GameOrder.gg — The Legend of Zelda Checklist
GameOrder.gg — free franchise play orders and collector guides
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The The Legend of Zelda franchise has 18 entries. Play in Release Order for newcomers, Chronological Order for lore completionists.
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| OwnedYour shelfOwn | # | Title | Year | Platform | CIBComplete In BoxCIB $ | WarningsFakes · Region · Audio | Find / Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Legend of ZeldaRecommended ⓘ Available on Nintendo Switch Online. However the original NES gold cartridge has a physical battery-backed save — digital versions use save states, removing the authentic second quest challenge. Authentic gold label has embossed Nintendo seal | 1986 | NES | ComplexWhat is CIB? →— | — | ||
| 2 | Zelda II: The Adventure of LinkRecommended ⓘ Available on Nintendo Switch Online. | 1987 | NES | Complex— | ⚠️ Rental | ||
| 3 | A Link to the PastEssential ⓘ | 1991 | SNES | Moderate— | ⚠️ Rental | ||
| 4 | Link's AwakeningRecommended | 1993 | Game Boy | —— | — | ||
| 5 | Ocarina of TimeEssential ⓘ Grey label standard. Gold label limited. Both authentic. | 1998 | N64 | Complex— | ⚠️ Rental | ||
| 6 | Majora's MaskEssential ⓘ | 2000 | N64 | Moderate— | ⚠️ Rental | ||
| 7 | Oracle of Ages / Oracle of SeasonsOptional | 2001 | Game Boy Color | —— | — | ||
| 8 | The Wind WakerEssential | 2002 | GameCube | —— | — | ||
| 9 | Four Swords AdventuresOptional | 2004 | GameCube | —— | — | ||
| 10 | The Minish CapOptional | 2004 | Game Boy Advance | —— | — | ||
| 11 | Twilight PrincessEssential | 2006 | Wii | —— | — | ||
| 12 | Phantom HourglassOptional | 2007 | Nintendo DS | —— | — | ||
| 13 | Spirit TracksOptional | 2009 | Nintendo DS | —— | — | ||
| 14 | Skyward SwordRecommended | 2011 | Wii | —— | — | ||
| 15 | A Link Between WorldsRecommended | 2013 | Nintendo 3DS | —— | — | ||
| 16 | Tri Force HeroesOptional | 2015 | Nintendo 3DS | —— | — | ||
| 17 | Breath of the WildEssential ⓘ | 2017 | Switch | Simple— | — | ||
| 18 | Tears of the KingdomEssential | 2023 | Nintendo Switch | —— | — |
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Essential marks the installments that carry the spine of The Legend of Zelda's main story and world-building — the ones collectors and lore-focused players treat as must-play for the core narrative. On GameOrder, Essential titles include A Link to the Past, Breath of the Wild, Majora's Mask, Ocarina of Time, Tears of the Kingdom, The Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess.
Recommended entries meaningfully enrich the franchise — strong stories, fan favorites, or connective tissue that pays off after the essentials, without being strictly required. Recommended picks here: A Link Between Worlds, Link's Awakening, Skyward Sword, The Legend of Zelda, and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.
Optional games are fair to skip for continuity; they are side paths, experiments, or lighter fare that fans can pick up when they want more, not when they need the main plot. Optional tagged titles: Four Swords Adventures, Oracle of Ages / Oracle of Seasons, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, The Minish Cap, and Tri Force Heroes.
Spinoff titles sit apart from the primary saga — different genres, timelines, or branding — and are best treated as extras after you know the heart of the series. No Spinoff tags appear on these rows.