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[Firebrand]

Wow, how can they not put... oh. They actually put ALttP on the #1 spot. Well, can't complain then.

LTTP has a shitton of dungeons and barely anything to do in the overworld.

Huh. Never seen that complaint about LTTP. In particular once the dual worlds mechanic comes into play there's stuff hidden everywhere.

It's OoT that barely even has an overworld, an empty field and some corridors.

 

[MrSaturn99]

man I sure can't wait to magically change my mind on SS next year

gotta love the Zelda cycle

I'd think a top 10 game should, for the most part, be a game that is remembered very fondly. Is SS a Zelda game you'd say is remembered fondly and enjoyed by most of the fanbase? Granted, this list is hardly objective but SS in my eyes just... does so many things wrong that bog down the overall experience and remembrance of it. It's definitely not a game I would replay whereas every other game on IGN's list is a game I could and would (and have!) replay.



The reviewer of SS for IGN has been long gone from the site so it's hardly reflective of the whole site's opinion on SS let alone the person who created this top 10 list. Plus, that review is over five years old now and who knows what the writer of the top 10 list thinks of SS after those five years have passed. Opinions change, as we've seen with TP over the last decade.

I actually agree completely; it's the 10/10 review that threw me off (which doesn't hold that much water as you pointed out).

The mass flood of perfect scores for that game never made sense to me given how forgettable it was relative to other big-name Zeldas (IMO, anyway). I wonder how similar lists from other publications would fare today; given how much hype BOTW drummed up, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more of these in the coming months.

 

[RedZaraki]

I'm 100% convinced that this right here is the ideological split between Zelda fans. For me, I'd be cool with a Zelda game with no real dungeons. From the first game on the NES to the last, dungeons are just the downtime between overworld exploration. It's why games like Majora's Mask resonated so strongly with me, and Twilight Princess fell so flat.

And there are Zelda fans like you who clearly see the series in the exact opposite light.

To me dungeons are the MAIN EVENT. Where the boss fights happen, where you EARN the cool new equipment, and where you test your mettle against traps and rooms full of enemies.

It's dangerous and dark, and has to be rooted out by a hero.

 

[Garlador]

You know, I've tried playing A Link to the Past recently and... I don't enjoy it nearly as much as used to. It's still great, mind you, but it's slowly slipped from my favorite Zelda game down further and further to the point that I don't think it's even in my top 10 anymore. It's weird, because it's still good, but it just... feels more dated. Like it's really good for introducing so many things that define the series, but future games polished those ideas up and improved upon them.

A Link Between Worlds felt like what my memories of ALttP told me it felt and played like, but then revisiting it didn't match up.

 

[Flare]

I'm 100% convinced that this right here is the ideological split between Zelda fans. For me, I'd be cool with a Zelda game with no real dungeons. From the first game on the NES to the last, dungeons are just the downtime between overworld exploration. It's why games like Majora's Mask and Wind Waker resonated so strongly with me, and LttP and Twilight Princess fell so flat.

And there are Zelda fans like you who clearly see the series in the exact opposite light.

That's pretty much why Zelda games are so divisive.

 

[IceDoesntHelp]

Link's Awakening will always be the real best top-down Zelda game. stay overrated as fuck, ALttP.

Bosman?

 

[Courage]

1. Link's Awakening
2. Twilight Princess
3. Link Between Worlds

still got to play Majora's Mask

 

[Lucumo]

While the order is debatable, the games sitting in the top 5 are definitely correct.

 

[brainchild]

WHERE THE FUCK IS SKYWARD SWORD??!!!!!!

 

[Griss]

To me dungeons are the MAIN EVENT. Where the boss fights happen, where you EARN the cool new equipment, and where you test your mettle against traps and rooms full of enemies.

It's dangerous and dark, and has to be rooted out by a hero.

Exactly. And who am I to say you're wrong? The game progression is designed entirely around them, after all.

But for me they are challenges to be passed so I can go back to the part of the game I love. That said, I do love the dungeoning (otherwise Zelda would never be my favourite series) but if the overworld is the meat, the dungeons are the bun. The meat is the important bit.

It's also why games like Witcher 3 scratch that Zelda itch for me so well, whereas for a 'dungeon-oriented' Zelda player they'd be thinking 'What the fuck similarities does Witcher even have with Zelda?'

 

[GDJustin]

Zelda 2 was the game fighting with the Oracle games for 10th place, for the record. That was VERY close.

Skyward Sword has a few very very vocal defenders on staff, but overall it wasn't really in the Top 10 hunt.

