Top 10 recommended Legend of Zelda series. Also explains time series

The Legend of Zelda series is one of Nintendo's most representative game titles. This is an adventure action game with the hero Link as the main character, and the puzzle-solving elements that make you use your brain are appealing. Ever since the first game, The Legend of Zelda, was released in 1986, it has been loved by players all over the world.

Therefore, this time we will introduce recommended game software in the “Legend of Zelda” series in a ranking format. We also explain how to choose a series, so if you are interested, please check it out.

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• table of contents
• What is the Legend of Zelda series?
• How to choose the Legend of Zelda series
• Featured new titles in the Legend of Zelda series
• Recommended ranking of The Legend of Zelda series

What is the Legend of Zelda series?

By: amazon.co.jp

A game series that began with “The Legend of Zelda'' released on the Family Computer Disk System in 1986. This is an adventure story depicting the long battle between the hero Link and the great demon lord Ganondorf that transcends time and space. It is one of Nintendo's most representative titles, and has many fans not only in Japan but also overseas.

The Legend of Zelda series is characterized by its mystery-solving elements. Mysteries are scattered throughout the dungeons and fields, and you can enjoy the sense of accomplishment and exhilaration that comes with solving a puzzle.

Another point is that there are gimmicks unique to game hardware, such as the touchpad for the Nintendo 3DS and the gyro operation for the Nintendo Switch. Recommended not only for those who like action games, but also for those who like games that use their brains.

How to choose the Legend of Zelda series

Check the timeline

By: amazon.co.jp

In the “Legend of Zelda” series, each title has its own era, setting, and story. Even though the main character's name is Link, each character is different, so no prior knowledge is required to play. The appeal is that you can enjoy it no matter which title you play.

However, this does not mean that there is no connection at all, and there is a major flow in the settings. The first story in chronological order is The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Episodes related to roots, which have only been talked about in bits and pieces throughout the series, will be told.

The big turning point after that was “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.'' In this title, the story branches out through the route in which the hero Link wins, the route in which he returns to his childhood after victory, and the route in which he loses to the Great Demon King Ganon.

Although it is not necessary to play the games in chronological order, knowing in advance which chronological order the titles belong to will help you understand the “Legend of Zelda” series more deeply.

If you are going to start playing, we recommend the HD version or the remake version.

By: amazon.co.jp

The Legend of Zelda series has a history of over 30 years. In order to make it easier for new players to enjoy the initial work, an HD version with higher graphic resolution and a remake version with a redesigned system have also been released. The main story is almost the same, so if you don't have any particular preferences, we recommend the HD version or the remake version.

Also check out the spin-off works

By: amazon.co.jp

In addition to the main title, the “Legend of Zelda” series also has spin-offs. Particularly popular is the Zelda Warriors series. This is a collaboration title with the action game “Musou” series, where you can enjoy the exhilaration of Ikki Tousen.

The recommended point is that you can enjoy battles using a wide variety of items unique to the “Legend of Zelda” series, while still retaining the exhilarating feeling of mowing down large numbers of enemies. It is also attractive that you can control various characters such as the main character Link, the heroine Princess Zelda, and the collaborators who appeared in the main story. If you want to enjoy the world view even more, please check it out.

Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can play some titles for free

By: nintendo.com

“Nintendo Switch Online” is a paid service for Nintendo Switch. In addition to receiving support such as online play and save data storage, you can play many games released on Family Computer, Game Boy, etc.

The “Legend of Zelda” series includes classic titles such as “The Legend of Zelda,” “The Adventure of Link,” and “The Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods.” If you are already subscribed to this service, you can play for free, so be sure to check it out.

Furthermore, by subscribing to the “Nintendo Switch Online + Additional Pack”, you can also play Game Boy Advance and NINTENDO 64 games. With the Nintendo Switch 2, you can also play popular Nintendo GameCube titles, including “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker'' from the “The Legend of Zelda'' series.

Featured new titles in the Legend of Zelda series

Zelda Musou: Record of Sealed War[Switch 2]

Released on November 6, 2025

This is the latest work of the popular spin-off “Musou Zelda”. This work revolves around the “Sealed War” that occurred in ancient times, which is connected to the regular series “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.” This is a title that attracts attention from fans of “The Legend of Zelda”, as it reveals a story that was not told in the main story.

The appeal of “Zelda Warriors: Legend of the Sealed War'' is that you can enjoy exhilarating action scenes against a large army sent by the Demon King. In addition, there are various systems that are useful on the battlefield, such as being able to perform combination techniques in cooperation with allies, and switching the character you are controlling during battle depending on the situation.

