Topic: Which Zelda game would you recommend for a first time zelda player..

I really want to start getting into the zelda games and don't know where to start.. I own A Switch lite and a 2DS, I have been eyeing Zelda links awakening on the switch i love the art style of that game it looks beautiful.. I also been thinking about getting breath of the wild but i don't know if that would be a good game to first start off with.. I also have been looking at the 3ds games aswell ive been eyeing A link between worlds on 3ds and that game is 30 dollars compared to 90 dollars for the switch titles.. Which game would you choose for a first time zelda player...

All the games are self contained and work equally as entry points.

The main difference will come between the top down (often called “2D”) and the full 3D titles. For example, Links Awakening vs Breath of the Wild. Those types of Zelda games play distinctly enough, with top down Zeldas being relatively easier to pick up and understand. So just pick one.

@Bmartin001 Although I do agree with @Eel that all games are more or less self-contained, there is a generally accepted chronological order in the games. In that respect, Link's Awakening would definitely be a good entry point, and because of it's relatively low difficulty, it's also a good place to start.

Breath of the Wild can be rather overwhelming for some, as a first time player, especially because it is a completely different kind of Zelda game, the first of its kind, actually, so if you're not already used to playing open world RPGs, then I would not recommend starting with that one.

A Link Between Worlds is another good place to start, and it actually ties into A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening.

A Link Between Worlds is my favorite in the Zelda series. If you subscribe to NSO, you have access to A Link to the Past for SNES you can play for free, is my second favorite. Link's Awakening is good, but not as good as the previous two I mentioned. And Breath of the Wild is my least favorite in the series.

The weapon durability turned me off the game.

Just keep in mind that 2D and 3D Zelda games can feel very differently. The general gameplay concepts are the same, but some prefer one over the other. And then there's Breath of the Wild, if you're into Minecraft, you'll like that one.

@Bmartin001 Well, there's 5 different Zelda sub-series in terms of how they play:
Topdown 2D - These are games from an overhead perspective, with classic puzzle filled dungeons and huge world maps to explore. Typically these titles offer you significant amounts of freedom on how to proceed. The new Link's Awakening remake is probably the best entry point there, as it's very newcomer friendly. A Link to the Past / A Link Between Worlds are probably the best
Sidescrolling 2D - As it sounds, it's a sidescroller along the lines of Megaman, but with RPG elements Adventures of Link is the only game in this style, and it's... rough to play these days.
2.5D - There's two games of this subtype (Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks), both on DS only. I'd recommend Spirit Tracks, but it's generally a relatively ignored subtype
Classic 3D - These are all the 3D titles through Wii (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword). Ocarina of Time 3D is probably the best entry point for it's simplicity. These games are relatively linear in their design, requiring (or at least intending to require) you to proceed through each area in order as you unlock it, having massive dungeons, and tons of items to collect.
Modern 3D - Only one entry here, BotW. Ditches the items to collect aspect in exchange for giving you everything early on and letting you go whichever way you want.
There's also quite a few spinoff games (Cadence of Hyrule, Hyrule Warriors, Tri-Force Heroes) that each have their own styles.

For all intents and purposes each of these is it's own series that you may or may not like. The good news is, Breath of the Wild is basically a fresh start for the series, though you'll find no other Zelda games like it (yet) if you choose that one.

Save money and get either A Link Between Worlds or Ocarina of Time on the 2DS. Both are brilliant games. Both are simple enough to start with too.

For price wise the 2DS game as you can find them cheaper but BoTW for the lite for a all new experience on a totally different console. But my advice would've get the Standard Switch and enjoy the full TV effect. It cost more but worth every penny of it.

I would recommend A Link to the Past for 2D Zelda (available on Switch Online and 3DS eShop) and Ocarina of Time for 3D Zelda (available on 3DS). With either of those two, I would say you're not only getting the best, but also the purest most quintessential Zelda experience.

For the respective 2 different types of Zelda games -

2D - Either A Link to the Past or the Links Awakening remake (And following these if you like them, A Link Between Worlds which actually is a sequel to ALttP)

3D - Ocarina of Time or BotW. These are very different experiences though. BotW is modern, with very open world gamplay. OoT is far more linear, but also has the more traditional dungeons gameplay and more in line with what people think of when they think of Zelda games. After these, Wind Waker and then Twilight Princess and Majoras Mask.

Overall, Links Awakening would be a great starter game. Its very easy on the eyes, not too difficult and really a fun game.

2DS
3D-Ocarina of Time is arguably the best video game ever released, and I strongly recommend it. If you have to get one, get OoT 3D.
2D- A Link Between Worlds, hands down. If you're looking for an entry level Zelda this is your best bet. Being a Nintendo Select, it's actually $20 right now.

Switch
3D- BotW. End of discussion.
2D- A Link to the Past is my favorite Zelda of all time, and is free to all NSO users, so if you don't feel like dropping much cash, go for this one.

All in all, getting the 3 games that aren't BotW combined will cost you less, so I'd recommend choosing one of those 3. If you're looking for a time sink, though, BotW is the right choice. Then again, you can't really make a wrong choice when buying a Zelda game. (except Triforce Heroes)

Thanks for the replies everyone i greatly appreciate it, ultimately i have finaly decided to go with A Link between worlds on the 3DS.. I think that would be a good starting point, Plus i heard it's one of the easier Zelda games, Perfect for a first timer.. Thank you all

@Bmartin001 good starting point. You wont be disappointed and it's relatively easier than other zelda games. It's a favorite of mine. After that you should play A link to the past on NSO

@NintendoByNature I'll deff check that out

@Bmartin001 You're welcome. Glad we could help.

Breath of the Wild is not even a Zelda game in my opinion so I'd recommend Ocarina of Time 3D which was the first I played (on N64). After having played all (except those weird CDi games) I still believe that Ocarina of Time is the best telling the story and also the only one that is round and perfect in every single way.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link............nah, just kidding!

Personally, I'd recommend A Link to the Past. It was the first Zelda game I've played and I got into it pretty well, as it's nowhere near as cryptic as, say, the first Zelda game on NES. (Plus ALttP is my favorite Zelda game!) Ocarina of Time and Link's Awakening are also good choices for a first Zelda game.

@Bmartin001 I should've read your reply before I posted lol. Yeah A Link Between Worlds is a good starting point too, that's a fantastic game too

maybe Ocarina of Time on 2ds

Link's awakening wouldn't be a bad choice for a first Zelda game. It wasn't my first but it did make me a fan. The original two were just brutal with the difficulty and though i did play a Link to the past it didn't grip me the way Link's awakening did. Something about it just made the game hard to put down!