdom

The latest game, Echoes of Wisdom, features Princess Zelda taking center stage. With mysterious rifts appearing across Hyrule and Link being “taken away,” Zelda, assisted by a fairy-like character named Tri, embarks on a quest to discover the truth and save her realm from evil.

This entry is significant as it allows players to control Zelda for the first time in a main series game. New mechanics include Zelda’s ability to create “echoes,” which are duplicates of objects and monsters, aiding her adventure.

Echoes of Wisdom is filled with clever puzzles and engaging storytelling, made even more enjoyable by allowing players to embody Zelda. This game is truly a delight.

8. Wind Waker

In this installment, Link embarks on a sea voyage. Wind Waker offers an enchanting 3D adventure characterized by its cartoonish art style. Players navigate a vast ocean, exploring various islands and striving to rescue Link’s sister from Ganondorf.

This game was released in North America for the GameCube in 2003, and has expanded the horizons of the Legend of Zelda series.

Two direct sequels follow: Phantom Hourglass (2007) and Spirit Tracks (2009), both designed for the Nintendo DS handheld console.

Wind Waker has a playful and cheerful vibe, and the characters brim with charm. However, the excitement of sailing can quickly become dull and repetitive, which can hinder the gameplay experience over time.

7. Legend of Zelda

The original Legend of Zelda unfolds an epic adventure with a straightforward storyline considering the extensive lore that has developed over time: young Link faces off against monsters, explores dungeons, collects Triforce pieces, and saves Princess Zelda, all to catchy and iconic tunes.

Although modern games offer richer narratives, it’s evident why this classic attracted numerous fans and continues to be an enjoyable challenge for players even today.

This action-adventure game launched in 1987 in North America for the Nintendo Entertainment System, setting a record as the first game to sell over 1 million cartridges in the US for the NES, and kickstarting a best-selling video game franchise. Legend of Zelda was also among the first console games to feature a backup save function.

6. Majora’s Mask

Majora’s Mask, released in 2000 for the Nintendo 64, takes place in Termina, a parallel version of Hyrule, where Link finds himself trapped. The moon is projected to crash into Termina in three days, and Link must find a method to protect the land. By wearing various masks, Link can transform into different creatures—each possessing unique abilities—to solve puzzles, fight enemies, and bring hope to the frightened inhabitants.

The new gameplay mechanics and dramatic storyline offer a refreshing experience, although the time limits may feel restrictive and intimidating at times.

Majora’s Mask is notable for being one of the darker installments in the series, and it was also one of the first projects directed by Nintendo designer and producer Eiji Aonuma.

5. A Link to the Past

A Link to the Past is the third installment in the Legend of Zelda series. Launched in 1992 for the Super Nintendo, Link embarks on another quest to save Hyrule, also known as the Light World.

This game introduced parallel worlds, providing an expansive and intricate experience. Although it may seem more limiting compared to the original, it encourages players to explore the vast map, a theme that continues in subsequent titles of the series.

A sequel titled “A Link Between Worlds” was released in 2013 for the 3DS.

4. Link’s Awakening

In this adventurous title, our brave hero finds himself far from Hyrule. In Link’s Awakening, Link washes up on the enigmatic Koholint Island. He must gather eight magical instruments scattered across the island to awaken the Wind Fish and find his way back home.

Released in 1993 for the Game Boy, this was the first handheld game in the franchise. It was later re-released for Game Boy Color, and a complete remake arrived in 2019 for the Switch.

The original game offers a fresh spin on the typical Legend of Zelda formula, omitting Hyrule and Zelda, allowing for greater creative freedom. The charming 2019 remake stays true to the original’s delightfulness while introducing a new art style, remastered music, and enhancements to both graphics and gameplay.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64, “Ocarina of Time” marked the first venture into 3D for the Legend of Zelda series. Players discover the land of Hyrule as young Link, who is tasked by Princess Zelda to confront the sorcerer Ganondorf, who aims to seize the Triforce’s power. With the help of his fairy companion Navi, Link must solve intricate puzzles and gather spiritual stones to secure the Triforce before Ganondorf can.

The game introduces the concept of time travel, allowing an older Link to utilize the magical ocarina to move through different eras, awaken the Sages, and ultimately attempt to seal Ganondorf away permanently.

“Ocarina of Time” revolutionized the Zelda franchise with its cutting-edge graphics at the time of its launch. It transformed gamers’ experiences with Link’s quests, making the environments and dungeons feel expansive and immersive, accompanied by a memorable soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.

However, its now dated 3D graphics may create a slightly awkward experience for players revisiting it, especially in comparison to older 2D games, which might influence its nostalgic value.

2. Breath of the Wild

“Breath of the Wild” revitalized the Zelda series by offering a vast open-world experience. In this adventure, Link awakens in a transformed Hyrule after being in a healing slumber. He navigates through Hyrule, recovers lost memories, teams up with allies, releases the spirits of former Champions, and levels up to confront Calamity Ganon while striving to reunite with Princess Zelda.

Players can also engage in a multitude of side quests, discover countless shrines, engage in cooking, and gather various collectibles. It’s easy to invest over 100 hours into exploring, with the main storyline taking up a sizable portion of that time. The game rewards keen observation, featuring nods to previous titles, clever Easter eggs, excellent music tied to older themes, and an engaging soundscape.

Launching in 2017 alongside the Nintendo Switch and also available on the Wii U, “Breath of the Wild” has sold over 30 million copies and has become one of the best-selling games in history. It has received multiple game of the year awards from the Game Awards, DICE Awards, and Game Developers Choice Awards.

1. Tears of the Kingdom

“Tears of the Kingdom,” released in 2023 for the Switch, serves as a direct follow-up to “Breath of the Wild” and has also garnered acclaim.

Set a few years after the events of its predecessor, Link and Princess Zelda are dedicated to rebuilding Hyrule. However, they face a new dilemma as a mysterious gloom spreads across the kingdom, endangering its citizens, and they are determined to discover a solution.

“Tears of the Kingdom” enhances the framework established in “Breath of the Wild” by integrating familiar locations and characters, while also introducing refined mechanics, the Sky Islands, the ominous Depths below Hyrule, and a fresh array of puzzles and stories to explore as Link readies himself to confront Ganondorf and his dark forces once more.

“Since its launch, “Tears of the Kingdom” has become one of the top ten best-selling games on the Nintendo Switch, with over 20 million copies sold, nearly half of which were in the first few days of its release.