The legend of Zelda series is full of classic games. From its humble roots in the NES to the vast Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch, The legend of Zelda captures magical adventure like no other. Screen Rant rated all 3D Zelda game from worst to best, and now it’s time for 2D inputs to receive the same treatment. The 2D Zelda the games are different from their larger 3D cousins, but many still manage to generate the same sense of awe in players eager to explore new worlds, fight big monsters and be the hero Hyrule needs.
With the latest series releases on Nintendo Switch – Breath of the Wild and Link Awakeningremake of – embracing different formulas of 3D gameplay, it looks like the era of true 2D Zelda the games may be over. The style of play can live in top-down “2.5D” remakes and spiritual successors in the style of Link Awakening, but the best now may be in the past. Instead of lamenting the fact, however, the death of 2D Zelda games means it’s time to celebrate the main line Zelda games that kept players looking down on Link from above.
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The list of Legend of Zelda the games below have the special distinction of not having terrible entries. If fans haven’t yet had the joy of checking out any of these games, there’s no time like the present to track down a console and venture out. For the most demanding, however, this list ranks all 2D Zelda games from the worst to the best. It’s time to take Ocarina of Time and dive back in the ’80s.
8. Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link (1987)
Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link did what many NES sequences did, trying something completely different from its predecessor. To like Super Mario Bros. two and the fascinatingly bad Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest, Zelda 2 abandoned the winning style of The legend of Zelda and changed the gameplay split between top-down top-world movement and side scrolling sections for combat and dungeon exploration. It was a shocking transition in 1987 and it has not aged well. The fundamental principles of Zelda the gameplay is still there, like exploring, completing temples and winning special items. However, the strange controls of a side scrolling link, the obtuse upper world and the repetitive scenery mean Zelda 2 only worth playing for diehard fans.
7. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords (2002)
On the surface, The Legend of Zelda: a link to the past on Game Boy Advance it looked like a simple version, but there were subtle modifications for more attentive players. The biggest addition, however, was the introduction of Four Swords, a semi-cooperative adventure for two to four players. Inside Four Swords, players had to cooperate to maneuver through the dungeons and defeat bosses, while also competing to collect as many rupees. Four Swords also introduced fun gameplay additions such as Zelda’s first shrinking mechanic. While it is decently fun, Four Swords‘short missions didn’t really bring the idea to life. It would take an independent title to really create Four Swords‘gameplay shine.
6. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages & Seasons (2001)
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and your brother game, Oracle of Seasons, I tried to get Link Awakeningin engine to its limits. The dungeons are interesting and it is worth exploring the narrative, which revolves around two creative goddesses of Hyrule. But this pair of games lacks the same hard-hitting, compact gameplay as its predecessor. Add to the fact that players were basically required to buy both Oracle of Ages and Oracle of the Seasons to get the full experience, and these two can rest comfortably at the bottom end of 2D Zelda games.
5. The Legend of Zelda (1986)
Bursting on the scene during 1986, arguably the biggest year of the games, The legend of Zelda introduced to the world Link, Zelda and Ganon, as well as the main features that make The legend of Zelda excellent games. With an open world to explore, dungeons to explore, secrets to discover and a variety of weapons and items to equip, The legend of Zelda had everything. It may seem a little dated to 2021, but The legend of Zelda still worth playing. It’s engaging, fun and a beautiful piece of gaming history.
4. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004)
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures is a masterpiece of semi-cooperative gameplay. While requiring each player to connect a Game Boy Advance to the GameCube via a proprietary cable was frustrating, if the stars lined up and four players with the appropriate equipment could participate, Four Swords Adventures it was an absolute riot. Fighting on dangerous levels, defeating complicated bosses and using the Game Boy Advance screen to sneak through underground caves, Four Swords had everything. If it were not blocked behind such a large barrier of entry, it could be one of the best cooperative experiences out there. Unfortunately, his restrictions force him to take a lower place on the list.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993)
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was the first Nintendo Game Boy title on Zelda Series. As is tradition with direct Zelda sequences, it got a little weird. Link, sailing in the open sea after A link to the past, is lost in a storm. He washes on a small island and is tasked with waking the Wind Fish. What follows is an excellent adventure with memorable locations, missions and puzzles. Link AwakeningKoholint Island is memorable and unique; who could forget to rescue a Chain Chomp from the Moblins, or to talk to the animal people, or to hear Marin’s song with the vane? Although often immersed in the surreal, Link Awakening it was a first worthy notebook Zelda game and definitely worth playing today.
2. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004)
The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap is an excellent complement to the Zelda Series. Featuring some important background stories for the franchise, like the origin of Link’s iconic hat and the reason heroes can find money in the grass, Minish Cap take what was good A link to the past and executes it, as well as its inspiration. The added fun of the puzzles that span the big world of Hyrule and the tiny world of the Minish people, and poor quality of life, like Link’s ability to roll, create Minish Cap worthy of repeated plays.
1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991)
The Legend of Zelda: a link to the past is a favorite of many fans. Presenting a recurrent trend in Zelda games with its light and dark world, A link to the past took the best parts of the original The legend of Zelda and increased to 11. With more narrative, incredible graphics, some of the best music in the Zelda series and memorable items like Pegasus boots, power gloves and hookshot, The Legend of Zelda: a link to the past is everything classic fans know. Anyone who has not been exposed should jump into this wonderful adventure as early as possible.
It is difficult to classify such a wonderful collection of games, but in the end, there can only be one place at the top. Suffice it to say that any time spent on these classics will not be wasted – and the 2D formula still has some kick, judging by Breath of the Wildprototyping phase. The legend of Zelda games can always carry that spark of adventurous magic within them, regardless of the ups and downs of each game. No matter which of these games beckons, just make sure to bring some fairies in bottles.
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