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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is still months away, which means this is the perfect time to play other games from the series in preparation, especially if you saw the remake trailer, are interested in the game, and haven't had the chance to experience any Zelda games yet. If you're already a fan of the franchise, then anytime is the perfect time to play a Zelda game.
Ocarina of Time was the first Zelda game to be 3D, so the other 3D games feel more fitting to play in preparation. From options that ease you into the series with a focus on exploration to those that send you through grueling dungeons, there's a Zelda game for every type of player.
Link's Awakening
It Was All a Dream
Recently remade and ready to be played on the Switch, Link's Awakening is one of the Zelda games that doesn't take place in Hyrule, or even in a location that's connected to Hyrule. While the remake is polished and modern, the original 1993 version of the game still holds up surprisingly well.
Link's Awakening puts you on Koholint Island and lets you get to know the inhabitants as you collect the musical instruments needed to play the Ballad of the Wind Fish to wake it up. This game has all the features of a classic story with a charming island setting that's a refreshing experience before heading into Hyrule as the Hero of Time.
Breath of the Wild
An Open-World Zelda Experience
Breath of the Wild is the most beginner-friendly game in the series. The open world encourages exploration, and you can choose how much side content you want to do, or if you just want to do a dungeon rush and get to the end.
Some players prefer the style of BotW over the classic Zelda format because it doesn't have dungeons that are as long and puzzle-filled. It's a more forgiving format, which makes it perfect for anyone interested in the series looking to try a game before committing to the OoT remake.
Tears of the Kingdom
A Follow-Up With Added Physics
The direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, can be played alone, but it makes more sense in the context of BotW. TotK takes the exploration of BotW, adds more to the map as you can explore the Sky and Depths as well, and gives you an insane physics system to mess with.
The physics system is actually key to getting through the game, as many puzzles require you to use Link’s new ability to fuse items together in order to create structures and vehicles. It offers a lot of creativity for problem-solving, and it's simply fun to play with.
Phantom Hourglass
The Overlooked Sequel to Wind Waker
That's right, Phantom Hourglass is a direct sequel to Wind Waker, but because it was released for the Nintendo DS, it ends up being overlooked in favor of Zelda games that were released on standard consoles rather than handheld ones. Having saved Hyrule once, Link and Tetra set sail for a new adventure.
Since Phantom Hourglass has a more contained plot, you could play it without playing any other Zelda games first, including Wind Waker. Link and Tetra end up finding a ghost ship, and when Tetra tries to help, the ship vanishes with her on board. The biggest drawback is that the controls for the DS Zelda games can be frustrating at times, but the overall experience is still fun.
Spirit Tracks
Disembodied Zelda is so Useful
I loved Spirit Tracks as a kid, and it was the only Zelda game I had for my Nintendo DS. While it's technically a sequel to Phantom Hourglass, it's not as direct as a sequel, being set a century after the events of that game. Instead, it's more like the next point in the timeline because enough time has passed that it's its own game.
While Link being a train conductor is useful for traveling around Hyrule, the highlight of Spirit Tracks is Ghost Zelda, who travels with you and leads you through the game with the goal of getting her spirit back into her body. Her ability to possess certain enemies makes her a powerful ally, and adds a fun mechanic to the overall gameplay experience.
Skyward Sword
The Story that Begins it All
Skyward Sword is set at the beginning of the timeline, and it takes place before Hyrule is even established as a kingdom. This is the first incarnation of Link and Zelda, and it's fascinating to see how they handle their journey without the legends that can be somewhat helpful in other games.
Skyward Sword is also where characters started receiving more depth, and Link and Zelda had an established friendship prior to the start of the game that makes the journey both more emotional and compelling. Like Ocarina of Time, you have a blend of adventure, the wonder of exploration, and the danger of a new villain trying to scheme against you.
Twilight Princess
A Darker Hyrule
Twilight Princess is one of the Zelda games that divides fans. Some people love it, but others hate it. It has a darker tone that's similar to Majora's Mask, which is fitting because it takes place after Majora's Mask in the timeline. Having to switch between being a human and a wolf changes how you approach different areas, but it's great when you figure out how to use Midna's targeting to defeat multiple enemies in one go.
I enjoyed Twilight Princess, but I found some of its dungeons to be forgettable. However, Midna is a fun companion and seeing a darker version of Hyrule where Zelda proves why she's such a competent ruler are the memorable moments that stay with you.
Wind Waker
More Sea than Land
Wind Waker is set in a version of Hyrule that has long since flooded with the intention of protecting Hyrule at the bottom of the water. This means that traveling around the map requires a boat, and you have to shift the direction of the wind as needed to get where you need to be.
Wind Waker is a fan-favorite game in the series, and its design is unique enough to set it apart while maintaining the pieces that make it feel like it belongs in the franchise. This is a game that should be in line for a remake, not just another HD remaster, even though the gameplay and graphics hold up fairly well.
Majora's Mask
Link's Terrible Fate
The direct sequel to Ocarina of Time in one of the timelines, Majora’s Mask is the most unusual game in the franchise. It feels like a horror game that hasn't fully committed to being a horror, but it keeps the iconic features of the Zelda series intact at the same time.
As the game that comes after OoT, Majora's Mask seems like the most likely option to get a remake next. It's my personal favorite entry in the series, and it's such a unique experience compared to the rest of the franchise that it's worth trying at least once, especially if you enjoy horror games.
Ocarina of Time
The Original Version
Naturally, the original Ocarina of Time is the perfect option to play while waiting for the remake. The port for the 3DS is more polished than the original, but the Nintendo 64 version holds up surprisingly well given its age. Then, you also have the option of the Master Quest version, which I hope is available in the remake, too.
Playing through Ocarina of Time for the first time or the hundredth time right before the remake is released will help you spot what's changed and what hasn't in the remake. Depending on how the puzzles and dungeons might be different in the remake, the original game could prepare you by refreshing your memory of the solutions.
If you've never played a Zelda game, this is the perfect time to get started. Each game has something unique to offer, and you can jump into any game that you feel suits your tastes without worrying too much about missing out on context, because they're all able to stand alone. Then, you'll be ready for the next adventure when the remake for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is released.
