The Legend of Zelda is a highly acclaimed action-adventure series known for its longevity and significance within the gaming industry. It is one of Nintendo’s most iconic franchises with 22 games, including 19 canon titles and 3 remakes. Recently, the series has seen renewed popularity with the release of critically acclaimed games such as Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening remake, and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD remaster. Many players may wonder how to experience the series best, and while there is no definitive answer, certainly recommended ways to play the games in order exist.
The Legend of Zelda Games in Chronological Order
There is still plenty of debate on the ideal entry point into the genre with so many distinct Zelda titles to pick from. However, the location of the timeline is generally obvious for gamers that enjoy following a franchise’s main plot. The official chronological order of all current Legend of Zelda games is shown here.
Early History
- Skyward Sword
- The Minish Cap
- Four Swords
Child Timeline
- Majora’s Mask
- Twilight Princess
- Four Swords Adventures
Adult Timeline
- The Wind Waker
- Phantom Hourglass
- Spirit Tracks
Fallen Hero Timeline
- A Link to the Past
- Link’s Awakening
- Oracle of Seasons
- Oracle of Ages
- A Link Between Worlds
- Tri Force Heroes
- The Legend of Zelda
- The Adventure of Link
Era of Calamity
- Age of Calamity
- Breath of the Wild
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (upcoming sequel to Breath of the Wild)
The Legend of Zelda Games in Release Order
The easiest way to play Zelda is in the order of release. As many gamers know, the order to play most long-running franchises may need to be clarified. And this is how you play the beloved Nintendo game in order:
- The Legend of Zelda (1986)
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987)
- The Legend of Zelda: A link to the past (1991)
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993)
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000)
- The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages (2001)
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002)
- The Legend of Zelda|: Four Swords Adventures (2004)
- The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004)
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)
- The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007)
- The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009)
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011)
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (2013)
- The Legend of Zelda: Trinity Force Heroes (2015)
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 (TBA in 2023)
What About Breath of the Wild and its Sequel?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Wii U and Switch is the most recent game in the series. It is advised that this be the final one since, despite having no clear timeline, it acts as a reunification of all the other pathways, leaving us unsure of where the sequel—which was initially planned to take place at E3 2021 but has since been delayed until 2023—will lead us.
