Best Legend of Zelda game

[DotheBartman]

In keeping with the recent video game threads, select your favorite game from the Nintendo series.

(I'm leaving out the handeld stuff, for the record; just the main console games here. And obviously, none of that Phillips CDI bullshit either)

[Paul]

The Wind Waker, with Ocarina of Time very close at second.

[Dances In Underwear]

I knew this thread was coming.

I've only played Wind Waker, Minish Cap and parts of OoT and the first one, but I loved Wind Waker. So I'll go with that.

[Generic]

Ocarina of Time for me. Majora's Mask was great too (the last one I've actually played) but going back and forth through time - while a clever plot twist - did get somewhat annoying, though the updated abilities were cool. Still, I can't go past the story of Ocarina, though it's a shame you're unable to explore a restored Hyrule after defeating Ganon and that Zora's Domain remains frozen. I suppose it's not necessary but would've been a nice touch.

[Gabbo]

I've never played Majora's Mask (I know I know) but I think Link to the Past has to be my favorite. It's the first Zelda I ever played and the one I had the most fun beating.

[Veryjammy]

Majora's Mask. Many people never got past the first few days and I can't say I blame them; the learning curve is pretty steep. But past that it's wonderfully twisted, original and involving.

I enjoyed Wind Waker a lot more than a lot of people seemed to. The sailing could get a bit boring, but equally I used to love just setting out to discover islands I hadn't been to before, filling in the squares on my map and discovering what each island had to offer; it really made me feel like an explorer. And I never got tired of when you were sailing out at sea and night would turn into sunrise, and seagulls would fly overhead as the Zelda theme kicked in. Just wonderful. The script was brilliant, the graphics were lush, yeah the triforce hunt sucked but I still loved this game (frozen Hyrule castle=brilliant).

At the time I was blown away by OOT but it seems a bit 'standard' looking back. I think MM and WW are more distinct and feel fresher. I got a little bored in the second half of the game as it was basically dungeon hopping, and the dungeons in that game were mostly made up of varying shades of brown. Still I'll always remember the first time I walked into Hyrule Field...

[do what donny dont does]

I still like the original best.

[box elder]

i love the original and Adventures of Link more than maybe any other video games ever made. but discounting nostalgia and trying to be strictly objective, i'll have to go with Ocarina of Time.

[Lounge Fly]

ocarina..easily..not only the best zelda title, the best title ever.

[bovine_university]

It's a tough call since I really love Ocarina, Waker, and Past almost equally, but I'd have to give it to Ocarina, everything just seemed to come together perfectly. Here's how I'd break it down:

Ocarina of Time: There's very little that needs to be said about this game. The story was engaging and moving, the dungeons had a balanced challenge (except for that awfully hard water temple), the side-quests and mini-games were fun and rewarding, the battle system was great, and the boss-battles were amazing. Walking around Hyrule as a kid without the warps can be a hassle sometimes but other than that everything was done just right.

Wind Waker: In a close second is this game. The graphics were a very welcome change and gave the game alot of personality. The story was mature and sophisticated and while the sailing made for tedious amounts of travel at times, it also made you realize how large the world was and how much exploration would be involved. Seeing Hyrule Castle unfrozen by color and the final battle were breath-taking moments in the series. This game can't quite take the top since finding the third orb feels a bit short and incomplete, but overall I still love this game.

A Link to the Past: In an even closer third is this game, which seemed to take all of the great elements of the first Zelda game and push the envelope even further. The game overall has aged very well over the years, and the gameplay, story, and graphics are still great after all this time. This game had the most dungeons and items to find so it makes for a lengthy quest. I held this game back a little though, since even with it's size, it still seems like a somewhat short game, and the only really worthwhile subquest is finding the heart pieces. This game is still legendary though.

The Legend of Zelda: The original comes next, even with it's aged gameplay and visuals. It's odd how some elements of this game never really saw the light of day again (like the clock items, or the ladder), but overall everything began because of this game. The non-linearity makes for lots of exploration and trial-and-error gameplay, but the exploration is so much fun that you won't mind. Such a simple premise of gameplay made for such a fun experience.

Majora's Mask: I know that this game isn't loved that much by many (including myself) but for what it's worth it's still alot of fun. The biggest problem of course is that the structure of the game is so different and constricting that some gamers just won't be able to put enough time into this game to really get the full experience. Having to relive the days over and over, being the right spots at the right times, and having to work through specific sequences of events can feel like more than just a hassle at times. The number of side-quests is a little daunting as well, and the fact that there are only four or so dungeons makes the main game seem very short. Still, there was alot in this game that was done really well. The amount of heart and emotion put in this game is possibly greater than any of the other titles. The side-quests make for some very creative methods of gameplay and can be alot of fun as well. If given a chance, this game will be a very rewarding experience.