Another great feature is that you can enjoy cooperative play with two people. In addition to split-screen play, you can also use the Nintendo Switch 2's “Osso-Wake Communication” function to play on separate screens.

・Package version

・Download version

Recommended ranking of The Legend of Zelda series

1st place The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild[Wii U, Switch, Switch 2]

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” was released as launch software for the Nintendo Switch in 2017. The world is set 100 years after a disaster called the Great Calamity occurred. This is an action-adventure game where the main character is Link, a young man who wakes up from a long sleep.

This game is the first in the series to feature an open world. From the tops of steep mountains to isolated islands in the sea, you can go almost anywhere you see. Furthermore, the progress of the story is up to the player, and it is possible to go straight to the final boss after the tutorial ends.

“Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” released for Switch 2 not only lets you play games in higher resolution, but also adds new elements. By linking with the smartphone app, you can use in-game audio guidance and listen to episodes that did not appear in the main story.

Among the many open world games out there, this game is highly praised not only by domestic but also overseas game fans, as it has a particularly high degree of freedom. It is a highly recommended Zelda work that you can enjoy to the fullest, with plenty of side quests and other elements to play with.

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・The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild[Switch 2nd edition]

・The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild[Switch version]

2nd place The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom[Switch,Switch 2]

“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” will be released on Nintendo Switch in 2023. This work is a sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and takes place several years after the ending of the previous work.

Zelda goes missing while investigating a “mysterious miasma” occurring beneath Hyrule Castle. Link travels to Hyrule, where strange events occur, in order to trace Zelda's footsteps after she disappears. The vast open world map is not only on the ground, but also in the sky and underground. Compared to the previous work, you can now explore an even more expansive world.

Also worth noting is Link's new ability. You can play the game with free imagination, such as creating vehicles by attaching objects together or moving through the ceiling.

In 2025, “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” will be released to coincide with the release of the Switch 2 console. In addition to being compatible with ZELDA NOTES, which allows you to use a variety of content on your smartphone, it has evolved to allow you to enjoy the world of Hyrule with even higher definition images.

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・The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom[Switch 2 version]

・The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom[Switch version]

3rd place The Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods[SFC, Wii, Wii U, New3DS, Switch]

By: nintendo.co.jp

“The Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods” was released in 1991 as a game software for the Super Famicom. This is the third title in the series, and while the previous title, “The Adventures of Link,'' was more action-oriented, this work is a refined version of the original “The Legend of Zelda'' and is more adventure-oriented.

This work features a system that allows you to move between two maps: the “World of Light” and the “World of Darkness.” Fields and dungeons have become three-dimensional, and the difficulty of solving puzzles has also been increased. Although it is an early title in the series, the basic system has been completed, so the appeal is that it can be enjoyed even today.

Another recommended point is that it is included in the Nintendo Switch software “Super Famicom Nintendo Switch Online,'' which allows you to play a variety of retro games. If you subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online, you can play for free, so please give it a try.

・Super Famicom Nintendo Switch Online[Switch version]

4th place The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time[N64, GC, Wii, Wii U, 3DS, etc.]

“The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” was released for Nintendo 64 in 1998. The game was unique in that it was the first in the series to use 3D polygons, whereas previous versions had 2D pixel graphics. With the addition of depth to the world, both mystery solving and action have been greatly powered up. It is one of the most highly acclaimed works in the series, receiving many awards both domestically and internationally.

The main character is Link, who lives in the Kokiri Forest. In order to thwart the ambitions of Ganondorf, a demon thief who plans to conquer the world, he throws himself into a battle that transcends time. This is a turning point where the chronology of The Legend of Zelda series splits into three parts, so playing this game will give you a deeper understanding of other Zelda works.

In 2011, “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D'' was released on the Nintendo 3DS. This is a remake version with reworked graphics, and new elements have been added, such as support for stereoscopic viewing and the ability to play the highly difficult “Ura Zelda” after clearing the main story. If you want to know more about the story of the series, please give it a try.

・The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D[3DS version]

5th place The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask[N64, Wii, Wii U, 3DS]

“The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask” was released for Nintendo 64 in 2000. Link wanders into another world called Termina, which will be destroyed in three days. This is an action RPG in which the player uses the power of “Ocarina of Time” to rewind time while searching for a way to avoid the collapse of the world.

The gimmick of this work is a “mask”. By wearing a mysterious mask, Link gains special abilities. Use various masks to solve mysteries, such as the Goron Mask that can destroy rocks, the Zora Mask that allows you to swim underwater, and the Dekunut Mask that allows you to glide on the wind.

A remake version, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D, was released in 2015. In addition to updating the graphics and operation methods, new elements have also been added. Although it is one of the more difficult works in the series, it is recommended for those who like so-called “loop works”.

