4:58 I actually love that the first dungeon's boss doesn't require the beetle, but is instead a test of how well you've masted the sword control at that point, it felt like the game was sitting me down and telling me "okay for most basic enemies it's gonna be okay to just waggle the wiimote, but now you gotta git gud or you're not gonna have a fun time"
I still remember playing the demo of the game at PAX one year, picking the boss fight option where you do that first fight at 20 hearts, & he KICKED MY ASS. It's a great example of how even the first boss is meant to be a test because without the leadup with random mobs to ease you in, you likely wouldn't have the skills to take him down.
I'm fine with it, it gives some freedom to make items that are good for puzzles but not necessarily needed for weapons. What I don't like it how you have to quickly move your sword to a different angle to bypass the boss's blocking direction, but there is a very fine margin of repositioning your sword quicker than the boss adjusts his block but slower than the game will interpret your movement as an attack, straight into the boss's block.
It's a miracle that Majora's Mask is as good as it is considering its infamously short development time. How they packed so much into that game with only a year to work on it is crazy. And explaining the reused Ocarina of Time assets by making Termina a parallel world to Hyrule was genius.
I actually have the opposite perspective. I find Majora’s Mask very flawed. I find a lot of the game to be not that great and it’s still my favorite Zelda game & that’s the beauty of MM. It’s always pulling me back in.
If I had a nickel for every game that had a very short development time, worked off the previous game's engine, is open world and is still beloved by people to this day, I'd have two. Which isn't a lot but it's weird it happened twice.
@@ness6714 I’d have 3 nickels! Majora’s Mask Fallout New Vegas KotOR II All three were suuuper rushed, used the engine/assets of their predecessors, and are fantastic games despite their flaws (which basically all stem from their rushed developments). I’m guessing you were referencing the first two, which are the best and most famous of the three (and in fact, make up two of my top 4 games of all time), but I like to give KotOR II credit where it’s due as well :) it’s another Obsidian game too, just like FONV. Edit: I now realize you also stipulated “open world” and I’m not *sure* if KotOR II can *technically* be considered open world, but…maybe? And it does hit all the other criteria for sure!
The thing with Yuga is that he's Lorule's Ganondorf equivalent, just like Hilda is its Zelda. So who can hijack Ganon other than his alternate reality counterpart?
The other thing about Skyward Sword is that it really focused on building up the ancient forgotten lore behind the bulk of the entire franchise! HOW the Master Sword was created, the reason WHY Link, Zelda, and eventually Ganondorf/Ganon are who they are, WHERE the spirit of the Master Sword originated and WHY Link is usually the only individual worthy enough to wield it, and so on.
Part of that is actually what I don't like about it. Turns out Ganondorf never needed to exist, if only Zelda had put a little more thought into her millenia-spanning plan. You've basically won after the third dungeon, then you have to needlessly "prove yourself" in a dozen ways despite there being no backup plan, and building a new time gate that proves unnecessary for you (old Impa could have told you everything Zelda tells you in the past, the only other need is a medicine for the dragon who could have just written down the notes for the song, and that whole song-quest was yet another pointless proving yourself padding) but proves vital for the villains and caused Ganondorf to come into existence.
@@bificommander7472 Yes, the "prove yourself" padding is annoying and time consuming. However, it's that padding which shows that Link EARNED his powers/abilities/skills/etc. Ganondorf didn't need to exist, but the fact that he does is what sets up the rest of the convoluted timeline(s).
@@L337M4573RK Other Zelda games also showed Link earning his skills and proving his ability, by accomplishing goals that the story made me sufficiently invested in. Link isn't normally portrayed as someone who seeks power for it's own sake (that's Ganon's thing), he acquired it in the process of doing something that will help save Zelda, the world, or something else important. course I wouldn't actually want the game to end after the third dungeon. I would just have liked a better narrative reason for it to continue (and not retroactively cause Ganondorf's existence needlessly). Especially since this time around the one setting up the hurdles and tests to prove yourself isn't just a mysterious nature spirit or an inscrutable dirty from ages long gone, but a person who you have conversations with, who knows you personally and picked you specifically for an important task. A task, mind you, that doesn't really require being "worthy", you just need to finish locking Denise's prison cell. As long as you won't waste the wish on hookers and blow, or whatever PG equivalent is available, you don't need to be skilled or worthy.
@@bificommander7472 You're not convincing anyone through your report-long posts regarding your own personal opinion. Just stop, and accept the fact that your opinion isn't the "only opinion" in this world.
@@L337M4573RK Sheesh, whenever did I say that my opinion was the only valid one? You post your opinion in a public place, I post mine. I thought it was an entertaining exchange of viewpoints. But fine by me, I'll drop it.
Man, this is a hard series to rank considering how many great games we have to choose from, but these are who I'd say are my top 10: 10. *Link's Awakening* 9. *A Link to the Past* 8. *A Link Between Worlds* 7. *The Minish Cap* 6. *Ocarina of Time* 5. *Twilight Princess* 4. *Skyward Sword* 3. *Breath of the Wild* 2. *The Wind Waker* 1. *Majora's Mask* Can't wait for Tears of the Kingdom tomorrow, I genuinely think it can manage to be the best one in the franchise.
@@dragonsword-onepiecemore8902 Well I wouldn't go _that_ far as of yet, but I've only barely just reached my first dungeon, so I still have a good ways to go. It's in the top 5 for sure though!
@@dragonsword-onepiecemore8902 Yo, eight months later, I gotta admit now that TotK really didn't live up to my expectations. Like, probably not even in my top 10 Zelda games lol.
The amount of SALT that I can already taste from people who are sick of the praise Majora's Mask gets is impeccable. And we haven't even reached the finishing act.
I remember about five to six weeks before OoT came out, I told some buddies of mine how the game was going to be so revolutionary and awesome, and they remarked how it would be forgotten in another five or six weeks. Not five or six months later, I had since moved on and no longer had ties to most of those buddies, but it was clear that OoT was here to stay. Of course, my favorites ended up being Link's Awakening and Majora's Mask, but still; OoT and its impact on the gaming world was undeniable.
Personally I think Yuga is one of the best villains in the series since he steals the plot from Ganon, the narcissistic side of his personality is unique in the way he carries it and how he treats everyone else as a pawn (including Ganon), and because of his personality he’s one of the only Zelda villains who is actively detestable, and he’s one of the most evil villains in the series Also if anything, Demise makes Ganondorf more sympathetic since he doesn’t have a choice but to be evil.
I like that Spirit Tracks was on the list. Is of my favorite games and I love the overworld theme that synchronizes perfectly with the rithm of the train.
