10 Best Zelda Games (2025)

Although many Zelda games are great in their own right, a few do stand out above the rest. That’s because the series has been making lots of tweaks and landmark improvements. They have transitioned from top-down to full-blown 3D open-worlds. They have experimented with different themes, from the whimsical to treading on the dark side of humanity. 

And yet, with all the adjustments and breakthroughs, the series remains standing firmly strong with decades of production under its belt. Today, we’re scrutinizing the Zelda franchise thus far, highlighting the best Zelda games this year.

10. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess continues in its predecessors’ footsteps, except with Link embarking on a new adventure to save Hyrule from a dark parallel dimension called the Twilight Realm. 

You can trigger Link’s transformation into a Hylian or a wolf. Above all, the signature Zelda combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving return to grace your screen for a good chunk of well-spent hours. 

9. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (2013)

The best Zelda games this year include The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, which follows after 1991’s A Link to the Past. Several years later, Link embarks on a new adventure to save Hyrule from an evil wizard called Yuga, who has taken Princess Zelda into captivity. 

However, more interestingly, you can slip into a parallel world called Lorule where Yuga causes even more chaos, wanting to use the power of the Seven Sages to resurrect the OG villain, King Ganon.

8. The Legend of Zelda (1986)

We remain eternally grateful to The Legend of Zelda (1986), the first game that made the towering franchise possible. It introduced Hyrule, even though it is still in its very basic form. You also meet Link for the first time, who sets his mind on getting all eight fragments of the Triforce of Wisdom so he can save Princess Zelda from Ganon.

As you might expect, the game uses a top-down perspective. Yet it still manages to feature incredible depth, complete with dungeons, weapons, enemies, hidden secrets, and much more.

7. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000)

Some years later, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask launched, incorporating 3D worlds for the second time in the franchise. This time, Nintendo has perfected its craft, ensuring better graphics and gameplay. However, the game does retain similar design choices to the first 3D game, Ocarina of Time.

As such, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel but rather focuses its worth on the story taking place in the parallel world, Termina, where the moon is predicted to catastrophically crash land on the world in just three days. 

6. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1998)

Many Zelda games take place in Hyrule. But not The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. The title doesn’t even feature the franchise’s returning characters like Princess Zelda and Ganon. 

In a bid to bring a breath of fresh air into the series, the developers decide to take you to the island of Koholint, where its guardian, a whale-like creature called Wind Fish, has fallen into a deep sleep. By beating enemies and collecting eight musical instruments, you can awaken Wind Fish and allow him to escape.

5. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ranks high among the best Zelda games this year for introducing 3D graphics to the franchise. You control Link as he traverses Hyrule and attempts to beat King Ganon.

However, a new mechanic allows you to travel across time and explore several dungeons dispersed across a vast world.

4. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002)

Another Zelda game to veer off from the norm is The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. It takes you to several islands controlling Link on his quest to save his sister from Ganon. However, he becomes entangled with the Triforce relic and must use it to defeat Ganon.

3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1992)

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is, in fact, a prequel to the first two Zelda games that winds the time several years back. You control Link, trying to save Hyrule from the evil king Ganon. 

Rather than come up with new record-breaking features, A Link to the Past returns to its top-down perspective roots. It also sticks to the series’ already working features like parallel worlds and the Master Sword, ensuring the Zelda exploration and combat experience remain intact.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)

Hyrule has, over the years, been evolving to feature a ton of new biomes and areas to explore. In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the world design reaches new heights, figuratively and literally. 

You can explore the underworld and fly to the skies, running into lots of ways to keep busy, whether discovering hidden secrets, beating enemies, solving puzzles, and more.

Exploration is at its peak in Tears of the Kingdom and easily consumes plenty of your time. So, even though King Ganon remains the chewing gum stuck to your shoe, the journey to beating him is much more compelling.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)

But it’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild that first spread its wings as far as exploration of the kingdom of Hyrule is concerned. Link has lost his memories and has to save Princess Zelda while beating Ganon before he ruins the world. 

Thanks to the newly introduced open-world exploration, you enjoy more things to do in a pleasant, nonlinear way. You can hunt down special items that make your journey easier or solve puzzles to rack your brain. There are plenty of side quests, too, ensuring Hyrule is packed with content to last a lifetime.