“Ranking the Top 5 Legend of Zelda Games According to Metacritic Scores”

After much waiting, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was finally released. The game has already been very pleasing to the critics and the public and seems to be on its way to become one more in a long list of classics in the series. But how does it compare with its predecessors?

With that in mind, Voxel decided to remember what are the five best games in the Zelda franchiseaccording to the notes of the Metacritic. It’s worth remembering that the site considers re-releases on different platforms with separate notes, so we’re just going to consider the best of each game for this list. Check out:

5th place: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch, 2022)

(Reproduction)Source: Nintendo

Well, the game has just been released, but it is already among the best. Of course, as it is still quite recent, it is possible that this number will still change. At the time of publication of this article, however, the title has 96 points on the site, technically tied with the 4th and 3rd positions.

As the number suggests, first impressions are extremely positive, with critics indicating that this new saga is even bigger and more ambitious than its predecessor, Breath of the Wild. Will Link’s latest adventure eventually displace other classics?

4th place: Twilight Princess (GameCube/Wii, 2006)

(Reproduction)Source: Nintendo

Next up is one of the darkest games in the franchise. Due to the mixed reception of Skyward Sword (Wii, 2011), Twilight Princess was, for a long time, considered the last really good console game — that is, until Breath of the Wild be released.

The title not only featured an interesting story that helped establish Hyrule’s mythology, but also introduced None, one of the most beloved characters in the franchise. Not to mention a final battle with Ganondorf extremely epic that, to this day, is considered the best by many fans.

3rd place: Wind Waker (GameCube, 2003)

(Reproduction)Source: Nintendo

Wind Waker is a game that marked the series in many ways — most notably its cartoonish visuals which, despite being controversial upon release, ended up winning over fans and has aged very well, still a beautiful game to look at, even 20 years old. after.

While Twilight Princess it was dark and melancholy, Wind Waker it was light-hearted, colorful, and hopeful, with fun characters and a heart-warming story. The game also introduced two new races: the Here and the Korokwhich also return in the latest titles.

All this, combined with a gigantic sea to explore and an excellent soundtrack, formed one of the most unusual and fun adventures of Link and Zelda.

2nd place: Breath of the Wild (Wii U/Switch, 2017)

(Reproduction)Source: Nintendo

It is no exaggeration to say that Breath of the Wild completely revitalized the franchise. And it did so by throwing away all of the series’ established lore and going back to basics. In many ways, the title, with use 97 no Metacriticis a kind of retelling of the first The Legend of Zelda (NES, 1986): the concept, in both, is that the player is free to explore the world of Hyrule as they wish, with no strings attached.

The game also changed the way open world games are viewed. Instead of filling the map with icons to be followed, as many do, the player chooses to go where he wants and will always find something useful for his progress, creating an organic exploration.

With a greater focus on story and characters, the game was also the first to feature voiced dialogue (except for Link, of course). In addition, in few titles Zelda was as well developed and interesting as in this one — which is more than fair and deserved, since the franchise bears her name.

1st place: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64, 1998)

(Reproduction)Source: Nintendo

Com 99 note, the first place is no surprise to anyone. If you play a 3D title nowadays, it was probably influenced (directly or indirectly) by this classic that, along with super mario 64helped define how three-dimensional games should be made and controlled from then on.

But that’s not “just” why this title is so highly regarded. Few games have such memorable moments as the first time you emerge from the Kokiri Forest and see the vast countryside of Hyrule — with a scope and freedom to explore never seen before.

And that was just the beginning of an unforgettable adventure, with characters and music that would mark fans and even the game industry itself. For these and many other reasons, Ocarina of Time is considered the best game The Legend of Zelda.