The best Legend of Zelda game is Ocarina of Time, still the highest-rated game in the series on Metacritic at 99 and one of the best-reviewed games ever made. Behind it, Breath of the Wild (97) and Tears of the Kingdom (96) lead the modern open-air era. This ranking uses critical consensus — Metacritic scores where they exist — across the mainline series.
Zelda has spanned nearly 40 years and every Nintendo console, so “best” mixes era-defining 3D adventures with the open-world giants. Here is the full ranking.
99
Ocarina of Time, the highest Metacritic
97
Breath of the Wild, the open-air landmark
1986
The original NES game that started it all
2
Games rated 99 & 97 — series peaks
The best Zelda games, ranked
The mainline series ranked by critical consensus. Metacritic scores shown where available; the earliest classics predate the site.
#
Game
Year
Metacritic
1
Ocarina of Time
1998
99
2
Breath of the Wild
2017
97
3
The Wind Waker
2002
96
4
Tears of the Kingdom
2023
96
5
Twilight Princess
2006
95
6
Majora’s Mask
2000
95
7
A Link to the Past
1991
Pre-Metacritic classic
8
Skyward Sword
2011
93
9
A Link Between Worlds
2013
91
10
The Minish Cap
2004
89
11
Link’s Awakening (2019 remake)
2019
87
12
Oracle of Ages / Seasons
2001
Fan-favourite pair
The top Zelda games by Metacritic — Ocarina of Time’s 99 still leads.
How we ranked them
This list follows critical consensus, led by Metacritic scores for the mainline single-player games. That favours the 3D and open-air eras, where review scores cluster in the mid-to-high 90s. The earliest titles — the 1986 original and A Link to the Past — predate Metacritic but are fixtures near the top of almost every critic ranking, so they sit high on reputation rather than a number. Spin-offs like Hyrule Warriors and the CD-i games are left out.
The essential Zelda games
Four games that define the series.
🌲
Ocarina of Time
1998 · 99
The 3D blueprint — still the highest-rated game in the series
#1
🏔️
Breath of the Wild
2017 · 97
The open-air reinvention that redefined open worlds
Modern peak
⛵
The Wind Waker
2002 · 96
Cel-shaded sailing adventure that has aged beautifully
New to the series? You don’t need to play in order — the stories are mostly standalone.
👆
The best entry points
Start with Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom if you want the modern open-world Zelda — both are on Switch and need no prior knowledge. If you prefer the classic dungeon-driven style, A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time are the timeless picks.
Best Zelda games FAQ
What is the best Zelda game?
By critical consensus, Ocarina of Time — its 99 on Metacritic is the highest in the series and one of the best scores in gaming history. Breath of the Wild (97) is the top modern pick.
Is Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom better?
Critics narrowly favour Breath of the Wild (97) over Tears of the Kingdom (96), largely for the impact of doing it first. Tears adds far more to do, so many players prefer it — both are among the best games on Switch.
Which Zelda game should I play first?
Breath of the Wild is the easiest modern entry point — open, forgiving and standalone. For the classic style, Ocarina of Time or A Link to the Past are the best starting points. You can play the series in any order.
Do you need to play Zelda games in order?
No. The timeline is loosely connected, but each game tells a self-contained story with a new incarnation of Link. You can start anywhere without missing essential context.
What was the first Zelda game?
The Legend of Zelda launched on the NES in 1986 (1987 in Europe). It pioneered open exploration and saved progress, and its influence runs through every entry since.
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