As the title suggested, I have never played a Zelda game. Ever. I would like your advice on one to start with. (I don't own a 3DS).
I have never played a Zelda game...
- Thread starter CitrusLover
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Really, you can play any Zelda game and not worry about anything like continuity or the like. If you want my suggestions, my personal favorite is Wind Waker for the Gamecube, but that's a bit of an acquired taste and a lot of people can't get past the cartoon aesthetic. A Link to the Past for the SNES is a good solid classic as well that's a great introduction to the series.
If nothing else, though, I highly recommend against starting with one of the 2 for NES. The original Legend of Zelda has no story or structure and while it's still fun, it's not a good introduction in my opinion. Zelda II is a major departure from the rest of the series, a side-scrolling action platformer...thing. It's not a bad game, but not a good introduction for the rest of the series.
If nothing else, though, I highly recommend against starting with one of the 2 for NES. The original Legend of Zelda has no story or structure and while it's still fun, it's not a good introduction in my opinion. Zelda II is a major departure from the rest of the series, a side-scrolling action platformer...thing. It's not a bad game, but not a good introduction for the rest of the series.
I'm in the same boat as you Citrus, until earlier this year, I never played a Zelda game. I played some of Twilight Princess very early in 2011, but I eventually stopped playing due to acquiring a taste for Crysis 2.
I got Skyward Sword for Christmas and played the first bits (just got the green tunic) today, and it's feeling quite... different. It's not like anything else I've played, much like my newly-acquired Dark Souls, and I'm really looking forward to the game that's giving Skyrim a run for its money in the GOTY department.
-Chillz
I got Skyward Sword for Christmas and played the first bits (just got the green tunic) today, and it's feeling quite... different. It's not like anything else I've played, much like my newly-acquired Dark Souls, and I'm really looking forward to the game that's giving Skyrim a run for its money in the GOTY department.
-Chillz
I'd say Ocarina of Time or Wind Waker are your best entrance to the series. They're both great games that don't feel dated at all, as opposed to the original NES titles that almost put me off the series when I first played them.
Also, if you don't quite like how those two play out, you might want to try Majora's Mask. It doesn't stray too far from the Zelda formula but goes in a slightly different direction and, in my opinion, uses its time mechanic quite well.
And if that doesn't work just give the rest of the games a go and you're sure to fall in love with one of them.
Also, if you don't quite like how those two play out, you might want to try Majora's Mask. It doesn't stray too far from the Zelda formula but goes in a slightly different direction and, in my opinion, uses its time mechanic quite well.
And if that doesn't work just give the rest of the games a go and you're sure to fall in love with one of them.
The two that i would strongly suggest would be wind waker (which is my fave) and twilight princess if you can get on the gamecube though it is damn exspensive, but wii version is still good even though you need to use the damn wii controls.
If you can get the collectors edition of wind waker you also get ocarina of time.
But its a great series to get into, most the games have aged really well.
If you can get the collectors edition of wind waker you also get ocarina of time.
But its a great series to get into, most the games have aged really well.
I would probably start with Ocarina of Time. And then play Majora's Mask. The latter being my favorite Zelda game.
If you have a Gamecube then I would suggest buying, A Gameboy Player with Link to the Past GBA, Zelda Collector's Edition (kinda rare, but easy to find online if a tad expensive, it is definitely worth it though even for the sightly dodgy emulated port of Manjora's Mask), Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess (Much better than the Wii version, still worth it regardless of high price).
Then you will have near enough every single good zelda game except for the new one.
They are all worth playing though except for Phantom Hourglass (haven't heard good things), Zelda 2: Adventures of Link, and the CD-I games (I think trying to kill yourself would be more entertaining, some of the worst games ever made). I would say Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time is the best starting point, and I would strongly suggest holding off playing the others, until you have at least played either Link to the Past, or Ocarina of Time which are arguably the biggest hits in the franchise.
Also, i think people overrate Manjora's Mask too much on this site, but that's my personal opinion.
