The Legend of Zelda is one of the most beloved video game series of all time, having sold millions of copies over the span of 40 games, 21 of which were mainline Zelda games. It's not a trend of the past either, as fans continue to anxiously count down the days until the next game in the series, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomout on September 26th. However, as the popularity of these games increases, so does the hype surrounding them, with some being a little more overhyped than their actual expected quality.
Whether it's due to fans wearing rose-colored glasses or Nintendo's overemphasis on certain versions of Link, some Zelda games are simply overrated. Games like The Wind Waker OR A link with the past they're good and well-received, sure, but they haven't aged as well as fans like to claim.
10 The Wind Waker cartoon tie-in has become a cash cow
Metacritic score: 96
The Wind Waker was incredibly divisive when it first released in 2003, mostly due to the art direction compared to previous games. As the first Zelda game to feature Toon Link and cel-shaded graphics, the game's controversy was mostly around its art style. Nintendo took a risk in this direction. That said, the risk paid off; The Wind Waker became a classic among Zelda titles, in stark contrast to when it was originally released.
He went from being criminally underrated to criminally popular, with Toon Link suddenly taking over as the face of Link for several more games and crossovers. It's adorable, sure, but it's everywhere now and there's no escape. It seems like Nintendo is starting to calm down about using him, but that didn't stop the series of games and promotional images featuring Toon Link as the main character immediately after his debut. Some players get bored of him when they just learned to love him.
9 Skyward Sword continues to split
Metacritic score: 93
One of the most impressive and intriguing things Sword towards the sky it's his complete dichotomy among fans. It was as divisive as Wind Waker when it came out, maybe more. Even now, ask fans what their favorite and least favorite Zelda games are, Sword towards the sky ends up on both extremes.
The overrated game mostly comes from a hyper-dedicated fan base. They are immensely passionate about the game, but to the point that major flaws (like the game's motion controls) are overlooked for the sake of defending it. It doesn't help that when the game was re-released in HD, the motion controls became even more complex.
8 Majora's Mask inspired an overhyped Creepypasta
Metacritic score: 95
Majora's Mask it was actually the first game to cause a huge divide among Zelda fans. Thanks to the great success of its predecessor, Ocarina of timefans came into the game expecting a similar experience, but were met with either enthusiasm or disappointment.
Likewise, with many Zelda games, the game developed its own passionate following, which only exploded in size after the game was remade for the 3DS. That doesn't even include Ben Drowned's now infamous creepypasta, which he used Majora's Mask as the basis of the entire plot, causing the game's footage and soundtrack to quickly become saturated online.
7 Link from Twilight Princess has become an overused mascot
Metacritic score: 95
Twilight Princess it was a complete change in tone from the rest of the series. However, that consensus quickly turned into liking for the next game Sword towards the sky was released. Sure, the motion controls were clunky and the world lacks liveliness in the characters. However, it's not the game that's overrated: it's Link himself.
After Twilight Princess was released, Nintendo has used that version of Link endlessly. In crossover games like Smash Bros AND Mario Kartin promotional artwork, Zelda merchandise, everywhere. This Link was essentially turned into a mascot, still used today. At this point, the boy just deserves a little rest: after all, Link has already given everyone crossbow training.
6 A link between worlds was between balancing
Metacritic score: 91
A love letter to the Zelda games from top to bottom, A connection between worlds he was showered with praise and adoration. With a fun new painting mechanic and cute graphics, it's definitely an easy game to love. However, the game's world is overrun with decay and enemies, which can make traversal frustrating, along with so much more.
The game is immensely difficult, even for veteran Zelda fans, to the point of anger at times. This wouldn't have been an issue if it weren't for the game's rental system, which is a further slap in the face after a frustrating loss. It might have been worth it if the story and characters within it had been interesting, but unfortunately that simply isn't the case.
5 The Legend of Zelda is unforgiving
Metacritic score: 84
Related
10 Best 2D Zelda Dungeons, Ranked
2D Zelda will never go out of style, as proven by its challenging dungeons which still remain some of the series' biggest in a post-BOTW world.
The Legend of Zeldalike many NES games, it's brutally difficult. Between the enemy's harsh imbalance and complete lack of guidance, it can feel like a slow descent into madness. It makes progress even more satisfying, but new players are only told about the game's rewards, rather than the challenges.
This is a classic case of media being considered S-tier simply because it is the first in the series, but it does not belong to this tier. That's still good, of course, being the game that started it all, but players might not share that sentiment after wandering around lost for literal hours.
4 Link's awakening provided little to no challenge
Metacritic score: 89
Link's Awakeningoriginally released for the Game Boy in 1993, it's a game that fans look back on with nostalgia. However, this nostalgia has made it difficult for fans to remember some of the game's flaws, particularly the hand-holding. This extremely simple game has the opposite problem to others in the series in that little to no challenge is provided and makes the game boring at times.
The 2019 Switch remake only made things worse for this game, taking these problems from the original and amplifying them. It turned the game into a nostalgic cash grab, which left many fans disappointed, only resorting to the original to hype it up even more.
3 Kingdom tears collapsed under the pressure
Metacritic score: 96
After the immense success of Breath of the wild, The tears of the Kingdom was one of the most anticipated games of 2023. It sold hugely upon release. However, it doesn't hold a candle to its predecessor, which lacked story, characters, and Skyworld. It's a game that can only be described as having crumbled under the pressure.
In a disappointing turn of events, The tears of the Kingdom forget what he did Breath of the wild much loved first and foremost: simplicity. By adding feature after feature, game mechanic after game mechanic, the game becomes too overwhelming to be properly enjoyed. Fans of the game insist that it's a superior sequel, but that's most likely recency bias.
2 A connection to the past simply hasn't aged well
Metacritic score: 95
A link with the past it was the game that set the standard for many elements of the Zelda series, particularly in creating the classic Zelda template that most games followed. It's a classic that veterans will consistently recommend to new players, but it has the same problem as the original The Legend of Zelda: It's bare bones.
A link with the past created another standard, mostly found in top-down/2D Zelda games: the stories are cold and empty. Not even just the story, the essays are nameless, the music doesn't even vary between dungeons: the game has flaws that hold it back. It's a wonderful classic, but it simply hasn't aged well, despite what nostalgia tries to say.
1 Ocarina of Time's popularity has become a double-edged sword
Metacritic score: 99
It is without a doubt that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the most overrated Zelda game of all time. It's a fantastic game with a fantastic story, home to many iconic Zelda staples, but it's gotten to a point where it's almost blasphemous to point out any of the game's (many) flaws, even in the 3DS remake. So, it's not even from an aging perspective, there are a lot of things that make the game frustrating, disappointing, or even boring.
There are long, unmissable scenes, a very small world in terms of exploration, and, of course, the infamous Water Temple. Ocarina of time was revolutionary upon release, paving the way for many great successors to follow; however, those successors actually did things better. It all boils down to the fact that it's the first 3D Zelda game released, combined with immense popularity among fans wearing rose-colored glasses. Quite simply, fan popularity has turned the game into something it isn't: the greatest of all time.