The 10th Hour 4.04.08: Top 10 Zelda Games

Posted by Derek Robbins on 04.04.2008

The Legend of Zelda is no doubt a legendary franchise, but which games out of those are the best? This week, 411's Derek Robbins breaks down his 10 favorite Zelda titles.

Hello and welcome to the 10th hour! As always, there are a couple of things that I would like to discuss before I get this list rolling.

-Okay, so I've been playing Crisis Core. I haven't beat it yet, though most everyone I know who has the game already has beat it. So why haven't I done so yet? Ah, the answer is simple…I'm trying to play as many missions (for those of you who haven't played the game, missions are side-quests) as I can. I've played about 13 hours of the game and more than HALF of that time was dedicated to the missions. On top of that, after a quick glance at Game FAQs to check my progress in the actual game, I found out that I'm not that far from the end of the game. My guess is that a straight shot through the game would take about seven or eight hours. That's really, really short. I guess they just realized that they couldn't release a Final Fantasy that boasted less than 10 hours of gameplay, so they added missions to drain a lot more of your time to give the illusion of a longer play experience. As of this moment, my score remains in the 7.5-8.0 range. I'll let you know next week when I probably will have beaten the game.

-Baseball season as started and I'm not terribly worried. The Cubs may have lost their opening series to the Brewers, but the pitcher I was most worried about – Ryan Dempster – looked pretty good today. If he can be effective like this ALL season, the NL Central will be a cinch.

I don't think there's anything else I need to touch on. So let's move on.

Reader Feedback

First, let me address anyone who complained about the lack of Tetris in last week's column. I realize Tetris should have been mentioned, but it's been on every console in the history of humanity so I decided to disqualify it. I know everyone here hates copious amounts of text but I did mention how it was DQed in the actual column. I guess I should have put it in the rules section though, so my bad!

This first one is from David R.

About Crisis Core, who in their right mind plays an JRPG for the gameplay?
Really?

(Explaining it Crayola style for your benefit)

The main reason you play an JRPG is the story. That is it. The last JRPG that
had a major overhaul was Final Fantasy XII because of the battle system and the
scope of the story.

The funny thing with FFXII is that some fanboys of rpgs abhor innovation. They
want their games to be like the Madden franchise (the same stuff over, and over,
and over again).

I've grown tired of playing the same junk over and over again. That's why I loved FF XII. It was different and I enjoyed it. I think a key part of ANY game, even the JRPG, should be the gameplay. If the game plays like shit, it should be called out for it. Crisis Core does not play like shit, but it has by no means a world beating battle system. Good story – even if Square has raped FF VII's story since the release of Advent Children – but not much else.

Next is something from twf's sdc

A crossover like that for me would be Adelbert Steiner and Bulbasaur, I think.

I go back and forth on Link being voiced, and like I said, it does something
positive with the experience as a whole for me, but I think eventually, Link
needs to have a voice.

To the topics of the day...

Wow, I feel such shame for not having played hardly any of these games,
especially because a few were and/or still are on my meaning to play list, some
since they came out. FF Tactics Advance, Oracle of Seasons/Ages, Metroid Fusion
(kinda still), and Advance Wars (was). It's even been a long while since I
played a Pokemon game. Was it Emerald that was so dumbed down
difficulty-wise?

As for my favourite portable games, I don't think highly of Isaac, but Golden
Sun as a whole was great, and straight up visually stunning at times. Garet
was awesome, btw. I'd put him in Brawl over Anonymous Isaac. I'm really
enjoying Loz: Minish Cap. Drilldozer was fun, though probably not worthy of a
list like this.
Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime would be on the list for me if not for
*SPOILER ALERT* the Russo-esque swerve of after saving the day, having to face
Hooly's (the hero's best friend) monster of a tank that could've easily
destroyed the final boss (Hooly watched on helplessly with the the other
friends as Krakpot had to make the last-minute save to even give you a chance)
ruined what was an otherwise awesome game, by making Rocket's entire quest
moot. *Spoiler End* Sorry, that just ticks me off.
I've got some GBA games and handful of DS games that I never got around to
playing (or just barely started) yet that might make such a list for me.

