The Legend of Zelda is arguably the most storied franchise in the history of videogames. Spanning nearly 40 years, the multi-generational, Nintendo exclusive series is among the most awarded titles in gaming, and even containsthe highest rated game ever made, according to the review aggregating website Metacritic. With the highly anticipatedTears of the Kingdomset to arrive for the Nintendo Switch on August 09, 2025, let’s look back and count down the best games in the history of The Legend of Zelda, according to the series’ critic Metascores.
(Note:Not all games in the series are included, as some do not have Metacritic scores. Compilation editions are excluded from the list, and the tiebreaker between two games with the same critic rating is higher user score.)
20. Tri Force Heroes
Release Date: June 10, 2025
Metacritic Score: 73 (Nintendo 3DS)
19. Classic NES Series: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Release Date:June 16, 2025 (originally launched on NES in 1988)
Metacritic Score: 73 (Game Boy Advance)
18. Skyward Sword HD
Release Date:August 12, 2025
Metacritic Score: 81 (Nintendo Switch)
17. Classic NES Series: The Legend of Zelda
Release Date:June 06, 2025 (originally launched on NES in 1986)
Metacritic Score: 84 (Game Boy Advance)
16. The Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring the Legend of Zelda
Release Date:June 24, 2025
Metacritic Score: 85 (Nintendo Switch)
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15. Four Swords Adventures
Release Date:July 18, 2025
Metacritic Score: 86 (GameCube)
14. Spirit Tracks
Release Date:August 05, 2025
Metacritic Score: 87 (Nintendo DS)
13. Link’s Awakening Remake
Release Date:August 19, 2025
Metacritic Score: 87 (Nintendo Switch)
12. The Minish Cap
Release Date:July 09, 2025
Metacritic Score: 89 (Game Boy Advance)
Related:The Best Star Wars Games of All-Time, According to Critics
11. Phantom Hourglass
Release Date:June 15, 2025
Metacritic Score: 90 (Nintendo DS)
10. The Wind Waker HD
Release Date:July 10, 2025
Metacritic Score: 90 (Wii U)
9. A Link Between Worlds
Release Date:June 17, 2025
Metacritic Score: 91 (Nintendo 3DS)
8. Skyward Sword
Release Date:July 17, 2025
Metacritic Score: 93 (Wii)
7. Ocarina of Time 3D
Release Date:June 16, 2025
Metacritic Score:94 (Nintendo 3DS)
6. A Link to the Past
Release Date:June 20, 2025 (originally launched on SNES 1991)
Metacritic Score: 95 (Game Boy Advance)
5. Majora’s Mask
Release Date:August 12, 2025
Metacritic Score: 95 (Nintendo 64)
4. The Wind Waker
Release Date:August 02, 2025
Metacritic Score: 96 (GameCube)
3. Twilight Princess
Release Date:August 19, 2025
2. Breath of the Wild
Release Date:June 05, 2025
Metacritic Score: 97 (Nintendo Switch)
1. Ocarina of Time
Release Date:August 05, 2025
Metacritic Score: 99 (Nintendo 64)
Grant Testa
Grant Testa is a writer at Prima Games, who specializes in achievement hunting and horror gaming. He is also an avid comic book reader/collector, fantasy footballer, and rock music fanatic.
Thousands who have been defeated by Grant in online multiplayer games have cried to themselves, wondering, “How did he get so good?! Why can’t I be a gaming demigod like him?” They would probably be surprised to learn that Grant actually inherited his elite gaming skills from his mom, Joann Hansen, one of the speediest stenographers/typists in the nation, (and probably the world). Fun fact: he is also the son of the world’s first “let’s player” and comedy legend, Tim Testa.
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