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For a first playthrough, follow the mainline Zelda games in their original release order—not Hyrule’s in-world timeline. You can start with The Legend of Zelda or jump into a newer entry; the series spans multiple platforms, and the games do not require you to decode the fictional timeline first. The list below follows Nintendo’s European release-history sequence, so dates are European where shown.
Mainline Zelda games in release order
This sequence covers the mainline first-party adventures. Nintendo’s anniversary catalogue gives European release dates; launch dates differ by region, so the year shown is not necessarily the year a game launched in Japan or North America. The original platform identifies the first platform listed in Nintendo’s history, not necessarily the only way to play today.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - World Edition | $56.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom | $64.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening - Nintendo Switch | $58.39 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - For Nintendo Switch 2 | $77.99 | Buy on Amazon |
- The Legend of Zelda — 1987 (Europe); Famicom Disk System in Japan, later released on NES. Link’s debut adventure launched in Japan in 1986; Nintendo’s first listed European date is November 15, 1987.
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link — 1988 (Europe); NES.
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past — 1992 (Europe); Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening — 1993 (Europe); Game Boy.
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time — 1998 (Europe); Nintendo 64.
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask — 2000 (Europe); Nintendo 64.
- The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages — 2001 (Europe); Game Boy Color. They released on the same day and can be played in either order.
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker — 2003 (Europe); Nintendo GameCube.
- The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords — 2003 (Europe); Game Boy Advance. This multiplayer adventure is a mainline entry, though its play style differs from the predominantly solo games.
- The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures — 2005 (Europe); Nintendo GameCube.
- The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap — 2005 (Europe); Game Boy Advance.
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess — 2006 (Europe); Nintendo GameCube and Wii.
- The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass — 2007 (Europe); Nintendo DS.
- The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks — 2009 (Europe); Nintendo DS.
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword — 2011 (Europe); Wii.
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds — 2013 (Europe); Nintendo 3DS.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes — 2015 (Europe); Nintendo 3DS. This entry emphasizes cooperative multiplayer.
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — 2017 (Europe); Wii U and Nintendo Switch.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — 2023 (Europe); Nintendo Switch.
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — 2024 (Europe); Nintendo Switch.
For the exact regional dates and Nintendo’s platform history, see Nintendo’s 40th-anniversary game history.
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Release order means when the games were published. The Hyrule timeline is a separate, fictional chronology that Nintendo presents in eras and branches. A game’s place in that chronology does not change its release position above. If your goal is to experience how the series and its design developed, choose release order. If you specifically want the story’s in-universe sequence, consult Nintendo’s release-history page alongside its Hyrule history and timeline information; they answer different questions.
#1 Best Overall
- Discover Hyrule as never before: by making your own path, choices, and consequences
- Ingenuity is the key to survival: find multiple solutions to tons of dynamic puzzles
- Surprises hide around every corner: scavenge weapons, armor, plants, animals, and more
- Live off the land: find weapons and armor, cook food, and brew elixirs
- Utilize special technology: the in-game Sheikah Slate controls, objects and enemies in fun ways
Do you need to play every older game first?
No. Release order is a useful route, not a prerequisite. The catalogue spans consoles and handhelds from the Famicom and NES through Nintendo Switch, with different control styles and formats. If you want a shorter start, pick an entry that is accessible on your hardware and appealing to you, then continue in release order from there. The list’s order does not imply that every later game requires knowledge of every earlier one.
Choosing an edition to play
Keep each game in its original release position, but use a remake or remaster as an alternate edition of that same entry. For example, playing a later remake of Link’s Awakening still places it after A Link to the Past and before Ocarina of Time. Nintendo’s historical catalogue notes later editions, while its current US Zelda store catalogue lists offerings for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, including Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Echoes of Wisdom, Link’s Awakening, and Skyward Sword HD. Listings and availability vary; check the store for your region and console before choosing.
Rank #2
- The Legend of Zelda - Tears of the Kingdom
- Platform access: Check which console or service supports the specific game or edition you want.
- Original or updated edition: A remake or remaster can be more convenient or modern to control, but it remains the same entry in release order.
- Play style: Most entries are solo adventures; Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, and Tri Force Heroes have multiplayer-focused elements, so consider their requirements and whether that experience suits you.
Finding older games on Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo’s October 16, 2024 announcement identifies selected earlier Zelda games available through Nintendo Switch Online or Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. The service catalogue, subscription tier, and regional availability can change, so check the live catalogue for your country and the exact game before subscribing. A service listing is a current access route, not a change to the game’s place in release history: Nintendo’s Switch Online Zelda announcement.
Where spin-offs fit
The numbered list is deliberately limited to mainline first-party Zelda adventures. Spin-offs such as Hyrule Warriors and Cadence of Hyrule belong to a broader franchise catalogue, not this mainline play order. They are not required to follow the adventure sequence.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Enhanced performance and visuals exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore the skies, caves, and vast lands of Hyrule in a massive open-world adventure.
- Wield new and returning abilities to craft solutions, vehicles, and weapons.
- Discover the mystery behind the spreading gloom threatening the kingdom.
- Use the ZELDA NOTES app to share, compare, and earn daily bonuses.
Rank #3
- As Link, explore a reimagined Koholint Island and collect instruments to awaken the Wind Fish to find a way home
- Explore numerous dungeons, riddled with tricks, traps, and enemies, including some from the Super Mario series
- Meet and interact with unique locals to get help on your adventure
- Listen to a reawakened soundtrack that helps bring life to Koholint Island
- Earn Chambers (Dungeon Rooms) and arrange them to complete objectives in the all new Chamber Dungeon
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