10. How hot a take is it to say Spirit Tracks' Zelda is the best companion in the franchise? 9. I think you summed it up perfectly. 8. I once thought this to be the best just because it didn't have glaring flaws like gimmick controls, annoying companions or long tutorials. The truth is, ALttP is still Zelda in its adolescence, not yet solidified its identity. You'd be hard-pressed to find a dungeon from this game in a best ever list (unlike a worst ever list, hey there Ice Palace!) 7. 6. The next two games, on the other hand, are a return to 2D after the franchise solidified puzzles, rather than exploration or combat, as its forte - and it shows. Also, navigating through the walls might be my favorite gimmick ever in the franchise. 5. Extremely annoying and tedious tutorial aside, I think Twilight Princess has the best dungeons in the franchise by average. Even the Yeti mansion. 4. Okay, first of all, **** people who diss games because of cartoony graphics. The only real big issue with this game is the Triforce hunt. For an ocean overworld, the Great Sea isn't that bad, compared to, say, the ocean in Suikoden 4... *shudders* 3. Honestly, N64 games have aged like milk in general, but Z targeting revolutionized 3D combat forever. 2. Breath of the Wild is one of the best games in one of the best years in gaming (I still like Persona 5 more, but I'm a certified Weaboo so who cares what I think), but I'd rather have more games that rely on the old formula. For a decade now I yearn for a steampunk sequel to Spirit Tracks. 1. Yeah, I figured it'd be this one. Unfortunately, unlike OoT3D, its 3DS remaster kinda ruined some things, like Zora swimming and the bosses (hi Gyorg, I hate you).
I wasn’t a huge fan of Spirit attacks in the short time I tested it out years ago, but the overworld theme is by far one of my most favorite pieces of music ever. That, and Dragon Roost Island fight each other for first, miles ahead of anything else, closely followed by Gerudo Valley.
Post-list audio was missing when I watched this, so I gotta make the reference. "Where's the Kaboom? There was supposed to be an earth-shattering Kaboom!"
My personal favorites are Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, Hyrule Warriors, Age of Calamity, and for sure Tears of the Kingdom.
@@jarrellfamily1422 basically yeah. I never had the opportunity to play any of the 2D games so I’m going based on my experiences with the franchise. If I did play any of the older games I think Minish Cap seems like a strong contender for me.
As much of a Zelda fan that I may be, I've only played Twilight Princess, Ocarina of Time 3D, Majora's Mask 3D, A Link Between Worlds, and Skyward Sword. (I played A link to the Past when I was a kid, but remember stopping at the final dungeon and then losing the cartridge 😓. So that and Breath of the Wild are still on my backlog of games to play 😅) But of those, TP, ALBW, ALttP (from what I can remember), And SS are my favorites. OoT just felt like TP, but smaller and less interesting. And MM was just frustrating 😜
There is a randomizer that combines OoT and MM into an experience unlike any you've experienced before. Feel free to go nuts with your settings! I had to remove the actual website for some reason........
My Top 10 #10 Skyward Sword #9 Ocarina of Time #8 Windwaker #7 Age of Calamity #6 Twilight Princess #5 Oracle of Ages/Seasons #4 Link's Awakening #3 A Link Between Worlds #2 Breath of the Wild #1 Majora's Mask
Left ear: haha said James Right ear; eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
For being my all time favorite series choosing my all time favorite Zelda game is a tough choice. So many great games like Ocarina, Majora's Mask, Link to the Past, Wind Waker, Links Awakening, Twilight Princess, Minish Cap, BOTW, God there's too many to choose from. Hell even the spin off games like Hyrule Warriors are absolutely fun as hell.
I think this is one of my favourite lists in recent memory (at least in regards of the Zelda franchise). Also made 1000% better by the clip of LA Knight/Eli Drake. xD Dummy! Yeah!
My personal top 10 1 tears of the kingdom 2 links awakening 3 wind waker 4 ocarina of time 5 link between worlds 6 breath of the wild 7 twilight princess 8 minish cap 9 spirit tracks 10 skyward sword
If we're all being open about our biases here, my personal list would unquestionably put Cadence of Hyrule al the way up at number 2. I've been a big Crypt of the Necrodancer fan ever since the first game, so the reveal of a sequel that's also a Zelda game was everything I ever wanted. The full game absolutely lived up to the promise, having the best combat in any Zelda game and some very fun twists on the standard formula, as well as having a whole bunch of great callbacks to previous games (especially in enemy and boss design). I just replayed it and the Skull Kid DLC, and its still such a good game. Number 1 has to go to BotW for me though that game is just so good.
A Link Between Worlds and Spirit Tracks (even though I didn’t beat it) were some of my fav Zelda games. Link Between Worlds being my all time favorite.
"While people agree Skyward Sword is one of the best games in the series..." Since when!?! I know it has its fans, but last I checked, there were a good chunk (including me) that despise this game.
If I were to make a guess? 10. Skyward Sword 9. Breath of the Wild 8. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity 7. Legend of Zelda: Oracle Games 6. Link to the Past 5. Link Between Worlds 4. Wind Waker 3. Majora's Mask 2. Ocarina of Time 1. Twilight Princess
speaking of Top 10s, here's mine. 1 - Link To The Past (SNES) 2 - Ocarina of Time 3 - Twilight Princess 4 - Wind Waker 5 - The Minish Cap 6 - Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons 7 - Zelda 1 8 - Zelda 2 9 - Skyward Sword 10 - Hyrule Warriors (yeah, i know it's more a Musou game than a Zelda game, but i feel it counts enough to warrant and i havent play BOTW, TOTK or any other Zelda game that has those terrible touchscreen controls involved, so this is my list)
Alright let's here Josh's opinion on the best games before tears of the kingdom comes out. 10. Love the comparison to Fullmetal Alchemist! 9. Managed to complete it when it was remake. Dang motion controls! 8. Right got to get back to this game... if only Moldorm will cooperate this time! 7. Underrated gem. Goldie's highlights of the game were great as well. 6. Yeah I can relate... and the bosses are much better, looking at you Moldorm! (Can you tell I hate Moldorm?) 5. Can't say much about it that other people have already 4. Ah Wind Waker. All I saw was a good Zelda game while others were complaining. 3. Makes sense. This was the first console game I ever played. 2. No surprise. From what I hear Tears of the Kingdom is just as good if not better! 1. Again not surprised. Personaly Breath of the Wild is my favorite but this is in the top ten for me.
Josh: Number 7, The Minish Cap, is probably the best 2D Zelda game. Me: What about A Link Between Worlds? Isn't that a 2D Zelda game? Josh: Number 6 is A Link Between Worlds.
I have a weird relationship with Breath of The Wild. It was certainly pretty and fun. But I’m not a fan of breakable weapons outside of turn based strategy games. It felt really restrictive in how I wanted to go about combat to the point I went out of my way to grind heart containers and get the master sword ASAP just to cope with it. Seriously, it’s one thing to limit the amount of arrows I can carry, you had to make it so my bow and sword can fall apart too? Also, call me petty, but not having the green tunic be Link’s default outfit felt WEIRD at first.
Majora's Mask as your number one... ... *TRULY...thou art a man of taste and refinement.* I upgrade your status on the list to " *Really* Don't Hex beam."
Personally i dont agree with the argument that Demise ruins the development of Ganondorf. That`s like saying Darth Vader dont have depth anymore because the Devil exists in the Disney universe 🤷♂
I wouldn't advise a newbie to start with Majora's Mask even if it didn't have the time limit or moon. It clearly expects people to have played Ocarina of Time before.
Ok...... i surprise..... .........for the first time i see someone agreed with me about Majora's Mask. Most of time when i said that is my favorite game of the franchise people wanted know why. Of course the awser was everything Josh talk about, the fact you can mindless fun with the masks and *THE FACT* the *Fierce Deity* is one of most *POWERFUL LINK*, if not *THE MOST* you can play!!! But hear someone agreed with me is refreshing!!!
