Either Link to the Past for the SNES or Ocarina of Time. They're the best examples of the franchise. Or, if you love open world stuffs and discovering stuff without much to go on, I'd say try the very first one.
The Oracle games will be fine, but the best games are of course Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time (with OoT being my personal favorite). Twilight Princess would also be a good choice if you have access to a Wii, and Wind Waker is great if you have access to a GameCube.
Really, you'll be fine with just about any of the games, with the possible exception of Zelda II (I like it, but it's... different) and the definite exception of the 3DO games.
Those are the ones I have access to, so that'll be convenient. "
but note that those two especially are quite a different beast than classics like the NES original, A Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time.
Personally, I'd advise you to start with A Link to the Past. Why? It's a classic, it's showcasing the classic "Zelda-formula", it's still nice to look at, plays well and has great music, it's not too "advanced" like Ocarina or (being a 3D re-invantion of the series) other modern console Zeldas nor too experimental (like the Oracle games or even the DS titles).
It also doesn't take too long, it's quite open (allowing you to sequence break it at some points, if you feel like it) and has cool dungeons. From there you'll know all the basics and can go off to whatever game in the franchise you feel like.
I think it depends on whether you prefer the look of the 2D or the 3D games.
If you like the look of the 2D games, Oracle of Seasons or A Link to the Past are both great games to get you started. If you think the 3D games look more interesting, I'd suggest Wind Waker or Ocarina of Time.
" The Oracle games will be fine, but the best games are of course Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time (with OoT being my personal favorite). Twilight Princess would also be a good choice if you have access to a Wii, and Wind Waker is great if you have access to a GameCube. Really, you'll be fine with just about any of the games, with the possible exception of Zelda II (I like it, but it's... different) and the definite exception of the 3DO games. "
Ocarina of Time of Wind Waker are my favorite, and the ones I would start with. Link to the Past is fine, but I personally think the 3D ones are the best.
Exactly the same, sans motion controls. And everything is mirrored, because of the way you control the wii version (sword in right hand instead of left)
" The Oracle games will be fine, but the best games are of course Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time (with OoT being my personal favorite). Twilight Princess would also be a good choice if you have access to a Wii, and Wind Waker is great if you have access to a GameCube. Really, you'll be fine with just about any of the games, with the possible exception of Zelda II (I like it, but it's... different) and the definite exception of the 3DO games. "
How is the GC version of Twilight Princess? "
It lacks the Wii's controls and controls more like Ocarina of Time/Wind Waker. Otherwise, the biggest difference is that the Wii version is actaully a graphics and gameplay mirror of the GameCube version. (i.e.: Dungeon layouts are reversed, Link is right-handed instead of left-handed, etc.) So if you ever need a FAQ, make sure it's for the proper version of the game that you're playing.
Twilight Princess or Wind Waker. Without the nostalgic appeal, the later games really won't be very fun for you. You need an appreciation of the series for those games to not be too dated to play.
Those are the ones I have access to, so that'll be convenient. "
but note that those two especially are quite a different beast than classics like the NES original, A Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time. Personally, I'd advise you to start with A Link to the Past. Why? It's a classic, it's showcasing the classic "Zelda-formula", it's still nice to look at, plays well and has great music, it's not too "advanced" like Ocarina or (being a 3D re-invantion of the series) other modern console Zeldas nor too experimental (like the Oracle games or even the DS titles). It also doesn't take too long, it's quite open (allowing you to sequence break it at some points, if you feel like it) and has cool dungeons. From there you'll know all the basics and can go off to whatever game in the franchise you feel like. "
The Oracle games weren't that different from classic Zelda games...
" @MrKlorox: You gonna do anything other than troll this thread? "
Troll how? Zelda is way beyond its prime and there are newer games out there that make better use of its formulas. You're the only one trolling here with your off topic bullshit.
"Twilight Princess or Wind Waker. Without the nostalgic appeal, the later games really won't be very fun for you. You need an appreciation of the series for those games to not be too dated to play. "
Hmm, I dunno about that. When it comes to graphics, maybe for some. But the gameplay has aged very well and the controls are very solid.
