Now that the medium has been around for a few decades, it has become common for developers to remake their older games to polish them up and present them to a younger audience. This has been a trend for generations now, but as technology advances, it makes sense for studios to go back and update their classics. This is exactly the case for Nintendo, who’s been remaking their games since the Super Famicom era.
Remakes of The Legend of Zelda are particularly fascinating. They each look like clear improvements on the surface and attempt to fix any flaws from their source material, but these changes aren't always received well by longtime fans. There’s certainly a case to make if you prefer the originals, but Nintendo always tries to make each entry in the Zelda series as great as they can be - remake or otherwise.
Updated April 16, 2023, by Branden Lizardi: When you're a franchise that's over 30 years old, the idea of a remake is inevitable. This is especially true with the rate at which video game technology has advanced over the years. With The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom less than a month away, we've been diving deep into Zelda history and have discovered that our list was missing an entry! We've added it in and gave the rest a fresh coat of polish while here.
10 BS Zelda No Densetsu
BS Zelda no Densetsu is a pseudo-remake of the original Legend of Zelda and was available for the Satellaview. The Satellaview was an accessory for the Super Famicom that would allow the console to receive satellite broadcasts and let you play certain games during specific blocks of time. Each title was set to a timer, so anyone who wanted to play them had to be available during that window, or else they would miss the opportunity.
While BS Zelda no Densetsu is an interesting novelty, it’s not a replacement for the original game. The 16-bit graphics are nice, but the original Zelda’s aesthetic is far more appealing in 8-bit. This remake also significantly reduces the map size so that you can make more progress within the time restrictions. You also don't play as Link, which is by far this remake's biggest change.
9 Four Swords Anniversary Edition
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition is a great and necessary remake of a game paired with A Link to the Past for the Game Boy Advance. Almost a decade since it was originally released, Nintendo decided to bring Four Swords to the DS and 3DS for free to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the series. It's sadly no longer available to download now, though.
It's unfortunate that one of the few multiplayer Zelda games has been so hard to play since it was first released in 2002. It's a short but fun journey either alone or with friends, but it's rather difficult to set up for some multiplayer fun. Who knows, maybe Nintendo will remaster it for the third time and make it easier to access.
8 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Master Quest
Master Quest was a strange product that would only have happened at that time in gaming history. Nintendo released a 'port' of Ocarina of Time for the GameCube in 2003. This particular game package also came with a second game disc that held Master Quest. You can see similar concepts in future and past titles, but this was the only time a separate game mode was released as a new product.
This modified version of the game is largely identical to the original, with the same plot, mechanics, items, and progress. What it did, change, however, were the dungeons. Every dungeon was modified with new layouts and stronger enemies to create a more challenging experience. One more easily missed difference was the 'port' itself. It wasn't a true port but an emulation of the game, both the Master Quest and standard mode discs. The only noticeable difference this makes is the resolution, with the game running at 640×480 instead of the original 320×240.
7 Skyward Sword HD
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword quickly became one of the most polarizing entries in the franchise due to its reliance on motion controls. Many fans applaud its story, which is chronologically the first chapter in the series and features a great relationship between Link and Zelda, but they had a difficult time getting over the gameplay.
Fortunately, Skyward Sword HD circumvented these issues by allowing you to play the full game without having to swing a controller around. The improved visuals and new autosave function help make it the most user-friendly version of the game, but it still might take you some time to adjust to the strange controls.
6 Majora’s Mask 3D
Majora’s Mask 3D might have the most changes from the original game, which has made it one of the most divisive remakes in the series. Despite being the same games at their core, the remake takes more risks than the others to help streamline some of its more obscure mechanics, which some feel removes the mystery from the adventure.
Common complaints include Deku and Zora Link being harder to control and that the 3D lighting doesn’t match the tone or atmosphere of the original. But many people found some bosses, Gyorg especially, less frustrating to take down, and the changes to the Bomber Notebook were very helpful in completing the plethora of side quests. It may not be what everyone is looking for in a remake, but it’s certainly a fantastic way to play one of the franchise’s most beloved entries.
5 Link’s Awakening (2019)
Link’s Awakening would receive a second remake in 2019 for the Switch, this time with 3D graphics inspired by dioramas. Even though the art style is cute and colorful, it still manages to perfectly translate the original game’s aesthetic and existentialist themes.
While the bulk of the ‘remake’ aspect mostly consists of the updated graphics, there are some small differences between it and the original, with the biggest being the addition of a Dungeon Maker. After a certain point in the game, you can speak with Dampé to unlock the ability to create your own Legend of Zelda dungeons, which could then be uploaded to an amiibo to share with friends. Perhaps this concept would have fared better if the Miiverse was still up and running.
4 The Wind Waker HD
Nintendo released The Wind Waker in 2002, but it took fans a while to warm up to its art style and world design. The cell shading and explorable ocean felt different from anything the series had done before, but the risk paid off, and now many people view Wind Waker as one of the most compelling and unique entries in the franchise.
The Wind Waker HD was released in 2013 for the Wii U and fixed some of the original game’s biggest issues. After a few hours, the novelty of sailing grew old, and traveling the islands became more of a chore than an adventure. The HD remake introduced the Swift Sail, which boosted your sailing speed significantly. It also made collecting triforce pieces much easier, making it a much smoother experience than the original version.
3 Twilight Princess HD
Twilight Princess HD is one of the few Legend of Zelda remakes that is significantly better than its original iterations on the GameCube and Wii. Not only are the visuals improved, but it also contains a Hero Mode, a new dungeon known as the Cave of Shadows, and more minor details that improve the overall experience.
The problem with changing too much in a remake is that it leads to overcorrection. The developers of Twilight Princess HD listened to the common complaints and focused on fixing them while keeping the essential elements intact. If you're looking for a more mature and harrowing entry in the franchise, Twilight Princess HD is often considered the best contender.
2 Link’s Awakening DX
Link's Awakening was originally released in 1993 on the Game Boy and would receive its first remake only 5 years later for the Game Boy Color. The biggest difference between the two is the obvious inclusion of color, alongside a new dungeon, side quests, and compatibility with the Game Boy Printer.
Link’s Awakening DX is better in every way than the original and is the first Zelda remake to find international success. Its story is so unique from other entries in the series, taking place on an island away from Hyrule that Link has washed up on. On his quest to get home, he will see familiar faces on the island of Koholint, including some from other Nintendo franchises like Super Mario Bros. and Kirby.
1 Ocarina Of Time 3D
Many fans view Ocarina of Time 3D as the gold standard for Zelda remakes. The bar was high when it was announced, as many also find the original entry to be one of the best games of all time, and it delivered. For the first time, you could now play this masterpiece on the go with your 3DS instead of trying to hunt down an N64 and the cartridge.
Visually, Ocarina of Time 3D is very much in line with the actual game’s concept art from the late 90s. All the landscapes have been given greater visual depth, as well, bringing its interpretation of Hyrule to life all over again. It also includes the Master Quest, an alternate playthrough with new dungeons and a higher difficulty curve, which was a phenomenal way for long-time fans to play their favorite game for the first time again.