u/ubsnackin

Hey everyone. Longtime lurker but I wanted to post about my recent play through of several Zelda games. I am someone who never gravitated much toward Zelda when I was younger, but understood the franchise success and respect.

Prior to this year, I had only dabbled in the franchise (played the first game sporadically throughout the years and BoTW a little bit when it released). I think this gives me a little less bias toward nostalgia and nostalgia-farming from Nintendo.

Of the games I’ve played/completed here is where I’m at:

1. Majora’s Mask - wanted to dislike this conceptually but it’s really just too good. By the end, I appreciated every choice they made with this game. I’m hoping for a remake that expands the original concept (so not 1:1 at all).
2. Link’s Awakening (remake) - easily the best top-down game and a very satisfying game design. The plot is very clever and existential.
3. Ocarina of Time - this was the second one I finished and the ending made me cry. Very excited for the remake.
4. Oracle of Ages - easily the most challenging of the traditional top-down games when it comes to dungeons. I really liked the story in this one too.
5. Oracle of Seasons - also challenging but for different reasons. This one is more forgettable than Ages but similarly satisfying to complete.
6. Minish Cap - initially I absolutely hated this game and the size gimmick. About half way through I started to appreciate it more and by the end, really enjoyed the game.
7. Skyward Sword(HD)* - I’m still playing through this but I’m pretty confident that it’ll remain here in the ranking. I enjoy it so far and think it’s less clunky than some seem to claim.
8. BoTW - controversial 😬. this was the first one I finished and initially thought it would clearly remain the best Zelda game. I was wrong. While I appreciate the change up in direction and overall game design for what it is, my opinion is that they dropped the ball in several ways. They could’ve included more traditional dungeons without much of a problem while maintaining the open-world aspect. There is virtually no satisfying story beats. The ending is pretty boring and oversimplified if you do the divine beasts.
9. ALTTP* - also controversial but this game just isn’t keeping me that invested. I’m not really enjoying the combat style and the story is not holding my attention. I think it’ll remain right around here even once I complete it.
10. Four Swords coop - played this with a friend and thought it was really fun. It’s this low by default due to how short it is.
11. Wind Waker (GC) - VERY controversial that it might need a trigger warning. I’ll start with the positives first: the plot, art direction, and whimsy in this game are all some of the best in the series. Unfortunately, gameplay is the ultimate point of a video game for me. Wind Waker is easily one of the worst games I’ve ever played (of major studio releases). Every. Single. Mechanic in this game (down to basic movement) is unpolished, clunky and overall not fun. In fact, I don’t think I can find one redeeming quality. I will probably never understand how so many people put this in their top 3 or even #1 for some. My only thought is that there is a lot of nostalgia farming in this game for OOT-era fans and that for many others, it was likely their first Zelda as a kid.

Games I plan on playing when I can:
ALBW
Zelda 2
ToTK

*not yet complete

Edit: wasn't trying to be offensive. Also, I am playing Twilight Princess next. I'll update after if anyone cares.