Link to the Past for the SNES. Don't start by playing OoT. It's my favorite but the graphics really don't hold up now. Also my other favorite was Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
I'd start with A Link to the Past and go right in order from there. I find the NES games hard to come back to personally, but at some point you should try out the original.
A Link to the Past is a better game than 3D Dot. And if you honestly give someone Darksiders and tell them it's exactly like Zelda, then your doing a disservice to both games.
Those are the ones I have access to, so that'll be convenient. "
but note that those two especially are quite a different beast than classics like the NES original, A Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time. Personally, I'd advise you to start with A Link to the Past. Why? It's a classic, it's showcasing the classic "Zelda-formula", it's still nice to look at, plays well and has great music, it's not too "advanced" like Ocarina or (being a 3D re-invantion of the series) other modern console Zeldas nor too experimental (like the Oracle games or even the DS titles). It also doesn't take too long, it's quite open (allowing you to sequence break it at some points, if you feel like it) and has cool dungeons. From there you'll know all the basics and can go off to whatever game in the franchise you feel like. "
The Oracle games weren't that different from classic Zelda games... "
Sure but as a first impression they're a weird choice. You wouldn't necessarily show someone who never played a Mario game something like Mario Land 1,2 or 3 (Wario Land), would you?
Those are the ones I have access to, so that'll be convenient. "
but note that those two especially are quite a different beast than classics like the NES original, A Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time. Personally, I'd advise you to start with A Link to the Past. Why? It's a classic, it's showcasing the classic "Zelda-formula", it's still nice to look at, plays well and has great music, it's not too "advanced" like Ocarina or (being a 3D re-invantion of the series) other modern console Zeldas nor too experimental (like the Oracle games or even the DS titles). It also doesn't take too long, it's quite open (allowing you to sequence break it at some points, if you feel like it) and has cool dungeons. From there you'll know all the basics and can go off to whatever game in the franchise you feel like. "
The Oracle games weren't that different from classic Zelda games... "
Sure but as a first impression they're a weird choice. You wouldn't necessarily show someone who never played a Mario game something like Mario Land 1,2 or 3 (Wario Land), would you? "
I disagree. As far as Zelda games go, I feel like Oracle was the peak. It had a more intriquing story, and the connection between the two that actually changed the game world was awesome. It was my first exposure to Zelda games and they are still my favorite.
ocarina of time, majora's mask, and wind waker are my favorites and i still go back and play them quite often. i never liked the top down zelda games and i don't recommend twilight princess, but that's just me.
" @MrKlorox: You gonna do anything other than troll this thread? "
Troll how? Zelda is way beyond its prime and there are newer games out there that make better use of its formulas. You're the only one trolling here with your off topic bullshit. "
Many would disagree with that sentiment. Your opinion is not an absolute. If anything, you're the one spouting the bullshit in this thread by answering the question of "Which Zelda should I start with?" with a response that amounts to "herp derp derp Zelda sux."
" @MrKlorox: You gonna do anything other than troll this thread? "
Troll how? Zelda is way beyond its prime and there are newer games out there that make better use of its formulas. You're the only one trolling here with your off topic bullshit. "
Many would disagree with that sentiment. Your opinion is not an absolute. If anything, you're the one spouting the bullshit in this thread by answering the question of "Which Zelda should I start with?" with a response that amounts to "herp derp derp Zelda sux." "
My god you're an ignorant person if that's what you got from what I said.
