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The Legend of Zelda Franchise

Link has been adventuring around Hyrule and saving Princess Zelda in The Legend of Zelda games on Nintendo consoles since the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986. Whether in two dimensions or three, the core formula remains largely unchanged: defeat enemies with your sword and bow, explore dungeons brimming with puzzles and secrets, and vanquish the evil spreading across the land. There's also a surprisingly deep and complex story spanning the entire series, and a dedicated group of fans committed to uncovering all its secrets. While more recent entries such as Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have placed a heavier emphasis on player freedom and exploring a lush open world, it's the sense of adventure and stepping out on a hero's journey that defines the series and has kept it so popular and persistent throughout the decades.

The full list of games is as follows:

  • The Legend of Zelda (1986) on NES
  • The Adventure of Link (1987) on NES
  • A Link to the Past (1991) on Super NES and Gameboy Advance, then ported to Wii, Wii U and Switch (as part of Nintendo Online).
  • Link's Awakening (1993) on Gameboy then updated for Switch
  • Ocarina of Time (1998) on Nintendo 64 then updated for 3D on Nintendo 3DS
  • Link’s Awakening DX (1998) on Gameboy Colour
  • Majora's Mask (2000) on Nintendo 64 then updated to 3D on Nintendo 3DS
  • Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages (2001) on Gameboy Colour
  • Four Swords (2002) on Gamecube
  • The Wind Waker (2002) on Gamecube then updated in HD on Wii U
  • Four Swords Adventures (2004) on Gamecube
  • The Minish Cap (2004) on Gameboy Advance
  • Twilight Princess (2006) on Wii then in HD on Wii U
  • Phantom Hourglass (2007) on Nintendo DS
  • Spirit Tracks (2009) on Nintendo DS
  • Skyward Sword (2011) on Wii
  • A Link Between Worlds (2013) on Nintendo 3DS
  • Hyrule Warriors (2014) on Wii U
  • Tri Force Heroes (2015) on Nintendo 3DS
  • Hyrule Warriors Legends (2016) on Nintendo 3DS
  • Breath of the Wild (2017) on Switch
  • Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition (2018) on Switch
  • Cadence of Hyrule (2019) on Switch
  • Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (2020) on Switch
  • Tears of the Kingdom (2023) on Switch

There have been 12 games in The Legend of Zelda franchise.
The first game was released in 1986 on Game Boy Advance and Nintendo Entertainment System and the most recent release was The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in 2023 on Nintendo Switch.

The most popular game in the franchise is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild with 342 likes. The franchise as a whole has 629 likes on the database. Unfortunately, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is not available on Android, Mac, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X|S or iOS. However, there are other games similar to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on these platforms that offer an equivalent experience.

DetailsFranchise Details

PEGI Ratings: PEGI 3 to PEGI 12
ESRB Ratings: ESRB EVERYONE to ESRB TEEN
Australian Ratings: G to M
Genres: Action, Adventure, Battle, Brain Game, Collecting, Fighting, Narrative, Physically Active, Platform, Point-and-Click, Puzzle, Rhythm, Role-Play, Shooting, Simulation, Stealth, Strategy and Traversal
Release dates: 1986 - 2023
Platforms: Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Nintendo 2DS|3DS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo Wii U
Developers: @BYG_Vancouver, @KoeiTecmoUS and @Nintendo
 

 

Games in The Legend of Zelda Franchise

Games Like The Legend of Zelda Franchise

The following games address a similar topic or offer a similar way to play. They are good options to play next and also good alternatives to The Legend of Zelda franchise for younger age ratings.

Littlewood is a town and farming simulator a little like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing.

Littlewood is a town and farming simulator a little like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing. Here though, the twist is that the game is set after a grand adventure.

The Last Campfire, from the same developer as Lost Winds, is an adventure about Ember who is searching for meaning and a way home.

The Last Campfire, from the same developer as Lost Winds, is an adventure about Ember who is searching for meaning and a way home. As you travel you take a flame with you to the world, lighting torches, bringing life to creatures exploring and solving environmental puzzles to progress.

Garden Story is a role-playing adventure, crafting and farming game similar to Stardew Valley.

Garden Story is a role-playing adventure, crafting and farming game similar to Stardew Valley. It also features combat, dungeons and puzzles similar to the Zelda games.

Minecraft Dungeons is an action-adventure game that takes place in the Minecraft universe.

Minecraft Dungeons is an action-adventure game that takes place in the Minecraft universe. You explore various dungeons to complete missions and collect new gear by exploring and finding treasure chests, or by defeating enemies.

Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm (called simply Oceanhorn 2 on Apple Arcade) is an adventure game that recreates the 3D Zelda experience on non-Nintendo platforms.

Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm (called simply Oceanhorn 2 on Apple Arcade) is an adventure game that recreates the 3D Zelda experience on non-Nintendo platforms. You explore a vibrant world, interacting with characters and creatures as you solve puzzles and battle enemies.

Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas (simply called Oceanhorn on iOS and Android) is an adventure game that brings Zelda-style exploration, battling and dungeon-solving to non-Nintendo platforms.

Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas (simply called Oceanhorn on iOS and Android) is an adventure game that brings Zelda-style exploration, battling and dungeon-solving to non-Nintendo platforms. You play as a boy on a quest to find his lost father while exploring dungeons, fighting monsters, and uncovering secrets.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a game in the longstanding Pokémon series of role-playing games where you collect and battle Pokémon.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a game in the longstanding Pokémon series of role-playing games where you collect and battle Pokémon. Like the other games, you compete in turn-based battles and try and collect as many Pokémon as you can.

Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is the shooting role-playing sequel to Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion.

Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is the shooting role-playing sequel to Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion. Unlike its predecessor, where you used swords and other close-combat weapons, here you use guns to defeat security as you break into the Botanical Bank and steal its treasures.

Craftopia is an open-world creature collecting adventure from the creators of Palworld.

Craftopia is an open-world creature collecting adventure from the creators of Palworld. You build an automated base of operations, collect creatures, explore islands and dungeons, and even fight fantastical monsters with swords and magical abilities.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is a role-play game and sequel to Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, where you play a young king rebuilding his kingdom and uniting his people.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is a role-play game and sequel to Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, where you play a young king rebuilding his kingdom and uniting his people. You travel the world, interact with characters, and battle enemies by issuing commands and actions and dodging attacks.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a fighting-adventure game and a sequel to 2019's Jedi: Fallen Order.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a fighting-adventure game and a sequel to 2019's Jedi: Fallen Order. As in that game, you explore and fight enemies with your lightsaber and force powers, but here you also have a blaster and new lightsaber fighting styles.

Street Fighter 6, the latest Street Fighter game, is a fighting game where you beat opponents with punches and powers.

Street Fighter 6, the latest Street Fighter game, is a fighting game where you beat opponents with punches and powers. Alongside player-versus-player fights, this edition offers a surprisingly in-depth open-world story where you hone your skills against computer-controlled characters.

Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is an action-adventure expansion for the Horizon Forbidden West game that continues your journey into post-apocalyptic Los Angeles and Hollywood.

Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is an action-adventure expansion for the Horizon Forbidden West game that continues your journey into post-apocalyptic Los Angeles and Hollywood. Play is similar to the main game: close and ranged combat, exploration, and traversal.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is an adventure game with a wild west theme and a prequel to Red Dead Redemption.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is an adventure game with a wild west theme and a prequel to Red Dead Redemption. As you explore a vast and varied open world, you partake in shootouts, heists, and elaborate chases across the wilderness.

Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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