Oh, and I swear I'll e-mail my code and Jiggly hate explanation soon. It's
been about month and I still haven't gotten that blog I mentioned in the
sendoff of my recaps yet (or any of the other stuff I've mentioned for that
matter). Sorry about that. It'll get there at some point soon though.

Oh, and I finally got around to playing through the first half of Subspace
Emissary in a 5+ hour session (on hard mode). I likes it much. The
interactions between characters in the cutscenes have made me mark out and also
laugh a few times. Diddy Kong and King Dedede have been the breakout stars of
the cutscenes thusfar, to my eyes.
I'm not sure I was ready though. I can't go five seconds without getting hit,
and end up with over 200% damage a LOT (even over 500% at least once, probably
more). The only three times I've had to continue were my own fault for doing
stupid things though. Guess I'm the underdog that gets his ass kicked for 10
minutes straight only to usually pull the win out of nowhere, in that regard.

Am I too long-winded for the comments section?...


No, I like the longer comments. They tend to be thought out.

Anyhow, I am not a fan of the Golden Sun franchise. I think they are okay for portable RPGs, but taken outside of the portable realm they are nothing more than average. As you mentioned, Isaac shows even LESS personality than your average silent protagonist. I always figured his story was: "World is in danger, I must say it." No character growth. On the plus side, the surrounding cast is pretty good. So…it's not the worst thing ever.

As for SSE. I don't see why so many people hate it. It's a simple, fun mode…that features a ton of fan-service. Can it get a bit tedious at times? Sure! So does every beat-em-up in the history of the universe. I ended up beating hard mode in around…7 or so hours. It was a load of fun and I want to go back through it on intense so I can get some of the boss trophies. I'm getting closer to cleaning out the achievement wall with only a couple more left (I finished boss mode on intense! I was so pleased with myself), so hopefully it won't be a huge ordeal.

Sean McCabe checks in next with the following:


Good list. Oh except for the the fact that Mario Kart is in there. And ahead of
Ace Attorney.

Surely I can file that in as a crime against humanity? And even Phoenix would
have a tough time defending that :P.

I am glad you put in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, lot of people hate on that
game, but I've always liked it a lot. Still, Ace Attorney I'd have as number
one, not even the portable Metroids and Zeldas are better than those games, and
Pokemon... just a bit overrated, that.


Why do you hate Mario Kart? It's good simple fun! I know the series is a tad over-rated but I love it none the less. The Ace Attorney games are amazing, but I think slated Mario Kart above it for replayability. As much as I love Phoenix, after I beat it…it's hard to go right back through it again.

Also, Pokemon over-rated!? I'll let it slide THIS time.

RavenTazECW writes this:


I was going to mention Tetris too until the last few comments.

I read last week's column a bit late, but I wanted to mention my biggest pet
peeve in gaming is when my game freezes or shuts down. I take good care of my
games so when I'm in the middle of a sports game or trying to get something
done in other types of games, and the game winds up freezing on me and I
realize I just lost a good couple hours of progress without saving, then I just
get way pissed off and stop playing the game for weeks or months.

Another thing that irritates me in games are the games that don't allow for
control customization. I don't want to be locked into a specific control setup
that's uncomfortable to me, especially if I was used to playing a similar game
with a different setup that I'm comfortable with.


Both of those things really bother me as well. My copy of Smackdown versus Raw 2008 has been freezing on a semi-regular basis since the day I bought it. It drives me insane, especially considering I expect my brand new products to operate like brand new products. Then again, given the fact that SVR was the most mind-numbingly average wrestling game of all time…I guess I shouldn't be too shocked. Also, control setup bothers me too. Isn't it sad Brawl is the only game for this console generation that I can think of that has total customization?

Here's a quick hit from MC42


Marche = greatest video game villian ever


I don't care if you are confined to a wheel chair and don't have a mother in the real world…YOU'RE GOING BACK THERE.

RKP likes the M rating

bro....way too many RPG games, not even any of the GTA games????? or God of War
at least?