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・The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D[3DS version]

6th place The Legend of Zelda: Dreaming Island[GB, GBC, Switch]

“The Legend of Zelda: Dreaming Island” was released on the Game Boy in 1993. On his way back from training, Link gets caught in a storm and falls into the sea. They washed ashore on the lush green island of Koholint. Knowing that he cannot escape unless he awakens the island's god, the Wind Fish, Link goes on an adventure to collect the Siren's Instrument.

This work is the fourth work in the “Legend of Zelda” series, and is a classic action-adventure game that uses a top-down screen format. It is a title that has been highly praised for its fleeting and sad story, comical dialogue, and exquisitely difficult mystery-solving elements, and still has a strong fan following.

In 1998, a “DX version'' compatible with Game Boy Color was released, and in 2019, a “Remake version'' was released for Nintendo Switch. Although the remake version has completely new graphics, it faithfully reproduces the charm of the original version. Recommended for those who haven't played it yet, as well as those who want to play it again.

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・The Legend of Zelda: Dreaming Island[Switch version]

7th place The Legend of Zelda[FC, Wii, Wii U, 3DS, Switch, etc.]

By: nintendo.co.jp

“The Legend of Zelda” was released on the Family Computer Disk System in 1986. In order to save Princess Zelda, who has been kidnapped by the Great Demon King Ganon, the main character, Link, sets out on an adventure to find the pieces of the Triforce.

This work is the first work in the “The Legend of Zelda” series. The mystery-solving element is already present, and the difficulty level is higher than that of recent game software. However, since hints are provided, the game design allows you to clear the game without looking at the strategy site.

It is included in the Nintendo Switch software “Family Computer Nintendo Switch Online,'' and can be played at no additional charge if you are a subscriber to the paid service “Nintendo Switch Online.'' If you want to play quickly, we recommend “The Legend of Zelda: Rich Version,'' which allows you to play with Link in a strengthened state.

・Family Computer Nintendo Switch Online[Switch version]

8th place The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword[Wii, Wii U, Switch]

The action-adventure game “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword'' was released for Wii in 2011. This is the oldest story in the chronological order, and the title depicts the creation of the familiar key item in the series, the Master Sword.

An island floating in the sky (Skyloft). Link descends to the earth beneath the clouds to find his childhood friend Zelda, who has gone missing. As the catchphrase says, “Dense Zelda,” the volume is one of the highest in the series. Perfect for those who like to get involved and take detours.

A download version was released on Wii U in 2016, and a remake version was released on Nintendo Switch in 2021. In addition to stick and button operations, the Switch version also supports Joy-Con operations, allowing you to enjoy exhilarating action. Although it is one of the more difficult games in the series, it is recommended for those who want to enjoy the world of Zelda even more.

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・The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword[Switch version]

No. 9 The Legend of Zelda: Wisdom Ornament[Switch]

“The Legend of Zelda: Wisdom'' will be released on Nintendo Switch in 2024. This work is unique in that it is the first time in the series that Princess Zelda is the main character. Princess Zelda sets out on an adventure to save Link, his father, the King of Hyrule, and the people who are swallowed by a mysterious “rift” that suddenly appears.

Princess Zelda, who does not have the power to attack her enemies, makes full use of the power of Karimono, which she received from the fairy Tori. You will be able to create specific objects in any location that you can find during your travels. It's up to the player to decide how to overcome difficulties, such as building footholds to climb steps or summoning monsters to defeat enemies.

The charm of “The Legend of Zelda: Carimono of Wisdom'' is that you can enjoy solving puzzles and battles with free thinking while maintaining the ease of playing from a top-down game. This is a recommended work that allows you to enjoy a dramatic story typical of Zelda while incorporating a bit of a different element.

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No. 10: Musou Zelda: Apocalypse of Calamity[Switch]

“Zelda Warriors: Apocalypse” was released on Nintendo Switch in 2020. This work is a collaboration work with the “Musou'' series, where you can enjoy exhilarating Ikki Tousen battles with easy controls. Although it is a spin-off, a dramatic story related to the main story is being developed.

This work is characterized by its theme of the Great Calamity, which was talked about as an event 100 years ago in Breath of the Wild. In addition to Link and Zelda, heroes such as Darkel, Mipha, Rebal, and Urbosa also participate. Being able to control characters other than Link is a unique charm of this work.

Another point of this work is that it supports multiplayer. In TV mode and tabletop mode, you can enjoy cooperative play with up to two people using split screen. Recommended not only for those who want to further enjoy the world of Breath of the Wild, but also for those who want to play with family and friends.

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