The Legend of Zelda The franchise is huge, with over 29 games spanning nearly 40 years. Throughout the life of the franchise, it has maintained the same formula, combining puzzle-solving with adventuring and sword-based combat across various dungeons, wastelands, and kingdoms. However, there were times when Zelda franchise changed things leaning more into certain mechanics, giving Link an entirely new ability, or simply veering away from the series’ typically light-hearted tone.
There were many different variations of the typical Zelda formula over the decades. Many of them were well received by critics and players, although there were occasional errors. With so many games to choose from, certain entries clearly stand out from the rest, which makes them all incredibly memorable in one way or another.
10
Link: The Faces Of Evil and Zelda: The Wand Of Gamelon
Released on CD-i in 1993
Link: The Faces of Evil it’s already quite unusual in that it actually has Link talking, when fans are so used to him being a silent protagonist. Gamelan Wandon the other hand, it was the first game that allowed players to take on the role of Zelda herself, although she relied on a sword and shield, just like Link does. Both games were released on CDI to initially mixed reception, but that reception became more negative as time went on.
Both games more closely resemble side-scrolling platformers instead of the typical top-down view Zelda the titles were familiar, focusing more on properly traversing environments rather than puzzle solving or combat. While the combat itself isn’t anything remarkable, it stands out mainly for the bizarre voice acting, writing, and art.
9
Sword to the Sky
Released on Wii in 2011
While other games in Zelda franchise briefly experimented with the Wii’s motion control capabilities, Sword to the Sky He was the one who perfected it. Using the Wii Remote (with Wii MotionPlus) and Nunchuck, players can immerse themselves in the game’s combatallowing them to feel as if they were Link himself. Additionally, players are able to launch long-range projectiles with their sword, allowing a way to safely deal with ranged enemies, which is especially vital if your shield is about to break.
In addition to engaging combat, Sword to the Sky also provides players with a unique method of traversal. Prior to the release of this game, Link’s travel methods were limited to walking, fast travel via magic, or horseback riding. Skyward Sword, however, allows players to take to the skies in a Loftwing, providing an incredible visual spectacle as they fly across the game’s large map.
8
Twilight Princess
Released on the GameCube in 2006
Like the first Legend of Zelda game to get T ESRB rating, Twilight Princess It immediately stands out from many other entries in the franchise. Its muted color palette and higher kill count than other Zelda games clearly contribute to its darker tone.
In addition to the light use of motion controls, Twilight Princess‘ gameplay is particularly notable due to Link’s new ability to transform into a wolf. As Link cannot use his usual equipment and weapons in this form, players must rely on his enhanced senses to solve puzzles and complete quests, while his companion Midna can assist during combat with her magic. Ultimately, it offers players unique challenges as they travel through the Twilight.
7
Four Swords
Released on Game Boy Advance in 2002
Launched alongside A link to the pastGBA port, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords is the first multiplayer Zelda franchise game. The game allows two to four players to play as clones of Link, traversing dungeons to obtain the most rupees. At the same time, they must work together to not only solve puzzles, but also to fight the powerful bosses that await them at the end of each dungeon.
The game that followed soon after, Adventures of Four Swordshas a similar premise, although it also allows for single-player gameplay. What makes the combat in these games great is that the various Links can follow the lead Link in different formations, allowing for great use of strategy both during combat and when solving puzzles.
6
Oracle of Seasons
Released on the Game Boy Color in 2001
Time travel was present in some Zelda games over the years, but Oracle of Seasons stands out for allowing Link to control the seasons of the world around him. With the magical Rod of Seasons, Link is able to use the changing seasons to solve puzzleslike moving to winter to get around a big tree. Although players initially start out only being able to harness the powers of winter, the powers of the other seasons can be obtained after visiting certain temples throughout the game.
Another surprising element of this game is that certain choices will impact specific outcomes later in the story. Ultimately, this allows for a lot of replayability that can change the course of Link’s adventure, creating unique experiences for different players.