Sorry brosef, I find the Portable GTA games to be nothing special. As for God of War. Ugh. As much as I like just jamming on the square-button over-and-over again (AND THOSE SUPER KICK ASS QTEs)…I just can't justify myself putting it on this list. I felt bad enough for having GoW on my top-20 games of the year last year. I won't be making that mistake again. To be fair, I probably did have too many RPGs.

This final one is from WadeMcG

Oracle of Ages/Oracle of Seasons was included instead of Link's Awakening?

The OSU! TATAKAE! OUENDAN!/Elite Beat Agents series should have been included
(kick Ace Attorney out of the list). So should the original PSP version of
Lumines (kick Final Fantasy Tactics Advance out of the list).


EBA/Ouendan should have been included. I actually forgot about that series. My brother reminded me after the column was posted, so it was already too late. As for my Zelda preference…well, I'll give you some insight into that this week…

Top-10 Zelda Games

Here's the problem with doing a Zelda list. There seems to be two core-types of Zelda fans. There are the ones who bathe in nostalgia and proclaim Ocarina of Time the greatest game ever. The other kind…consists of people who go: "OH MAN, THE ORIGINAL ZELDA IS SO RETRO. ONE OF THE BEST GAMES EVER. IT'S A SECRET TO EVERYBODY, LOL" yet haven't even completed anything past the second dungeon. Considering neither of those titles will be number one, I am expecting some grief.

Here are the rules for this list: As long as it is a quality Zelda title, it is eligible. So basically, most games are allowed. I also think that the game has to have been released in America, but…I can't think of anything that hasn't been released here that would be on this list otherwise. Sorry fans of Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, your game would not quite have made the cut.

Let's get this show on the road!

10-) The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons (GBC) - Last week, I combined Oracle of Seasons and Ages. Together they were ranked as better games than Link's Awakening. Apart though…I rate Seasons a bit worse. While it is a fantastic game by all rights and one of the more fast-paced Zelda titles…as a whole I feel it is just too easy. When I first bought this game, I wasn't quite where I am today as far as gaming skills go. I had to rely heavily on strategy guides when I beat Ages. That game had some pretty complex puzzles. When I was playing Seasons, even at a time when I felt strategy guides were necessary, I didn't need help at all. Hey, I get it…Oracle of Seasons is supposed to be a different kind of game than Ages and I appreciate it for that. I can play a puzzle-filled Zelda game anytime and anywhere, so a more action-paced title is more than welcome. My only problem is that with the limitations of the gameboy color, a more action based Zelda wasn't going to be the best game of all time. When the concept came up again in Windwaker – which in my opinion places less emphasis on puzzles – it was executed very well. This was a sensational game and if you're stuck on the road with nothing better to do, this is an excellent usage of your time.

- Less focus on puzzles, more on action is still fun.

9-) The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (GBC) - I personally only owned the original version of this game, but I have played this version and I can safely say it's the superior one. It adds an extra dungeon and color, so there really isn't a whole lot to complain about. What makes this game interesting is that it's a departure. Most every other Zelda title to date has Ganon and the Princess Zelda involved in some way. If you don't like it, too bad. The fans demand the presence of those two figures, and who could blame them? They're classic. In this game? They're nowhere to be seen! Instead, Link has crash landed on some island and needs to get back. Unfortunately for him, things aren't that simple! He must gather the eight instruments and wake up the dream fish in order to exit the island. Once this happens you find out it was all a dream! Oh yes, the dreaded "dream ending". I didn't mind it so much on my first playthrough of the game because I wasn't too familiar with it, but upon seeing it again today…I can't help but get a little miffed, and it hurts its overall ranking. This was made post-Link to the Past, which many consider to be the best Zelda ever, so it plays really expertly too. When playing through it again, it was nice to see that Nintendo hasn't totally ‘forgot' about the second Zelda game. This is the only other one, to my recollection, that features side-scrolling segments (not counting certain boss battles in the oracle games) and they are all rather good fun. Games as they get older tend to age rather poorly but it seems that Zelda is immune to this. The series, even in one of its more primitive installments, is quite a blast even years later.

- Remember when Zelda art was simple?

