Zelda is a series of role-playing games (RPGs) that is produced by Nintendo and has now notched up 19 different editions. The Breath of the Wild is the latest, having arrived in 2017 for the Nintendo Switch and the Wii U. Reckoned to be among the finest games ever made, it's a fitting continuation of the franchise.
Zelda games have always mixed exploration, interaction with other characters, fighting and managing items like spells and scrolls. None of that has changed over 30 years, making it a joy to revisit old Zelda titles, which gamers can easily do via Nintendo's Virtual Console.
This buyer's guide will help you start the adventure, whether you want to go back to the roots with the very first NES title or you want to dive into Breath of the Wild.
Zelda was born in 1986, when Japanese game designers Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tazuka unleashed the Legend of Zelda for the NES/Famicom system. Originally released only in Japan, it was soon clear that Nintendo had a massive hit on their hands, and it was translated into English for a US and European release in 1987.
After that, sequels followed every couple of years, with the first SNES version in 1991, the first N64 Zelda title in 1998, and the first GameCube title in 2003. Twilight Princess took the series onto the Wii in style in 2006, while the Breath of the Wild helped to launch the Nintendo Switch in 2017. At every stage, Nintendo's new consoles have been given a massive boost by a new Zelda epic, and that's never been truer than with the latest instalment.
After thirty years of games, the Zelda narrative is one hell of a story, and recent installments have made the timeline even more complex. However, you can't really get full enjoyment from the games unless you know a little about the characters and their quests, so here's a very quick summary of what's going on.
Set in the land of Hyrule, everything in Zelda revolves around what is known as the Triforce of Power, threatening to dominate the world.
The Triforce was created by the legendary creators of Hyrule (also known as the three golden goddesses), and was split into three elements: wisdom, courage and power. This Triforce helped to keep Hyrule peaceful for generations. However, at some stage the Kingdom of Hyrule lost some of the elements of the Triforce, and the King blamed Princess Zelda for the loss, putting her to sleep – potentially forever.
The Legend of Zelda was that the King proclaimed that all subsequent princesses of Hyrule would be named Zelda. However, the main action involved the Triforce, which was hidden in various temples and the Sacred Realm, where it was guarded by the Master Sword – a weapon only the purest of heart could wield.
In the first game, we meet Link, a local youngster in Hyrule, who has to fight the evil Lord Ganon who seeks to unify the Triforce. Link stands as the only hope and seeks to find the Triforce of Wisdom to oppose Ganon and to save the current Princess Zelda, heir to the throne of Hyrule.
After that, Link has to quest again a few years later to save another version of Zelda (not the same princess this time), needing to find the Triforce of Courage to do so. Following on from the second episode, the action moved back in time with A Link to the Past, which told the story of the origins of Ganon and a presumably earlier version of Link, who needed to search for the Master Sword to vanquish his enemy.
Now we come to the Ocarina of Time, which is set just after a Link to the Past. Ganon's earlier incarnation as Ganondorf is locked away in the Sacred Realm but comes into possession of a piece of the Triforce. Link then has to travel through various worlds collecting Six Medallions to defeat him (again).
Ocarina of Time was followed by Majora's Mask, which sent Link to Termina – a parallel dimension to Hyrule. After that, the timeline moves on to Twilight Princess, as Link battles to prevent Hyrule being absorbed by the Twilight Realm: another parallel dimension of darkness.
Now comes a complication. On the official Zelda timeline, Twilight Princess and Wind Waker are set in parallel. The timeline diverges into two branches, making it tough to tell the Zelda story from here on. Each game introduces new elements and characters while remaining within Hyrule and the Sacred Realm and keeping Link as the core persona.
By the time we get to Breath of Time, Link is still fighting Ganon (dubbed Calamity Ganon this time) for the soul of Hyrule.
Over the years, there have been 19 different Zelda games, which amounts to months of gameplay. Thanks to retro-remakes and emulators, you can play almost every single instalment using Nintendo Wii U or Switch consoles, allowing gamers to trace the Zelda narrative from beginning to end. Here are some of the classic versions that you simply have to play:
The Legend of Zelda – The very first appearance of Zelda was on the NES in 1986. This title introduced the world to Hyrule, Zelda, Link and Ganon as well as the Triforce and Death Mountain: Ganon's formidable fortress. The action takes place from a top down perspective, with spells, weapons and various characters to interact with. A massive success, the Legend of Zelda can now be played on the 3DS Virtual Console if you want to get a flavour for where the series came from.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link – Released in 1987, the sequel to the Legend of Zelda offered more of the same 2D RPG action. As with the original, it mixed 2D exploration sections with platforming levels, creating an unusual blend of role playing and action gameplay. As with the original, it's available on the Virtual Console if you'd like to find out how Link's odyssey continued.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – The third instalment in the Zelda saga appeared in 1991 for the new SNES consoleg and was a huge graphical improvement on the earlier games. This game saw the appearance of the Master Sword and saw link fighting against Agahnim, a henchman of Ganon to release the Princess Zelda. As with the other games, it's available to buy for the Virtual Console, so Wii, Wii U and 3DS owners can join the quest whenever they wish.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening – A new departure for the series saw Link's Awakening appear only on the Nintendo Gameboy and Gameboy Colour. It was one of the handheld console's greatest titles, offering vast gameplay and side quests galore, and you can check out the DX version on the Virtual Console.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Ocarina of Time appeared in 1998 exclusively for the Nintendo 64 and was an instant classic. Boasting breathtaking 3D graphics (which even today look impressive ), it took Link into a new dimension as he battled to save Hyrule once again. Gamers can experience an exact copy of the N64 version on the Virtual Console.