The Legend of Zelda Games N64 and Beyond

[BurningDoom]

I'm a HUGE fan of the 2D Legend of Zelda entries. LoZ: A Link to the Past on SNES is an absolute masterpiece of gaming with the original Legend of Zelda on NES right behind it. I even liked Zelda II, it's one of my favorite NES games. All the Game Boy, GBC, & GBA entries are fantastic as well, IMO.

The thing is, when I got to Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, I just couldn't that far into it before getting outright bored. I've tried to a few different times through the years. It doesn't have that same sense of freedom and exploration that I got from 2D games. And I don't like how cutesy-looking a lot of it got.

So I'm wondering if I should waste my money with the other 3D entries. I figure I'd likely not like Majora's Mask since from what I've heard it's pretty much a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time. But maybe I'd like WindWaker or Twilight Princess. Thing is, Zelda games aren't exactly easy on the wallet and I don't want to spend the money if it's similar to Ocarina of Time.

So would an old-school Zelda fan like myself enjoy the other Zelda games after Ocarina of Time, or not?

[Xeogred]

To be blunt probably not. Wind Waker might be your only bet, even though it's one of the easiest Zelda games ever (my big complaint about it) and riddled with fetch quests, but MM as you guessed is like an extension of OoT, and TP is just really similar to OoT in a lot of ways without really bringing anything new to the table (was still a fan myself).

And I don't like how cutesy-looking a lot of it got.

Dunno where you're getting that though, OoT was pretty creepy and dark for its time, with MM easily being the darkest Zelda out there. Did you even get to the adult Link part of the game?

[wclem]

I would force myself through OoT man. Its worth it. Your missing out. If you are worried about money then emulate it first.

[Ziggy]

For the longest time, I was with you. To me, Zelda was LttP and the original on the NES but that was it. I made two attempts at playing Wind Waker, but wasn't able to get into it. It just didn't feel like a Zelda game to me.

But about a year ago, I made myself play OoT. And I'm glad I did, because I rather enjoyed it. I'm not completely nuts over it like the rest of the internet, but now at least I understand what they're talking about. I thought it was a fun game. And definitely a great transition to 3D for the series.

Not sure what you mean by it being cute looking, though. Unless you weren't talking about OoT, and just the series in general. OoT is fairly dark, with Majora's Mask being a little darker. Wind Waker is the one that gets the rap for being too cute, all what with its cell-shaded graphics. It looks like a damn Dora the Explorer cartoon.

Anyways, I suggest giving OoT another shot. The game does start you off a little slow, but try to get passed that until you've made up your mind. Try to get to at least the first real dungeon. I think once you get into the swing of things, you might end up liking it. And if you do, that'll be great. Because Majora's Mask is the perfect sequel to play. That game feels like OoT is a mandatory requirement. It feels like you're thrown right into playing, with no slow opening and long and boring tutorials.

I'm about halfway through MM myself, first time playing it. When I've finished, I with thinking about giving Wind Waker another shot. I figure that if I've played and enjoyed two 3D Zelda games, I might have more appreciation for Wind Waker than I did before. Regardless if I like Wind Waker this time around or not, I was thinking I'll try and play the rest of the console series chronologically. Not looking forward to having to use motion controls, but I'm gonna at least try.

[Ziggy]

I would force myself through OoT man. Its worth it. Your missing out. If you are worried about money then emulate it first.

In a nut shell, yeah, what wclem said!

[ZeroAX]

I too think that the Windwaker is your best bet for a 3D Zelda experience that resembles the 2D games.

[neilencio]

Phantom Hourglass and The Spirit Tracks may also work, if you have a DS.

[markeconrad]

Why is Wind Waker anything like the 2D titles?

I like the 3D titles, but I totally relate to what you are saying. 3D did some cool stuff for the series, but for the most part, it created boring overworlds, and silly puzzles where the secret was in something out of Link's line of sight.

I think that Majora's Mask is the best 3D title. Gets away from the repetitive nature of the others.

[neilencio]

Wasn't repetition a major part of Majora's gameplay?

[AppleQueso]

Meh, if you hate OoT, it probably isn't worth getting any of the others. OoT is to the 3D Zeldas what alttp is to the 2D ones.