Nintendo Help me choose which Zelda game to play

[ShreddieMercury]

While always being aware of the series and playing bits and pieces of different games, Breath of the Wild is the first Zelda game that I experienced in its entirety.  I recently also finished Link's Awakening, and I really enjoyed it as well (some confusion about certain puzzles notwithstanding).  I now feel like I have a pretty good handle on the language of these games, and would love to play some of the other entries.  Here are the other Zelda games that I have:

 

Link to the Past (SNES Classic/Switch)

Ocarina of Time (N64)

Wind Waker HD (Wii U)

Twilight Princess HD (Wii U)

Skyward Sword (Wii)

 

Where should I start?  I've played a good portion of Wind Waker several years ago and really liked it, but dropped it for something else at the time.  Is there a game that I should play first to acclimate me to the others?

 

[Pikachu]

Link to the Past first. Then Ocarina and Wind Waker. All tremendous games.

[SimpleG]

Just now, Pikachu said:

Link to the Past first. Then Ocarina and Wind Waker. All tremendous games.

Ill second Wind Waker

[Bacon]

As some who has played the games before, the following would be the best experience for me as OoT is probably the best Zelda experience and that's is how I'd chose to end a Zelda series play-thru 

Link to the Past > Skyward Sword > Twilight Princess > Wind Waker > Ocarina of Time 

 

Going order of release isn't a bad option either. Ends on a weaker note but this how I played the games. At least SS has a satisfying ending. 

Link to the Past > Ocarina of Time > Wind Waker > Twilight Princess > Skyward Sword

 

This isn't a bad option either. This is in order of graphical fidelity. SS is really pretty, but it also looks really shitty cuz it is a Wii game. Jaggies hit that game hard and I really want an HD Switch version.  Wind Waker is the best looking Zelda game, IMO. 

Link to the Past > Ocarina of Time > Skyward Sword > Twilight Princess > Wind Waker

[Paperclyp]

I think Wind Waker might be your best option to not fall off a game, since you have the Wii U version. 

 

The others can drag a bit. 

[GameDadGrant]

If you’re going to play Ocarina of Time, play the far superior 3DS version. 

[cusideabelincoln]

A Link to the Past should feel pretty familiar to you off the back of Link's Awakening.  It's my favorite of the series.  It can be lengthy the first time through, as the dungeons get bigger and bigger the further you go into the game.  The story is very light, though, as most is left up to your imagination and the instruction booklet.

 

Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess are the most alike in structure, with Twilight Princess being an evolution in terms of gameplay.  But Ocarina does have a tight and well defined story that I still enjoy experiencing to this day, while Twilight Princess has some really fun dungeons.

 

Wind Waker is the most different of the ones you haven't played.  There is an element of Breath of the Wild in that you can sail your boat anywhere, and discovering islands is exciting.  The story is also quite good, and the game has references to other Zelda games.

 

And lastly Skyward Sword is unique in its control scheme.  The sword combat is excellent and the bow aiming is neat - but I don't personally care for any of the other motion controlled actions.  The story is pretty epic, and you can see the beginnings of BotW's crafting/upgrading/collecting system.

[cusideabelincoln]

7 minutes ago, GameDadGrant said:

If you’re going to play Ocarina of Time, play the far superior 3DS version. 

 

And if he does have a 3DS, he should get A Link Between Worlds.

[RedSoxFan9]

Play them in order. Maybe skip Zelda II

[Rodimus]

Hands down play Zelda Link to the Past next. Then Ocarina then Wind Waker HD

[ShreddieMercury]

1 hour ago, GameDadGrant said:

If you’re going to play Ocarina of Time, play the far superior 3DS version. 

 

1 hour ago, cusideabelincoln said:

 

And if he does have a 3DS, he should get A Link Between Worlds.

I don't have a 3DS, but a friend of mine gave me his N64 a while back with several games including OoT.

[crispy4000]

I’d keep Wind Waker as pallete cleanser, since it’s so different than most of the others.  (and also a ton easier).  I think that’s to it’s fault, but it’s not a bad game either. Just make sure you’ve beaten OoT first for story reasons.