I'd personally swap the positions of BoTW and Twilight Princess, mainly due to the lack of variety with bosses and though the world was packed with content a lot of it was the same quest repeated to get things like Korok Seeds. I can only really do a top five since I never owned a handheld and thus never really got to play the majority of Zelda titles, but mine would look something like: 5. BoTW 4. Ocarina of Time 3. Windwaker 2. Twilight Princess 1. Majora's Mask This isn't to say I think BoTW is bad by any means, gameplay wise the combat feels the best barring maybe windwaker and the open world is revolutionary, but the recycled content throughout it made the initial hype I had in the game waver over time. Still, as you said, the physics based powers and open world make it a great game -- just not deserving of a top three spot to me.
Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask would always be my fav Legend of Zelda games. Played the NES and SNES games, even Adventure of Link, played Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, even Skyward Sword but hated the Wii version because of it draining by batteries due to their Wii Motion Plus technology. There is something about the N64 games that always tells me this was Peak Zelda in storytelling.
Here's my 3 favorite 2D and 3D Zelda games (Way easier than listing my 10 favorites right now) 2D: 3. Oracle of Ages 2. Minish Cap 1. Link Between Worlds 3D: 3. Twilight Princess 2. Majora's Mask (Specifically 3DS) 1. Wind Waker Breath of the Wild is my favorite Zelda game but I felt it'd be fair to mention the other games
10: At first I thought, "When did he go from LoZ to FMA?"....then you revealed it was a segue to Spirit Tracks and wanted to throw a wrench for faking me out. 9: One of the few Zelda games I've yet to play, but I'll find out for myself whether it's actually as good or bad. Though hopefully not as bad as Ghirahim's moments *shivers* 8: The series' true rising point where many of its traditional features began. The Master Sword, split worlds, unique dungeons and bosses, the works. 7: A hidden gem that's quite engaging. And not only that, shrinking and growing to reach other places is exciting. The Kinstones will probably have you going for longer, though. 6: Link Between Worlds is actually a sequel to Link to the Past, and like you said, they improved everything and also....moving through walls, and Ravio is best merchant (you'll see at the end) 5: The most realistic in the series, and yes, Midna is best partner *draws sword* EN GARDE! 4: A surprise hit that got dunked on at first, but over time, became one of the best in the series....also Hyrule became Atlantis in that timeline 3: A timeless masterpiece both for its time and was a trailblazing title for future games to come. 2: It was a perfect liftoff for the Switch, broke boundaries (literally), and gave a brand new way for new and veteran fans to enjoy the series. Also, we actually hear Zelda's voice. 1: A sequel that was unique for its time, and opinions divided like the moon's phases, but the interwoven stories from the NPCs and everything else makes it more...alive. (btw, as a Zelda fan myself, Hyrule Warriors is the only DW game I've played....and am still on to this day)
I know its TECHNICALLY not a REAL Zelda game, but Hyrule Warriors and Age if Calamity are probably some of my favorite Zelda games for two big reasons. 1. Hyrule Warriors was a love letter to a plethora of Zelda fans with the playable roster, enemies to fight, and an assortment of items throughout the Zelda Anthology. 2. It introduced the masses to the Warriors Franchise and are by far the best Warriors games that Koei Tecmo and Omega Force have made.
I watch PeanutButterGamer. Every November, he does his own Zelda Month. When I saw that Josh did a Zelda Month, I was hoping it was in November... I am saddened, it was last May.
Given Four Swords Adventures was the Zelda game I played the most as a child, the more linear games never bothered me. I'd even argue that the original NES game is less open than critics say it is. You technically can finish any of the first 8 dungeons in any order, but level 9 with a sword and silver arrows will be the ending no matter what. Also some of them require dungeon items to enter, so the only reason you'd finish them earlier is if you decided to quit halfway. And unlike BoTW, the game that is supposedly as open as the original and not more so, you actually do need to clear all 9 to finish the game.
I love seeing Majora's Mask getting so much love. I didn't have it as a kid due to not having the N64 pack that required it (which was probably also why it sold less than Ocarina of Time), but I did play it at my cousin's house since they did have it. To this day it's one of my favorite Zelda games due to the dark atmosphere and Skull Kid's entire story. It's definitely my favorite in terms of story and atmosphere, though as a game I think I like Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker slightly better.
This might be a controversial choice, but I would put Skyward Sword somewhere. It has its annoying sections to be sure but it has other sections that I think are among the best of the series. The Ancient Cistern, the Ghirahim battles, the swordplay itself etc.
My first impression of Zelda was the Collector's Edition on Gamecube when I was about 8 years old, with no memory card. Zelda 1 was fun to wander around in and Zelda 2 was a difficult departure with almost completely different mechanics but still pretty neat. Ocarina of Time's Gohma was the boss my older brother had to beat for me and it still gave me enough nightmares that my mom gave the game to my cousins, but it was still easy enough otherwise that I could at least get to Death Mountain before I had to turn the game off. In Majora's Mask, I could never get past the first cycle because I couldn't remember how to play the Song of Time even with the cutscene teaching me a minute prior, but there was so much to do in Clock Town with all of the NPCs that it was a plenty fun game from that alone. And there was an infinite 15 minute trial of Wind Waker for three different parts of the game (Outset Island, Forsaken Fortress, and Dragon Roost Island), which was a perfectly great game since I didn't know the Gamecube was "supposed to" have Spaceworld graphics. Honestly, even with my bias, the last three easily earn top 5 along with BotW and Twilight Princess. WW is a sort of refined OoT, TP is OoT with a pinch of MM weirdness, while MM is the harder and more detailed OoT and BotW is like a massive TP/WW mix where you effectively choose your own adventure.
I can’t be the only one who thinks Minish Cap is underrated. Everyone’s favorite dungeon, the Wind temple, is the only really good one for starters, especially when it comes to the dungeon item. *A lantern is not a dungeon item, and neither is a cane that flips stuff* . I find it really curious how everyone who praises this game only ever mentions the FEW good things it has, and either downplays or ignores the many many glaring flaws
Until I see how Tears of the Kingdom will fair in less than 24 hours; Twilight Princess is my favorite since I feel it was the most flawless, with any flaws it DOES have very easy to overlook. And I’ll just say, as with A LOT of personal lists from others, Zelda IS among my Top THREE favorite games of all time! (Up there with Mario’s mainline series Super Mario - particularly Odyssey at this point - and Smash Ultimate for MY personal favorite games)
Hot take here. I really dislike most of the 2D Zelda games. My ranking 10: Phantom Hourglass 9: Spirit Tracks 8: Skyward Sword 7: Ocarina of Time 6: Majoras Mask 5: Wind Waker 4: Age of Calamity 3: Twilight Princess 2: Breath of the Wild 1: Tears of the Kingdom
No matter where Tears of the Kingdom ends up, either Spirit Tracks gets demoted to Honorable Mention, or one of the existing HMs is thrown out in favor of what so many people called BOTW 2 for so long.
Zelda is one of the few series that’s legitimately hard to rank due to how great many of the entries are. And so if I had to do so with the ones I’ve played to completion (not counting spin-offs, like Hyrule Warriors and Age of Calamity), it’d be: 1. Twilight Princess 2. Majora’s Mask 3. Link’s Awakening 4. Breath of the Wild 5. The Wind Waker 6. Ocarina of Time 7. A Link Between Worlds 8. Spirit Tracks 9. Skyward Sword 10. Four Swords Anniversary Edition Still haven’t beaten A Link to the Past, Minish Cap and the Oracle games, even if I plan and hope to do so one day. And I’ll be interested to see where Tears if the Kingdom ranks once I play it, which I 100% can’t wait for.
