The 5 WORST Zelda Games Ever Made!

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages ᴬ whisks you away to the land of Labrynna where time travel is your key to saving the day. You play as Link, unraveling the mysteries and puzzles of this world as you interact with its inhabitants and manipulate time.

But let’s talk about why this game didn’t hit the mark for me. The time-travel mechanic can feel more like a chore than an adventure, constantly disrupting the flow of the game. The puzzles, while challenging, often become frustratingly repetitive. And honestly, the graphics and sound design feel lackluster, making the entire experience feel dated and unremarkable.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass ᴬ takes you on a nautical adventure as Link navigates through the Great Sea in search of Tetra, who has been turned to stone. Using the Nintendo DS’s touchscreen, players chart their course and solve puzzles across various islands.

But let’s be real, this game is incredibly frustrating. The repetitive dungeon design and constant backtracking are enough to make you want to throw your DS across the room. The touchscreen controls, while innovative, are often imprecise and clunky, leading to unnecessary deaths and rage quits. If you’re looking for a Zelda game, there are far better options out there.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks ᴬ is set in a world where players navigate a vast, interconnected land via train tracks. Link teams up with Princess Zelda, who exists as a spirit after losing her physical form, to combat an evil threat.

But honestly, Spirit Tracks is a major letdown in the Zelda series. The train travel mechanic feels more like a tedious chore than an exciting feature, making exploration a bore. The touch-screen controls are clunky and unresponsive, leaving you frustrated more often than not. And let’s not forget the story: it’s bland and lacks the magic that you’d expect from a Zelda game.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures ᴬ takes place in the familiar realm of Hyrule, but adds a twist by focusing on multiplayer gameplay. The game requires players to work together as four Links to solve puzzles and defeat enemies.

However, Four Swords Adventures is a letdown. The forced multiplayer aspect feels cumbersome and detracts from the core Zelda experience. The game lacks the depth and complexity of other titles in the series. Ultimately, it feels more like a tedious chore than an engaging adventure.

In The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes ᴬ, you find yourself in the whimsical kingdom of Hytopia, tasked with saving Princess Styla from a villain’s curse. The game focuses heavily on cooperative multiplayer, where you and two other players must work together to solve puzzles and defeat enemies.

While the idea of team-based Zelda gameplay sounds exciting, it’s a letdown in execution. The constant need for teamwork means that playing solo or with unreliable partners can turn the experience into a frustrating mess. The puzzle design lacks the charm and creativity found in previous Zelda titles, leading to repetitive and uninspired gameplay. Ultimately, it feels like a missed opportunity that fails to live up to the series’ standards.