 

Don’t play TP and OoT back to back.  Those games are so similar in design, and TP recycled some things it shouldn’t have.  But it’s also more of a good thing.

 

LTTP I don’t hold in the same regard as others.  It’s great, but after coming off Link’s Awakening it might feel a little hollow.

 

Don’t overlook Skyward Sword.  The game has some flaws but is one of the most original and inspired entries of the series, even if you look past motion controls.  I thought it was fantastic, and the 3D Zelda that’s closest to Link’s Awakening’s design and charm.  

 

But also play it after OoT for story reasons.

[Paperclyp]

I don’t think story should be in any way a consideration lol. 

[chakoo]

That one, specially if you did LA recently. Also it's a greatest hits title for 3DS so it will be pretty cheap.

 

Then I say Wind Waker. =)

[Moa]

Dark horse nomination for Cadence of Hyrule.

[Paperclyp]

Should I eat pizza, Chinese food, or a burger?

 

You should eat soup. 

[Rodimus]

Play Link to the Past  /thread

[CastlevaniaNut18]

13 minutes ago, Rodimus said:

Play Link to the Past  /thread

 

[Bacon]

ALttP isn't that good. ALBW is better!

[Biggie]

2 hours ago, chakoo said:

That one, specially if you did LA recently. Also it's a greatest hits title for 3DS so it will be pretty cheap.

 

Then I say Wind Waker. =)

Have it downloaded forever and have never played it   🤔

[chakoo]

24 minutes ago, Biggie said:

Have it downloaded forever and have never played it   🤔

Go play it right now!!! 

 

(you’ll thank me next week )

[crispy4000]

4 hours ago, Paperclyp said:

I don’t think story should be in any way a consideration lol. 

 

There’s big callback to OoT in Wind Waker that you wouldn’t appreciate without playing it.  Might as well play OoT first so that it can be.  OoT is better anyways.

 

Skyward Sword feels like a prequel that fleshes out backstory.  I think if you go into it before OoT, some of its the latter’s twists and lore would feel redundant.

[Paperclyp]

56 minutes ago, crispy4000 said:

 

There’s big callback to OoT in Wind Waker that you wouldn’t appreciate without playing it.  Might as well play OoT first so that it can be.  OoT is better anyways.

 

Skyward Sword feels like a prequel that fleshes out backstory.  I think if you go into it before OoT, some of its the latter’s twists and lore would feel redundant.

It might slightly enhance the experience, but it’s minimal for a dude who has clearly a passing interest in the series. 

 

Also I love OOT, but Wind Waker is the better game when you aren’t factoring in historical importance and nostalgia. 

[Bacon]

While I do prefer WW over OoT, fuck the ocean in WW can get hella annoying, even with the HD changes. OoT doesn't really have anything annoying, or at least to that degree. 

[crispy4000]

2 hours ago, Paperclyp said:

It might slightly enhance the experience, but it’s minimal for a dude who has clearly a passing interest in the series.

 

OoT is pretty much a must play for anyone with a passing interest.  So I think it's justified.

 

2 hours ago, Paperclyp said:

Also I love OOT, but Wind Waker is the better game when you aren’t factoring in historical importance and nostalgia. 

 

OoT is a better game in pretty much everything that doesn't involve presentation, controls and ironically enough, story.

WW's ocean felt like an early template for BoTW, but not in a good way.  Filling out the map, searching for treasure, killing moblin bases is much more of a chore.  In most cases, you get crap for it too.  No, I don't need another butterfly pendant.  Neat side quest / puzzle ... dammit, I got a treasure map for it and need to slowly inch toward a vanishing indicator at sea to cash in.  Where is that fish that fills out the map?  Wait I need to find the shop for fish bait.  Haven't I seen that island 2 times already?  Why did this moblin camp give me a heart piece, and that identical one give me piñata trash?  Finally I get to stop this sailing sequence and start the next dungeon... wait, the sailing was the dungeon?
 

