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My 3D Zelda Games Ranking


Aidan.

962 views

Hi

I had the urge to do this so here it is. I've never played Skyward Sword for some reason (Please port it to Switch thx)

Anyway let's see here - I will be ranking from lowest to highest

A note that I love every game here and this is actually very hard to do

 

5

Spoiler

The Wind Waker

This was my 1st Zelda game. I rarely re-play this game now, but do enjoy it when I pick it back up. However, I feel like this is kind of the odd one out in an immaculate run of 3D games (including this one). I have nothing against the cartoon art style per se, but it does feel very different to all the other games. Everything down to the over the top sound effects and funny looking enemies is very different to the more realistic style of the games before and after this. I think it's certainly the most light-hearted Zelda game out of the 3D run. Furthermore, something that drags this game down a bit for me is that it feels a bit empty overall. It's a huge sea with islands, and at times it feels like there is an absence of an overworld. The idea and concept was excellent and I think it was executed well with the style, but I wish there were a little more within the game

4

Spoiler

Breath of the Wild

I feel like this placement will get me shot but this is my TRUTH

I absolutely love this game and in many ways it was the breath (pun intended) of fresh air the series needed. However, at the same time it removed so much of what makes the series what it is. The massive open world concept is something that was for sure needed in the series. Though at the same time the removal of traditional dungeons and a more story driven element was frankly a mistake. A lot of things feel very copy paste and repetitive when it comes to the dungeons and its bosses; even the shrines which are like mini dungeons feel samey after a while. The world is also so huge that the story that is present is kind of forgotten in all of the options you have. I've honestly found myself exploring for hours (and sometimes getting frustrated when all I'm doing is running through empty space) then coming back to a main story element and being like oh right there's an objective

This being said, the freedom that the game allows you is amazing and is something that should remain in the series from now on. Despite some empty spaces, there really is a whole world to be explored. BOTW is an excellent game, but as a Zelda game it leaves something to be desired overall. Going forward I hope they keep the open world, restore more traditional dungeons and have a stronger story driven element

3

Spoiler

Ocarina of Time

My 2nd Zelda game, as it came with my copy of The Wind Waker! This game is an absolute classic and set up many of the elements we still see within Zelda

This game has a strong story and objective. The thing I like most about this game is the fact that you go from being a child to an adult in one of the biggest game twists ever! This makes for a rich lore element that we see throughout the entire game. The dungeons in this game are some of the absolute best and were the precedent for the games that followed. I especially love that the later dungeons (Shadow and Spirit) make use of the time travel element within the game, thus extending this part of the quest

There is not too much that drags this game down. A couple things I have to criticize the game on is the lack of side quests (I can name like, 3) and the overall emptiness of the overworld (Hyrule Field lowkey creeps me out cause there's legit no one except for The Running Man

2

Spoiler

Majora's Mask

This game is obviously very similar style wise to OOT as it is built directly off of its engine. However, I feel like it takes the feel of Ocarina of Time and enhances it even more. This game might have only 4 dungeons, but it expands on the overall world and story

This game has an incredibly rich story that involves you literally saving the world. It is certainly an extremely dark game, with some of the darkest aspects ever seen in Zelda, and they are executed very well. MM also needs to be commended on the expansive overworld, which feels full of life unlike the OOT world. The spectrum of side quests with timed NPC schedules is an outstanding aspect of this game, and blows OOT out of the water completely in that sense - the world really feels alive. It is not a very long game overall considering the main quest, but the side quests really do drive this game and make for a holistic playing experience. Being able to collect different masks and transform is another exciting twist to this game that builds on what OOT started

1

Spoiler

Twilight Princess

From the light-hearted WW back to a more realistic and dark Zelda - I have to say right away that this game does appear like an attempt to re-establish stans that were critical of the style of WW

In some ways, this game does rehash several elements of OOT and MM (i.e. Having Forest, Fire and Water themed dungeons), but again I think this game expands on those ideas and makes them the best they can be. I honestly think this game has the best story out of all 3D Zeldas, with many twists and turns. It is also extremely dark and actually scary in several parts. I love that you have your good old Hyrule, as well as a whole dark world of Twilight that takes over for much of the game. The overworld here is huge, but honestly does kind of feel a bit empty again in some places, but that is made up for with places like Castle Town and the huge spectrum of dungeons throughout the game. This game is very very long, but it never gets boring. It actually kind of has two, even three tiers to it because there are several well-executed objectives. TP also features some of what I feel are the series best (and most unique) dungeons. These being Arbiters Grounds, Snowpeak Ruins, Temple of Time. I absolutely love these dungeons as well as the bosses within them (Except for TOT tbh lol). I have to criticize the game a bit for the re-appearance of Ganon. For much of the game you are lead to believe Zant is the core antagonist, which he is until Ganon pops in somewhat unexpectedly

I feel like this is a bit unnecessary - The game was effective with Zant as the core antagonist and the inclusion of Ganon seems extra in a sense. Regardless, this is my favourite game because it offers a rich story as well as entertaining, lengthy playing time. I love the Twilight and I would really like for them to visit this again (I actually had a dream where there were the towers from BOTW but they were within the Twilight like in TP before collecting all the tears to get rid of it - Nintendo GET ON IT)

Overall, this series has put out consistently good material. Out of the 3D titles, they have not put out a bad game. I am sure whatever is next will continue the legacy

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You already knew this was coming but Breath of the Wild deserves higher tbh um2 Although, I do agree with your sentiment of what you want in a future Zelda game. Similar open-world style, but brining back some traditional elements (like dungeons!)

 

I'm playing Ocarina now, and will be playing the others in chronological order by release! I've played WW and Twilight Princess in the past but didn't finish them. 

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23 hours ago, LittleDudeNT5 said:

You already knew this was coming but Breath of the Wild deserves higher tbh um2 Although, I do agree with your sentiment of what you want in a future Zelda game. Similar open-world style, but brining back some traditional elements (like dungeons!)

 

I'm playing Ocarina now, and will be playing the others in chronological order by release! I've played WW and Twilight Princess in the past but didn't finish them. 

The open world is pretty much guaranteed, but I hope there is a spectrum of dungeons next game (that you can do in any order)

Ocarina is great and is basically like the BOTW of the 1990s for Zelda seeing as it established a new benchmark for the franchise at the time

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