Image Credit: Bethesda
Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Image via Nintendo

The Legend of Zelda: How to Play Every Game In Release Order

The Legend of Zelda series contains numerous games spanning multiple consoles, and playing them in order can be confusing.

The Legend of Zelda is one of the most beloved and treasured video game series available. In the decades since its beginnings, the game has made numerous leaps and strides and delivered countless unforgettable adventures. You know if you are getting a Legend of Zelda game from Nintendo, you are getting a game filled with hours of fun puzzles, combat, and memorable characters. Here is the order of every single Legend of Zelda game and the original console it came out on, sorted by release date.

Recommended Videos

Related: The Legend of Zelda timeline, explained – Every game’s timeline placement

All Legend of Zelda games in release order

Jabu Jabu's belly Zelda
Image via Nintendo

Below is every Zelda game in release order including year and original consoles:

  • The Legend of Zelda (1986) – Nintendo Entertainment System
  • Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987) – Nintendo Entertainment System
  • The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991) – Super Nintendo Entertainment System
  • The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993) – Game Boy
  • Link: The Faces of Evil (1993) – Phillips CD-i
  • Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (1993) – Phillips CD-i
  • Zelda’s Adventure (1994) – Phillips CD-i
  • The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) – Nintendo 64
  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000) – Nintendo 64
  • The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages (2001) – Game Boy
  • The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002) – Nintendo GameCube
  • The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004) – Nintendo GameCube
  • The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004) – Game Boy Advance
  • Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland (2006, Japan and Europe only) – Nintendo DS
  • Tingle’s Balloon Fight (2007, Japan only) – Nintendo DS
  • The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006) – Nintendo GameCube/Nintendo Wii
  • The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007) – Nintendo DS
  • Link’s Crossbow Training (2007) – Nintendo Wii
  • The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009) – Nintendo DS
  • The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011) – Nintendo Wii
  • The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (2013) – Nintendo 3DS
  • Hyrule Warriors (2014) – Wii U
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (2015) – Nintendo 3DS
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) – Nintendo Wii U/Nintendo Switch
  • Cadence of Hyrule (2019) – Nintendo Switch
  • Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (2020) – Nintendo Switch
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023) – Nintendo Switch

Because there is a large number of games in The Legend of Zelda series that have released over numerous decades, some of them are going to be harder to get access to than others. However, thanks to the flexible narratives, it is perfectly fine to hop in wherever you want. That said, if you want to play the full catalog in chronological order, the list above should help you out.


Gamepur is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of John Hansen
John Hansen
John Hansen is a Full-time Staff Writer for Gamepur as well as a host for the YouTube channel Pixel Street Videos where he co-hosts a weekly gaming podcast and more. His favorite games include Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Breath of the Wild, Left 4 Dead 2, and Overwatch. He covers Overwatch 2 and other FPS titles, Minecraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, Legend of Zelda, and whatever zombie games are placed in front of him.