Topic: Zelda - Where do I start?

Start with the CDi ones, they will make u appreciate the other ones more!

Play them cronologically.

Ocarina of Time. Not because it's necessarily the best, but because it's the definitive version of the Zelda tale in terms of story & gameplay in my view.

After that if you like the gameplay but want something with more of an edge to it, play Majora's Mask. If you enjoy Majora's Mask then move onto Link's Awakening.

If you enjoy Ocarina & the challenge is about right, then move onto Twilight Princess, and from thereon A Link to the Past.

Avoid the Capcom Zeldas, the cartoony Zeldas, (including Wind Waker which you have played) & the NES versions until you're firmly a fan of the series (which I think you will be!).

Only 1 person has mentioned Majora's Mask! It is an awesome game and I personally find it better than Ocarina of Time!

I also can't get into ALTTP. I guess I'm just too used to the 3D games to enjoy it!

I think that would be a poor choice for a start, I would play it after OoT.

Huh. Well, I'd argue that Twilight Princess offers the best pure Zelda experience. Some people think it's too similar to other titles in the series, but as you've never played other titles in the series that shouldn't be a problem. Wind Waker is my personal favorite, but the sailing and art style rub some the wrong way (it's also important to take into consideration that the people that feel this way are probably idiots). Ocarina of Time and Link to the Past are brilliant games, but if you're not into old-school games you might not appreciate them. I wouldn't recommend Majora's Mask until you're more familiar with the series (even though it is one of the greatest games of all time)

Adam does not lie. Ever. Except when he does. But this is not one of those times.

Thanks for the help guys

I strongly suggest you start with either A Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time. Both are available for only a few bucks in the Virtual Console and offer long and engaging quests. It just depends if you prefer 2D or 3D gameplay.

I started with Phantom Hourglass and found it great and an easy introduction to the series, but after playing TP, I found them to be quite different.

I started a similar thread a while ago. Ended up with "A Link to the Past", which is great! Though haven't played it for some time, shame! But as Rensch says, it probably depends on whether you like 2D og 3D gameplay the most.

Well, the first game I played was the original, but I was too young at the time to know what I was doing, even though I enjoyed myself. But, because of that experience it prompted me to play A Link to the Past when I got the chance. Like the original, I never did get too far in that game back in the day, but I thought it was ridiculously fun, which led me to playing Ocarina of Time. Ocarina of Time was the start of my Zelda obsession, but that was then, this is now. Twilight Princess improved on everything Ocarina of Time had, but it was criticized for being too much like Ocarina (is that a bad thing all of the sudden?)

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is: If I had started playing Zelda now, I think Twilight Princess would be the one to get me hooked on the series.

I agree with that. I was just saying that nobody had even mentioned the game at all.

No one has mentioned Wind Waker!

Maybe because he said he already played it in the first message ?

I recommend A Link to the Past. Fun game.

I am in the same situation as Storer, and I have 1600 Wii points currently. From reading this thread I think I will go for aLttP first, then play OoT. But to the people who say they could never get into aLttP- why?

I couldnt get into LttP... the only real reason was/is I played it after the 3D Zelda's and I played Link's Awakening on the GameBoy waaaay too much so the massive epicness of LttP daunted me. Plus Link's Pink Hair is disturbing.

So far eveyone has made some valid point about which game to start. Seriously, DON'T START WITH MAJORA'S MASK. That game, while great, is too polarizing for a Zelda novice. You may dislike it, or you may love it. (Personally, I thought it was a briliant game, second only to WW in its freshness, but I didn't savor it as much as the other main series.) Also, don't start with TP. Don't play TP until you have played OoT first or else you may spoil some of the fun of OoT.

I am eternally grateful I started with aLttP when I was a kid, and I would suggest you do the same. It helps to "gear your brain" on what to expect from a Zelda franchise.

He'res the order: aLttP > OoT > MM > TP > WW > PH > ST

EDIT: Of course, this will require a lot of time, specially since aLttP is so epic. If you want to find out quick if you like the "Zelda Flavor" you can also do what my girl just did and play PH first (Yeah, that Ocean King temple is repetitive, but other than that it was a great "Main-Zelda-Lite" game since it's shorter than the main series). It got her hooked to Zelda, and now she's got ST for Christmas and asked me to get WW for her so she can play after ST. She found aLttP to be too overwhelming at first so this "path" felt mor enatural.

If you want to play the older titles, you can put Zelda 1, 2 and Link's Awakening either before PH, or at the end.

didnt the free nes game offer expire on new years day?

lol, and keep him from playing another Zelda game ever.

A Link to the Past is an excellent start, as is Ocarina of Time, if you can stomach the outdated visuals.