We're catching a lot of shade from people for giving SS a 10/10 and then not having it in this Top 10, but I don't really think that's very fair. Skyward Sword came out nearly 5 years ago. I think I was the only person on our Top 10 Zelda panel that even worked at IGN when SS got a 10/10. So you can't really hold the Editors of 2016 to a decision that was made by a totally different staff 5 years before.

Editors turn over and are replaced - opinions of groups of people shift over time.

Some might argue you have to take those scores and past opinions into account to maintain some kind of consistency over time. I don't agree. IGN isn't "IGN" - it's just a collection of people, all with their own opinions. Anything we write can't be taken as anything more than the opinion of that author at that time, or in the case of a staff feature like this, the collective synthesis of the opinion of the staff at that time. IGN has been around 20 years, and I'm only 31. We aren't beholden to what people long gone have said.

 

[Plinko]

I still firmly believe that A Link Between Worlds is one of the best Zelda games ever. Its a top 3 for me personally, and just from a pure objective standpoint. It captures the feeling of an adventure that almost all Zelda games avoid with there linear roadmap and one solution dungeons. You create the adventure when the game drops you into the world. Instead of a bunch of exposition and someone telling you exactly where to go. Just a flat out perfect Zelda that i hope Breath of the Wild cribs from.

Completely agree with this.

 

[zma1013]

WHERE THE FUCK IS SKYWARD SWORD??!!!!!!

Seven Wise Men used their powers to seal it off in the dark world forever.

 

[inner-G]

I personally think the N64 ones are ranked a bit too high, but any list with TLOZ or LTTP at #1 is passable.

WHERE THE FUCK IS SKYWARD SWORD??!!!!!!

If you look closely at the list, SS is accurately represented.

 

[Raging Spaniard]

LttP
Wind Waker
Legend of Zelda

But thats for me, I think those are three very unique experiences. Skyward Sword or Link Between Worlds could easily be 3rd as well, depends on the day!

 

[EhoaVash]

Wind waker is too damn high. Shouldn't even be in top 8

Ww was such boring game to play. Every dungeon felt so void of challenge, puzzle etc. doesnt belong with the top zeldas

Skyward sword shamming is a shame, game had so much more better dungeons and combat than wind waker, hell story and characters too. Groose>> entire cast of ww.

Also ALTtP honestly should step down, link between worlds is the better 2d Zelda game

 

[joseotero]

This. Where the heck is Skyward?

It's number 11.

 

[White Wolf]

WHERE THE FUCK IS SKYWARD SWORD??!!!!!!

it's below phantom hourglass and above spirit tracks

 

[hemo memo]

Majora's Mask is 1

Then order the rest as you like.

 

[joseotero]

Yup. The reviewer who manages IGN's Nintendo team now gave it a B+
http://www.1up.com/reviews/legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-wii

Yup, that's right (but I'm not a manager). And I don't hate Skyward Sword (like some people do). In fact, I tried (and failed) to get it on the lower part of this list.

 

[White Wolf]

Wind waker is too damn high. Shouldn't even be in top 8

Ww was such boring game to play. Every dungeon felt so void of challenge, puzzle etc. doesnt belong with the top zeldas

Skyward sword shamming is a shame, game had so much more better dungeons and combat than wind waker, hell story and characters too. Groose>> entire cast of ww.

Also ALTtP honestly should step down, link between worlds is the better 2d Zelda game

agreed with albw being the best 2d zelda game now, but ss has way too many flaws. like, with all due respect, fighting the imprisoned three times is enough reason to not have it REMOTELY close to the top 5, and depending on the person even outside of the top 10. and that's not even counting revisiting every area three times with shit pacing.

 

[phanphare]

Bosman?

no but thank you for the compliment

 

[Revven]

It's number 11.

Hahaha, perfect.

 

[Cloud7]

Link to the Past babyyy, waddupppp

#1 Zelda game in my heart

 

[Conkerkid11]

Skyward Sword was robbed. Did the author of the list just completely forget it existed?

I will never understand why so many people hold TWW in such high regard. I know, different opinions and stuff, but it just has WAY too many flaws IMO.

What, you don't think a completely unfinished game where a majority of the game is spent travelling across the ocean in a boat isn't one of the greatest Zelda games of all-time?

 

[nakedeyes]

Man, alot of people don't think SS or TP are the best, but don't people pretty unanimously think that SS is at least slightly better than TP?

I really don't think TP should be so high on the list, and especially don't think it beats SS at all. TP is only better than Zelda 2 in my opinion. lol

 

[Flare]

Skyward Sword had really high highs and really low lows not counting the technical issues some people had or did not have.

