It often feels like the entire Legend Of Zelda series was created with the concept of a massive explorable world in mind. Thanks to that, the series is home to tons of games with overworlds, and players have combed through every inch. Some offer tons of side quests and adventures, while others offer a wide variety of fun secrets to find.
Exploring a Zelda game will usually net you heart containers, and there is the odd occasion where you can find unique items and abilities to further help you on your quest. Some may even argue that some Zelda games practically require exploration, if you hope to eventually reach the end.
10 Link's Awakening
While Link’s Awakening doesn’t offer the biggest of the Zelda worlds to explore, it’s hard to deny how lively and vibrant it feels. It’s fairly simple due to it originally being a Game Boy game, but there are colorful characters around every corner.
The game features one of the better trading sequence sidequests in the series, and a lot of that comes down to experiencing everything Koholint and the world’s characters have to offer. The fun cameos from other famous series characters make exploring even more fun.
9 The Minish Cap
For a game that came out on the Game Boy Advance, The Minish Cap can often feel a lot bigger than it actually is. With an excellent world design and arguably two distinct worlds to explore thanks to the Picori, there is a lot to find.
Many of the world’s secrets are hidden behind the game’s kinstone system, something that forces you to explore and speak with the many colorful NPCs that fill the world. Searching for kinstones and shells will often lead to a ton of fun secrets, something that makes exploring a must.
8 Skyward Sword
A lot of people have mixed opinions on Skyward Sword, but the game’s great story has made it a fan-favorite entry in the series. While exploring the skies feels exciting throughout the game, there isn’t all that much to find.
There is the odd minigame and side quest, but much of the exploration comes down to the unique area designs. Aside from that, exploring Skyloft is always a joy, as it can often feel like you’ll find something new each time you revisit the town.
7 The Legend Of Zelda
The original Zelda game really did manage to set the standard for which the rest of the series should strive. You are thrown into a world with nothing, even being able to ignore your starting weapon, and you’re simply expected to explore and find your adventure.
While that sounds incredible, the simplistic nature of the game is the only thing that holds it back from being higher on the list. Many of the game's secrets come down to the random use of bombs and the candle to uncover secrets that aren’t always all that useful.
6 The Ocarina Of Time
Some have argued that the first 3D Zelda adventure, Ocarina Of Time, has a relatively empty game world, but many others would fight right back against that idea. While it is true that Hyrule Field can feel empty, even that field is filled with secrets to find.
Ignoring the main field, it's well worth exploring every corner of each and every location in Ocarina Of Time. In many instances, you can find much-needed heart containers, gold skulltulas, and even the odd side quest if you speak to the right people.
5 The Wind Waker
Anyone with a love for pirate games will love exploring in The Wind Waker. Sure, you do have to sail through huge stretches of seemingly empty ocean from time to time, but even that offers its own surprises from time to time.
The many islands featured throughout the game are always great to explore, thanks to some of the best music in the series and lots of fun items to use. Plenty of the game’s islands offer interesting characters, puzzles, and even some unique secrets.
4 A Link To The Past
A lot of Zelda fans feel like A Link To The Past is an infinitely replayable entry in the series, and the huge world is likely part of why. Whether you’re exploring the Light World or the Dark World, there is a lot to explore, and plenty of unique experiences to have.
It was one of the first times in the Zelda series that NPCs directly reacted to Link outside of offering simple healing. There’s so much to explore that there are important items to be found throughout the world, and even ways to upgrade much of your equipment.
3 Twilight Princess
The world of Twilight Princess is absolutely massive, and it’s filled with excellent characters as well. Whether you’re sumo wrestling Gorons, sifting through a vast desert, or snowboarding to the home of some Yetis, there are tons of different areas to fully explore as a human and as a wolf.
Even better, the game’s towns feel alive thanks to the expressive characters found within. Even something as simple as walking into a shop can be a funny experience with the right items on hand. The fun addition of the Double-Clawshot made exploration feel even more incredible.
2 Majora's Mask
There has been a huge resurgence in love for Majora’s Mask over the last few years, and it’s easy to see why. The game tells one of the darker Zelda stories, and pretty much expects you to explore every inch of the world if you want to claim every single mask.
While there are plenty of secrets to find, much of the exploration of the vibrant world is driven by the desire to find and talk to the game’s NPCs as they move about their daily lives. Figuring out where everyone you need to find is without a guide is surprisingly tough, making exploration of the entire map an absolute must.
1 The Breath Of The Wild
With just how big Breath Of The Wild’s overworld is, and with just how much there is to find, it’s hard to say that any other Zelda games are quite as explorable. Something can be found every few steps, giving the entire experience a sense of wonder.
Whether riding on horseback, flying around with your sailcloth, or scaling mountains, you’ll want to look everywhere for Koroks, Shrines, and NPCs with which to interact. The shocking amount of side quests will keep you exploring and placing personal marks on your map, so you can return to areas later for further exploration.