#1 for me. That gold cartridge really stood out amidst my collection of other NES games, for more reasons than one. Naturally, I needed a guide to get through my first playthrough, but I kept coming back to it and eventually had the whole game damn near memorized.
Same with the gold cart. My mom was the game guide for me though, she beat it first and then helped me through :D
Officially it was ALttP (#4, GB[C?]); technically it’s the same game as #3 but with slight changes. But in my heart I’ll always feel the most fondness for OoT (#5,N64).
Other notes:
- I hated #6; the ‘gimmick’ is still “time” and it’s implemented in a much more unforgiving way. This is a complete shame; as I think this game could’ve told a much better story without the ‘gimmick’ being so tough.
- #8 is half identical to #3 & #4; and half identical to #10
- I don’t care for #12 or #13 either; I really hated the direction(s) the stories went in both cases and the gameplay ‘gimmicks’ once again interfered with the nature of the game mechanics that I do enjoy.
- Several Major Zelda games are completely missing from this list; including the titles featured on the Nintendo DS family of system(s) (NDS/DSi/3DS)
Those missing titles are:
- Spirit Tracks [NDS/DSi]
- A Link Between Worlds [3DS]
- Phantom Hourglass [NDS/DSi]
- Oracle of Ages [GBA] (This is the other half of the Oracle set)
- Wind Waker HD [WiiU]
Where is Phantom Hourglass? I loved that game!
That was a good one :) I remember tripping out when I had to close my DS for one of the puzzles.
But on that note, Spirit Tracks is missing too!
5 for me. I remember being a young kid and not really understanding much about the game worked, and spending hours just wandering around Kokiri Forest and Hyrule.
#1!
I remember going to the bookstore and looking at a Nintendo Power magazine. The postcards they had in there for you to mail in and subscribe always had art or photos on them. And one of them had a small blurry photo of one of the dungeons in Zelda.
I yanked that postcard out and took it home with me to study the dungeon with a magnifying glass so I could beat it 😂
#4, Link’s Awakening.
The 3DS port of Ocarina of Time. Was pretty magical at the time having a handheld that could do 3D graphics as well as it could. Paired with being an excellent game with lots of charm and atmosphere already made it a great experience. Pretty cool with the 3D screen too, made it feel that much more immersive.
4, since Gameboy was the first system we were allowed to play in our home. Stole my sister’s copy to play it and got in to a fight when I stole from the store under her save file.
I also remember burning through an insane number of AA batteries when I was attempting a less-than-smart solution to one of the room puzzles in Eagle’s Tower.
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Fantastic music, too. Here’s a great article about the musical motifs in the game.
#5, I was a wee lad and I was in the n64 isle at walmart looking for a game to buy with dad. Bought it on a whim because the box art looked interesting. Now Zelda is one of my favourite series and I’ve played most of them. Thanks Dad :)
Number 1. The original. I was so happy when BOTW gave the the open exploration based feel from that very first game again. The other 3d games we just so linear and hand holding in comparison.
Number 1, but it was really Ocarina of Time that defined my childhood
#1. Had to go to a distant friend’s house to play it because no one else had a Nintendo yet.
God I’m old…
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Very much a #1. Gold cartridge and all.
I loved #10. With a full crew of four with GBA SP’s and cables that game was a rocking time for you and your buddies. The ability for that game to cause swearing, shoulder punching, and evil strategic voting at the end of each level was absolutely wonderful.
Unrelated, but what Zelda should i play, I’ve retired on link to the past, and minish cap
Ocarina of Time is rated exactly where it should be, as one of the best games of all time. It’s a masterpiece. It has its reputation for a reason and I think everybody who doesn’t hate that style of game should play it.
Thanks for the tip, I’m going to play oot then
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I agree.
I love Ocarina of Time, but it’s quite dated. Link to the Past is a timeless classic.
You got it
Cut my teeth on 1, spent so many hours playing it and trying to find new secrets. Then absolutely feel in love with 3. I’ve played almost all of the others, but 3 will forever be my pick, especially with randomizer.
