The Legend of Zelda is arguably the most storied franchise in the history of videogames. Spanning nearly 40 years, the multi-generational, Nintendo exclusive series is among the most awarded titles in gaming, and even contains the highest rated game ever made, according to the review aggregating website Metacritic. With the highly anticipated Tears of the Kingdom set to arrive for the Nintendo Switch on May 12, 2023, let’s look back and count down the best games in the history of The Legend of Zelda, according to the series’ critic Metascores.
(Note: Not all games in the series are included, as some do not have Metacritic scores. Compilation editions are excluded from the list, and the tiebreaker between two games with the same critic rating is higher user score.)
20. Tri Force Heroes
Release Date: October 23, 2015
Metacritic Score: 73 (Nintendo 3DS)
19. Classic NES Series: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Release Date: October 25, 2004 (originally launched on NES in 1988)
Metacritic Score: 73 (Game Boy Advance)
18. Skyward Sword HD
Release Date: July 16, 2021
Metacritic Score: 81 (Nintendo Switch)
17. Classic NES Series: The Legend of Zelda
Release Date: June 2, 2004 (originally launched on NES in 1986)
Metacritic Score: 84 (Game Boy Advance)
16. The Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring the Legend of Zelda
Release Date: June 13, 2019
Metacritic Score: 85 (Nintendo Switch)
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15. Four Swords Adventures
Release Date: June 7, 2004
Metacritic Score: 86 (GameCube)
14. Spirit Tracks
Release Date: December 7, 2009
Metacritic Score: 87 (Nintendo DS)
13. Link’s Awakening Remake
Release Date: September 20, 2019
Metacritic Score: 87 (Nintendo Switch)
12. The Minish Cap
Release Date: January 10, 2005
Metacritic Score: 89 (Game Boy Advance)
Related: The Best Star Wars Games of All-Time, According to Critics
11. Phantom Hourglass
Release Date: October 1, 2007
Metacritic Score: 90 (Nintendo DS)
10. The Wind Waker HD
Release Date: September 20, 2013
Metacritic Score: 90 (Wii U)
9. A Link Between Worlds
Release Date: November 22, 2013
Metacritic Score: 91 (Nintendo 3DS)
8. Skyward Sword
Release Date: November 20, 2011
Metacritic Score: 93 (Wii)
7. Ocarina of Time 3D
Release Date: June 19, 2011
Metacritic Score: 94 (Nintendo 3DS)
6. A Link to the Past
Release Date: December 3, 2002 (originally launched on SNES 1991)
Metacritic Score: 95 (Game Boy Advance)
5. Majora’s Mask
Release Date: October 25, 2000
Metacritic Score: 95 (Nintendo 64)
4. The Wind Waker
Release Date: March 24, 2003
Metacritic Score: 96 (GameCube)
3. Twilight Princess
Release Date: December 11, 2006
Metacritic Score: 96 (GameCube)
2. Breath of the Wild
Release Date: March 3, 2017
Metacritic Score: 97 (Nintendo Switch)
1. Ocarina of Time
Release Date: November 21, 1998
Metacritic Score: 99 (Nintendo 64)