Then you will have near enough every single good zelda game except for the new one.
They are all worth playing though except for Phantom Hourglass (haven't heard good things), Zelda 2: Adventures of Link, and the CD-I games (I think trying to kill yourself would be more entertaining, some of the worst games ever made). I would say Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time is the best starting point, and I would strongly suggest holding off playing the others, until you have at least played either Link to the Past, or Ocarina of Time which are arguably the biggest hits in the franchise.
Also, i think people overrate Manjora's Mask too much on this site, but that's my personal opinion.
I never played any of the Zelda games either. And they don't look that fun anyway. I also never played a Final Fantasy game.
I had never played one until recently but after twilight princess I found I loved them. Skyward Sword deviates a little bit from the basic formula but I would start with twilight princess, It is pretty engaging. My favourite parts of them are exploring the world so I favour wind waker but the elephant in the room that is the ocean turns a lot of people off. Just so you know there are some things you will have to deal with like text based dialogue and slow act 1s but its pretty worth it. Of course the absolute best one to start with is faces of evil.
Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess, Link to the Past, even Skyward Sword are all good games to start with. But personally, I would recommend Link's Awakening, or Oracle of Seasons/Ages. Next to Majora's Mask, Oracle of Seasons/Ages are my all time favorite Zelda titles. It's a shame you can't access either of the Oracle games without an emulator anymore, though. Unless you find someplace that's selling a Gameboy Color and copies of the game that haven't already outlived their internal battery.(wishes Nintendo would release those games on the Nintendo eShop on 3DS, mostly because they have Link's Awakening on there, why not the Oracles?) I would recommend Wind Waker because I really like that game, but to someone new to the series, the copious amount of tedious sailing may put someone off the series.
also it [majora's mask] is by far the craziest and the trippyest of the series. also my favorite.ubersyanyde said:
but for starters i'd do ocarina of time. gives you the plot they'll talk about in wind waker. which is what you should do second.
but yeah, majora's mask is a great one.
My first Zelda games were Wind Waker and Ocarina of Time.
I'd say Wind Waker is easier and probably best to start with, but OoT gives you a bit more story and challenge. Haven't played either in over six years or something though.
I'd say Wind Waker is easier and probably best to start with, but OoT gives you a bit more story and challenge. Haven't played either in over six years or something though.
If you want to start with a 3D Zelda game, Twilight Princess is great for easing in new people. Ocarina of Time or Wind Waker are great next steps after that.
If you're looking to go for the 2D Zelda games instead, A Link to the Past and Minish Cap are really good games to play. Oracle of Seasons/Ages or Link's Awakening are great next steps.
Once you are more used to the Zelda games and have developed a liking for the series, you'll want to move to the harder Zelda games and/or the Zelda games that deviate from the formula. If you want to move to the harder games, go for the original Zelda. If you want to deviate, go for Majora's Mask or Skyward Sword. If you want to do both, Zelda II is the way to go.
If you're looking to go for the 2D Zelda games instead, A Link to the Past and Minish Cap are really good games to play. Oracle of Seasons/Ages or Link's Awakening are great next steps.
Once you are more used to the Zelda games and have developed a liking for the series, you'll want to move to the harder Zelda games and/or the Zelda games that deviate from the formula. If you want to move to the harder games, go for the original Zelda. If you want to deviate, go for Majora's Mask or Skyward Sword. If you want to do both, Zelda II is the way to go.
I will have to be a little more critical than the others, but I am really not trying to be rude or offend you in any way! (just like a little warning or something)
If you haven't played it before, you weren't interested in the series for some reason or another.
Maybe you saw the covers of some of the games and didn't like them, or maybe you even knew about the actual gameplay and weren't sucked in by the Zelda-formula.
Whatever the case may be, you were not interested in it...
I think that you might feel forced to play through at least one game because of the franchise's critical acclaim. However, Zelda is actually one of those games (in my opinion) that cannot be enjoyed if you aren't interested in it to begin with because it has no selling points that can be easily pinpointed.
