During the holidays, we are republishing some selection feature from the past 12 months. A mix of talking points, interviews, opinions, etc. from NL staff and contributors, you’ll find our usual blend of thoughtfulness, expertise, caring frivolity, nostalgia and – of course – enthusiasm for all things Nintendo. Happy holidays!
Announcement of a solid release date for BOTW2 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom marks the beginning of a new, more intense period of enthusiasm for one of the most anticipated sequels of the decade. Sure, a new Zelda game is always big news, but when it was a sequel to one of the most well-received video games of all time – and the game gave the Nintendo Switch a launch title to rival those of like Super mario 64 — excitement will peak in the coming months as we roll out in May 2023.
While fans of the series like us will wonder how Eiji Aonuma and co. will build on what we know from Breath of the Wild and also somehow surpassed our expectations, all this fuss is sure to attract the attention of players who have never grabbed the Master Sword and give Ganon a slam dunk. After more than 5 years on the market, there are over 111 million Switch in nature, and a lot of them belong to people who might think Zelda is a pointy-eared person dressed in green (or blue). Among them will be those, possibly your family and friends, who want to know why everyone is working so hard and — with your help — we’re here to help. offer advice on how to engage them in the series.
Where to start with a great franchise like this is a dilemma we discussed before, but today we thought we’d focus specifically on which Zelda would be best suited to attract new players in the lead-up to Tears of the Kingdom. We have our own thoughts on the matter — surprisingly diverse! — but you’ll also find a poll at the bottom about every major game in the series.
So let’s see what NL Team thinks is worth participating in *counts fingers* seven and a half months until TOTK hits us. Plenty of time to get up to speed, right?
Publishing company: Nintendo / Developers: Nintendo game console
Available on Switch? Yes, as part of a Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscription.
I am not suggesting at all that I played Zelda games in perfect in order, it just so happens that the game that I believe should be played first is the game that, incidentally, I did play first. Ocarina of Time rekindled my love of the franchise, and I’m almost certain it would do the same for anyone else coming to the game for the first time. The 3DS version is definitely the go-to if you want a little less frustrating time (we’re reviewing you, Water Temple), but frustration is an integral part of every game. The great Zelda and the original give you that. bucket load – with the added bonus of nostalgic spike N64 graphics!
Aside from its sheer loveliness, the fact that the game combines everything makes for a great Zelda title. It features open-world exploration, battles with the series’ main villains, seven unique and well-defined temples, and an almighty musical instrument. All of that combines to create one of the best Zelda experiences, it’s true, but also one of the best. Zelda-y Zelda’s experience. That’s all that’s great about the franchise and then some – the perfect starting point. Jim Norman
Publishing company: Nintendo / Developers: Nintendo game console
Available on Switch? Yes, as part of a regular Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
For someone to get a “real” Legend of Zelda experience, it may be prudent to start with one of the 3D titles in the series, given the possibility that Nintendo will soon revert to a top-down 2D perspective. good, Thin to say the least. However, for the quintessential Zelda experience, look no further The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past. Released for the SNES in 1991, A Link to the Past is like Perfection after the fire from Zelda II: Link’s Adventure. It has everything you could want from a Zelda game: exploration, difficult dungeons, a wonderfully well-recognized cast of characters, and the first appearance of what will become a staple in the series. movie Zelda, parallel worlds.
While there are many who believe that the best place to start with any franchise is in the first place, there’s no denying that Zelda’s NES versions have aged considerably in the decades following their release. corresponding action. Meanwhile, A Link to the Past is a game that still plays great to this day, with visuals that stand out whether you’re using the SNES, GBA, or Switch itself. Ollie Reynolds
Publishing company: Nintendo / Developers: Nintendo SPD
Available on Switch? Yes, and the Wii U. Stop laughing in the background.
Dive into a big, open world like the one you can find in Breath of the Wild It seems more like diving into the ocean for the first time than dipping your toes in a Zelda pond. But, listen to me, the sheer amount of freedom and creativity makes it the sandbox of ideas and inspiration it’s like. as a good place to jump in.
Not only does it allow you to do whatever you want – whether it’s wandering the map for hours, collecting Korok seeds, or just terrorizing local Bokoblins over and over again – but it also gives you the framework of a Zelda game, albeit in a different way. Sure, Temples aren’t temples, but these shrines (along with the four main dungeons) are a great way to showcase the potential of Zelda dungeon exploration, as well as combat abilities and prowess. Link’s match.
But really, the magic of Breath of the Wild comes from the way it makes you feel like an adventurous kid. It’s like a mountain-sized “choose your own adventure” book, with loads of layers in it. The player is still Find out what’s new about this beautiful, desolate Hyrule. And we have another chance to explore it next year Kingdom Tears. If you have an insatiable appetite for exploration and are always curious, Breath of the Wild is sure to draw you in and pull you into the series. Alana Hague
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Publishing company: Nintendo / Developers: Nintendo game console
Available on Switch? No, despite the rumors, this is still only available on the GameCube or the Wii U (in HD remastered).
With the multitude of Zelda actions available on Switch, it’s hard to recommend an action that you can’t download and play on your current console. Embarrassment aside (and hey, all of the above options are perfectly fine and valid!), I’d go with Awaken the wind. It’s a flawed game –and some might say unfinished — for sure, but I’m counting on its timeless art style to attract new players while they grasp the basics.
Yes, the opening stealth is atypical for the series, as are all the serene rides. And the trip down to visit Hyrule beneath the waves can be more challenging if you have some history with the series. But even with all those caveats, the look of things and the sheer beauty of the animation are sure to hold a novice’s attention long enough for the Zelda pattern to sink in and declare a victim. other interests. I’m putting all my bets on what I call The cup top Effect. And by appropriately setting expectations when it comes to Triforce shard hunting and 10-minute cruises (make a good cup of tea and you’ll be there when you come back), there’s no reason why this shouldn’t. could make the perfect intro, kickstarting the epic land missions of other entries.
While it’s way too much light bloom for my taste, I’m not against the HD version strictly, although it’s probably easier to find an old Wii and a GameCube these days than picking up a Wii U Either way, I don’t think there’s any other Zelda with such superficial appeal; perfect for landing in a blue ocean of new fans. Gavin . Alley
It’s a difficulty, that’s for sure. Think Skyward Sword is a better choice? Sacrificing to suggest anything but the original? Let us know if you agree with any of the above in the comments and vote in the poll below to let us know where you recommend starting your Zelda adventure. .
Note. For the most part, we’ve listed remakes and originals side by side. We omitted some ports, mainly because no one can use LttP’s GBA port on the SNES version—especially since the original is available via Nintendo Switch Online. We have also removed multiplayer games.
