What's the best order to play Zelda console games?

I first played Legend of Zelda on the Classic NES 20 years ago. Back in the spring of 1988, just out of college, I would stay up all night playing until exhausted. It was my roommate’s system, so I never owned one. Fast forward to present day: I overheard some “young” colleagues in the software department at work talking about Zelda. I pined nostalgically to play the game again. Thinking I would never see it again, they told me about the original LoZ for Gamecube (Collector’s Edition). I bought the GC and game and felt like a kid again! I got married late in life, and now have a son of my own, so I’m busily buying up as many older GC Zelda games as I can (I had no idea there were so many new games since 1988!). He’s only 2 years old, but I want to him to enjoy playing the game as much as I do.

I’ve recently purchased CE (with LoZ, ZII-AoL, OoT, MM); WW, FSA, OoT (Master Quest), and TP. I’ve about worn out the LoZ, and I think it’s the best Zelda game ever (since it’s the only one I’ve played!)

My question is: In which order should I play the games I have purchased for the GC????

I’m guessing that chronologically by release date would be one option, but I’m hoping with your gift of hindsight at ZU, that someone who has played all these games could suggest to me a logical order to play them. For example, are the controls going to progressively get harder? Do I need to know something in an earlier game for a later game to make sense?

Sorry this is so long! Thanks!

I would play Ocarina of Time first. No particular reason other than it's the first one I played, and IMO the best. I'm sure plenty of people will agree and disagree with me
The others, I would say it doesn't matter too much. Depends what you're after out of a game really...

EDIT: Yes! First post

I would play them in order. I fond TP and WW to be the best though.

College? In 1988?? Whoa, someone older than me on these boards!

Anyway, I noticed one glaring omission from your list: LttP. That game set the standard for the Zelda series and is a must for anyone who will become a fan!

At any rate, I think order of publication would work best because at least visually (and a teeny bit gameplay-wise, as well as story-wise), one builds on the other. I'd go like this:
LoZ -> AoL -> LttP -> OoT -> OoT:MQ -> MM -> (FSA) -> TP

I put FSA in italics because gameplay-wise and story-wise, it's so radically different from the others it might be better just to separate it off and play it last, as like a tack-on or afterthought or something.

Are you planing to get the hand-held Zelda games?

Wow! Thanks everyone for the quick replies!

Master Jedi: I wasn't planning to get the hand-held games since I don't have the system. My little guy will probably want the gameboy when he gets older! (or the DS, or whatever is out then)

Rew: Yes, I admit.... I'm a pretty old Zelda fans. It's scary to think some ZU folks weren't around when the first LoZ came out!

FluidConcept: Thanks.... I've read many reviews on OoT, and many think it is the best.

What's "FSA"?

Four Swords Adventures

I say this order:
LoZ-AoL-OOT-LTTP-LA-OOT(MQ)-MM-WW-TP

Thanks again for all the replies. The consensus seems to favor the chronological order by release date. By the way, a few of you mentioned LttP. Do you know if this is available for GC? If not, what type of system would I need to buy? I'm guessing the famous online auction site (am I allowed to say the four letter name.....eB**? --- I don't want to break forum rules!) may have older systems available.

Originally Posted by Gregg

Thanks again for all the replies. The consensus seems to favor the chronological order by release date. By the way, a few of you mentioned LttP. Do you know if this is available for GC? If not, what type of system would I need to buy? I'm guessing the famous online auction site (am I allowed to say the four letter name.....eB**? --- I don't want to break forum rules!) may have older systems available.

There are also local used game stores that buy and sell videogames: They have used older consoles usually in piles in the back room, and sell them really cheap. The question is: Can you find a copy of the game?

As for the order to play the Zelda games? Really, if you own a Zelda game right now... just go to town and play it. You don't need a specific order. You don't need to play OOT first, or ALTTP first. You don't need to start at any one specific game.

All I will say is, don't start with LOZ,AOL, or LA. I only say that because they may turn new gamers or fans of the series completely off from the series. TP will immerse most newer people to the series severely.