I 100% agree that Majora’s Mask is the best Zelda game. I will say though that the younger me was freaked out by the sudden dark tone of the game. Here is what the younger me was like: “Aghhh the moon with the ugly face is falling aghhh!”
Number 1 for me is Ocarina of Time. Literally remember it as the first Zelda game I ever played. Best Experience of the Zelda Formula to me is Twilight Princess. Best Story is Majoras Mask. Best Art to me is Wind Waker
10) Phantom Hourglass 9) Oracles 8) Minish Cap 7) Skyward Sword 6) Breath of the Wild 5) Wind Waker 4) Twilight Princess 3) Majoras Mask 2) Ocarina of Time 1) Link to the Past Tears of the Kingdom has an excellent shot at entering the top 5.
12:00 "When was the last time you really heard someone say something negative about Twilight Princess?" Any Zelda video that the channel Triple Jump has ever done. They HATE Twilight Princess for (what I think are) completely unfounded reasons. Like the art style. Even though TP is a fucking BEAUTIFUL game.
Skyward sword hd did a lot right, but god is the lack of the Wii motion plus noticable, and harm it in places. Also, my GameStop sold the amiibo for 10 USD, so like, eh. I didn't even use it, the statue's were honestly well placed. Quality of life sure, but not by much.
My actual top 10: 10. Oracle of Ages / Oracle of Seasons 9. Wind Waker 8. Twilight Princess 7. Minish Cap 6. A link to the Past 5. A link Between Worlds 4. Majora´s Mask 3. Ocarina of Time 2. Breath of the Wild 1. Tears of the Kingdom
My picks, all 9/10 or higher on IMDb: 10: Skyward Sword 9: Breath of the Wild 8: A Link to the Past 7: Wind Waker HD 6: Oracle of Ages 5: Majora’s Mask 3D 4: A Link Between Worlds 3: Twilight Princess HD 2: Link’s Awakening (Switch) 1: Ocarina of Time 3D
I heavily disagree with Majora's mask not because of the themes or story but because of the 3 day and restart time mechanics. Then again, I'm not big on time limits. So, yeah, Majora's Mask is not for me, like Ocarina of Time, Breath of the Wild, Wind Waker, Skyward Sword, and Twilight Princess though.
1 Ocarina of Time 2 Twilight Princess 3 Link to the Past 4 Windwaker 5 Majoras Mask 6 Link Between Worlds 7 Minish Cap 8 Links Awakening 9 The Legend of Zelda 10 Skyward Sword
I still need to get around to Majora's Mask. Of the ones I played: 1 & 2: Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess. I can't decide. TP was more ambitious, but couldn't quite stick the landing in what it set up. 3: Breath of the Wild. An amazing experience on my first playthrough, but even though I bought the DLC, it never managed to hold my interest long enough to finish a replay, unlike every other Zelda game, including SS. 4: Wind waker. Not the biggest fan of the art style, and the low number of dungeons. Still fun though. 5: Skyward Sword. Good dungeons, good idea to give you the new items first so subesquent dungeons don't forget they exist in favor of more bow and hookshot puzzles (looking at you, spinner), and a more interesting Zelda. Also, a poorly thought out story that makes everything after the third dungeon padding that proves actively detrimental to the world, the overworld being a quarter-assed effort where all creativity is confined to the dessert section and a companion presumably designed to make players stop complaining about Navi.
I love watching lists like this because we all love Zelda, but the rankings can vary so wildly from one list to another. Here's how I rank all of the main series games based on my own experience with them, and I could go on for a long time about why I put each one where I did: 1. Ocarina of Time (I skipped the N64 version and am judging by the 3DS port) 2. Breath of the Wild 3. Skyward Sword (I skipped the Wii version and am judging by the Switch port) 4. Link's Awakening (I skipped the original and am judging by the Switch remake) 5. Twilight Princess (I skipped the Game Cube version and am judging by the Wii port) 6. The Wind Waker (I skipped the Game Cube version and am judging by the Wii U port) 7. Majora's Mask (I skipped the N64 version and am judging by the 3DS port) 8. A Link Between Worlds 9. A Link to the Past 10. Spirit Tracks 11. Phantom Hourglass 12. The Minish Cap 13. Oracle of Seasons/Ages 14. The Legend of Zelda 15. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link 16. Four Swords Adventure 17. Tri Force Heroes 18. Four Swords
I haven’t played enough but I have my Personal 5 favorite Zelda games: 1. Ocarina of Time 2. Breath of the Wild 3. Majora’s Mask 4. Twilight Princess 5. Skyward Sword
Here’s my top 10 (I haven’t played every game mind you) 1: Ocarina of Time 2: Link to the Past 3: Majora’s Mask 4: Breath of the Wild 5: Link’s Awakening 6: Skyward Sword 7: Oracle of Ages 8: Oracle of Seasons 9: Minish Cap 10: Link Between Worlds
4:58 I actually love that the first dungeon's boss doesn't require the beetle, but is instead a test of how well you've masted the sword control at that point, it felt like the game was sitting me down and telling me "okay for most basic enemies it's gonna be okay to just waggle the wiimote, but now you gotta git gud or you're not gonna have a fun time"
I still remember playing the demo of the game at PAX one year, picking the boss fight option where you do that first fight at 20 hearts, & he KICKED MY ASS. It's a great example of how even the first boss is meant to be a test because without the leadup with random mobs to ease you in, you likely wouldn't have the skills to take him down.
I'm fine with it, it gives some freedom to make items that are good for puzzles but not necessarily needed for weapons.
What I don't like it how you have to quickly move your sword to a different angle to bypass the boss's blocking direction, but there is a very fine margin of repositioning your sword quicker than the boss adjusts his block but slower than the game will interpret your movement as an attack, straight into the boss's block.
It's a miracle that Majora's Mask is as good as it is considering its infamously short development time. How they packed so much into that game with only a year to work on it is crazy. And explaining the reused Ocarina of Time assets by making Termina a parallel world to Hyrule was genius.
Yo, MM has been my favorite Zelda for close to 2 decades. It took BOT FUCKING Wild to surpass it
I actually have the opposite perspective. I find Majora’s Mask very flawed. I find a lot of the game to be not that great and it’s still my favorite Zelda game & that’s the beauty of MM. It’s always pulling me back in.
If I had a nickel for every game that had a very short development time, worked off the previous game's engine, is open world and is still beloved by people to this day, I'd have two. Which isn't a lot but it's weird it happened twice.
The full development history of MM and OOT is pretty insane, all starting with the failure of N64DD
@@ness6714 I’d have 3 nickels!
Majora’s Mask
Fallout New Vegas
KotOR II
All three were suuuper rushed, used the engine/assets of their predecessors, and are fantastic games despite their flaws (which basically all stem from their rushed developments). I’m guessing you were referencing the first two, which are the best and most famous of the three (and in fact, make up two of my top 4 games of all time), but I like to give KotOR II credit where it’s due as well :) it’s another Obsidian game too, just like FONV.
Edit: I now realize you also stipulated “open world” and I’m not *sure* if KotOR II can *technically* be considered open world, but…maybe? And it does hit all the other criteria for sure!
