This is easily the most anticipated feature I’ve yet to create for this site, and as I write these words on my laptop I feel as if this list will be inaccurate within the next few years. Why you may ask? Well, at the rate things are going now, another triple “A” defining Zelda adventure will be released on Wii U, and easily make it into the top 5 therefore kicking out another adventure and altering this list. But unless you’re reading this article a decade after I’ve posted it (and if you are please find the nearest time machine and send all future Zelda games back in time so I can play them! J) then view this list as the most accurate indefinite list of the best Zelda games of all time, and please remember this list only includes the 3-Dimensional Zelda games as I’ve never much enjoyed the 2D adventures. Following are the top 5 Zelda games of all time, for the top 5 Skyward Sword bosses, etc. check out the separate article.
Number 5: “TLOZ: Majora’s Mask” (Original Score: 9.0)
I can already hear fans grumbling across the world: sure Majora’s Mask had one of the most unique and darkest story telling in Zelda history, sure it had a sense of urgency to complete the mission at hand, sure you could change into many different protagonists, and it also had some great tunes courtesy of Kojo Kondo, but the graphics weren’t much improved over Ocarina of Time, and the game’s length was drastically reduced. I also tended to get annoyed by some of the game’s dungeons and gameplay concepts including the emphasis on sidequests and speaking of sidequests: the story feels too much like a side-story of the main franchise, and doesn’t have much importance to the series. Some other quibbles come from the low-resolution textures, the save system, and occasionally the 3-day system irks me. I may seem too critical of Majora’s Mask and that’s because I really don’t love the game like I do the other four on this list, but the game is still an awesome game that I enjoyed nearly every last minute of.
Number 4: “TLOZ: The Wind Waker” (Original Score: 9.5)
Before its initial release The Wind Waker was looked upon as nothing more than a major departure from the Zelda series and one that would be destined to remain unsuccessful among the Zelda community, the only good thing about this prediction is how false it ended up being: Wind Waker ended up being one of the best games ever. Wind Waker has what is overall perhaps my favorite art style in the Zelda series even more so than the realistic art style of Twilight Princess or the impressionist art style of Skyward Sword. The music in the game is the last of the great Zelda music, as since then there hasn’t been quite as good of soundtracks as there used to be, and the story was epic in its own unique way. It’s a shame the game isn’t nearly as long as some other Zelda adventures, and the quest itself isn’t nearly as captivating thanks to the eternally hated Triforce hunt and the tedious sailing across the vast sea. Still though, Wind Waker is easily my favorite GameCube game of all time, and is very close to being called a masterpiece.
Number 3: “TLOZ: Twilight Princess” (Original Score: 9.7)
Twilight Princess isn’t without its faults, it’s story isn’t nearly as good as most Zelda adventures, the Wolf form of Link isn’t all that intriguing or fun to play, some of the worlds are too large and sparsely populated, and there were some texture problems and other design flaws, but what Twilight Princess does provide is a hardcore Nintendo creation at its best. Twilight Princess has the most realistic visuals the series has to boast, and it is also one of the longest Zelda games and includes easily the best dungeon designs the series has to offer. And although it does feel pretty similar to Ocarina of Time it’s better for it, and if you really want a unique Zelda game, Skyward Sword is right there for you.
Number 2: “TLOZ: Ocarina of Time” (Original Score: 9.8)
Although I never actually reviewed the original game (only the 3D remake) I can promise you that despite the original’s lack of 3D visuals and updated controls, it’s just as good of a game thanks to the originality and revolutionary aspects the game had to offer. Ocarina of Time is an example of a well-rounded Zelda game, and a perfect one at that. The gameplay such as dungeons, items, and enemies are well crafted and all of the puzzles are a blast to play and solve, the length of the game is appreciated as well. And the artistic side of the game is superb too including a great plot that explains about the pieces of the Triforce, good visuals for the time (and good updated 3D visuals for 3DS fans), and a compelling and timeless soundtrack. Finding fault in Ocarina of Time is like calling Michael Jackson a terrible dancer, and likewise the game’s downfalls are practically nonexistent though the water temple is a pain, and like in most Zelda games: switching items is pretty tedious. This timeless classic would have easily earned the top spot on this list had I written it a month ago, but things have finally changed and a new victor is ready to take the crown.
Number 1: “TLOZ: Skyward Sword” (Original Score: 10.0)
Being that it is my first video game ever to get a perfect ten, and that I pretty much said in my review that it was my favorite Zelda game ever, it should come as to little surprise that it turned out being number one on this list. Skyward Sword is practically flawless, and instead delivers the BEST gameplay in the series thanks to new innovative items, advanced dungeon designs, epic boss battles of unprecedented proportions, and a new formula for traversing overworlds and re-visiting old locations. The game is also super lengthy and includes tons of replay value making it the longest Zelda adventure yet. The artistic values of the game are simply stunning: from the beautiful orchestrated soundtrack to the jaw-dropping plot and characterization that has never before been seen in a Zelda game, all the way to the game’s brilliant impressionist art style (which may be my favorite part of the game) I just cannot get over how amazing Skyward Sword really is. My only issue with the game is the controls which while are indeed revolutionary, they could’ve used additional work as I sometimes found pointer control issues and sword combat problems here and there. Besides this and some other minor issues (including Fi’s repetitive voice and the surplus of text) I was 100% happy with this latest adventure and I have no problem calling it the best Zelda game ever made and perhaps the best Wii game and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up being my favorite game of all time. Ocarina of Time’s time is up, there’s a new hero in town. This game gets two thumbs skyward from me (like thumbs up, but thumbs skyward, get it? OK, sorry for the cheesy joke, I had to).
Do you agree with my selections? What is your favorite Zelda game? Do you prefer the 2D titles? Why? Let me know in the comments section below! Oh, and also below is a chart showcasing some awards I’ve handed out to various Zelda titles.
| Award Name | 1st Place Winner | Honorable Mention |
| Best Graphics: | Skyward Sword | Wind Waker |
| Best Audio: | Ocarina of Time | Wind Waker |
| Best Story: | Skyward Sword | Ocarina of Time |
| Best Gameplay: | Skyward Sword | Twilight Princess |
| Best Gameplay Amount: | Skyward Sword | Twilight Princess |
| Best Overall: | Skyward Sword | Ocarina of Time |
No comments:
Post a Comment