When The Legend of Zelda was released, it was the best video game ever made. It still stomps all over most every other action-adventure or ARPG released since 1987.
Zelda II is very good. It does come bundled with some issues that are just as apparent now as they were back in the 80s.
Link to the Past is almost comically awesome. One of the best games ever.
I am actually constantly impressed by how well the first Zelda holds up. It may be overly simplistic, but the controls are tight and the gameplay is solid. I realize that's not an unpopular opinion.
So for an unpopular opinion, I did not like the GB or GBA entries in the Zelda series. Sure, the regular mechanics were OK, but the item trade quests were annoying and some of the puzzle dungeons were too puzzle-y for me.
BoneSnapDeez wrote:I'd call Link's Awakening the second-best Zelda, but yeah, the item trading was pretty dumb.
For some reason that stuff really got in the way of my enjoyment. I didn't complete the game as a result. I guess I prefer a more simplistic approach to Zelda. LttP was as complex and story driven as I want my 2D Zelda to get, for the most part. Anything more complex than that is of no interest to me as a step too far. Minish Cap also kind of drove me nuts. There was just too much going on. KISS!
Of all the handheld Zeldas (I think this all of them...):
Hyrule Warriors Legends The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds** The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening* The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D* The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages* The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons** The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass* The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks* The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap** The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes
My absolute favorite has been:
*I beat it. **I played a lot of it, but didn't beat it.
Zelda II was a love-hate-love game for me. After I got unstuck, it was all good. Now, I replay it every few years. I'm actually probably coming up on time to give it another go. It's remarkably well-constructed for its vintage, actually.