The thing with Yuga is that he's Lorule's Ganondorf equivalent, just like Hilda is its Zelda. So who can hijack Ganon other than his alternate reality counterpart?
The other thing about Skyward Sword is that it really focused on building up the ancient forgotten lore behind the bulk of the entire franchise! HOW the Master Sword was created, the reason WHY Link, Zelda, and eventually Ganondorf/Ganon are who they are, WHERE the spirit of the Master Sword originated and WHY Link is usually the only individual worthy enough to wield it, and so on.
Part of that is actually what I don't like about it. Turns out Ganondorf never needed to exist, if only Zelda had put a little more thought into her millenia-spanning plan. You've basically won after the third dungeon, then you have to needlessly "prove yourself" in a dozen ways despite there being no backup plan, and building a new time gate that proves unnecessary for you (old Impa could have told you everything Zelda tells you in the past, the only other need is a medicine for the dragon who could have just written down the notes for the song, and that whole song-quest was yet another pointless proving yourself padding) but proves vital for the villains and caused Ganondorf to come into existence.
@@bificommander7472 Yes, the "prove yourself" padding is annoying and time consuming. However, it's that padding which shows that Link EARNED his powers/abilities/skills/etc. Ganondorf didn't need to exist, but the fact that he does is what sets up the rest of the convoluted timeline(s).
@@L337M4573RK Other Zelda games also showed Link earning his skills and proving his ability, by accomplishing goals that the story made me sufficiently invested in. Link isn't normally portrayed as someone who seeks power for it's own sake (that's Ganon's thing), he acquired it in the process of doing something that will help save Zelda, the world, or something else important.
course I wouldn't actually want the game to end after the third dungeon. I would just have liked a better narrative reason for it to continue (and not retroactively cause Ganondorf's existence needlessly). Especially since this time around the one setting up the hurdles and tests to prove yourself isn't just a mysterious nature spirit or an inscrutable dirty from ages long gone, but a person who you have conversations with, who knows you personally and picked you specifically for an important task. A task, mind you, that doesn't really require being "worthy", you just need to finish locking Denise's prison cell. As long as you won't waste the wish on hookers and blow, or whatever PG equivalent is available, you don't need to be skilled or worthy.
@@bificommander7472 You're not convincing anyone through your report-long posts regarding your own personal opinion. Just stop, and accept the fact that your opinion isn't the "only opinion" in this world.
@@L337M4573RK Sheesh, whenever did I say that my opinion was the only valid one? You post your opinion in a public place, I post mine. I thought it was an entertaining exchange of viewpoints. But fine by me, I'll drop it.
Man, this is a hard series to rank considering how many great games we have to choose from, but these are who I'd say are my top 10:
10. *Link's Awakening*
9. *A Link to the Past*
8. *A Link Between Worlds*
7. *The Minish Cap*
6. *Ocarina of Time*
5. *Twilight Princess*
4. *Skyward Sword*
3. *Breath of the Wild*
2. *The Wind Waker*
1. *Majora's Mask*
Can't wait for Tears of the Kingdom tomorrow, I genuinely think it can manage to be the best one in the franchise.
And is totk the best one for you?
@@dragonsword-onepiecemore8902 Well I wouldn't go _that_ far as of yet, but I've only barely just reached my first dungeon, so I still have a good ways to go. It's in the top 5 for sure though!
@@dobadobadooo Nice to hear!
Nah link’s awakening should have been first.
@@dragonsword-onepiecemore8902 Yo, eight months later, I gotta admit now that TotK really didn't live up to my expectations. Like, probably not even in my top 10 Zelda games lol.
The amount of SALT that I can already taste from people who are sick of the praise Majora's Mask gets is impeccable. And we haven't even reached the finishing act.
I hope we get a remake of Minish Cap and the two Oracle games like we did for Link's Awakening. They need more love.
It's so refreshing to see in Between worlds getting some recognition
I remember about five to six weeks before OoT came out, I told some buddies of mine how the game was going to be so revolutionary and awesome, and they remarked how it would be forgotten in another five or six weeks. Not five or six months later, I had since moved on and no longer had ties to most of those buddies, but it was clear that OoT was here to stay. Of course, my favorites ended up being Link's Awakening and Majora's Mask, but still; OoT and its impact on the gaming world was undeniable.
Personally I think Yuga is one of the best villains in the series since he steals the plot from Ganon, the narcissistic side of his personality is unique in the way he carries it and how he treats everyone else as a pawn (including Ganon), and because of his personality he’s one of the only Zelda villains who is actively detestable, and he’s one of the most evil villains in the series
Also if anything, Demise makes Ganondorf more sympathetic since he doesn’t have a choice but to be evil.
My heart will always go to Majora's Mask.
I like that Spirit Tracks was on the list. Is of my favorite games and I love the overworld theme that synchronizes perfectly with the rithm of the train.
Nice list! It's great to see Minish Cap and Spirit Tracks get more love!
24:41 “Where’s the kaboom? There was supposed to be an Earth-shattering kaboom.”
10. How hot a take is it to say Spirit Tracks' Zelda is the best companion in the franchise?
9. I think you summed it up perfectly.
8. I once thought this to be the best just because it didn't have glaring flaws like gimmick controls, annoying companions or long tutorials. The truth is, ALttP is still Zelda in its adolescence, not yet solidified its identity. You'd be hard-pressed to find a dungeon from this game in a best ever list (unlike a worst ever list, hey there Ice Palace!)
7. 6. The next two games, on the other hand, are a return to 2D after the franchise solidified puzzles, rather than exploration or combat, as its forte - and it shows. Also, navigating through the walls might be my favorite gimmick ever in the franchise.
5. Extremely annoying and tedious tutorial aside, I think Twilight Princess has the best dungeons in the franchise by average. Even the Yeti mansion.
4. Okay, first of all, **** people who diss games because of cartoony graphics. The only real big issue with this game is the Triforce hunt. For an ocean overworld, the Great Sea isn't that bad, compared to, say, the ocean in Suikoden 4... *shudders*
3. Honestly, N64 games have aged like milk in general, but Z targeting revolutionized 3D combat forever.
2. Breath of the Wild is one of the best games in one of the best years in gaming (I still like Persona 5 more, but I'm a certified Weaboo so who cares what I think), but I'd rather have more games that rely on the old formula. For a decade now I yearn for a steampunk sequel to Spirit Tracks.
1. Yeah, I figured it'd be this one. Unfortunately, unlike OoT3D, its 3DS remaster kinda ruined some things, like Zora swimming and the bosses (hi Gyorg, I hate you).
I can’t wait to see Tears of the Kingdom somehow bring everyone together and unanimously become the number 1 game in the series, if not number 2.
The lowest score for it is 9.75/10 which has me even more excited about tomorrow also I've only been look at scores not the reviews them selves
I am still thinking about getting it.
Still not seeing a reason to care. Ended up disliking BotW so more of that style isn't exactly causing spontaneous white stains in my pants.
Apparently it’s already getting 10/10s across the board so I am super hyped
It gives off a different vibe from the previous game.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Spirit attacks in the short time I tested it out years ago, but the overworld theme is by far one of my most favorite pieces of music ever. That, and Dragon Roost Island fight each other for first, miles ahead of anything else, closely followed by Gerudo Valley.