The Adventure of Link: Finally, the black sheep of the family. Exactly like Super Mario Brothers 2, I really liked how this game wasn't afraid to be ambitious and shake up the formula to see what could be done. The RPG elements were fun, and I really liked the combat system and gameplay. I could have done without having to restart at the beginning every single time I lost all of my lives however, and some of the puzzles near the end are real head-scratchers. Overall the gameplay isn't as polished as the other titles, so I can understand the hatred, but I've always liked it quite a bit.

[box elder]

i don't understand the hate for AoL, to be honest. i know that sophomore efforts are usually the ones that get the harshest treatment, but i really loved this game. in fact, i'd probably put it in second place on my list (just barely ahead of the original and WW). really, i don't understand how Majoras Mask (easily the worst title) has gotten three votes to AoLs zero.

[doyle]

the first one.

[Lounge Fly]

i don't understand the hate for AoL, to be honest. i know that sophomore efforts are usually the ones that get the harshest treatment, but i really loved this game. in fact, i'd probably put it in second place on my list (just barely ahead of the original and WW). really, i don't understand how Majoras Mask (easily the worst title) has gotten three votes to AoLs zero.

i didnt initially like majoras mask, i guess because it detracts so much away from traditional zelda themes. its sureal compared to titles before that & followed one of the biggest games of all time. it had alot to live up to. i do actually like it now, its a great game, just not a great zelda game.

[Spartan]

ocarina is the best to me...

but the one that i'll always enjoy the most since i played it so much was link's awakening. and to a lesser degree, the oracles.

[Wonderboy]

Ocarina Of Time for me. It was just such an epic game, and probably the first time I realised a game could be considered "epic". Majora's Mask was such a great follow up too, and would come second on my list.

[Gunstar]

Voted for Majora. It is a brilliant piece of game design. The time limits were an interesting twist, and the masks added some fun new mechanics to the gameplay and design. And while a lot of people lament the small number of dungeons, that's one of the big reasons why I loved it so much. Most Zelda games are just "go to dungeon one...alright, now go to dungeon two" with some optional side-questing. But since there were only four real dungeons, the side-quests became much more involved. You weren't just running from point A to point B. Really enjoyed that. The eerie 'doomsday' atmosphere and some surprisingly moving moments were just icing on the cake.

I understand that it's tough for some to stomach at first, but really give it a chance and it's an awesome experience. It by no means deserves to be called the worst title.

Ocarina and Link to the Past would be next. I flip-flop all the time on which one I would put ahead of the other, though. Guess I consider them both equal. And even though we aren't talking about the handheld games, I'd still like to send some love towards Link's Awakening. It can easily stand next to the big guns in the series.

[Adamm R)))]

Never played much Zelda. Still, gotta love stealing stuff in Link To The Past and coming back to getting electrocuted, or whatever the hell it was by the shopkeeper.

[Drew]

Ocarina of time , fo sho. That will be a tough game to beat. Wonder how Twilight Princess will be. Looks promising.

Windwaker was Fun as hell though.

[the claw]

Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past was my personal favorite, but all the ones i've played have been really really fucking good.

[Greased Scotsman]

I always loved Majora's Mask the most, I liked the sense of time, and the abundance of side quests. Plus that moon scares the crap out of me.

And even though we aren't talking about the handheld games, I'd still like to send some love towards Link's Awakening. It can easily stand next to the big guns in the series.Seconded. Also, I'm sending some love toward the Oracles. Both fantastic games in their own right.

[ehren]

Majora's Mask was crazy underrated. so I'll give it my vote. but Ocarina stands right next to it in my book. Wind Waker, while an awesomely outrageous game, was just too damn short.

[Rekart]

1) A Link to the Past - Engrossing game with deep gameplay. It's not too short, but it's not too long. It's the best 2D game ever made.
2) Wind Waker - Maybe a bit short, but it's not that bad. A lot of people have complained about the graphics, but they're part of what makes the game so original and great.
3) Ocarina of Time - Reread my explanation for "A Link to the Past," except this one can feel a bit long occasionally. It could be argued that it's the best 3D game ever made to this point too, but I didn't rate it that way.

Others:

Zelda: A classic obviously, but the first isn't the best. No real surprise.
Zelda II: Meh. They tried a different style here, and people didn't like it as much.
Majora's Mask: Underrated and forgotten. It can seem a bit repetitive sometimes, but it's such an original and interesting idea.

[The General]

I'd have to say Ocarina of Time. Next in line would be A Link to the past, Majora's Mask, and the original...

[Jims]

I voted for Majora's Mask. One of the most creative, innovative, and cinematic video games of all time. The time system integrated into the game makes so many neat sidequests and storylines. The problem I have sometimes with other titles, like the Ocarina of Time, is that it feels too linear. With all the various things to do around Clock Town while continuing to complete dungeons and the like, you get a much less linear feeling to the story. It's also great in the simulation created for the game. You get to see how the different characters interact and connect, from several different angles, depending on your actions.