5
Tears of the Kingdom
Released on Switch in 2023
Very similar to its predecessor Breath of nature, Tears of the Kingdom offers players the opportunity to explore a huge open worldallowing them to adventure anywhere they wish at their own pace, rather than following a more linear narrative path like in previous games Zelda titles.
Link obtains a wide variety of new abilities in this game, the most notable being Ultrahand. This new ability allows Link to pick up and attach various items to create completely unique builds. to solve puzzles and traverse Hyrule. Many players have utilized this ability to make wild creations such as vehicles, catapults, mechs, and more, providing completely unique, out-of-the-box methods of both traversal and puzzle-solving that would not have been possible in any previous game.
4
Hyrule Warriors
Released on Wii U and 3DS in 2014
First released in 2014, Hyrule Warriors took the beloved world and characters from Zelda franchise and combined them with the gameplay found in Koei Tecmo’s game Dynasty Warriors series. This creates a unique hack-and-slash game where players take on the role of Link to fight huge hordes of enemies.
The game also has a campaign mode, exploring a narrative outside of the official one. Zelda timeline, as Ganondorf’s imminent resurrection threatens the land of Hyrule. THE Age of Calamity the sequel further explores the events that occurred one hundred years prior Breath of natureproviding answers to many players’ questions, even if Age of Calamitythe ending and overall narrative are considered non-canonical. Overall, both games prove that taking risks with your Zelda the franchise can be incredibly successful.
3
Link’s Beast Training
Released on Wii in 2007
A unique spin-off title, Link’s Beast Training is a shooting game that takes place in Twilight Princess universe at an unknown time. Like a game created specifically with the Wii Zapper peripheral in mindIn this game players take on the role of Link to test and improve their shooting skills through various fun challenges.
Many of these challenges involve shooting fixed and moving targets, as well as defending camps from hordes of enemies. It also has multiplayer, allowing each player to complete these different challenges to obtain the highest score and prove that they are the best. Overall, it’s a relatively simple game that, while initially unremarkable, provides a fun challenge for players and is a risk not often seen in many gaming companies these days.
2
Echoes of Wisdom
Released on Switch in 2024
The moment the first trailer for Echoes of Wisdom dropped, fans were immediately intrigued by the unique gameplay. Instead of going around killing monsters with a sword, instead, players focus on strategy and puzzle solving abilities through the use of copying and creating echoes of objects and enemies to maneuver through environments. It offers a unique opportunity to challenge players to think carefully about possible solutions, rather than running straight into danger with a gun.
Being the first game in the main series to allow players to take on the role of Zelda, Echoes of Wisdom It’s truly a breath of fresh air for the franchise.. Given how well it was received by critics and fans, we hope more games with similar premises are made in the future.
1
Majora’s Mask
Released on the N64 in 2000
When people think primarily about a single Zelda game that stands out from the rest, Majora’s Mask It’s one that instantly comes to mind and it’s easy to see why. Compared to many of the others Zelda games, the tone and atmosphere are noticeably darkerwith the dire looming threat of the giant moon threatening to collide with Termina. Aside from the spooky atmosphere, though, it’s the gameplay that really stands out.
In Majora’s Mask, The link must constantly go through a time loop in order to complete various missions to stop the destruction of Termina, adding a sense of urgency and dread to players the longer they take. Additionally, Link is able to acquire several masks that give him new abilities, although the transformations seem quite disturbing at first glance. It all culminates to create a truly unforgettable, yet unsettling experience that will linger in players’ memories long after they’ve finished the game.
With such a wide variety of games spanning many decades, each one offers a completely unique experience to players. While most of the core mechanics remain the same, the new ones introduced add fun challenges that encourage new ways to solve puzzles and deal with enemies. Truly, THE Legend of Zelda is full of incredibly unique games thanks to the uniqueness of many of its entries.