The history of Legend of Zelda series everything you need to know about Zelda games

Tue,Feb 11 ,2025

Here’s a comprehensive list of The Legend of Zelda games, including the console they were released on, a brief description, sales data (where available), and ratings (based on aggregated scores from platforms like Metacritic or OpenCritic). Note that sales figures are approximate and may vary depending on the source.

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Mainline Zelda Games

1. The Legend of Zelda (1986)

1. • Console: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
   • Description: The first game in the series, introducing players to Hyrule, Princess Zelda, and the hero Link. It featured an open-world design and nonlinear gameplay.
   • Sales: ~6.5 million
   • Rating: N/A (retroactively praised as a classic)
2. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987)

• • Console: NES
  • Description: A side-scrolling action RPG with RPG elements like experience points. It was a departure from the first game’s top-down perspective.
  • Sales: ~4.38 million
  • Rating: N/A (mixed reception at launch, now considered a cult classic)

3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991)

1. • Console: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
   • Description: A return to the top-down perspective, introducing the concept of parallel worlds (Light and Dark World). It set the standard for future Zelda games.
   • Sales: ~4.61 million
   • Rating: 95/100 (Metacritic)

4. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993)

• • Console: Game Boy
  • Description: The first handheld Zelda game, featuring a unique story set on Koholint Island. It introduced many quirky elements and characters.
  • Sales: ~6.05 million
  • Rating: N/A (remake scored 88/100 on Metacritic)

 

5.The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)

• • Console: Nintendo 64
  • Description: The first 3D Zelda game, often regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time. It introduced Z-targeting and a time-travel mechanic.
  • Sales: ~7.6 million
  • Rating: 99/100 (Metacritic)

 

6.The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000)

• • Console: Nintendo 64
  • Description: A darker, more experimental sequel to Ocarina of Time, featuring a three-day time loop and mask transformations.
  • Sales: ~3.36 million
  • Rating: 92/100 (Metacritic)

7. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages & Oracle of Seasons (2001)

• • Console: Game Boy Color
  • Description: Two interconnected games developed by Capcom. Ages focused on puzzles, while Seasons emphasized action.
  • Sales: ~3.99 million (combined)
  • Rating: N/A (retroactively praised)

8. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002)

• • Console: Nintendo GameCube
  • Description: Known for its cel-shaded art style, it featured sailing and exploration across a vast ocean.
  • Sales: ~4.43 million
  • Rating: 96/100 (Metacritic)

9. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004)

• • Console: Nintendo GameCube
  • Description: A multiplayer-focused Zelda game, allowing up to four players to cooperate in a top-down adventure.
  • Sales: ~1.18 million
  • Rating: 86/100 (Metacritic)

 

10. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004)

1. • Console: Game Boy Advance
   • Description: Developed by Capcom, it featured a shrinking mechanic and a focus on exploration and puzzles.
   • Sales: ~1.76 million
   • Rating: 89/100 (Metacritic)

11. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)

• • Console: Nintendo GameCube, Wii
  • Description: A darker, more realistic Zelda game with a wolf transformation mechanic. It was a launch title for the Wii.
  • Sales: ~8.85 million
  • Rating: 95/100 (Metacritic)

12. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007)

• • Console: Nintendo DS
  • Description: A direct sequel to The Wind Waker, featuring touch-based controls and a central dungeon that players revisited.
  • Sales: ~4.76 million
  • Rating: 90/100 (Metacritic)

 

13. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009)

• • Console: Nintendo DS
  • Description: A sequel to Phantom Hourglass, featuring train travel and a more active role for Zelda as a companion.
  • Sales: ~2.96 million
  • Rating: 87/100 (Metacritic)

 

14. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011)

• • Console: Wii
  • Description: The first Zelda game to use motion controls extensively, featuring a story about the origins of the Master Sword.
  • Sales: ~3.67 million
  • Rating: 93/100 (Metacritic)

15. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (2013)

• • Console: Nintendo 3DS
  • Description: A spiritual successor to A Link to the Past, featuring a wall-merging mechanic and nonlinear gameplay.
  • Sales: ~4.24 million
  • Rating: 91/100 (Metacritic)

 

16.The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)

• • Console: Nintendo Switch, Wii U
  • Description: A groundbreaking open-world game that redefined the series, emphasizing exploration and player freedom.
  • Sales: ~31.15 million (as of 2023)
  • Rating: 97/100 (Metacritic)

17. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)

• • Console: Nintendo Switch
  • Description: A direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, introducing new mechanics like Ultrahand and Fuse, with an expanded world and story.
  • Sales: ~19.5 million (as of 2023)
  • Rating: 96/100 (Metacritic)

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Spin-offs and Remakes

1. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX (1998)

1. • Console: Game Boy Color
   • Description: A color-enhanced version of Link’s Awakening with an additional dungeon.
   • Sales: ~6.05 million (combined with original)
   • Rating: N/A
2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (2011)

1. • Console: Nintendo 3DS
   • Description: A remastered version of Ocarina of Time with updated graphics and quality-of-life improvements.
   • Sales: ~6.22 million
   • Rating: 94/100 (Metacritic)
2. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D (2015)

1. • Console: Nintendo 3DS
   • Description: A remastered version of Majora’s Mask with updated visuals and gameplay tweaks.
   • Sales: ~3.36 million
   • Rating: 89/100 (Metacritic)
2. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (2019)

1. • Console: Nintendo Switch
   • Description: A full remake of the original Link’s Awakening with a charming toy-like art style.
   • Sales: ~6.08 million
   • Rating: 88/100 (Metacritic)
2. Hyrule Warriors (2014, 2016, 2020)

1. • Console: Wii U, Nintendo Switch, 3DS
   • Description: A Dynasty Warriors-style spin-off featuring hack-and-slash gameplay with Zelda characters.
   • Sales: ~4 million (combined across platforms)
   • Rating: 76/100 (Metacritic for Switch version)
2. Cadence of Hyrule (2019)

• • Console: Nintendo Switch
  • Description: A rhythm-based spin-off developed by Brace Yourself Games, blending Crypt of the NecroDancer gameplay with Zelda elements.
  • Sales: ~1 million
  • Rating: 86/100 (Metacritic)

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This list covers the major Legend of Zelda games, but there are additional spin-offs, remakes, and re-releases. Let me know if you’d like more details!