Legend of Zelda Games in Order (All Timelines - 2020)

Table Of Contents

The Legend of Zelda is a long-running and successful Nintendo franchise that began back in 1986: way before myself and likely many of you reading this were born. The series was brought to life by the legendary Japanese game designers, Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, who initially released The Legend of Zelda for the Famicom Disk System in Japan.

Shortly after the Japanese release, the game was made available on the NES for gamers outside Japan to enjoy. Today, it remains one of the greatest video game franchises of all time.

Almost 35-years after the original Legend of Zelda game launched, Link has featured in many great adventures that we all know and love. He has explored dungeons and oceans, battled with everything from Moblins to Goriyas, and partnered with mysterious characters such as fairies and pirates.

The Legend of Zelda Picturesque Scene

Despite the age of the franchise, players simply can’t get enough of the series. This could be due to the fact that while most of the core ingredients remain the same, brand-new game mechanics and exciting new features are added to the new games to keep things fresh.

The Legend of Zelda: Main Games in Order

Fortunately for you, The Legend of Zelda series isn’t coming to an end any time soon thanks to the announcement of the highly anticipated Breath of the Wild 2. With all of that being said, here’s every Legend of Zelda game in chronological order, from the first game released in 1986 to the most recent upcoming title.

The Beginning of The Legend of Zelda Series (1986 – 1993)

#1 The Legend of Zelda – 1986

Supported Platforms: Famicom Disk System + Nintendo Entertainment System
The Legend of Zelda Release Date: February 21st, 1986

Released in Japan back in 1986 for the Famicom Disk System, The Legend of Zelda is where it all began. Not only did the first game in the series introduces all of the main components we have now come to anticipate from a Zelda game, but we were introduced to the three main characters in addition to Hyrule and Triforce.

When it comes to gameplay, players control a youthful hero known as Link who is on a mission to save the Kingdom of Hyrule and Princess Zelda from Ganon, the Prince of Darkness. As with almost every game created in the 1980s, The Legend of Zelda is played from a top-down 2D perspective that may still appeal to gamers today.

#2 Zelda II: The Adventure of Link 1987

Supported Platforms: Famicom Disk System, Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Wii U, Wii, Nintendo 3DS + Nintendo Switch
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link Release Date: January 14th, 1987

The 1988 follow-up to The Legend of Zelda takes a different path that focuses more on combat than on exploration. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link swaps out the top-down 2D perspective for a side-scrolling point of view that many gamers may prefer.

In addition to the new perspective, The Adventure of Link introduced RPG elements such as experience points used to upgrade Link’s abilities, a feature you won’t find in other Zelda installments.

What’s more, young Link has the ability to cast spells during combat, improving overall gameplay for the better. For the above reasons, Zelda II is considered to be the black sheep of the Zelda series. While you won’t be able to collect Rupees in The Adventure of Link, you will be able to continue following Link as he attempts to once again save Princess Zelda from evil.

#3 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – 1991

Supported Platforms: Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy Advance, Wii U, Wii + Nintendo Switch
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Release Date: November 21st, 1991

A Link to the Past is a prequel that debuted on the SNES in 1991, four years after the release of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. Returning back to the classic top-down perspective, A Link to the Past is a game that went back to the original Zelda formula while adding some new and intriguing features that we all came to love.

One new concept that was added to the game is the addition of parallel worlds. If you don’t know what that entails, these are essentially multiple dimensions within The Legend of Zelda universe.

In 2002 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was later re-released for the Game Boy Advance alongside the first multiplayer Zelda title known as Four Swords. In 2007, the third installment was finally released on the Nintendo Wii for us all to enjoy.

#4 The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – 1993

Supported Platforms: Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Nintendo 3DS + Nintendo Switch
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening Release Date: June 6th, 1993

The very first portable game in the Zelda series is also the first game set outside the Kingdom of Hyrule that does not feature Triforce or Princess Zelda. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening takes place right after the events of A Link to the Past and follows Link as he journeys by boat.

As he sails across the ocean, a violent storm leaves him stranded on an island known as Koholint. In order to escape the island, Link must collect all eight Instruments of the Sirens before playing Ballad of the Wind Fish on the Ocarina to crack open the Wind Fish’s Egg.

Aside from several missing features found in the previous games in the series, Link’s Awakening plays very similar to the original top-down Zelda titles. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was later re-released for the Game Boy Color in 1998 as Link’s Awakening DX.