The Imprisoned, the Dowsing, returning to Eldin really drags, returning to Faron Woods to collect the tadnotes was horrible, Fi was irritating, and the opening took way too long.

On the other hand, exploring the world is great, the puzzles in dungeons and outside them are good, the bosses (aside from the imprisoned) are great, the characters and the sidequests in Skyloft were fun if not a bit simple, and item upgrades were a great addition.
The story was fun too, when it didn't get slowed down by having to do inane tasks.

 

[phanphare]

Man, alot of people don't think SS or TP are the best, but don't people pretty unanimously think that SS is at least slightly better than TP?

I really don't think TP should be so high on the list, and especially don't think it beats SS at all. TP is only better than Zelda 2 in my opinion. lol

the dungeons in Twilight Princess are Zelda at its very best

Fi was irritating

am I the only one who liked Fi?

legit got teary eyed at the end

 

[zma1013]

What, you don't think a completely unfinished game where a majority of the game is spent travelling across the ocean in a boat isn't one of the greatest Zelda games of all-time?

Ignoring all of Wind Waker's other problems, it should always get knocked down the list quite a few pegs because it takes place on an ocean yet there's no fishing minigame. It could have been amazing and they even had a second chance to do it with the remaster but nooooooo, no fish for you!

 

[Regginator]

Man, alot of people don't think SS or TP are the best, but don't people pretty unanimously think that SS is at least slightly better than TP?

I really don't think TP should be so high on the list, and especially don't think it beats SS at all. TP is only better than Zelda 2 in my opinion. lol

TP was amazing. Its only flaw was trying to be too much like the masterpiece OOT and thus never really shines on its own. But it still has several of the best dungeons in the series.

 

[Dragonslayer_023]

Man, alot of people don't think SS or TP are the best, but don't people pretty unanimously think that SS is at least slightly better than TP?

I really don't think TP should be so high on the list, and especially don't think it beats SS at all. TP is only better than Zelda 2 in my opinion. lol

TP is a mediocre Zelda game. SS is a bad video game.

 

[MatrixMan.EXE]

Oof, I lot of people are not gonna agree with Wind Waker being above Majora's Mask.

They better agree with it. As good as Majora's Mask is, I think Wind Waker edges it out slightly. If Majora's Mask was longer, I'd put it above Wind Waker. I know quality comes before quantity, but Wind Waker had both.

 

[sphinx]

Huh. Never seen that complaint about LTTP. In particular once the dual worlds mechanic comes into play there's stuff hidden everywhere..

it's the first part that's actually excellent in LTTP,

precisely as soon as the world opens after the first 3 dungeons, it's clear nintendo said " fuck it, here's a shitton of dungeons, we are done with this, we have other stuff to do"

it's basically going from dungeon to dungeon, very little in between.

 

[Spieler Eins]

What, you don't think a completely unfinished game where a majority of the game is spent travelling across the ocean in a boat isn't one of the greatest Zelda games of all-time?

That depends. Are we talking about an actual ocean with wind and weather affecting sailing gameplay, lots of chances to meet other ships and navy with interesting characters, finding actual treasure coves that aren't blatantly pre-marked on your map and maybe exploring weird sea wild life?
Or are we talking about an empty blue field which leads to some of the worst dungeons in the series?

 

[SuperBlank]

Rule of Zelda dictates Skyward Sword won't get recognition until BotW is out.

 

[SunBroDave]

Majora's Mask was robbed.

 

[guyssorry]

Glad ALTTP is number one. It is the best game I have ever played.

 

[zma1013]

That depends. Are we talking about an actual ocean with wind and weather affecting sailing gameplay, lots of chances to meet other ships and navy with interesting characters, finding actual treasure coves that aren't blatantly pre-marked on your map and maybe exploring weird sea wild life?
Or are we talking about an empty blue field which leads to some of the worst dungeons in the series?

Yeah, exploration was rather disappointing to me after I quickly realized that each square on the map always had only one point of interest and that there really wasn't much interaction with the ocean.

Also, see above, no fishing, bleh.

 

[Shion]

1. Ocarina of Time
2. The Adventure of Link
3. The Legend of Zelda
4. A Link to the Past
5. Majora's Mask
6. Link's Awakening
7. A Link Between Worlds
8. Twilight Princess
9. Oracle of Seasons
10. Wind Waker

I think that Wind Waker is a very flawed (and vastly overrated) game, but it's also the last game in the series that evoked a sense of adventure, wonder and discovery. This is the only reason why I place it above Minish Cap.

 

[zoodoo]

OOT >>>>Lttp is still a debate?

I thought it was common knowledge. Besides nostalgia, what's special about lttp? I played both when they came out.

