The Legend of Zelda (1986)
Original Platform: Famicom Disk System / Nintendo Entertainment System
Release Dates: JP: February 21, 1986 (FDS); NA: August 22, 1987 (NES)
Also Available On: Game Boy Advance, GameCube (Collector’s Edition), Wii Virtual Console, 3DS Virtual Console, Wii U Virtual Console, Nintendo Switch Online
The inaugural title introduces players to Link, who embarks on a quest across Hyrule to gather the eight pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom and rescue Princess Zelda from the clutches of Ganon.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987)
Original Platform: Famicom Disk System / Nintendo Entertainment System
Release Dates: JP: January 14, 1987 (FDS); NA: December 1, 1988 (NES)
Also Available On: Game Boy Advance, GameCube (Collector’s Edition), Wii Virtual Console, 3DS Virtual Console, Wii U Virtual Console, Nintendo Switch Online
A departure from the first game, featuring side-scrolling action and RPG elements like experience points. Link must awaken a different Princess Zelda from a sleeping spell by retrieving the Triforce of Courage.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991)
Original Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Release Dates: JP: November 21, 1991; NA: April 13, 1992
Also Available On: Game Boy Advance (Bundled with Four Swords), Wii Virtual Console, Wii U Virtual Console, New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console, Nintendo Switch Online
Returning to a top-down perspective, this critically acclaimed entry sees Link traveling between the Light World and the Dark World to stop the wizard Agahnim and ultimately defeat Ganon.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993)
Original Platform: Game Boy
Release Dates: JP: June 6, 1993; NA: August 6, 1993
Also Available On: Game Boy Color (as Link’s Awakening DX), Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console (DX version), Nintendo Switch Online (DX version). (Note: A full remake exists on Nintendo Switch, listed separately below).
Shipwrecked on the mysterious Koholint Island, Link must collect eight magical instruments to awaken the sleeping Wind Fish, the island’s guardian, in order to escape.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
Original Platform: Nintendo 64
Release Dates: JP: November 21, 1998; NA: November 23, 1998
Also Available On: GameCube (Collector’s Edition, Master Quest Bonus Disc), Wii Virtual Console, Wii U Virtual Console, Nintendo 3DS (Remake: Ocarina of Time 3D), Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
The series’ revolutionary 3D debut. Link travels between his childhood and adult years using the Ocarina of Time to thwart Ganondorf’s rise to power. Introduced Z-targeting, horseback riding with Epona, and numerous series staples.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000)
Original Platform: Nintendo 64
Release Dates: JP: April 27, 2000; NA: October 26, 2000
Also Available On: GameCube (Collector’s Edition), Wii Virtual Console, Wii U Virtual Console, Nintendo 3DS (Remake: Majora’s Mask 3D), Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
A direct sequel to Ocarina of Time with a darker tone. Link finds himself in the parallel world of Termina, trapped in a repeating three-day cycle, and must use transformative masks to stop the moon from destroying the land.
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages (2001)
Original Platform: Game Boy Color
Release Dates: JP: February 27, 2001; NA: May 14, 2001
Also Available On: Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console, Nintendo Switch Online
Two interconnected adventures developed by Capcom’s Flagship studio. Seasons focuses on manipulating the seasons in Holodrum, while Ages involves time travel in Labrynna.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords (2002)
Original Platform: Game Boy Advance (Bundled with A Link to the Past re-release)
Release Dates (Bundle): NA: December 2, 2002; JP: March 14, 2003
Also Available On: DSiWare (Standalone Anniversary Edition, limited time release)
A multiplayer-focused experience where Link wields the Four Sword, splitting into four copies of himself to overcome cooperative puzzles and defeat the wind mage Vaati.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002)
Original Platform: GameCube
Release Dates: JP: December 13, 2002; NA: March 24, 2003
Also Available On: Wii U (HD Remaster: The Wind Waker HD)
Set centuries after Ocarina of Time in a flooded Hyrule (the Great Sea). Link sails the vast ocean in the King of Red Lions boat to rescue his sister Aryll and confront a resurrected Ganondorf. Known for its distinct cel-shaded art style.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004)
Platform: GameCube
Release Dates: JP: March 18, 2004; NA: June 7, 2004
Expanding on the Four Swords concept for consoles, this title supports both single-player and multiplayer (via GBA connectivity). Link once again splits into four to battle Shadow Link and defeat Vaati and Ganon.