As to be expected, Link’s Awakening DX is available in full color and includes some additional features such as exclusive color-based dungeon and compatibility with the Game Boy Printer.

Recently, Nintendo launched a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening for the Nintendo Switch.

The Legend of Zelda 3D Era (1998 – 2002)

#5 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – 1998

Supported Platforms: Nintendo 64, GameCube, iQue Player + Wii U
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Release Date: November 21st, 1998

In November 1998, the developers of Zelda made the transition from 2D to 3D with the release of Ocarina of Time. Initially named Zelda 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was a vital moment for gaming in that it was one of the most ambitious and successful three-dimensional games of its time.

Consequently, it was ranked by Nintendo in 2006 as the best game to appear on a Nintendo gaming system. Today, it remains one of the most revolutionary Zelda titles on the market. Ocarina of Time called players on an adventure that would finally enable them to explore the vast Kingdom of Hyrule in 3D.

The game also introduced some brand-new features that we’d later come to love, such as the addition of a horse named Epona and lock-on Z-targeting. In 2002, Nintendo released The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to its next-generation console, the GameCube, as part of one of the very first Zelda Collector’s Editions.

Nine years later, the first 3D Zelda title was remade for the Nintendo 3DS as Ocarina of Time 3D. In the remake, Ocarina of Time featured bad-ass 3D effects, improved graphics and Boss Challenge mode.

#6 The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask – 2000

Supported Platforms: Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii U + Wii
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask Release Date: April 27th, 2000

As with The Adventure of Link, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is a sequel to Ocarina of Time that significantly differs from its predecessor. While Majora’s Mask uses the same 3D engine as the previous game in the series, Majora’s Mask includes new features such as a novel time-based concept and the ability to use masks to transform into various creatures each with their own unique skills.

The sequel to Ocarina of Time also swaps out the vast open fields of Hyrule for a parallel world known as Termina. In the new world, Link is required to relive the same three days over and over again, Groundhog Day-style, to avoid an enormous plummeting moon from ruining the land. Although it definitely isn’t as impressive as its predecessor, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask quickly became a cult hit.

#7 The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages / Oracle of Seasons – 2001

Supported Platforms: Game Boy + Nintendo 3DS
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages / Oracle of Seasons Release Date: February 27th, 2001

Originally planned to release as a trilogy known as the “Triforce Series,” the concept was later reduced to just two titles known as Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons after the password linking system proved to be difficult. Despite the fact that Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons are two separate Zelda games set in two completely different locations, both installments tell one unified story that can be understood once you complete them.

After the user manages to finish one game in the sequel, they are given a password as a reward that enables them to play the other game. In terms of gameplay, Oracle of Ages is more puzzle-based while Oracle of Seasons focuses on action.

The Legend of Zelda Four Swords Sub-Series (2002 – 2005)

#8 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords – 2002

Supported Platforms: Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 3DS + Nintendo DSi
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords Release Date: December 3rd, 2002

Back in December 2002, less than a year after the release of Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was re-released for the Game Boy Advance alongside Four Swords. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords was the first multiplayer Zelda game that was later expanded into a Gamecube title known as Four Swords Adventures.

On the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda series, a “Four Swords Anniversary Edition” was made available as a free download for both the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DSi systems. This special edition of Four Swords featured a single-player mode that wasn’t previously available in the game.

#9 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – 2002

Supported Platforms: GameCube + Wii U
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Release Date: December 13th, 2002

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is a game that was initially teased right before Nintendo’s SpaceWorld 2000 exposition back in August 2000. In the presentation, Nintendo showed off a real-time duel between Link and Ganon, a battle that had fans speculating that a new Zelda game was in the making.

A year later at SpaceWorld 2001, Nintendo displayed a cel-shaded Zelda game that was later released in 2002 as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. When it comes to gameplay, The Wind Waker focuses on controlling the wind with a magic baton fittingly known as the Wind Waker.

Who would have thought? As the Kingdom of Hyrule has been buried at the bottom of the ocean, most of the game sees Link sailing between the islands on a small boat known as the King of Red Lions.

#10 The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures – 2004

Supported Platforms: GameCube
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Release Date: March 18th, 2004

Next up in the series is Four Swords Adventures, a game that was initially released for the GameCube in March 2004 for gamers in Japan to play. A year later, Four Swords Adventures was released in America for everyone to appreciate.