Those are the ones I have access to, so that'll be convenient. "
but note that those two especially are quite a different beast than classics like the NES original, A Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time. Personally, I'd advise you to start with A Link to the Past. Why? It's a classic, it's showcasing the classic "Zelda-formula", it's still nice to look at, plays well and has great music, it's not too "advanced" like Ocarina or (being a 3D re-invantion of the series) other modern console Zeldas nor too experimental (like the Oracle games or even the DS titles). It also doesn't take too long, it's quite open (allowing you to sequence break it at some points, if you feel like it) and has cool dungeons. From there you'll know all the basics and can go off to whatever game in the franchise you feel like. "
The Oracle games weren't that different from classic Zelda games... "
Sure but as a first impression they're a weird choice. You wouldn't necessarily show someone who never played a Mario game something like Mario Land 1,2 or 3 (Wario Land), would you? "
I disagree. As far as Zelda games go, I feel like Oracle was the peak. It had a more intriquing story, and the connection between the two that actually changed the game world was awesome. It was my first exposure to Zelda games and they are still my favorite. "
Really`? Huh, interesting. I've never really heard anybody call the Oracle games their favorite. I think this also comes down to which one we played first. I'm sure my having A Link to the Past as my first Zelda experience has sa big part to play in my recommendation :)
While we're at it, my favorite part about the Oracle games (and I think Link's Awakening did that too) was that they 'forced' you to use ALL the items throughout the whole game and not just in the dungeon you found them in or to find a treasure somewhere. Having to combine various (non-standard) items in a dungeon to solve a puzzle is something I wished they had kept doing more often.
I'm going to hop on the bandwagon and tell you to start with Ocarina of Time or Link to the Past. I still think they are the best games in their respective dimensions, although you can't go wrong with Wind Waker or most of the portable games.
A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time are your best bets for Zelda games. They are the best in the franchise and have aged extremely well. A Link to the Past will be hitting 20 years next year, and Ocarina of Time is only six years younger than A Link to the Past.
Seriously, not a bad recommendation. Still, I was about to fire up a new save file on Ocarina of Time today. Been kinda itching to replay that game. I'd say it has aged really well. "
" @MrKlorox: You gonna do anything other than troll this thread? "
Troll how? Zelda is way beyond its prime and there are newer games out there that make better use of its formulas. You're the only one trolling here with your off topic bullshit. "
Many would disagree with that sentiment. Your opinion is not an absolute. If anything, you're the one spouting the bullshit in this thread by answering the question of "Which Zelda should I start with?" with a response that amounts to "herp derp derp Zelda sux." "
My god you're an ignorant person if that's what you got from what I said. "
It's not what you said. It's an intentional bastardization of what you said. He asks where to start out of the entire catalog of Zelda titles that currently exist, and you behave as though every single one of those titles has lost relevance or is no longer fun.
Where would I start? Probably either a Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, or Wind Waker. They're all really good choices and offer something a bit different. Though I did play a bit of Oracle of Seasons, and I agree that's not a bad one to start with, either.
" @MrKlorox: You gonna do anything other than troll this thread? "
Troll how? Zelda is way beyond its prime and there are newer games out there that make better use of its formulas. You're the only one trolling here with your off topic bullshit. "
You sure did troll there. It's like he asked "Which Medal of Honour game should I play first?" and you come in with "Modern Warfare 2".
So what that there are newer games that make better use of the formula? He asked what Zelda he should start with first. See that? Zelda. The Zelda series, you know? That Legend of Zelda series? With Zelda in it?
Link to the Past, Awakening, Oracles, or Minish Cap. I'm not quite sure you'd really want to bother with the older 3D games now...If you have easy access to the Oracle games, then go for it. Personally, I'd say that Seasons is the best out of the two.
Tried playing a Wii zelda game for a few seconds, which confirmed that it was in fact just mapping button presses to vague movements, and stopped playing. Also because I'm not a little kid anymore, I don't appreciate the subject matter. It's not charming or deep enough for me to really enjoy. I'm not saying it needs to be darker, I'm not a "M rated or else" d-bag, just never enjoyed the material. Gameplay always seemed a little meh to me too, but I loooooved Darksiders so who knows.
@MrKlorox: I don't know. I think Zelda games still stand out as being pretty unique and something people should seek out and play simply because not a whole lot of modern games follow the Zelda formula, and those that do never seem to see mainstream success.
" @MrKlorox: I don't know. I think Zelda games still stand out as being pretty unique and something people should seek out and play simply because not a whole lot of modern games follow the Zelda formula, and those that do never seem to see mainstream success. "
I'm interested to see how Skyward Sword is ultimately handled. The controls will obviously be different from the way that Twilight Princess worked, which might change the way that elements like combat feel, but I'm also curious to see what else they might change. I think even Nintendo recognizes that there are things about the Zelda series that have gotten a bit long in the tooth at this point.
Log in to comment