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The Legend of Zelda franchise has multiple titles and remasters in its collection. But how does each Switch version rank according to the critics?
The Legend of Zelda franchise is one of Nintendo’s flagship franchises and has enjoyed dozens of titles since its debut in 1986. The company’s current console, the Nintendo Switch, has received a variety of Zelda games from ports and remakes to entirely new experiences. But with so many entries available, how do all of them rank?
While all Zelda games have their merits and drawbacks, looking at how each one was received by critics at launch can help fans decide what to play next. This article will rank all of The Legend of Zelda games released for Nintendo Switch (minus those available through Nintendo Switch Online), averaging critic scores from the Internet Games Database and Metacritic.
6. Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition – 76.5/100
Hyrule Warriors was initially released for the Wii U in 2014 and followed a story that exists outside of The Legend of Zelda timeline. In the game, Ganondorf splits his soul into multiple parts and plots to return to continue his rampage. It’s up to Link, Zelda and other characters from throughout franchise’s long history to stop him.
As its title indicates, the game uses a Dynasty Warriors approach featuring hordes of enemies and hack-and-slash combat. While the game suffers from the genre’s repetitive gameplay, its fan service makes the experience worthwhile. A Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch released in 2017, containing all of original’s DLC.
5. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity – 79/100
Thanks to the initial success of the first Hyrule Warriors, a sequel released in 2020 titled Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Maintaining its predecessor’s style, this game sets itself apart by having a narrative that actually fits into the series’ canon. Set 100 years before the events of Breath of the Wild, Age of Calamity follows Link and the many battles to stop Calamity Ganon. Its setting helped draw more fans in, giving them a chance to learn about the world Link lived in before his century-long slumber. While it does suffer from some performance and gameplay issues, Age of Calamity was received slightly better than the previous Hyrule Warriors game.
4. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD – 82/100
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was initially released for the Wii in 2011. Acting as a prequel to the entire franchise, Skyward Sword follows Link and Zelda as they form the Triforce and create the kingdom of Hyrule. Though praised for its story, critics were originally split on its reliance on motion controls. However, the Switch remaster added button controls while keeping the original approach as an option. While this was seen as an improvement, as a remasters, Skyward Sword HD did little to address some of the other issues that have made this game the most divisive in the entire Zelda series.https://www.cbr.com/zelda-skyward-sword-hd-review-roundup/
3. Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda – 83.5/100
Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda is an exciting 2019 crossover with the indie title Crypt of the NecroDancer. The game features the character Cadence crossing over into the Zelda universe, and its gameplay combines the indie game’s rhythm-based combat with remixes of classic Zelda songs. There’s also a brand new story and villain that involves Link and Cadence working together to find instruments to defeat the new enemy. The blend of both games helped improve on the unique mechanics and also gave longtime The Legend of Zelda fans a new way to enjoy the series’ iconic music and characters.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – 87.5/100
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was initially released in 1993 for the Game Boy. The Switch version was released in 2019 and took elements of the original game and its 1998 re-release to create a totally new experience. While maintaining the original’s top-down view, the Switch remake of Link’s Awakening has a unique art-style. Each character has a toy-like design, and locations resemble miniature dioramas. However, the cartoony look doesn’t detract from Link’s Awakening‘s many secrets and perils. The remake not only perfects the game for the modern age, but it also improves on other aspects to make it the best way to experience Link’s Awakening.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 97.5/100
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild revolutionized the series when it debuted as a Nintendo Switch launch title. Following a new version of Link who wakes up after 100 years to a world where Calamity Ganon’s influence is growing, players have near total freedom to explore and developer their skills as they prepare to take down this deadly enemy. Along the way, they’ll also uncover information on who Link was and how the world fell to its current state.
Breath of the Wild released to near-universal acclaim in 2017, with critics and fans alike praising the level of control they were given in how they could use Link’s skills and interact with the environment. It’s also a visual and gameplay marvel that utilizes innovative physics-based powers that shine bright in the cell-shaded environment. Since the game is separated from the previous installment, it’s also an excellent start for new fans of The Legend of Zelda.
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