Post-list audio was missing when I watched this, so I gotta make the reference.
"Where's the Kaboom? There was supposed to be an earth-shattering Kaboom!"
14:34 Holy shit! An Eli Drake reference? NICE!
YEAH!
My personal favorites are Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, Hyrule Warriors, Age of Calamity, and for sure Tears of the Kingdom.
So the 3d ones than
@@jarrellfamily1422 basically yeah. I never had the opportunity to play any of the 2D games so I’m going based on my experiences with the franchise. If I did play any of the older games I think Minish Cap seems like a strong contender for me.
@@jarrellfamily1422 Wind Waker: Am I a joke to you?
@Raven aether7.10 I think I saw wind waker on here but it seems my eyes have deceived me
As much of a Zelda fan that I may be, I've only played Twilight Princess, Ocarina of Time 3D, Majora's Mask 3D, A Link Between Worlds, and Skyward Sword. (I played A link to the Past when I was a kid, but remember stopping at the final dungeon and then losing the cartridge 😓. So that and Breath of the Wild are still on my backlog of games to play 😅) But of those, TP, ALBW, ALttP (from what I can remember), And SS are my favorites. OoT just felt like TP, but smaller and less interesting. And MM was just frustrating 😜
There is a randomizer that combines OoT and MM into an experience unlike any you've experienced before.
Feel free to go nuts with your settings!
I had to remove the actual website for some reason........
FINALLY!! It took 10 tries before I finally got the comment to stick!
My Top 10
#10 Skyward Sword
#9 Ocarina of Time
#8 Windwaker
#7 Age of Calamity
#6 Twilight Princess
#5 Oracle of Ages/Seasons
#4 Link's Awakening
#3 A Link Between Worlds
#2 Breath of the Wild
#1 Majora's Mask
The oracle games are very underrated, hope a remake comes soon😢
Left ear: haha said James
Right ear; eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
For being my all time favorite series choosing my all time favorite Zelda game is a tough choice. So many great games like Ocarina, Majora's Mask, Link to the Past, Wind Waker, Links Awakening, Twilight Princess, Minish Cap, BOTW, God there's too many to choose from. Hell even the spin off games like Hyrule Warriors are absolutely fun as hell.
I think this is one of my favourite lists in recent memory (at least in regards of the Zelda franchise).
Also made 1000% better by the clip of LA Knight/Eli Drake. xD Dummy! Yeah!
YEAH!
24:40
The Kaboom got Muted!
Tbh I love the remaster of MM the most and I love extra side quests
My personal top 10
1 tears of the kingdom
2 links awakening
3 wind waker
4 ocarina of time
5 link between worlds
6 breath of the wild
7 twilight princess
8 minish cap
9 spirit tracks
10 skyward sword
If we're all being open about our biases here, my personal list would unquestionably put Cadence of Hyrule al the way up at number 2. I've been a big Crypt of the Necrodancer fan ever since the first game, so the reveal of a sequel that's also a Zelda game was everything I ever wanted. The full game absolutely lived up to the promise, having the best combat in any Zelda game and some very fun twists on the standard formula, as well as having a whole bunch of great callbacks to previous games (especially in enemy and boss design). I just replayed it and the Skull Kid DLC, and its still such a good game.
Number 1 has to go to BotW for me though that game is just so good.
Cadence of hyrule deserve more love
A Link Between Worlds and Spirit Tracks (even though I didn’t beat it) were some of my fav Zelda games. Link Between Worlds being my all time favorite.
"While people agree Skyward Sword is one of the best games in the series..."
Since when!?! I know it has its fans, but last I checked, there were a good chunk (including me) that despise this game.
Twilight Princess and Link Between Worlds are my personal favorites, with Wind Waker being a close third place
If I were to make a guess?
10. Skyward Sword
9. Breath of the Wild
8. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
7. Legend of Zelda: Oracle Games
6. Link to the Past
5. Link Between Worlds
4. Wind Waker
3. Majora's Mask
2. Ocarina of Time
1. Twilight Princess
You released this before Tiers of the Kingdom comes out.... yeah your going to end up remaking this video.... GOOD LUCK.
That moon was so scary, even Josh was at a loss for words at the credits XD
speaking of Top 10s, here's mine.
1 - Link To The Past (SNES)
2 - Ocarina of Time
3 - Twilight Princess
4 - Wind Waker
5 - The Minish Cap
6 - Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons
7 - Zelda 1
8 - Zelda 2
9 - Skyward Sword
10 - Hyrule Warriors (yeah, i know it's more a Musou game than a Zelda game, but i feel it counts enough to warrant and i havent play BOTW, TOTK or any other Zelda game that has those terrible touchscreen controls involved, so this is my list)
Perhaps I will make one of these myself after giving Tears of the Kingdom a good digestion.
I enjoyed spirit tracks but the pan flute mechanics 😅 specifically what I think was the last melody I could not get right.
can you imagine they made MM in less than a year after OoT,
what a masterpiece and agree its the greatest ever
Alright let's here Josh's opinion on the best games before tears of the kingdom comes out.
10. Love the comparison to Fullmetal Alchemist!
9. Managed to complete it when it was remake. Dang motion controls!
8. Right got to get back to this game... if only Moldorm will cooperate this time!
7. Underrated gem. Goldie's highlights of the game were great as well.
6. Yeah I can relate... and the bosses are much better, looking at you Moldorm! (Can you tell I hate Moldorm?)
5. Can't say much about it that other people have already
4. Ah Wind Waker. All I saw was a good Zelda game while others were complaining.
3. Makes sense. This was the first console game I ever played.
2. No surprise. From what I hear Tears of the Kingdom is just as good if not better!
1. Again not surprised. Personaly Breath of the Wild is my favorite but this is in the top ten for me.
Josh: Number 7, The Minish Cap, is probably the best 2D Zelda game.
Me: What about A Link Between Worlds? Isn't that a 2D Zelda game?
Josh: Number 6 is A Link Between Worlds.
I'm... I'm inclined and honored to give my blessing in my usual quote--with reverence:
There Is No Lie Here.
Love the fullmetal alchemist joke for sprit tracks
After seeing your #2 spot, I knew what your #1 was going to be. That never happens, even when it's supposed to!
Majora's Mask was my first Zelda game.
It was a GREAT introduction :P
3:46 Ghirahim: "I am an adult!"
Wind Waker definitely deserves a top 5 slot
I have a weird relationship with Breath of The Wild. It was certainly pretty and fun. But I’m not a fan of breakable weapons outside of turn based strategy games. It felt really restrictive in how I wanted to go about combat to the point I went out of my way to grind heart containers and get the master sword ASAP just to cope with it. Seriously, it’s one thing to limit the amount of arrows I can carry, you had to make it so my bow and sword can fall apart too?
Also, call me petty, but not having the green tunic be Link’s default outfit felt WEIRD at first.
I loved spirit tracks
Majora's Mask as your number one...
...
*TRULY...thou art a man of taste and refinement.*
I upgrade your status on the list to " *Really* Don't Hex beam."
Personally i dont agree with the argument that Demise ruins the development of Ganondorf. That`s like saying Darth Vader dont have depth anymore because the Devil exists in the Disney universe 🤷♂
1:32 I should have expected this but I didn't and that made the joke better.
I wouldn't advise a newbie to start with Majora's Mask even if it didn't have the time limit or moon. It clearly expects people to have played Ocarina of Time before.