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004)
Original Platform: Game Boy Advance
Release Dates: JP: November 4, 2004; NA: January 10, 2005
Also Available On: Wii U Virtual Console, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
Link teams up with the magical talking cap, Ezlo, who allows him to shrink down to the size of the miniature Picori (Minish). They must restore the Picori Blade and defeat the evil sorcerer Vaati.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)
Original Platform: GameCube / Wii
Release Dates (Wii): NA: November 19, 2006; JP: December 2, 2006
Also Available On: Wii U (HD Remaster: Twilight Princess HD)
Featuring a more mature art style, Link must save Hyrule from being engulfed by the Twilight Realm. He partners with the imp Midna and gains the ability to transform into a wolf.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007)
Original Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Dates: JP: June 23, 2007; NA: October 1, 2007
Also Available On: Wii U Virtual Console
A direct sequel to The Wind Waker, utilizing the DS touchscreen for controls. Link sails the seas with Captain Linebeck to rescue Tetra (Princess Zelda) from the Ghost Ship and the life-draining monster Bellum.
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009)
Original Platform: Nintendo DS
Release Dates: NA: December 7, 2009; JP: December 23, 2009
Also Available On: Wii U Virtual Console
Set roughly a century after Phantom Hourglass, Link is a Royal Engineer who uses the Spirit Train to traverse New Hyrule. He partners with the spirit of Princess Zelda to restore the Spirit Tracks and prevent the resurrection of the Demon King Malladus.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011)
Original Platform: Wii
Release Dates: NA: November 20, 2011; JP: November 23, 2011
Also Available On: Wii U (Digital Download), Nintendo Switch (HD Remaster: Skyward Sword HD)
Chronologically the first game in the timeline, exploring the origins of the Master Sword and the conflict with the Demon King Demise. Features motion controls for sword combat as Link travels between his home in the sky, Skyloft, and the Surface below.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (2013)
Original Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Release Dates: NA: November 22, 2013; JP: December 26, 2013
A successor to A Link to the Past, set in the same version of Hyrule. Link gains the ability to merge into walls as a 2D painting, allowing for unique puzzle-solving and exploration of Hyrule and its dark counterpart, Lorule.
The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes (2015)
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Release Dates: JP: October 22, 2015; NA: October 23, 2015
A cooperative multiplayer game focused on fashion. Three Links work together using a ‘totem’ mechanic (stacking on top of each other) to solve puzzles and defeat enemies in the fashion-obsessed kingdom of Hytopia.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (2019)
Platform: Nintendo Switch / Wii U
Release Date: March 3, 2017 (Worldwide)
A major reimagining of the series, featuring a vast open world, a physics-based engine, and survival elements. Link awakens after 100 years to a ruined Hyrule and must regain his memories and strength to defeat Calamity Ganon.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: September 20, 2019 (Worldwide)
A faithful remake of the 1993 Game Boy classic, featuring a distinct “toy-like” graphical style, quality-of-life improvements, and a new Chamber Dungeon feature.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: May 12, 2023 (Worldwide)
A direct sequel to Breath of the Wild. Expands the world of Hyrule with vast sky islands and a mysterious underground Depths. Introduces new abilities for Link to tackle Ganondorf’s resurgence.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (2024)
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: September 26, 2024 (Worldwide)
Released in September 2024, this title uniquely features Princess Zelda as the playable protagonist using the Tri Rod to create ‘echoes’ to solve puzzles and battle enemies.