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask – The sequel to Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask appeared in 2000 for the N64 before getting a GameCube update in 2003. Of a similar quality to Ocarina of Time, it's a 3D feast for the eyes. However, in terms of gameplay, it's very different, involving Link taking on various characters via the mask in the game's title. When bundled together with Ocarina of Time, the two games mark a watershed in video gaming history, and every gamer should have a try. Thankfully, you can buy both on the Virtual Console for Wii and Wii U systems.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker – Skipping a few Gameboy Colour titles, Wind Waker appeared in 2003 for the Nintendo GameCube and was another masterpiece. This time, Link has to sail between a number of islands to defeat Ganon, descending into huge dungeons and exploring the islands' interior. It's a vast game, and it was re-released in an HD version for the Wii U in 2013.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess – 2006 saw Zelda arrive on the Wii in the form of the Twilight Princess. A huge success, the game sold over 8 million copies and helped to establish the new console with its tricky puzzles, huge game world and slick fighting system.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – Another classic Zelda edition, Skyward Sword debuted in 2011 for the Wii and saw Link navigate Hyrule by air, visiting new worlds and carrying out ever more complex quests. This time, combat was heavily dependent on the Wii's motion capture capabilities, lending a whole new element to the gameplay, and critics loved it.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Skyward Sword was a visual masterpiece, but there was one flaw: critics and players loved the quests and graphics, but they felt that it was a little restrictive. So Nintendo sought to free them with the next edition, doing so in spectacular fashion. Released in 2017 to coincide with the new Nintendo Switch console, Breath of the Wild may well have the largest gaming universe yet created. It allows players to take Link wherever they want (while leaving open the option of vanquishing Ganon to complete the game). It's also much more detailed. You can pick up all sorts of items from the world around you and use them for short periods. There's food to eat (and even a cooking system to turn raw ingredients into delicious nourishing meals) as well as elixirs that help to replenish Link's powers. Getting around is made easier by teleport points, while there's no shortage of side quests where Link can accumulate Koroks (seeds which expand his powers or carrying capacity). Overall, it's an immersive gaming experience like no other, and it's already ranked as one of the greatest of all time.
If you are thinking about purchasing Breath of the Wild and already possess a Wii U, you´ll be happy to learn that Nintendo have released the latest Zelda game for your console. However, there's also an argument for upgrading to a Switch. For one thing, the graphics in Breath of the Wild are designed to be seen on the Switch. There are times when the frame rate collapses on the Wii U, leading to jumpy footage. The sound and graphics resolution are also slightly inferior on the Wii U, but not drastically so. Basically, it's a tough call. The differences aren't a deal breaker for those who can't afford to upgrade their console, but if you've been considering it and have the resources set aside, you'll appreciate the better performance of the Nintendo Switch.
Over the years, the Legend of Zelda series has accumulated a massive archive of clothing, figurines, posters, comics and manga spin offs. Here are some popular options from the current batch of merchandise:
Clothing – Nintendo have created a stylish range of Hyrule-themed t-shirts and baseball caps (some featuring a heavily pixellated 1990s Link character). You can buy Link's trademark beanie hat or pick up a cosplay hoodie to create the perfect gaming festival outfit.
Amiibos – Amiibos are a big part of Nintendo's current strategy. These little figures include plenty of characters from the Zelda universe, including Bokoblins, archer Link and Guardians. But they aren't just figurines. They are designed to interact with the touchpoints on Wii U or Switch consoles, at which point they enter the game, unlocking new characters or vehicles for gamers to enjoy.
Keychains – Always a handy accessory to have, Zelda keychains allow you to keep your keys safe and advertise your RPG allegiance at the same time.
Figurines – Along with Amiibos, you can also buy plenty of high-quality Zelda figurines including classic characters from the Skyward Sword era and Breath of Time characters as well.
Bags – What better way to carry around your kit than a Legend of Zelda gym bag? Nintendo have also come up with wallets, backpacks and Zelda-themed pencil cases, which could be perfect gift ideas for young fans.
All of these merchandise items would make excellent gifts for Zelda lovers, but there may be some even better options to choose from at the Zelda HotUKDeals listings. For instance, the Hyrule Notebook offers maps and tips as well as a way to log player's progress. You can buy Legend of Zelda wall clocks, Breath of the Wild coffee mugs and even Zelda shot glasses and hip flasks (although it's not thought that Link is a drinker). Be creative and think outside the box – there's no end to the gifts that will keep fans happy.
If you want to save money on Breath of the Wild, that shouldn't be a problem. The first thing to do is decide which edition you want to shoot for. Remember that the game itself is the main attraction, and you can add Amiibos and other accessories separately if you become immersed in Hyrule.
Secondly, start hunting around for current deals. You can find plenty of discounts for the Standard Edition, both for Switch and Wii U, with retailers like GAME, Currys, Very, Coolshop and Amazon all offering savings. And there are also regular vouchers on offer from Nintendo as well, which can be redeemed digitally. If you want to buy the game as cheaply as possible, those digital deals are often the best way to go.
However, what if you don't have a Switch? In that case, you might want to buy Breath of the Wild alongside your next console. You'll find plenty of Zelda bundles at big discounts, which can kill two birds with one stone.
For those who want to explore the Zelda back catalogue, searching for Virtual Console deals is definitely a good idea. You'll often find Gold Points available at MyNintendo as well as Season Passes for Breath of the Wild. Building a library of every Zelda game should be within every gamer's reach if you shop smart.
Battling for the Triforce and the Master Sword is one of gaming's greatest experiences. If you have fond memories of playing Zelda as a child or you are buying Breath of the Wild for a child of your own, pick up all of the greatest Zelda titles for less at the HotUKDeals Zelda listings.