 

[Conkerkid11]

TP is a mediocre Zelda game. SS is a bad video game.

TP has the best dungeons in the series.

How is SS a bad video game?

That depends. Are we talking about an actual ocean with wind and weather affecting sailing gameplay, lots of chances to meet other ships and navy with interesting characters, finding actual treasure coves that aren't blatantly pre-marked on your map and maybe exploring weird sea wild life?
Or are we talking about an empty blue field which leads to some of the worst dungeons in the series?

Wind and weather affecting sailing gameplay was one of the worst aspects of the game. Sailing in one direction for a long ass time isn't enjoyable.

Meeting other characters and stopping to find treasure leads to picking up a couple rupees to add to your already maxed out wallet 90% of the time.

And yeah, definitely worst dungeons in the series.

 

[Spieler Eins]

Yeah, exploration was rather disappointing to me after I quickly realized that each square on the map had always had only one point of interest and that there really wasn't much interaction with the ocean.

Also, see above, no fishing, bleh.

Indeed. I find it weird when people praise WW for exploration. Like, the first moment on launch day finally getting on your ship is great. It truly felt open. But a couple of hours in the realization comes, WW has no proper exploration.
And I forgot to say that the wasted potential of the setting was highlighted by the ludicrous fact that of all 3D Zeldas (and now SS), WW happens to have no fishing. Like what.

Wind and weather affecting sailing gameplay was one of the worst aspects of the game. Sailing in one direction for a long ass time isn't enjoyable.

Meeting other characters and stopping to find treasure leads to picking up a couple rupees to add to your already maxed out wallet 90% of the time.

And yeah, definitely worst dungeons in the series.

I was being sarcastic. WW has nothing to do on the overworld. Regardless of what wheather it is, the sea is always calm and boring, nothing changes. You don't meet other characters. For some reason you're the only ship on sea other than some shitty cannon enemies. It's not exciting to find islands because you know that there's one per square and none of them have significant content.

 

[zoodoo]

Skyward Sword didn't even make the list...

and deservedly so...

 

[Conkerkid11]

I was being sarcastic. WW has nothing to do on the overworld. Regardless of what wheather it is, the sea is always calm and boring, nothing changes. You don't meet other characters. For some reason you're the only ship on sea other than some shitty cannon enemies. It's not exciting to find islands because you know that there's one per square and none of them have significant content.

Oh, figured.

and deservedly so...

What's wrong with Skyward Sword?

 

[Astral Dog]

Wow no Skyward Sword? It even got a 10 on the original review at IGN...

Maybe the reviewer no longer works at IGN?
Anyways, SS or TP are not even "10" games, but Zelda has always been a critic darling

 

[Heart of Black]

The dowsing in Skyward Sword made me hate the game - an utterly useless and boring mechanic that was implemented poorly. I NEVER sell games that I'm playing, but I chucked Skyward sword, kept the gold wiimote.

Zelda 2 not on the list is a travesty.

Wind Waker over Majora, or Link's Awakening, is also a travesty.

 

[Krowley]

TP has the best dungeons in the series.

.

Yes. TP is basically an OOT clone, only longer, with better dungeons and better graphics. It was an amazing game. Easily in my top 3 Zeldas.

Half-a-game? How so?



Exactly. It's hands-down the better game IMO.

Not enough dungeons. And several of the dungeons were actually a chore to play through. They weren't fun and had terrible concepts.

There were a few good dungeons,of course. It's still a really good game. Half-baked was an overstatement by me. The graphics were pretty, the atmosphere was great and it was fun. But I found it too easy, and was bored part of the time, especially in the second half of the game. It's nowhere near as good as Twilight Princess.

I'm 100% convinced that this right here is the ideological split between Zelda fans. For me, I'd be cool with a Zelda game with no real dungeons. From the first game on the NES to the last, dungeons are just the downtime between overworld exploration. It's why games like Majora's Mask and Wind Waker resonated so strongly with me, and LttP and Twilight Princess fell so flat.

And there are Zelda fans like you who clearly see the series in the exact opposite light.

This may be true...

My 3 favorites, in no particular order, are ALTTP, TP, and OOT.

 

[Omega Kirby]

Twilight princess is too low, windwaker too high

 

[Shikamaru Ninja]

TP is a mediocre Zelda game. SS is a bad video game.

TP has a crappy intro. I hate that. Everyone does. But it has the best 3D dungeon design of any Zelda game, of any game. It also has a beautiful ending. Great soundtrack too.

 

[Übermatik]

4. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
3. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

The order here is all kinds of fucked up.