In the end though, just play whatever is readily available to you. I keep seeing you mention GC, so I assume you have a Cube. If that's the case, starting with TWW or Twilight Princess is not a bad choice. You can even get OOT: Master Quest for the cube as well, but it is harder to find. So, don't worry about getting older consoles and going on the search for a good working copy of the game. Just start with what you have, and go from there.

Thanks for the advice Nathan! I'm actually an older gamer who got started with the original LoZ just out of college. Now, with a young son of my own, I've already purchased numerous Zelda games for us to play as he gets older. I've purchased copies of Collector Edition (LoZ, AoL, OoT, and MM). I've also purchased WW, OoT (MQ), TP, and FSA. (Yes, I only have the cube). I know (and like very much) the original LoZ since its the only one I've played. I was looking for advice to play all the above mentioned games with regard to difficulty of play, information that I need from one game to the next, etc. Or, I'll simply play them chronologically by release date.

LA - OoT - TP . Those are all you need to play

Originally Posted by FluidConcept

I would play Ocarina of Time first. No particular reason other than it's the first one I played, and IMO the best. I'm sure plenty of people will agree and disagree with me
The others, I would say it doesn't matter too much. Depends what you're after out of a game really...

I agree .

Although I've only played Oot, MM, FSA, WW, and TP so I wouldn't know about the rest. From what I've played I would say Oot then MM, then the rest you can play in whatever order. I played WW first but thats just cause it came out first.

Weeell, seeing as you played LoZ first, I would go for this.

LttP (Link to the Past) - FSA (Four Swords Adventures) - OoT (Ocarina of Time) - TP (Twilight Princess) - MM (Majora's Mask) - WW (Wind Waker) - PH (Phantom Hourglass) - MC (Minish Cap) - LA (Link's Awakening) - OoX (Oracle of Ages/Seasons) - AoL (Adventure of Link)

FSA is right after LttP because it's one of the most recent 2-D games, plus it has a LOT that is similer to LttP.
OoT is next because it was the first 3-D game. TP after that becuase it is AWSOME plus it is really similer to OoT. MM next because it is so diffrent, but in a really good way. WW after that becuase it is similer to MM, and also very diffrent. PH after that, because it is the direct sequel to WW. Then MC, because is is also similer to WW in graphics and characters and stuff. LA and OoX next, because... they are awsome also. Then AoL last because it's damn hard and frustrating. >.>

Glad to see your carrying on the tradition of Zelda loving! =) Good luck, good sir!

And E-Bay isn't against the rules. =)

Oh ya and also if your want to play with your son I suggest FSA to play two player, I played it with my friend and it was pretty fun. Its not the greatest game but I loved the two player feature.

Don't play MM until you've beaten OoT, since it's the sequel

FS - OoS/A - PH - tMC - aLttP - (LA) for the handhelds, from least till best, with the exception of LA, which comes after aLttP because it is a sequel.

Then, I'd go tWW-TP-OoT-MM for 3Ders, which will take you from least till best.

Next, LoZ - AoL for the classics. The first, and then it's sequel.

FSA is the odd one out, and the one I'd try last.

I think that is the best order in which to experience Zelda games.

Definatley play them in order. Ocarina of Time -> Majora's Mask -> Wind Waker -> Twilight Princess.

Don't worry about FSA and the rest till later.

So... did you just forget about Zelda for 20 years? lol

Thanks to everyone & your input as to the best order to play the console games! I look forward to playing each one of them. I know it seems strange to stop playing for 20 years, but I always longed to play the original LoZ again, but knew it was impossible (until the Collector's Edition came out for the GC). I suppose I could have hunted down an old NES console and an old LoZ cartridge, but I never researched it until I overheard my colleagues at work talking about Zelda.

One input that I can give to everyone is that as a Dad now, looking forward to teaching my son the game, I can tell you that the thrill of playing the game is just the same as when I was young! This means that you'll be enjoying Zelda at least into your 40's!!!!