As to be expected, it was an expanded version of the first multiplayer Zelda game known as Four Swords. Much like most of the games in the Super Mario Bros. series, Four Swords adventures focuses on level-based action and multiplayer gameplay as seen in its predecessor.

With 24 individual levels, Four Swords Adventures features two game modes named Shadow Battle, a competitive multiplayer mode, and Hyrulean Adventure, a co-operative campaign in which 1- to 4-players work to conquer Shadow Link.

#11 The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap – 2004

Supported Platforms: Game Boy Advance, Wii U + Nintendo 3DS
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap Release Date: November 4th, 2004

The Minish Cap is a game that was originally launched in Japan just eight months after the release of Four Swords Adventures. As with Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, this game focuses less on exploring a vast world and more on other exciting elements.

In the game, players see Link shrink in size with the help of a mysterious, bird-like hat named Ezlo. Once downsized, you can view previously-scouted areas of the dungeon from a brand-new perspective all while entering never-before-accessible areas. In The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Link has the ability to switch from large to small at portals scattered across the world.

The Legend of Zelda: The Next Generation (2006 – Present)

#12 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess – 2006

Supported Platforms: GameCube, Wii U, Wii + Nvidia Shield TV
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Release Date: November 19th, 2006

Contrasting the brightly-colored installments previously released in the long-running franchise, Nintendo took a much darker direction in 2006 for the first Zelda game released on the Wii. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess sees Link on a seriously creepy adventure in a parallel world known as Twilight Realm.

Once he enters the parallel dimension, Link transforms into a wolf, drastically changing the gameplay. On his journey through the realm, a strange imp with mysterious powers named Midna pairs up with Link to help him to escape and investigate the Castle.

For those of you prefer a more traditional Zelda experience compared to one that requires motion controls, you’ll be pleased to know that Twilight Princess is also available on the GameCube.

#13 The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass – 2007

Supported Platforms: Nintendo DS + Wii U
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Release Date: June 23rd, 2007

Soon after the release of The Wind Waker, Nintendo revisited the cel-shaded aesthetic with a direct sequel for the DS. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass retains the same top-down perspective and colorful graphics as seen in the previous installments, all while introducing some new and exciting features included to improve your gaming experience.

In order to make the most of the hardware capabilities of the DS, Nintendo included a unique control scheme that enables you to draw a path for Link’s boat using the touchscreen and stylus. In addition to the brand-new controls, Phantom Hourglass features a 1-on-1 multiplayer battle mode that supports both local and online play.

#14 The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks – 2009

Supported Platforms: Nintendo DS + Wii U
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Release Date: March 25th, 2009

Two years later at GDC 2009, Nintendo revealed a trailer for its next DS Zelda title known as The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. Set 100 years after the events of its predecessor in the new-found Hyrule, Spirit Tracks features the same cel-shaded visuals found in Phantom Hourglass and The Wind Waker. Only this time, a new story is told whereupon the spirit tracks have started mysteriously vanishing across Hyrule.

In the story, Link works with Zelda for the very first time in the series to restore the disappearing spirit tracks and conquer the Demon King. As to be expected, Phantom Hourglass swaps out the boat for a train used to get across the land.

#15 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – 2011

Supported Platforms: Wii U + Wii
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Release Date: November 18th, 2011

Back in the summer of 2009, IGN spoke with Japanese game designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, about the upcoming Zelda title for the Nintendo Wii. In the interview, he mentioned how he is “in favor of motion controls and anything that gets players moving.” In addition to this, Miyamoto expressed how it was going to be difficult to “figure out how to make everybody happy.”

A year later at E3 2010, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was finally unveiled. Skyward Sword was not only the very first Zelda game built from scratch for the Wii, but it also requires a special expansion device, the Wii MotionPlus. This improved add-on provides improved precision, enhancing the players’ overall experience with the game.

#16 The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds – 2013

Supported Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Release Date: November 22nd, 2013

Over two decades after the release of A Link Between Worlds, Nintendo unveiled a sequel to the SNES game said to be a creative spiritual successor. Released in November 2013, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is a Nintendo 3DS game that takes place in the same world as A Link to the Past—though hundreds of years into the future.