8-) The Legend of Zelda(NES) - By all means, an absolute gem of a game. This title featured one innovation that is still used to this day and I can't help but thank it greatly for this. No longer were we slaves to the password function. We didn't need to program different numbers into the game to get back to where we were anymore. Now…all we had to do was save our progress and bam! We can start up where we left off immediately. This is the game that started it all and it should be respected for it, but…I've said it before and I'll say it again, when I do "best games" lists, I don't go by most innovative or most important. I go by what I feel is the best game held by my standards today. While the original Zelda is a wonderful game, compared to most games in the rest of the series…it just can't compete. The puzzles are relatively crude, the action that does take place is nothing special, and the translation is legendarily bad. I realize that the last bit makes the game endearing, but…it's a point I felt I needed to bring up. While the original Zelda is a game that you must play if you're a Zelda fan, if you compare it to the strides the series has made over the years…it just can't compare. Don't listen to the people who haven't been into games since the 80's, Zelda has gotten better with age.



7-) The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass (DS) - There are two things I should mention about this title. One: It would be higher up if it didn't force you to use the touch-screen controls. I get it Nintendo, you want to be innovative! That's cute and everything, but…often times it can negatively effect the gameplay. I feel that I would have preferred if this game was controlled via the d-pad, while only SOME of the action took place on the touch screen. Also, the ending was that bullshit dream ending I mentioned in Link's Awakening. It was more forgivable back then, but to have that kind of junk now is just un-forgivable. Yes, yes, but those are the only actual problems with this game. What I love is that it retains the personality of the amazing Windwaker. The world is absolutely wonderful looking, especially for a portable title, and the characters are full of personality. While I did complain about the touch-screen controls earlier, I did feel that some of them were really neat. For instance, one of the earlier puzzles in the game involved closing your DS to copy a map from the top screen to the bottom screen. It may seem kind of simple, but when you come across that moment without any warning, it's kind of cool that a physical action such as closing your DS could solve a puzzle. I should also say that even though the ending was just a slap in the face, the story to that point was actually pretty entertaining and was a bit of a departure from your typical Zelda fare. Ganon was nowhere to be seen. It was an entirely new villain which I can appreciate. Were Zelda fans angry at this? Sure! It's like having a Mario game without Bowser…but I liked it. It was unique and it made the experience feel different. Also, some of the boss battles played out really cool despite the controls…so even though there are some issues, the game has far more positive things about it than negative and should ultimately be commended for it. A portable sequel to the windwaker could have been far worse.

- Anything Toon Link appears in is good by me.

6-) The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (GBC) - Ah, now we arrive to the second Oracle title. I think it's amazing that Nintendo allowed Capcom to develop these games and they still came out so well. I guess when Capcom isn't milking their franchises for every single penny, they can actually make a pretty good videogame, so my hat goes off to them. Of the two Oracle titles, Ages was the hard one. It had an emphasis on puzzles and required the player to think through everything. While the game featured your standard fare Zelda puzzles, it also included things that made you manipulate the time. This was cool, because you could immediately see the consequences of your actions if you did something in the past. While it was hardly the most advanced "time-based" game out there, it was pretty spiffy for a game released on the gameboy color. This would have to be the quintessential portable Zelda title as it features everything that makes the console games fantastic and even throws in a couple of unique twists.

- I really like Naryu...

5-) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64) - I spent a lot of time juggling this game and the next game to appear on this list. Which one should go where? I figured putting this up at number four would be the less controversial option, but…it would betray how I honestly feel and I just didn't feel like doing that. Plus, the things that make Ocarina great are replicated later on and done much better at that point. Really though, there are so many positive things to say about Ocarina of Time. First, it set the standard for action-adventure games in the third-dimension. The puzzles that were included in Ocarina of Time were absolutely brilliant at the time and required a ton of thought on the first go-around. It was everything that made the 2D Zeldas so enjoyable but in the third dimension, what's not to love? What played as this games hook was the ability to play as either the younger Link or the older Link. This was pretty interesting at the time, as not many games really explored playing the same character at different ages. What I liked is that the world as Young Link and the world as Adult Link were very different. When you were young, Hyrule was a very vibrant and colorful place. There really wasn't much wrong with the world, though the seeds of evil were being planted. When you became an Adult…Ganondorf's influence could be seen everywhere you go. It was pretty frightening. It was almost like you were playing in two different worlds, and I really dug that. The story was also really good and featured some of the most memorable moments in gaming history, including the pulling of the master sword and the image of Ganondorf riding away with a young Princess Zelda. This was a fantastic game that would set the tone for future 3D Zelda titles, but years later…it just doesn't seem like the best Zelda. You can't be faulted for thinking so – the game is legendary – but…the Zelda franchise has had some pretty impressive games. Amazing, amazing game. Don't let the fact that it is slotted at number five get you down.

