Topic: What is the best Zelda game for newcomers?

I've always wanted to be a big zelda fan, but I never grew up with the series. I've beaten zelda ocarina of time 3D, and I've almost beaten Wind Waker, but I just don't feel that these games are huge "masterpieces". I respect what they've done, but they just don't seem perfect to me. They're both fun, but I feel that something story wise, or just SOMETHING is missing. So what zelda games would you recommend for me to try then?

Well, Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker are my favorites, so uh...

Seriously though, if you're looking for more story, maybe Skyward Sword. It's probably the most deeply written Zelda story to date.

Zelda games tend to focus more on storytelling and presentation than actual story itself, if that makes sense. Fairy tales tend to be pretty simple and straightforward, but you combine it with superb storytelling and you have something very engaging and timeless. Folk stories that are hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of years old are still getting popular movie adaptations.

Story telling is something the Zelda games have always been lacking but why force yourself to become a fan of something in the first place though?

You could try Skyward Sword or A Link To The Past to see if you enjoy them but gameplay wise (apart from the horrible fetch and sail missions!) I'd rate Wind Waker as the best Zelda game. There is also Hyrule Warriors that is coming out soon which is a different type of Zelda you may enjoy.

You've missed the boat to consider Ocarina or Wind Waker masterpieces because games have surpassed them in the 17 and 10 years since they were released. Nearly every feature of those games that you've played in another game originated in those games.

I would say A Link to the Past is the best starter. It's more difficult than most of the 3D ones (except Majora's mask) but easy enough to play through casually. The story is a standard Zelda story but starts off in the middle of the action and spares you a painful 3hr tutorial.

You should start with the Original. Start there, then go in chronological order.

I think that's more likely to put people off Zelda games than encourage them imo.

I would say Twilight Princess is one of the best places to start. It has a good feel of the older games but with the more modern improvements, the only thing is the story is darker then most zelda titles but I think it gives the best sense of the franchise. Skyward sword while good, I only say no to because of the sword play as it's only present in that version of zelda.

Well, Wind Waker is my favourite game in the series and I usually tell people to start on Ocarina of Time.... sooooooooo......

Skyward Sword was the last 3D installment in the series, so I guess that'd be a good one to look into. It definitely has the strongest story out of them all. The game itself feels very linear though. When I first played it, I felt like I was almost always walking in a direct path. I didn't get stuck on any puzzles either. Zelda games are not really story driven games, so don't expect any Eisner Award winning stuff.

You can get a copy of Twilight Princess on the Wii fairly cheaply nowadays as well. The gamecube version is a little more expensive (but in my opinion, it's the better version between the two). I find that game to be terribly boring though (bring on the hate!). Though you might think differently.

If you want to try out the top down/2D games, then I would suggest a Link to the Past and a Link Between Worlds.

Wind Waker and Ocarina of Time are my favourites an all. Maybe you don't connect with just the 3D Zeldas?
In which case try Link's Awakening. It's brilliant, and I preferred it to the Oracles, Minish Cap and A Link Between Worlds. Obviously the first two Zeldas aren't too accessible.

I would first try the Toon Link adventures. Minish Cap is alright. Decent puzzles and good dungeons. After that, move on to Ocarina of time and then you'll get into Twilight Princess. Twilight Princess you'll definatelly love.

You're making the mistake of starting with the 3D Zelda's. Most of those are terrible and worse than the 2D ones. >:3
Seriously though; Minish Cap.

Ok, there's no ready answer for this, but I'll set some guidelines to help you out.

1) DO NOT start with either of NES games. They're very difficult and extremely hit or miss, ESPECIALLY Zelda II.

2) Link's Awakening is a great game that I sincerely suggest you try, eventually, but not first. The Oracle games fit here, too.

3) Majora's Mask is potentially the best Zelda game ever, but its also thick, if it loses you, it usually doesn't ever pick you back up. Start here, if you're as stubborn and thick-headed as I am. Otherwise, probably try this later.

4) The DS games may be a good place to start, if you want to really appreciate analog sticks, afterwards.

5) After this, your left with a ton of great choices. LttP and OoT arewhere a LOT of fans started. By that virtue, Twilight Princess is also a great place to start. Wind Waker just got a lovely HD remake for Wii U and is a large amount of the fan base's pick for best Zelda game ever. A phenomenal place to start for most players.

Link's Awakening and Ocarina of Time are probably the epitome for the Zelda as they made the formula that the other console/Handheld games would use most of the series. For something a tad bit more modern try Wind Waker HD and The Minish Cap.

Probably OOT 3D.

Skyward Sword probably. I loved it. It's fairly linear, but not in a bad way. And it's story is top notch, and its controls are very unique and fun.

First off, no game is perfect. Masterpiece is not something that is perfect, but something that is largely considered a great achievement for its time. Many of the Zelda games, especially A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, and even the original Zelda can be considered great games that excelled where many had failed prior, while introducing many new elements that have ultimately benefited gaming as a whole. Sure, I could list a laundry list of flaws for all of them, but every game has its areas that it can be improved, and personally I'd say none of their problems compare to the games that came before them.

Secondly, if you want a Zelda with more story, Majora's Mask is your game. Easily the best writing in the series, and It's one of only two games I know of where it feels like the side quests actually matter.

Then again, I'm not exactly sure why people keep saying Skyward Sword has a good story. The story is more focused upon, but if anything, that's more of its problem. It focused more on the characters, but the characters themselves weren't really that interesting. It focused more on the plot when the plot itself wasn't much more interesting than in previous games. I suppose the dialogue and lore were...okay, but I dunno, I kinda liked it when there was less dialogue and most of the lore was left to your imagination.

I don't think it deserves a free pass for having the most amount of story and characterization, either since Majora's Mask was heavily story focused, yet it created much more interesting characters and stories, as well as memorable dialogue, while still leaving enough to the imagination to keep people talking about it for well over a decade.

I have played every Zelda game since the NES (other than skyward sword)... my favorite is Twilight Princess... Gonna buy Skyward Sword soon.

I started off with OoT. So well, to me it's a good starting point.

If OoT and WW didn't reel you in, then maybe you just don't love the genre? If you just like it, it's fine, don't force yourself into loving it because you think you're missing out. A LOT of people love the series (myself included), but maybe you just don't fall into that category?