Legend Of Zelda: 8 Best Games For Beginners (2024)

The Legend of Zelda remains as one of the most popular and beloved series to emerge from Nintendo, taking players on journeys through vast kingdoms, pitting them against intimidating monsters, and encouraging them to save princesses. First released in 1986, the series has enjoyed years of success, offering new and fantastic adventures that remain faithful to the formula laid out in the debut game while also implementing some new additions to prevent the titles from becoming stale.

Normally given E for Everyone ratings, one would think that the games in The Legend of Zelda series would be pretty accessible in terms of difficulty, but this is not always the case. There are several Zelda titles that can prove to be quite challenging, even for those who have been playing them for years. For those looking for more beginner-friendly Zelda experiences, however, there are quite a few options to choose from.

8 The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Puzzles And Combat Alike Won't Strain Gamers

One of the darker Zelda games is also one of the easiest. In this title, another dimension known as the Twilight Realm is slowly overtaking the Kingdom of Hyrule, and the fate of the land once more falls to Link. This time, he has a few new tools available to him, such as his wolf form that is bestowed upon him in the Twilight Realm. He also has a new companion, Midna, to offer help and a few snide remarks throughout the journey.

Despite the overall darker themes, Twilight Princess is not an overly difficult game. In fact, it is actually quite simple when compared to other titles in the series. Players will be able to navigate dungeons with ease, defeat bosses without breaking too much of a sweat, and the puzzles aren't quite the brain-teasers fans of The Legend of Zelda might be expecting. Even when playing the Wii version and using motion controls, the combat remains beginner-friendly.

7 The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Motion Controls Work In The Player's Favor

Skyward Sword was another Zelda title released for the Wii. It started on a floating island above the clouds before Link would make his inevitable plunge into the old, abandoned kingdom below and battle with forces of evil to save the land and his best friend, Zelda. It is the first game in the timeline, detailing the inception of the Master Sword and featuring the very first incarnation of Link chronologically.

The game made full use of the Wii's motion controls. Whichever angle players would slash with the Wii mote was rather accurately portrayed on-screen, making gamers feel as though they were Link themselves. The game also registered the movements of the nunchuk, which was used to bring up a shield. This makes it sound like the game could be difficult to get to grips with, but any player vaguely familiar with the Wii would find that the intuitive controls actually work to make combat a breeze.

6 The Legend Of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

A Simple Yet Fun Experience

Phantom Hourglass marked Zelda's return to handheld consoles after earlier titles such as Minish Cap. Here, Toon Link makes his return. Set after the events of Wind Waker, in which Link and Tetra return, the title sees them sailing the seas in their boat until they encounter a ghost ship. Their peaceful sea-faring adventure devolves into another onerous one for Link as he must track down the ship and save his friend.

Making use of both DS's screens, Phantom Hourglass might seem intimidating to play at first, but the controls are very easy to quickly get to grips with, and players will find this game won't challenge them too much. The most tricky parts of Phantom Hourglass are the mini-games, but with most things in gaming, practice eventually makes perfect.

5 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

An Approachable Open-World

The modern Zelda titles, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, have completely shaken up the Legend of Zelda formula, exchanging the more linear style of gameplay for an open-world experience. Players are now free to roam the map and go wherever they please, completing side missions, defeating optional bosses, and taking the time to craft rather than just going from point to point without much in the way of optional content.

For old-school fans, the change can be a little daunting, but to those new to the Zelda franchise, they are probably used to open-world games thanks to how common they are in the industry. As such, most players can probably dive into Tears of the Kingdom with no problems. Couple that with the plethora of online guides, tips, and forums players can use while playing the game, they will probably find Tears of the Kingdom one of the most beginner-friendly Zelda games available.

4 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D

Features A Linear Plot, Straightforward Dungeons, And Relatively Easy Bosses

Ocarina of Time is one of the most popular and beloved titles in the Legend of Zelda series, and as such, it was no surprise that it received a remake in 2011. The story documents Link's fight against Ganondorf's reign over Hyrule, following him as he utilizes time travel mechanics in order to gain access to different areas and unlock new abilities.

As most Zelda fans would have played Ocarina of Time previously, they would likely already have knowledge of its 3D counterpart and would know where to go and be familiar with tactics that make combat easier. Still, even those delving into Zelda for the first time shouldn't find too much of a struggle here, with the game featuring a linear plot and mostly straightforward bosses.

3 The Legend Of Zelda: Wind Waker

The Refined Controls Make Combat Much More Beginner-Friendly

The first appearance of Toon Link was somewhat divisive to start with, as fans didn't know what to think of the cartoonish approach to Zelda. In time, it found its audience, as fans grew to love this cutesy outing across the seas, which followed Link as he sought to rescue his kidnapped sister.

Players would travel from island to island, gaining new items and delving into new dungeons, but never once would they feel as though they were swimming out of their depth. The combat controls were refined to make the game feel that much more simple, and the numerous tools at Link's disposal allowed him to defeat enemies in a variety of ways. New fans will find Wind Waker to be one of the best entry points in the Zelda series, especially if they are looking for a relatively stress-free experience.

2 The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

A More Streamlined Reimagining Of A Classic Title

Another Zelda title to be released for the 3DS, A Link Between Worlds serves as somewhat of a reimagining of an older Zelda title from the 90s, A Link to the Past. Though it largely remains similar to this classic title of yore, there are some divergences in terms of the story and the dungeons, but it takes place in the same world that old players will recognize.

But what mostly sets these two titles apart is the difficulty, as A Link Between Worlds is a much more streamlined and friendly experience, making it a great game for Zelda newbies. The puzzles don't provide too much of a challenge, and the combat encounters (including the boss fights) aren't overly difficult either. A Link Between Worlds is one of the best options for Zelda fans looking for a story-focused experience.

1 The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap

The Final Boss Is The Only Thing That Presents A Real Challenge

One of the few Zelda games to be handled by another major game studio was The Minish Cap, which Capcom was responsible for developing. Fans of Capcom are likely aware of the many challenging games in the developer's library, such as Contra or classic Resident Evil titles, both of which are infamous for frustrating players and forcing them to look up guides for help.

Perhaps it was because they were handling another studio's IP, but The Minish Cap was surprisingly easy. Most of the game would be a breeze for players to get through, and it would only be when they reached the last boss that they would find much of a challenge. It's arguably the easiest Zelda game available for gamers to check out, making it a great entry point in the series for those looking for a relaxing experience.