- One of my favorite pieces of game art ever.

4-) The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64) - A lot of Zelda fans really don't like this game. I hear something from them every single time I give this game any praise, and I honestly don't see why. What made Majora's Mask so great to me was the fact that it was different. Following the popularity of Ocarina of Time, I would never have guessed Nintendo would follow up with a title in which you don't even get to play as Adult Link. That's what they do though, but they keep adding little twists. For the first time ever, Link's sword wasn't the only way you would be fighting. You could take on masks of three (Four if you collected every mask) different warriors – a Goron, a Zora, and a Deku Scrub – and go about fighting that way. In order to solve certain puzzles, you had to dawn one of the four personas (counting standard Young Link) and I thought that was really neat. What was also unique was the fact that the world was going to be destroyed in three days. That added a whole ‘nother element to everything and made the whole thing rather unique. Before the three days were up and the world was destroyed, you had to set time back to prevent the destruction of the world. All of these elements combined to make this the most unique Zelda game ever. The fans aren't too fond of this one, but the fact that it takes so many risks and still plays like a fantastic game should be commended.

- He's kinda cute eh?

3-) The Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess (Wii, GCN) - The third 3D Zelda in a row! When this game was first announced, you could see the Zelda fanboys frothing at the mouth. When Windwaker was announced, the art style was something that was ridiculed all over the place. Twilight Princess removed the un-popular cel-shaded style and added Ocarina of Time style realistic graphics. So, to many, this game was seen as the "rightful" predecessor to the Ocarina of Time, and I suppose that the title is fitting. To me, this game plays a lot like Ocarina of Time, just updated. This is fine because OoT was fun, but…Nintendo decided to alter things just a little bit to the dismay of some. Link could transform into a wolf! I felt the wolf offered some neat gameplay and wasn't too much of a hassle to play as. Would I rather have played as Link all the time? Sure. The thing was, it wasn't detracting to the experience at all. The tingling sense of dread that is associated with the departure from standard gameplay wasn't there. The game was relatively lengthy and featured a good story that shouldn't really disappoint any Zelda fan. While a lot of people felt that TP was a let down, I felt that the game was an absolutely sensational one that was deserving of all the hype. The final boss fight with Ganondorf – which was very similar to the one in Windwaker, but with "improved" graphics – was something that many had wanted for a long, long time. While the waggle controls can be a bit tedious at times, they were never a bother for me. If you have a Nintendo Wii, I don't believe you have any choice in the matter. You NEED this game.

- Parts of me wish that Zant was the boss of this game.

2-) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES) - A lot of the ‘true' Zelda fans proclaim this the finest Zelda ever, and there is a pretty good reason for that. It's a damn good game. One of my finest gaming memories if clearing the first three dungeons, thinking the game was over, and being slapped with the dark world. I wasn't even close. No, I wasn't even half way through the game. That was a really neat twist. Any of the 2D Zelda titles you may have played – ending with Minish Cap – have borrowed something from this title. A matter of fact, EVERY Zelda title since this one has borrowed something. Those heart containers you love so much? They were introduced in this game. They were in the others after bosses, but now if you collected four different hear pieces outside of battle…you got a whole new heart container! While it may not seem like a big deal, it's something that's stuck with the series to this very day. Also, for the first time in a Zelda title, the character could walk diagonally. So Link doesn't move wooden and laconic anymore, he actually has some range! It may not seem like a lot, but it's those little things that can move a series from great to legendary. It's interesting that I haven't even mentioned the music or the story yet. The story isn't as good as what you will find in later Zelda titles, but it's still pretty good for an early Zelda game. The sound on the other hand…it's something sensational. Some of the most memorable Zelda tunes ever started in this game, including the absolutely legendary Zelda's lullaby. The thing is, not only is this game extremely important to the Zelda franchise, but it also holds up well when compared to the rest of the series. That is the mark of a truly remarkable game.