When it comes to gameplay, A Link to the Past introduces a new mechanic that enables Link to turn into a two-dimensional painting that allows him to slide along walls in order to sneak past his enemies and solve puzzles with ease.

In addition to this, A Link Between Worlds allows Link to complete dungeons in pretty much any order by allowing him to buy or even rent key items from Ravio, rather than forcing him to find them in dungeons.

#17 The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes – 2015

Supported Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes Release Date: October 22nd, 2015

The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is a wacky cooperative 3DS game that follows in the footsteps of the collaborative-focused Four Swords Adventures. Following the events of A Link Between Worlds, Link stumbles upon the kingdom of Hytopia where Princess Styla has been cursed to wear hideous clothing by Lady Muad, a wicked witch.

In the game, up to three players must work together and communicate with icons as they control their very own Link. Compared to the previous installments in the series, Tri Force Heroes features a range of customizable options, such as the ability to collect items used to craft outfits with Madame Couture that provide the user with special abilities.

#18 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 2017

Supported Platforms: Wii U + Nintendo Switch
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Release Date: March 3rd, 2017

The most recent installment launched alongside the Nintendo Switch is considered to be one of the greatest entries in The Legend of Zelda series. Personally, I couldn’t agree more. Breath of the Wild is an open-world game that takes place at the very end of the Zelda timeline in the Kingdom of Hyrule. It’s hands down one of the best Switch games around.

At the beginning of the game, Link wakes up from a 100-year sleep and is immediately instructed to defeat Calamity Ganon by the spirit of King Rhoam. What a way to wake up! Following this event, Link freely travels across the stunning land, returning to past locations and regaining his lost memories along the way.

One of the most impressive things about Breath of the Wild is that it introduces some new gameplay mechanics all while retaining the same nostalgic feeling of a classic Zelda title. These new gameplay elements include registering and taming wild horses, weapon durability, and new abilities such as Perfect Dodge, Shield Surfing and Guard.

In addition to this, Breath of the Wild is one of the largest and most detailed open-world games we’ve ever seen in The Legend of Zelda series. If you haven’t had the opportunity to play it, we highly recommend starting now before the sequel is released.

#19 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel

Supported Platforms: TBA
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel Release Date: TBA

Last year at E3 2019, Nintendo officially announced the production of the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. While there isn’t much information on the game as of yet, Breath of the Wild 2 appears to retain the same stunning visuals as its predecessor released in 2017, all while taking a much darker direction as seen in Twilight Princess and Majora’s Mask.

At this very moment, there isn’t an official release date for BOTW 2, although we expect to see it on the shelves sometime in the near future. Until then, let’s take a look into The Legend of Zelda: Tingle Series.

The Legend of Zelda: Tingle Series

#1 Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland – 2006

Supported Platforms: Nintendo DS
Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland Release Date: September 2nd, 2006

In 2006, Nintendo unveiled that one of the most unlikely characters was going to get its own game. If you aren’t aware, Tingle is a forest fairy-obsessed 35-year-old man who has a dream of becoming a charming forest fairy himself.

After taking a gamble and unexpectedly releasing the series outside of Japan, The Legend of Zelda: Tingle Series surprisingly took off. In the first game in the series, Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland, Tingle is offered a life in Rupeeland by a strange character known as Uncle Rupee. To get there, all he needs to do is collect thousands of Rupees and donate them to a magic spring before a tower takes him to Rupeeland.

Don’t ask questions, just do as you’re told. The mysterious uncle acts as a guide for Tingle as he takes him on various quests and into several Dungeons to collect Rupees needed to reach Rupeeland.

#2 Tingle’s Balloon Fight DS – 2007

Supported Platforms: Nintendo DS
Tingle’s Balloon Fight DS Release Date: April 12th, 2007

The next game in the unexpected Tingle series is one that was only available to the loyal Club Nintendo members in Japan. Released in 2007, Tingle’s Balloon Fight DS is quite similar to the original Balloon Fight game available for the NES, although there are many additional elements that you won’t find in the previous games.

As with the previous game, this one features the infamous Tingle as the lead character and includes music found in Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland. In the game, you will find three different game modes: The first one is reminiscent of the original Balloon Fight where the player must complete all 99 levels, the second is a multiplayer version of this game mode, and the third one is Balloon Trip where Tingle must progress through each level while crossing the ocean.

