Image via Nintendo

What’s the Best Traditional-Style 2D The Legend of Zelda Game?

The Siliconera staff has come together to determine the overall best traditional 2D The Legend of Zelda game of all time. From graphics to how well it holds up today to fond memories of playing it upon launch to combat to puzzles and even dungeons, it is hard to come up with the best.

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But with the upcoming release of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, it is now time to figure out the best traditional 2D game in the series in our staff members’ opinions.

Best Traditional 2D The Legend of Zelda Game
Image via Nintendo

Siliconera Speaks Up: What’s the Best 2D Zelda Game?

It’s impossible for me to choose since the top-down Zelda games are my favorites. I adore both Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, but the one I remember the most fondly is Link’s Awakening and it’s beautiful “Ballad of the Wind Fish” song. Special mention also goes to A Link Between Worlds and its experimental ideas with item rental and being able to complete dungeons in any order. — Daniel

I mean, I think I’m going to have to say The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. It really captured my heart and attention the first time I played it. The island had such personality to it, and it was so much fun to explore. Plus, it really helped me get into the genre on my first handheld system. — Jenni

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap will always stand out for me as my favorite “traditional” 2D-style Zelda game. The gorgeous cel-shaded art style still holds up so well today. While it was my first game in the series after Ocarina of Time, it still captures my heart with its novel dungeons, puzzles, and combat. The best part about it all is how it somehow made it all work on the severely limited controls of the GBA. — Cody

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom releases exclusively for Nintendo Switch on September 26, 2024.


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Author
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Cody Perez
Cody is a writer who has been sharing his love for video games and anime since his high school days in 2012. When he isn’t writing about the latest JRPGs and anime series, he can be found in Final Fantasy XIV, occasionally playing some Call of Duty, or lurking on Twitter @SoulcapCody.