The only thing I remember most about LoZ: A Link to the Past is the Shotaru Ishinomori manga serialized in Nintendo Power Magazine.
Ok...... i surprise.....
.........for the first time i see someone agreed with me about Majora's Mask. Most of time when i said that is my favorite game of the franchise people wanted know why. Of course the awser was everything Josh talk about, the fact you can mindless fun with the masks and *THE FACT* the *Fierce Deity* is one of most *POWERFUL LINK*, if not *THE MOST* you can play!!!
But hear someone agreed with me is refreshing!!!
I'd personally swap the positions of BoTW and Twilight Princess, mainly due to the lack of variety with bosses and though the world was packed with content a lot of it was the same quest repeated to get things like Korok Seeds.
I can only really do a top five since I never owned a handheld and thus never really got to play the majority of Zelda titles, but mine would look something like:
5. BoTW
4. Ocarina of Time
3. Windwaker
2. Twilight Princess
1. Majora's Mask
This isn't to say I think BoTW is bad by any means, gameplay wise the combat feels the best barring maybe windwaker and the open world is revolutionary, but the recycled content throughout it made the initial hype I had in the game waver over time. Still, as you said, the physics based powers and open world make it a great game -- just not deserving of a top three spot to me.
Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask would always be my fav Legend of Zelda games.
Played the NES and SNES games, even Adventure of Link, played Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, even Skyward Sword but hated the Wii version because of it draining by batteries due to their Wii Motion Plus technology.
There is something about the N64 games that always tells me this was Peak Zelda in storytelling.
love your videos Josh! ;)
Here's my 3 favorite 2D and 3D Zelda games (Way easier than listing my 10 favorites right now)
2D:
3. Oracle of Ages
2. Minish Cap
1. Link Between Worlds
3D:
3. Twilight Princess
2. Majora's Mask (Specifically 3DS)
1. Wind Waker
Breath of the Wild is my favorite Zelda game but I felt it'd be fair to mention the other games
10: At first I thought, "When did he go from LoZ to FMA?"....then you revealed it was a segue to Spirit Tracks and wanted to throw a wrench for faking me out.
9: One of the few Zelda games I've yet to play, but I'll find out for myself whether it's actually as good or bad. Though hopefully not as bad as Ghirahim's moments *shivers*
8: The series' true rising point where many of its traditional features began. The Master Sword, split worlds, unique dungeons and bosses, the works.
7: A hidden gem that's quite engaging. And not only that, shrinking and growing to reach other places is exciting. The Kinstones will probably have you going for longer, though.
6: Link Between Worlds is actually a sequel to Link to the Past, and like you said, they improved everything and also....moving through walls, and Ravio is best merchant (you'll see at the end)
5: The most realistic in the series, and yes, Midna is best partner *draws sword* EN GARDE!
4: A surprise hit that got dunked on at first, but over time, became one of the best in the series....also Hyrule became Atlantis in that timeline
3: A timeless masterpiece both for its time and was a trailblazing title for future games to come.
2: It was a perfect liftoff for the Switch, broke boundaries (literally), and gave a brand new way for new and veteran fans to enjoy the series. Also, we actually hear Zelda's voice.
1: A sequel that was unique for its time, and opinions divided like the moon's phases, but the interwoven stories from the NPCs and everything else makes it more...alive.
(btw, as a Zelda fan myself, Hyrule Warriors is the only DW game I've played....and am still on to this day)
0:58 - 1:33 now I want Legend of Zelda and Fullmetal Alchemist crossover game, I'm not sure how that would work but it'd be interesting.
I know its TECHNICALLY not a REAL Zelda game, but Hyrule Warriors and Age if Calamity are probably some of my favorite Zelda games for two big reasons.
1. Hyrule Warriors was a love letter to a plethora of Zelda fans with the playable roster, enemies to fight, and an assortment of items throughout the Zelda Anthology.
2. It introduced the masses to the Warriors Franchise and are by far the best Warriors games that Koei Tecmo and Omega Force have made.
I watch PeanutButterGamer. Every November, he does his own Zelda Month. When I saw that Josh did a Zelda Month, I was hoping it was in November... I am saddened, it was last May.
Love this list.
Only one that completely baffles me is putting Spirit Tracks in over Link’s Awakening.
NGL, was pretty shocked Breath of the Wild didn't make #1, but then I saw the actual #1 and was like "Yeah, that makes sense for Josh."
Given Four Swords Adventures was the Zelda game I played the most as a child, the more linear games never bothered me. I'd even argue that the original NES game is less open than critics say it is. You technically can finish any of the first 8 dungeons in any order, but level 9 with a sword and silver arrows will be the ending no matter what. Also some of them require dungeon items to enter, so the only reason you'd finish them earlier is if you decided to quit halfway. And unlike BoTW, the game that is supposedly as open as the original and not more so, you actually do need to clear all 9 to finish the game.
you must a top ten longest boss names
ill bet my money on lord horrik and his full name is the most knight thing there is
I love seeing Majora's Mask getting so much love. I didn't have it as a kid due to not having the N64 pack that required it (which was probably also why it sold less than Ocarina of Time), but I did play it at my cousin's house since they did have it. To this day it's one of my favorite Zelda games due to the dark atmosphere and Skull Kid's entire story. It's definitely my favorite in terms of story and atmosphere, though as a game I think I like Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker slightly better.
This might be a controversial choice, but I would put Skyward Sword somewhere. It has its annoying sections to be sure but it has other sections that I think are among the best of the series. The Ancient Cistern, the Ghirahim battles, the swordplay itself etc.
Skyward Sword is a game I love and hate.
@@shadowlinkbds I think I feel similarly to you.
Where's the Kaboom? There was supposed to be a earth-shattering Kaboom!
My first impression of Zelda was the Collector's Edition on Gamecube when I was about 8 years old, with no memory card. Zelda 1 was fun to wander around in and Zelda 2 was a difficult departure with almost completely different mechanics but still pretty neat. Ocarina of Time's Gohma was the boss my older brother had to beat for me and it still gave me enough nightmares that my mom gave the game to my cousins, but it was still easy enough otherwise that I could at least get to Death Mountain before I had to turn the game off. In Majora's Mask, I could never get past the first cycle because I couldn't remember how to play the Song of Time even with the cutscene teaching me a minute prior, but there was so much to do in Clock Town with all of the NPCs that it was a plenty fun game from that alone. And there was an infinite 15 minute trial of Wind Waker for three different parts of the game (Outset Island, Forsaken Fortress, and Dragon Roost Island), which was a perfectly great game since I didn't know the Gamecube was "supposed to" have Spaceworld graphics.
Honestly, even with my bias, the last three easily earn top 5 along with BotW and Twilight Princess. WW is a sort of refined OoT, TP is OoT with a pinch of MM weirdness, while MM is the harder and more detailed OoT and BotW is like a massive TP/WW mix where you effectively choose your own adventure.
