The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For a first playthrough, follow the mainline Zelda games in their original release order—not the fictional Hyrule timeline. You can start with any game, but release order gives you the series’ historical progression without requiring you to untangle its branching in-world chronology. The dates below follow Nintendo’s European release-date convention; launch dates vary by region.
What “release order” means for Zelda
Release order means the order in which the games were originally published. It is different from the fictional chronology Nintendo uses to place adventures in Hyrule’s history. Nintendo’s timeline has eras and branches, while the release list is a straightforward sequence of launches.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - World Edition | $59.99 | 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 | $76.99 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The list below covers the mainline first-party Zelda adventures. It uses the sequence in Nintendo’s official game history, whose dates are European release dates. For example, Nintendo identifies the original game’s Japanese debut as 1986, while its first listed European date is November 15, 1987. A calendar date without a region can therefore be misleading.
Mainline Zelda games in original release order
- The Legend of Zelda — Nintendo’s original adventure; debuted in Japan in 1986.
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
- The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages — released on the same day, so neither needs to be placed before the other by date.
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords
- The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures
- The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
- The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
- The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Nintendo’s history spans home consoles and handheld systems, from the original game and Game Boy entries through Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and Switch. The list is a publication sequence, not a requirement to own every original system.
#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
Should you play by release order or timeline order?
Choose release order if you want to follow how the series’ games appeared over time. Choose the in-world timeline only if your priority is the fictional placement of each adventure. The two lists answer different questions; timeline order does not replace release order, and its branches make it less like one simple numbered playthrough.
You do not need to study the timeline before starting. The games are individual adventures, so a newcomer can begin at the first entry, or choose a more accessible title they can play on their available hardware, without first solving Hyrule’s chronology.
Rank #2
- The Legend of Zelda - Tears of the Kingdom
Do you need to play the older games first?
No. Playing the older games first is optional, not a prerequisite for understanding every later adventure. Release order is useful for seeing the franchise’s progression, but practical access matters too: older entries may require a remake, remaster, or a subscription catalogue rather than their original hardware.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsHow to choose an edition to play
Keep each game in its original position in the list, then select the edition that suits your platform and preferences. A remake or remaster is an alternate way to play that entry; it does not change when the game originally joined the series.
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
- Check platform access. Nintendo’s current US store 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 by region and can change.
- Compare the edition. Nintendo’s historical catalogue notes original platforms and some later editions. Decide whether you want the original release or a remake/remaster, and check the product listing for the exact version.
- Check subscriptions before signing up. Nintendo’s October 16, 2024 announcement identifies selected older games available through Nintendo Switch Online or Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Service tiers, catalogues, and regional access may change; verify the current catalogue in your country and confirm the specific game is included.
- Consider play style. The mainline list includes entries with different control styles, platforms, and multiplayer elements. Check whether a title is a solo adventure or has a multiplayer focus before choosing it for your playthrough.
Where spin-offs fit
Spin-offs such as Hyrule Warriors and Cadence of Hyrule are not included in the mainline release list above. Keep them separate if you are building a broader franchise chronology: mixing them into the mainline sequence would blur the distinction between Zelda adventures and other kinds of games set in or drawing on the series’ world.
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.
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.