#3 Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love – 2009

Supported Platforms: Nintendo DS
Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love Release Date: August 6, 2009

Released for the Nintendo DS in 2009, Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love is another Tingle game that was not released outside of Japan. As with Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland, the game begins with a simple, 35-year-old man.

While watching a sales channel on TV, he learns about a book that makes the reader popular amongst women. As desperate as he seems to be, the man doesn’t hesitate to order the book known as “Ripened Valiant Heroes Balloon Trip of Love”. Once it arrives, the man quickly opens the book before getting pulled into the world of a picture book.

In the world, the ordinary man is transformed into a strange 35-year-old man who’s obsessed with forest fairies. Not to mention he loves to dress like one, too. Unlike the other games in the strange Tingle series, Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love is a parody of The Wizard of Oz that includes characters inspired by the film.

As with the movie, Tingle is in a fantasy world where he must team up with Kakashi the scarecrow, Buriki the tin-woman and Lion to win over the princess to escape from the book.

The Legend of Zelda: Remakes

As to be expected, The Legend of Zelda series certainly doesn’t lack remasters and remakes. It only makes sense as to why a company like Nintendo would want to update its classics in a time where technology is now more advanced than ever before.

The Legend of Zelda Majoras Mask 3D cover

If you know anything about Zelda remakes, you’ll know that they don’t just feature improved visuals, but they also bring new features to the plate while ditching all (or most) the bad stuff. With that being said, here are all of The Legend of Zelda remakes from the first Link’s Awakening DX to the most recent 2019 version.

The Legend of Zelda: Spin-Off Games

Ever since The Legend of Zelda series was first unveiled back in 1986, Nintendo has been releasing a variety of spin-offs for us all to have fun with. As the series grew in popularity, several spin-offs were released that are either set within or based on minor characters from The Legend of Zelda universe.

Zelda no Densetsu TLOZ Spinoff

Whether that be a side-scrolling game or a role-playing title featuring the iconic Tingle, Nintendo has flirted with a range of different genres since the series first began. In this section, we will be taking a peek at all of The Legend of Zelda spin-offs, from the first game based on the original Zelda title to the most recent indie roguelike rhythm game released last year.

The Legend of Zelda: CD-i Games

In the early 1990s, a series of Zelda games were developed and published for the Philips CD-i system after both Nintendo and Philips failed to create a CD-ROM for the Super NES. As the Zelda CD-i series was created with no influence from Nintendo, it does not acknowledge Link: The Faces of Evil, Zelda: The Wand of Gamelonare and Zelda’s Adventure in the Zelda timeline.

Link The Faces of Evil Cover

Instead, the following three games are considered to be in an individual canon. Needless to say, the three Zelda CD-i games are deemed to be the worst installments in the entire Zelda series.

The Legend of Zelda: LCD Games

Between 1989 and 1992, three Zelda-themed LCD titles were released to the public. The first game in the series was a Zelda version of the Game & Watch series created by Nintendo. Game & Watch: Zelda was later re-released in 1998 under the Nintendo Mini Classics line after Toymax Inc. was licensed to create a keychain-sized remake of the entire Game & Watch series.

This meant a much smaller screen that bears a fairly strong resemblance to the Game Boy. The second two LCD Zelda games were developed by third-party companies licensed by Nintendo, rather than in-house by the company itself. The first of the two, The Legend of Zelda Game Watch, was developed in 1989 as part of Nelsonic’s Game Watch line.

Triforce Epoch Barcode Battler

Two years later, Zelda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Triforce was released for the old school (and slightly ridiculous) Epoch Co. Barcode Battler II handheld console.

Conclusion

The Legend of Zelda is a long-running and successful Nintendo franchise that continues to entertain us to this day. As to be expected, since its launch back in 1986, the series features a large range of video games that we have conveniently listed in chronological order. Do you happen to have a favourite Legend of Zelda game? Maybe you’re looking forward to the sequel to Breath of the Wild? Feel free to let us know in the comments below!

If you absolutely adore The Legend of Zelda but you’ve already played through every game in the series, then you may be interested in learning about Tunic: an upcoming Zelda-inspired indie game for Xbox and PC. In our guide, we have covered the latest news, trailers, and rumors surrounding Tunic. Even if you haven’t played through every Zelda game in the series, we think you’re going to seriously enjoy this upcoming title.

Related: Best Wii U Games of All Time

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