- What an odd looking soundtrack.

1-) The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker (GCN) - When this game was first revealed, I remember the whining. "LINK LOOKS LIKE HE'S IN A KID'S CARTOON! GAAAAAH" shouted the fans. The thing is, the art style turned out to be one of the most memorable things about the game. Link's face shows more emotion than Link has ever shown throughout the series. Sure, in the other games you could sort of tell what he was thinking…but in Windwaker, Link went from a typical silent protagonist into one with a lot of personality. People complain about Link's lack of speaking, but I honestly feel that even with written lines Link would not have been able to express himself any better. As if the beautiful graphics weren't enough, the fighting system, for the first time, was really quite good. They introduced a parry system that, if you pressed the A-button at a proper time, allowed for the countering of a move. This made the fighting something I found addictive and didn't seem like a bore. On top of that, the puzzle system took a back seat and I felt the game had a greater emphasis on exploration. This time, there was more to the world and the more you explored it, the more you could get out of it. I mentioned earlier that this game placed less of an emphasis on puzzles and I think with the increased pressure to explore…this was a good thing. This game is not like Ocarina of Time or the other 3D Zeldas and it's something that can be enjoyed on an entirely different level. I feel I should also mention the story before I close the book on this list. Without a doubt, Windwaker has the best story out of any Zelda title. It's a continuation of Ocarina of time, so I suppose that I shouldn't have been too surprised by this. The thing is, the story is so good…that when it hits you with surprise moments – like the revelation of Princess Zelda and Hyrule – it can really make an impact. Not only that, but Ganondorf makes the transformation from evil guy trying to take over the world to amazingly epic villain. Windwaker Ganondorf is one of the most evil villains in video game history and should be appreciated for it. The final boss battle with him is one of my favorite moments in gaming history. While the art style of windwaker may offend some, it's a shame that more people don't love this absolutely beautiful game.



Well, that's it for this week. As always if you wish to send me feedback e-mail me at [e-mail] or simply comment below. Feel free to send your own Zelda lists or any list in general, because…I'm curious as to what you think.

I'm going to take this moment to link to a couple of things around 411 that I think you should read.

Vincent Chiucchi inducts a very deserving entry into the hall of shame here. I remember that picture with the X-crushing Mario from long ago. I was kind of daunted then.

Owain J. Brimfield reflects on MYSTICAL NINJA in the Wonder Years here. Seriously, FUCK YEAH GOEMON.

Jordan Williams talks about which games relax him this week in the working title. Yes, I have played Pilot Wings 64. What a fun game.

Mark Salmela puts a ton of work into the Sixaxis Report. Sorry! I'm not calling it B3yond the Report. Anyhow, it's really good and you should give it a read. Check it! I would start a blood feud with you, but man…I just don't think 411 could take such an epic rivalry, haha.

Joe Roche is doing a very good job as the new Full Circle author. Make sure to let him know it here It was a good call on that new WWE game by the way.

Theo Fraser works hard on his Nintendophiles column. It has some good stuff. This is last week's column, but he'll have a new one up by the time you read this. Good read though. Here it is

Chris Evans writes the PC Centric Extravaganza. There's a lot of stuff here for you PC games. I personally don't play PC games outside of WoW (I know, the shame!) but the column is still top notch. Here you go

AJ and Mike Minotti are brothers with good vocal talents. They run a fantastic gaming podcast every week that you should check out. They're humorous, and outside of the Penny-Arcade podcasts, the best video game related podcast on the net. This is where it's at

That's all for now, next week I'll have a more negative top-10 I'm sure.

Til' the Crossroads

- I am so glad he won Sunday.