Fans of the Legend of Zelda franchise are gearing up for the upcoming release of Tears of the Kingdom, and since you’ve got some time to kill, there are a couple of games you might want to test out first.
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The series has a long list of titles under its belt, with varying styles, stories, and types of Link. It’s an incredibly in-depth and enjoyable game. There’s a reason it’s been around for almost 30 years.
If you’re looking to go back to the game’s roots, there are a few different things to take into account. You could play in release order, or you could follow the timeline.
How do I play Legend of Zelda in release order?
Here’s how to play the Legend of Zelda franchise in release 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: Tri Force Heroes (2015)
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2022)
What’s the timeline order for Legend of Zelda?
Here’s how to play Legend of Zelda in each timeline:
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
Age of Calamity
- Breath of the Wild
- Tears of the Kingdom