Its selling because its The Legend of Zelda. We love it because it is the Legend of Zelda, not because it has some great gameplay aspect that makes it some out-of-this-world kind of game. BUT, don't get me wrong... They are awesome (pretty much all of them) and fun, just not very engaging if you didn't grow up with them (at least thats what I'd imagine)
Anyway, back on topic...
Depending on what kind of person you are, you will enjoy some games more than others.
Here is my opinion on some of them:
Get Skyward Sword if you like engaging stories and out-of-this-world scenery.
Get Wind Waker if you want a light-hearted adventure and a wacky/more funny experience (wacky because of the characters)
Get Ocarina of Time if you enjoy puzzles and a straight-forward quest with magical appeal.
Get Twilight Princess if... You just want the bare-bones of the game's established formulas, enveloped in a darker style.
Get Majora's Mask if you want a real challenge and feel more motivated by a threatening atmosphere than something with magical and colorful appeal.
And lastly, get A Link to the Past if you enjoy mystery and a more down-to-earth appeal. I love this game in particular btw.
So much for that! Of course there are a lot of others so just get informed
Watch some videos and just get the one that appeals to you; its that easy! The gameplay is almost unchanged since the first Legend of Zelda (except the transition to 3D)
If you haven't played it before, you weren't interested in the series for some reason or another.
Maybe you saw the covers of some of the games and didn't like them, or maybe you even knew about the actual gameplay and weren't sucked in by the Zelda-formula.
Whatever the case may be, you were not interested in it...
I think that you might feel forced to play through at least one game because of the franchise's critical acclaim. However, Zelda is actually one of those games (in my opinion) that cannot be enjoyed if you aren't interested in it to begin with because it has no selling points that can be easily pinpointed.
Its selling because its The Legend of Zelda. We love it because it is the Legend of Zelda, not because it has some great gameplay aspect that makes it some out-of-this-world kind of game. BUT, don't get me wrong... They are awesome (pretty much all of them) and fun, just not very engaging if you didn't grow up with them (at least thats what I'd imagine)
Anyway, back on topic...
Depending on what kind of person you are, you will enjoy some games more than others.
Here is my opinion on some of them:
Get Skyward Sword if you like engaging stories and out-of-this-world scenery.
Get Wind Waker if you want a light-hearted adventure and a wacky/more funny experience (wacky because of the characters)
Get Ocarina of Time if you enjoy puzzles and a straight-forward quest with magical appeal.
Get Twilight Princess if... You just want the bare-bones of the game's established formulas, enveloped in a darker style.
Get Majora's Mask if you want a real challenge and feel more motivated by a threatening atmosphere than something with magical and colorful appeal.
And lastly, get A Link to the Past if you enjoy mystery and a more down-to-earth appeal. I love this game in particular btw.
So much for that! Of course there are a lot of others so just get informed
Watch some videos and just get the one that appeals to you; its that easy! The gameplay is almost unchanged since the first Legend of Zelda (except the transition to 3D)
My favorite Zelda game is Zelda: Link to The Past. However, you can really pick up any of them and just play. There isn't really and required backstory to know.
Any of them except phantom hour glass or spirit tracks, those are the only two that require any kind of pre-knowledge of the franchise.
I would probably recommend Wind Waker, it was the first one I played, and it pretty much sold me on the franchise.
But my favorite is Majora's Mask (it might not be the best one to start with though)
I would probably recommend Wind Waker, it was the first one I played, and it pretty much sold me on the franchise.
But my favorite is Majora's Mask (it might not be the best one to start with though)
Its ok. I didn't start playing Ocarina of Time until I was high school sophomore.
My favorite Zelda game is Majora's Mask if you like dark, depressing atmosphere/tone.
I also had a lot of fun with Zelda: Minishcap for GBA. So there's that.
My favorite Zelda game is Majora's Mask if you like dark, depressing atmosphere/tone.
I also had a lot of fun with Zelda: Minishcap for GBA. So there's that.