20 Best Legend Of Zelda Games, Ranked

Even players with the highest standards would be hard-pressed to find a downright bad game in 's game catalog, but some are better than others. First debuting back in 1986, has seen a long series of consistently engaging games for players to explore and conquer. Taking a look at this legacy helps reveal which titles stand out from the pack as truly exceptional experiences.

Every game follows the adventures of protagonist Link, most often on a quest to defeat the villain Ganon and save the kingdom of Hyrule. Despite maintaining these elements, the franchise has reinvented itself several times, with iconic games like and providing new templates for successors. The best games are both innovative and thrilling to play in their own right.

is essentially bonus content for the Game Boy Advance version of than a full-fledged installment in the series, dipping into multiplayer gameplay for those interested. It can be fun in short bursts, but it's hardly a standout experience. The game was re-released in 2011 alongside for the Nintendo DSi and 3DS.

is a minor evolution to the multiplayer experience, offering a perfectly enjoyable co-op experience but little more. It was the first game to offer online connectivity rather than relying on the use of link cables. Short, puzzle-oriented levels can be fun with friends, but the breadth of exploration and discovery that usually colors games won't be found here.

is the most developed co-op game, with the strongest focus on story and the most polished single-player alternative. Unlike the other multiplayer titles, still offers plenty for a solo player to experience and has earned enough notoriety to gain a Metacritic score of 86. With the advances in online multiplayer, it has left many hoping to see a remake of the game on the Nintendo Switch or the next console.

was an early experiment for the series, abandoning the top-down gameplay of the first game and pivoting into side-scrolling action for dungeons and towns inside a larger