Its Zelda fundamentals are also a bit lacking.  The key item abilities are the least original of the 3D series.  The dungeon partners were cool, and so was the changing tides dungeon, but beyond that the puzzle and dungeon design just didn't do it for me.  It felt like they designed a game around feedback that OoT and Majora were both too complex.  Combat too - against 'hard' enemies you just strafe, throw out items, and wait for the cue to press "A."  That might be fine to some people, but for me felt disappointing.  TP and SS ended up rectifying a lot.

I could complain more, but I really do love the tone of the game, the music and the balance it strikes with narrative.  The mid-game twist is awesome.  So are the ending sequences and bosses.  It's worth playing for those reasons, plus the one or two standout dungeons and to see where BoTW came from.

[Bacon]

I coveted that wind, I suppose. 

[Bloodporne]

Those are all fantastic games to varying degrees honestly so I'd say play them in order if you're going to play them all anyway maybe?

 

I recently played Ocarina and it holds up al.ost shockingly well and then some, just a great, timelessly well-designed game.

 

I'm currently playing Skyward Sword and at about 20 hours in, unless something goes horribly awry, this may be my favorite 3D Zelda after Ocarina right now. The opening blows but once that's done with, it's been incredibly good. The sword combat really takes some practice but once you get it down, it feels great.

[gamer.tv]

I would play OoT with a guide nearby for any moments you become a tad lost, then Wind Waker. Then if you still fancy more after that, LttP, TP and then SS. 

 

Although if you're willing to buy it, I'd put Majora's Mask after LttP.

[crispy4000]

9 hours ago, Bloodporne said:

I'm currently playing Skyward Sword and at about 20 hours in, unless something goes horribly awry, this may be my favorite 3D Zelda after Ocarina right now. The opening blows but once that's done with, it's been incredibly good. The sword combat really takes some practice but once you get it down, it feels great.

 

Neat, I’m not alone in that anymore.  

[atom631]

I’m in the same boat, although I did also play the first Zelda back in the day when it came out. Played BOTW on my kids wiiu and absolutely loved it. I Just finished LA on switch and I’m really craving more (was even considering oceanhorn 2). 
 

I don’t own any of the other wwiu zeldas and I think I would need a pro pad bc the console analog has really bad drift. So I’m either going to play lttp on switch or oot on 3DS

[eventide11]

OoT is what Nintendo intended(Nintended?) Zelda to be all along. DON'T miss out on that one. Skip Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword. TP drags on big time and SS is a miserable experience with motion controls 

[Rodimus]

Link Between Worlds is a good game but it would be disingenuous to play before link to the Past. Also link to the past is the blueprint that the later Zelda games used. Link to the past is the refinement of the original.

[crispy4000]

1 hour ago, eventide11 said:

OoT is what Nintendo intended(Nintended?) Zelda to be all along. DON'T miss out on that one. Skip Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword. TP drags on big time and SS is a miserable experience with motion controls 

 

Twilight Princess is a miserable experience with motion controls.   SS by and large is fine with them, and has more engaging combat than BoTW.  Best bosses in the 3D series as well.

 

59 minutes ago, Rodimus said:

Link Between Worlds is a good game but it would be disingenuous to play before link to the Past. Also link to the past is the blueprint that the later Zelda games used. Link to the past is the refinement of the original.

 

I'd say play LTTP first.  But if you only have time for one, I'd go with ALBW.  IMO, it's better than the source material.

[CastlevaniaNut18]

Dude has already said he doesn't have a 3DS, so ALBW isn't an option at this point.

[Bacon]

As cool as the motion controls in SS were, I really hope there is a remake without them. We got 4 trigger buttons now, just map a few different attack directions and make enemy patterns match what directions you have and call it a day. Or just get rid of them all together for all I care. I don't really have a desire to play thru SS again if I have to use motion controls. It was fine for one play thru but I'll never played it a second time because of them. 

 

Also, make Link left handed again please. It is very important to me.