I’ve Never Played Zelda. Where to Begin?

From Invisible Gamer: "The fact that I haven’t played some of the most iconic franchises in gaming history is one I’m interested in, but hesitant to correct. But where do I start? And how do I do it? Do I got back and re-purchase the systems of my youth, to play these games on the consoles where they found their audience, in their original glory? Do I invest in new hardware with the hope that, as with the Wii U and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, old games will be made new again for a generation that hasn’t grown up playing them?"

[MONKEYDLUFFY]

Ocarina of time on 3ds. Perfect starting point I think

[Brien]

When I get a 3DS, it'll probably be one of the first things I buy.

[Neonridr]

well if you get the new Zelda 3DSXL bundle then you'll have A Link Between Worlds to play. But I would recommend going back and either playing the original NES game, A Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time.

[3-4-5]

OoT 3DS....A link between worlds...Nov. 22nd 3ds

[abzdine]

if he starts with Ocarina of Time he will not enjoy the other zeldas as much because OoT is perfect!! To me the best one ever is A Link to The Past but i still strongly suggest you start with it because it shows the bases of Zelda with too many dungeons and an epic world.

I have been playing Zelda since NES and i suggest you follow this:

- A Link to The Past
- Minish Cap
- Wind Waker
- Twilight Princess
- Skyward Sword
- Phantom Hourglass
- Spirit Tracks
- Majora's Mask
- Ocarina of Time

[thehobbyist]

Ocarina of Time is not perfect. That statement doesn't even need to be defended but I will defend it. How about that water temple and sudden difficulty spike in the final dungeon?

[link2Dpast]

Wow spot on, I was thinking the same list same order wow lol. I agree link to the past is a great starting point. Its not to hard not to easy, has a little bit of everything that zelda has to offer. People say Oot but the jump from 2D to 3D is the best way to do it, its mind blowing.

[Misaka_x_Touma]

No. Starting wth Ocarina allows the player to choose either child, adult or hero defeated timeline.

Ocarina of Time will always be the key to understanding the timeline.

That way you won't get confuse and lose interest.

[manaxknight1]

links awakening should be after ALttP

[Jasimulator]

Currently I am playing A Link to the Past, and it's my first Zelda game, but what is the Four Swords? is it a completely new game or what?

[3-4-5]

I started with LoZ NES & AoL NES then went to OoT and I was still able to enjoy Wind Waker after that, as well as MM & Spirit Tracks....or most of it.

[Shnazzyone]

Excellent starting point, from there move to LTTP, then tackle windwaker and skyward sword. Twilight princess would be next and you've hit all the major canon titles.

From there the other games are optional fun sidequests with an big reccomend on the original if you wanna go full retro, Links awakening if you want a really great side story, and go for Minish cap if you want an incredible portable title, possibly better than LTTP. You could play Majora's mask but that's totally optional and is an acquired taste.

[TheEnigma313]

Start with the CDI series; that's classic material. Best in the series that never gets mentioned.

For real For real, start with Ocarina of Time. Link to the past would be a great start also. I was just joking about that CDI series. That series is Charles Barkley "turrable"

*I guess the people who down voted me likes the CDI series?

[XisThatKid]

I LOLed

[Dasteru]

Link to the Past.

[Fishermenofwar]

Bubbles for you bud...

I would travel between dark world and light world...Like a BOSS!!

Best Zelda period!!

@ Disagree fairies..I guess I can't have an opinion..sorry..

INUKCHUK!!!!!!

[Qrphe]

This is the only right answer

[MadLad]

Majora's Mask is my personal favorite.

[TheEnigma313]

I think Majora's Mask doesn't get the respect it deserves.

It's constantly forgotten. I think Ocarina of Time was so huge it over shadowed Majora's Mask.

[Korde11]

The problem with MM was that it came out near the end of the N64 life cycle when people were beginning to lose intrest in the system a bit. Also, MM was supposed to get a graphic upgrade from an expansion pak that needed to be bought and plugged into the top of the system. Alot of people like myself did not want to make that additional purchase. MM is the game that I truly hope gets an HD release on the Wii U because I missed out the first time around and still have not played it.

[WeAreLegion]

I want to say A Link to the Past, but you'll be disappointed by everything else if you play that first. Start with Ocarina. It's easy to get into.

[Treezy504]

I personally love Zelda: Link's Awakening and Majora's Mask.

[SonyDroneKilla]

start with twilight princess, thats where i started and loving it ever since

[Neonridr]

Great place to start - A Legend of Zelda on NES ;)

start at the beginning, and work your way from there..

[andrewer]

The first Zelda would only scare this new generation haha. It's too damn difficult, and I think that it's only worth playing if you are really into the series. After all, there's no story whatsoever, and again, FREAKING DIFFICULT. But if you are used to classic games, indeed the first one is a good choice, specially to feel the evolution of the series as our generation did :)

[Neonridr]

haha, I know.

What kind of game drops you in the middle of a screen, you have 4 ways to go (including the Cave) and no instructions other than to save someone named Zelda.

So many random things about that game got passed around from friend to friend. Like who knew which bush to burn to get into Level 8?? Honestly who would think to burn that one tree to find the entrance? But magically people knew.. And this was before the internet, we only had gaming magazines and word of mouth to spread things like that.

[PopRocks359]

Isn't Skyward Sword technically the beginning though...?

[Neonridr]

timeline wise yes, I was merely referring to the game timeline based on release schedule.

But you got me there.. :P

[Nerdmaster]

If you want the best one, go for Twilight Princess. It's everything Ocarina of Time was, but better.

[andrewer]

I don't think "better" is the word, but "different" in an awesome way. For me, OoT was the best, but Twilight Princess indeed brought a completely new view on the series, at least that was my impression, with the dark scenario and everything...If you are looking for a calm and very good start, I would suggest TP too, but for me OoT will always be the best hehe.

[andrewer]

Water Temple rofl. When you pass through it, endless fun awaits haha

[Neonridr]

Dear god.. what a nightmare. But there was a real sense of accomplishment when you figured it all out and beat that level.

[PopRocks359]

Here's some food for thought; the Water Temple is actually much easier and straightforward in the Master Quest version of the game. :p

[TheMzingGamer]

I started on OoT, but it's fine if you start at Link to the Past or Skyward Sword. They are all really good if you are new to the franchise.

[link2Dpast]

I say start with A link to the past. Has a little bit of everything zelda has to offer. Great story,Dungeons,items. Its a goid way to break in what zelda is. Alot of people say start with Ocarina of time but the feeling of going from 2D to 3D is ming blowing and you appreciate it alot more and the progression it gone threw.

[TripC50]

I started with Link's Awakening. Sooo I wouldn't know where to start Lol..

[Whymii]

Link's Awakening on the GB.

All the things that make Zelda games so brilliant in a condensed form. Marvellous.

[EliteGameKnight]

The original. The Legend Of Zelda.

[wingman32x]

There's a lot of ways you could go about this. I started with Ocarina of Time.

If you plan on starting soon, I recommend starting with A Link to the Past. Considering there's a sequel of sorts coming out next month.

Man, I envy you, though. I would love to play a lot of these games for the first time again. It's one hell of a series. There's a ton of different opinions over which is best, but the crazy thing is I can see where everyone is coming from, regardless if I agree or not. There's that many great games in this series IMO.

[leahcim]

Link´s Awakening do yourself a favor play this entry first is one of the most friendly enjoyable smooth and fun of the saga

[stragomccloud]

Start with "Link to the Past".