I can’t be the only one who thinks Minish Cap is underrated. Everyone’s favorite dungeon, the Wind temple, is the only really good one for starters, especially when it comes to the dungeon item. *A lantern is not a dungeon item, and neither is a cane that flips stuff* . I find it really curious how everyone who praises this game only ever mentions the FEW good things it has, and either downplays or ignores the many many glaring flaws
Until I see how Tears of the Kingdom will fair in less than 24 hours; Twilight Princess is my favorite since I feel it was the most flawless, with any flaws it DOES have very easy to overlook. And I’ll just say, as with A LOT of personal lists from others, Zelda IS among my Top THREE favorite games of all time! (Up there with Mario’s mainline series Super Mario - particularly Odyssey at this point - and Smash Ultimate for MY personal favorite games)
Hot take here. I really dislike most of the 2D Zelda games.
My ranking
10: Phantom Hourglass
9: Spirit Tracks
8: Skyward Sword
7: Ocarina of Time
6: Majoras Mask
5: Wind Waker
4: Age of Calamity
3: Twilight Princess
2: Breath of the Wild
1: Tears of the Kingdom
My personal favorites are Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, a Link to the Past, and the Two Oracle Games. I like to hear the favorites of others.
Hard to choose a favorite for me since this is my all time favorite franchise
Minish and BOTW are it for me
No matter where Tears of the Kingdom ends up, either Spirit Tracks gets demoted to Honorable Mention, or one of the existing HMs is thrown out in favor of what so many people called BOTW 2 for so long.
Zelda is one of the few series that’s legitimately hard to rank due to how great many of the entries are. And so if I had to do so with the ones I’ve played to completion (not counting spin-offs, like Hyrule Warriors and Age of Calamity), it’d be:
1. Twilight Princess
2. Majora’s Mask
3. Link’s Awakening
4. Breath of the Wild
5. The Wind Waker
6. Ocarina of Time
7. A Link Between Worlds
8. Spirit Tracks
9. Skyward Sword
10. Four Swords Anniversary Edition
Still haven’t beaten A Link to the Past, Minish Cap and the Oracle games, even if I plan and hope to do so one day. And I’ll be interested to see where Tears if the Kingdom ranks once I play it, which I 100% can’t wait for.
Huh, how very interesting, I gotta admit, Majora’s Mask sort of was my introduction to Zelda.
Anyway, i wonder what you’ll cover next.
Wait, what happened to the outro? Where’s the “ka-BOOM!!”?
I 100% agree that Majora’s Mask is the best Zelda game. I will say though that the younger me was freaked out by the sudden dark tone of the game. Here is what the younger me was like: “Aghhh the moon with the ugly face is falling aghhh!”
Number 1 for me is Ocarina of Time. Literally remember it as the first Zelda game I ever played. Best Experience of the Zelda Formula to me is Twilight Princess. Best Story is Majoras Mask. Best Art to me is Wind Waker
10) Phantom Hourglass
9) Oracles
8) Minish Cap
7) Skyward Sword
6) Breath of the Wild
5) Wind Waker
4) Twilight Princess
3) Majoras Mask
2) Ocarina of Time
1) Link to the Past
Tears of the Kingdom has an excellent shot at entering the top 5.
12:00 "When was the last time you really heard someone say something negative about Twilight Princess?" Any Zelda video that the channel Triple Jump has ever done. They HATE Twilight Princess for (what I think are) completely unfounded reasons. Like the art style. Even though TP is a fucking BEAUTIFUL game.
The fact that Spirit Tracks got an entry on this list makes me happy! It deserves better!
i had a GUT feeling it was going to be MAJORA'S MASK
For me, the best one is Wind Waker followed by Twilight Princess
Skyward sword hd did a lot right, but god is the lack of the Wii motion plus noticable, and harm it in places. Also, my GameStop sold the amiibo for 10 USD, so like, eh. I didn't even use it, the statue's were honestly well placed. Quality of life sure, but not by much.
My actual top 10:
10. Oracle of Ages / Oracle of Seasons
9. Wind Waker
8. Twilight Princess
7. Minish Cap
6. A link to the Past
5. A link Between Worlds
4. Majora´s Mask
3. Ocarina of Time
2. Breath of the Wild
1. Tears of the Kingdom
My picks, all 9/10 or higher on IMDb:
10: Skyward Sword
9: Breath of the Wild
8: A Link to the Past
7: Wind Waker HD
6: Oracle of Ages
5: Majora’s Mask 3D
4: A Link Between Worlds
3: Twilight Princess HD
2: Link’s Awakening (Switch)
1: Ocarina of Time 3D
16:28 I still think they're sitting on them as launch titles for the Switch 2 for next year
I heavily disagree with Majora's mask not because of the themes or story but because of the 3 day and restart time mechanics. Then again, I'm not big on time limits. So, yeah, Majora's Mask is not for me, like Ocarina of Time, Breath of the Wild, Wind Waker, Skyward Sword, and Twilight Princess though.
1 Ocarina of Time
2 Twilight Princess
3 Link to the Past
4 Windwaker
5 Majoras Mask
6 Link Between Worlds
7 Minish Cap
8 Links Awakening
9 The Legend of Zelda
10 Skyward Sword
I still need to get around to Majora's Mask. Of the ones I played:
1 & 2: Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess. I can't decide. TP was more ambitious, but couldn't quite stick the landing in what it set up.
3: Breath of the Wild. An amazing experience on my first playthrough, but even though I bought the DLC, it never managed to hold my interest long enough to finish a replay, unlike every other Zelda game, including SS.
4: Wind waker. Not the biggest fan of the art style, and the low number of dungeons. Still fun though.
5: Skyward Sword. Good dungeons, good idea to give you the new items first so subesquent dungeons don't forget they exist in favor of more bow and hookshot puzzles (looking at you, spinner), and a more interesting Zelda. Also, a poorly thought out story that makes everything after the third dungeon padding that proves actively detrimental to the world, the overworld being a quarter-assed effort where all creativity is confined to the dessert section and a companion presumably designed to make players stop complaining about Navi.
I love watching lists like this because we all love Zelda, but the rankings can vary so wildly from one list to another. Here's how I rank all of the main series games based on my own experience with them, and I could go on for a long time about why I put each one where I did:
1. Ocarina of Time (I skipped the N64 version and am judging by the 3DS port)
2. Breath of the Wild
3. Skyward Sword (I skipped the Wii version and am judging by the Switch port)
4. Link's Awakening (I skipped the original and am judging by the Switch remake)
5. Twilight Princess (I skipped the Game Cube version and am judging by the Wii port)
6. The Wind Waker (I skipped the Game Cube version and am judging by the Wii U port)
7. Majora's Mask (I skipped the N64 version and am judging by the 3DS port)
8. A Link Between Worlds
9. A Link to the Past
10. Spirit Tracks
11. Phantom Hourglass
12. The Minish Cap
13. Oracle of Seasons/Ages
14. The Legend of Zelda
15. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
16. Four Swords Adventure
17. Tri Force Heroes
18. Four Swords
I haven’t played enough but I have my Personal 5 favorite Zelda games:
1. Ocarina of Time
2. Breath of the Wild
3. Majora’s Mask
4. Twilight Princess
5. Skyward Sword
Here’s my top 10 (I haven’t played every game mind you)
1: Ocarina of Time
2: Link to the Past
3: Majora’s Mask
4: Breath of the Wild
5: Link’s Awakening
6: Skyward Sword
7: Oracle of Ages
8: Oracle of Seasons
9: Minish Cap
10: Link Between Worlds
Twilight Princess, Majora’s Mask, Breath of the Wild, and Ocarina of Time are my favorites.
Majora's Mask has always been my all time favorite game