Zelda Virgin: Where to start?

[Mr. Adventure]

The Zelda series is one of those things that passed me by but I've been curious about giving it a shot. I was wondering what might be the best game to start with.

Would you go to the beginning with the NES? I understand the SNES one is highly regarded. Would you jump right to the latest with Twilight Princess? The CD-I versions? (er, maybe not)

Anyway, I'd be curious on your opinion...

 

[Kelthaz]

Zelda 1 (NES)
Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
Zelda: Twilight Princess (GC/WII)

Any of those games would be fine for a jumping in point. I suggest starting at the earliest console you feel comfortable with. If you normally dislike NES games, there's no point in starting with the original just because it's the first. By all means play it later, but don't start with it.

 

[clint g]

Zelda 1 (NES)
Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
Zelda: Twilight Princess (GC/WII)

Any of those games would be fine for a jumping in point. I suggest starting at the earliest console you feel comfortable with. If you normally dislike NES games, there's no point in starting with the original just because it's the first. By all means play it later, but don't start with it.

This is what I would suggest though I would toss in Wind Waker and maybe Majoras Mask as well. Twilight Princess is the most accessible of them all with Wind Waker being a close second. You may find it hard to get into the other ones due to their age but I will say this: Ocarina of Time is considered the best game of all time for a reason

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

The first Zelda game is a very poor place to start. It is incredibly hard, and has no map or hints. As such, you will spend most of your time wandering aimlessly. My suggestion for a place to start would be with either A Link to the Past (SNES) or Ocarina of Time (N64.) These are considered two of the best of the series, and both are great jumping in points for new players.

 

[Tharsis]

The first Zelda game is not that difficult. I beat the game when I was 9.

You should start with the original version so you can be introduced to the series as so many of us were. I fell in love with Zelda from playing this game and it still holds up very well. The thing I like best about it is that it doesn't have to be linear. You can go into most of the dungeons (if you can find them) from the start, grab the items without always beating the boss (grabbing the white sword before lv 1 was always fun). Burning bushes and bombing walls for loot was always alot of fun because you never knew which bush held the secret stair case. Its also a good introduction to the basic uses of the items. Anyway, you can always download cheat maps from the internet if you get stuck.

 

[Smiley]

The first game is a classic, and it should be played if you like the series. However, I would recommend A Link to the Past for a first-timer.

 

[firehawk12]

I've never played one myself, but isn't Majora's Mask considered the best one?

 

[Turd Ferguson]

The first one I ever played was Windwaker, which I thought was really fun and the animation was good in it. Then, I played Twilight Princess, which I absolutely loved. The graphics were amazing, the music eerie and the fights were exciting and the puzzles engaging.

I tried playing Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, but I just can't get into them. I don't know if I"m spoiled on the newer graphics and control schemes, but I just don't like them.

 

[Aragorn]

The first game is indeed a classic and where it all began. I played it when I was a little kid, though it did come with a map so that was helpful. Of course, these days every game has a walkthrough or 50 on numerous web sites so you'll never have to get stuck anymore on anything.

 

[Lonemagpie]

TBH, Ocarina of time is the only one you'll really ever need...

 

[zephramc]

My vote is to start "old school" with either The Legend of Zelda (NES), or The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES). Both are available through Virtual Console on the Wii.

You can then move onto the N64 and GC/Wii Zelda games.

 

[crouteru]

I'd start off with A Link To The Past. The first two NES Zelda's were important steps in the development of the franchise but have aged poorly by todays standards, especially for a newcomer.

You can get ALTTP on the Virtual Console, or the GBA port is very good. If you own a Wii and DS, you also have the superb Ocarina Of Time and Majora's Mask on VC, The Wind Waker on GameCube, Twilight Princess on Wii, Minish Cap on GBA and Phantom Hourglass on DS.

If you have a GBA/GBA SP, I'd also recommend the Game Boy Color games Link's Awakening DX, Oracle Of Ages and Oracle Of Seasons. There's so many brilliant installments in the franchise, any of the above games is worth playing.

 

[Canadave]

I started with Ocarina of Time, and I still think that's a good place. It's epic, it's engrossing, and it's pretty much a stand-alone. It's hard to get lost by the story whilst playing.

 

[eastman23]

I started with Ocarina of Time, and I still think that's a good place. It's epic, it's engrossing, and it's pretty much a stand-alone. It's hard to get lost by the story whilst playing.

True.

I personally started with A Link to the Past (SNES) and I think either one would be a good place to start.

 

[JuanBolio]

I'm just now getting into the series myself, and I plan to play them in chronological order, skipping a couple lesser-known and renowned titles:

Zelda (NES)
A Link to the Past (SNES)
Orcarina of Time (N64)
Majora's Mask (N64)
Twilight Princess (Gamecube)'

By the way... you need to watch this. Every Zelda fan or even prospective fan should see it: http://www.effinfunny.com/legend-of-neil/seasons?vid=342&sid=1

 

[Alidar Jarok]

I've never played one myself, but isn't Majora's Mask considered the best one?

No

Ocarina of Time is often considered the best N64 game, so that would preclude Majora's Mask from consideration.

I'd go with Ocarina of Time or A Link to the Past personally. Both are great.

 

[clint g]

I'm just now getting into the series myself, and I plan to play them in chronological order, skipping a couple lesser-known and renowned titles:

Zelda (NES)
A Link to the Past (SNES)
Orcarina of Time (N64)
Majora's Mask (N64)
Twilight Princess (Gamecube)'

By the way... you need to watch this. Every Zelda fan or even prospective fan should see it: http://www.effinfunny.com/legend-of-neil/seasons?vid=342&sid=1

You should consider giving wind waker a shot. There was alot of hate for the game, but that was mostly because people were shocked at the art style change. It was a very solid game over all

 

[Kelthaz]

By the way... you need to watch this. Every Zelda fan or even prospective fan should see it: http://www.effinfunny.com/legend-of-neil/seasons?vid=342&sid=1

I made a topic about that a week ago and I didn't get a single reply.

 

[Canadave]

I'm just now getting into the series myself, and I plan to play them in chronological order, skipping a couple lesser-known and renowned titles:

Zelda (NES)
A Link to the Past (SNES)
Orcarina of Time (N64)
Majora's Mask (N64)
Twilight Princess (Gamecube)'

Of course, if you want to play them in chronological order (in terms of the in-game story), then I believe it's more like:

Ocarina of Time

(Majora's Mask)
(Wind Waker)

A Link to the Past
Zelda
Twilight Princess (?)


In short, the Zelda chronology is confusing. This seems to be a generally agreed upon chronology for the main games, though, with Wind Waker and Majora's Mask taking place in an alternate timeline (yeah), and I think Twilight Princess being the latest installment. It's hard to say for sure, though.

 

[Commander Vaughn]

No love for Link's Awakening? Thats the game that got me into the Zelda universe, back in the day. It's a Gameboy title that holds up really well...