9. Spirit Tracks
Oh, Spirit Tracks. While all Legend of Zelda games are great, this one had the worst idea. While I found Phantom Hourglass very entertaining, this one was rather more like a cheap knock-off. You were no longer allowed the free range the boat allowed you, and you were unable to upgrade your train as well. Also, while controlling a Phantom was cool, it was just annoying at times. This game is still good. Just less good than most other Zelda games.
8. Majora's Mask
Ah, Majora's Mask. The most unique Zelda game of them all. For once, Link doesn't have forever and a day to do what he wants. He has the same three--over and over and over again. The three-day time mechanic is interesting and allows for some great and interesting gameplay, and the masks are a welcome addition, but the three days are also extremely annoying and the game has too much focus on sidequests. In short, this game is too difficult and too weird to be truly called even one of the best Zelda games.
7. A Link Between Worlds
Although it's MUCH easier than its predecessor, A Link Between Worlds has everything that made A Link to the Past great combined with some new and fun mechanics and an interesting choose-your-own-adventure sort of dungeon path. While this isn't the best Zelda game, it's very polished and concise, and it's a great one.
6. Skyward Sword
Skyward Sword. IGN gave this a 10 out of 10. I'd give it a 9. Yes, the motion controls are exciting and all, but they were difficult occasionally. Along with this, everything in this game was bright neon. Even the black hurt my eyes to look at. Combine this with one of the weaker stories in the franchise, and you have plenty to be disappointed about. Don't get me wrong. This is still an amazing game. It just had a few issues. On the positive note, I did enjoy killing enemies with my own sword strokes, and how about that new way to store bombs? That was something we all wanted. Excellent idea with the real shield and stamina gauge, too, but they could be tiresome. The last thing that bothers me? Fi. "Master, the batteries in your Wii remote are depleted." Gall...I HATED Fi. Despite Fi, this was a satisfying game, all in all.
5. Phantom Hourglass
Oh yes, Phantom Hourglass. I find this to be one of, if not the most, underrated Zelda games. This was completely new to the Zelda world, with new controls, plot, and characters. I loved this game. It has to have one of the coolest overworlds ever. With your own boat to steer and shoot and customize, I enjoyed my high-sea hijinks. Along with all this, this game has the most comedy in it of any of the Zelda games. Although the Temple of the Ocean King was often repetitious, its changes and difficulty were enough to keep the game interesting. The verdict: Excellent.
4. A Link to the Past
A Link to the Past is the first older Zelda game that I've played. This really brings out the meaning of "Nintendo Hard." This game has several great things going for it: difficulty, level design, music...I can see why this game is one of the most loved and highly acclaimed. Maybe it's because I played 3-D games first, but A Link to the Past didn't make as big of an impact on me as did the next titles on this list. Still an incredible game, though.
3. The Wind Waker
Oh my. These last three almost tie in my book, but one of them has to be the best. Anyway, enter Wind Waker. This game, while boasting some easier bosses and dungeons than the others, it was still highly enthralling. Some people rail on the boat and how much sailing there is, but it's actually quite fun and adventurous to go sailing. This game has an amazing plot, which continues one story-line from Ocarina of Time, where Ganon returns...again. I quite enjoyed it, and while the graphics were drastically different, they've aged well and actually have a timeless, cartoony look that almost everybody loves now. Combine all that with the best soundtrack of any Zelda game, and you've got awesome. Wind Waker is a wonderful, wonderful game. Just ignore how often you have to change the wind's direction.
2. Twilight Princess
Oh yes. Twilight Princess. While the first Zelda game to come out on Wii, it still boasts better graphics than its follower; in fact, it has the best graphics of any Zelda game thus far. This game doesn't only have good graphics, though. Its story, gameplay, and music were all extremely enjoyable parts of the game. This game also has the best versions of most of the places. Best Hyrule Field, best Lake Hylia, best Death Mountain...the list goes on. Also, the hidden techniques were astounding too. Mortal draw, helm splitter, ending blow...Again, amazing. Anyway, this game has plenty of great dungeons and bosses, sidequests, and anything else you could want in a Zelda game. It's essentially the modern Ocarina of Time, which people give it a lot of flak for. Ignore the critics, because this game is awesome. What's wrong with following a great formula and improving it in many ways? This game would be my favorite if the next one weren't even more amazing.
1. Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time. It was the first 3D Zelda game and is named by many as the greatest game of all time. I have to agree, with Twilight Princess and Wind Waker as close seconds. This game was the most epic of them all. At this point, the graphics are outdated, but would you want it any other way? There were amazing locations, music, dungeons, bosses (especially the final battle). Everything about this game was incredible and had no flaws. It standardized the action-adventure video game genre and it is the greatest game of all time.
Gohma has had several incarnations over the years, but none are as memorable or fun as the Wind Waker version. It's not a difficult boss battle (granted, most of Wind Waker's aren't), but it's pretty exhilarating to destroy a lava scorpion.
Gleeok earns this spot for being a two-headed fire/ice breathing dragon. Also, the mechanics of the fight are fun and interesting. Also, two-headed fire/ice breathing dragon.
Okay, if fighting a flying, fire breathing dragon in a volcano by destroying it with a legendary hammer isn't an awesome boss battle to you, what is?
This battle earns its spot not because of its difficulty, but because of the incredible setting and stakes that you feel while doing it. It feels crazy and amazing with the ocean pouring down. Also, the following cutscene is brilliant.
If you guys couldn't already tell I like dragons, you know now. This boss battle is the inverse of its dungeon: the dungeon is atrocious but the battle is huge payoff. Anyway, using Spider-Man clawshots to swing from plant to plant and stabbing a dragon in the back? Awesome.
Skyward Sword doesn't have very many great boss battles, but it makes up for it with this one right here. You get to use his own sword to demolish this boss right here. Most fun I've had in a boss battle in a long time. Also, Golden Robot George Washington? Anyone? Anyone?
Stallord is an incredibly awesome boss battle. The spinner makes this battle a total blast. You get to fight this dude by destroying his spine and engaging his floating head in a high speed chase. Incredibly fun and awesome, not to mention memorable.
What else could be number one? No boss battle feels as epic, dangerous, earned, or memorable as the final battle with Ganon at the end of Ocarina of Time. It really feels like the fate of the world is at stake here, and fighting a giant, two-sword-wielding monster known only as Ganon makes it so amazingly great.