It's like "Magnolia" meets Zelda, except the moon comes down instead of frogs at the end of the game. With a lot of "Groundhog Day" too, of course. ;)

Brilliant game.

[Ihaveblink]

Majora's Mask is vastly under rated. But Ocarina Of Time is the shit.

[Magnum]

This question makes my head hurt...

Link to the Past

The only perfect Zelda game in my mind. No matter how hard I try I will never find a single fault in this game. Most likely because of the incredible overworld, which often tends to be my favorite part of a Zelda game.

[Lounge Fly]

anyone got any love for wind waker?

[America: Fuck Yea!]

a link to the past

followed by Ocarina and the original

[Homer Jay]

The Legend of Zelda, although A Link to the Past is great as well.

[mickg2928]

A Link to the Past was an excellent game for me. But i loved Ocarina of Time as well.

[Simpsons Forever!]

Ocarina Of Time is the best, with The Wind Waker second.

[Jolly Bengali]

Didn't we have this thread very recently?

[billi vanilli]

this is the thread we had very recently.

[TriforceBun]

Ocarina is not only my favorite Zelda, but my favorite game of all time. This title (while it can be seen as a bit too "standard" when compared to recent efforts) seriously broke new ground, and drew me in the way no other game has. It's epic, it's amazing, it's a masterpiece. I'm going into game design, and I can only hope to one day make a game half as great and groundbreaking as this one. 10/10

The Wind Waker is a close second. While it was a little too easy, I was completely absorbed in its world and story. The plotline was stronger and much more unpredictable than any other Zelda, while the sense of exploration and character development were there in spades. There were also TONS of sidequests...I recently 100%-ed this game, and it took around 60+ hours. Underrated. 9.9/10

Maybe I'm just a sucker for 3-D Zeldas, or maybe the ones released just happen to be excellent, but Majora's Mask is in third place. The character development and emotion in this game is simply amazing. Unlike recent Final Fantasy games, it doesn't hammer in whiny, "emotional" monologues in a vain attempt to tug at the heartstrings. Rather, everything in this game is up to the player to explore...subtle, but extremely powerful (try not saving the ranch, then checking with the sisters later. Or pretty much anything involving Anju and Kafei). It also happens to have some of the best dungeon design...well, ever. 9.9/10

Then there's the original, a game I still play today. It's simply a lot of fun to explore and sequence-break, and there's still nothing quite like it. Easily the best NES game, and the one I come back to over and over. 9.9/10

Link to the Past is a close FIFTH (but still in my top ten, which says something about the quality of the series). This title defined the current Zelda feel, introduced tons of elements that became staples in the series (Master Sword, picking things up, Cuccos, two worlds, sword spin, Ganon's human form Ganondorf, various items...), and it's got a colorful, fun overworld and a whopping twelve full dungeons. 9.9/10

(this is where Link's Awakening, then Four Swords Adventures, then Minish Cap, then Oracle of Seasons, then Oracle of Ages go, in order)

Finally, there's Zelda II. It's a very good game, but it axes way too much from the original. There's little sense of exploration. There are essentially no puzzles. There aren't even usable items, for crying out loud! But for an action/RPG, it's pretty good. The music is generally good (even if there aren't many tunes), the bosses are interesting, and the game is pleasantly challenging. 8.8/10


By the way, how do I get the old man from Zelda 1 as my "stars" near my username?

[DotheBartman]

Join the Nintendo Fun club, and then have a lot of posts....otherwise I think you get Marios or mushrooms, I forget exactly now. Check the FAQ.

But in your user CP, you can go into "group memberships" and request to be part of a group. I'm sure they'd let you in there. No reason they wouldn't.

[TriforceBun]

Hm, but I'm already a member of the Nintendo Fun Club. I had asked to join about a year ago or so, and my profile confirms that.

[Rich Uncle Skeleton]

I've just been playing the Wind Waker on a friend's Gamecube for the past week (got to the black and white castle under the sea, today). Definitely a lot of fun. Haven't played any of the other Zelda games on console (I've never owned one of the big games consoles, only various incarnations of Game Boy).
Link's Awakening for Game Boy was a lot of fun.

[Channel Surfer]

Hm, but I'm already a member of the Nintendo Fun Club. I had asked to join about a year ago or so, and my profile confirms that.

Go to User CP, then group memberships on the left side of the screen. From there, you should be able to set your group preferences to Nintendo Fun Club.

[TriforceBun]

Go to User CP, then group memberships on the left side of the screen. From there, you should be able to set your group preferences to Nintendo Fun Club.

Thanks, I didn't know that was the last step. I dig those little Marios!

By the way, I fully expect Twilight Princess to be near the top of the Zelda list. That game was a blast last E3, and I plan on playing the heck out of it this May as well.