Summary
One of the joys of being both a parent and a gamer is passing onsome shared memories and experiencesto your kids.Nintendois the best company in the gaming industry for this, with its family friendly brand and array of high-quality, accessible mascots. Of those mascots, arguably the most critically acclaimed isThe Legend of Zelda, which has several entries considered among the best games of all time.
With that brand of quality comes a level of complexity that can prove a significant obstacle to younger players, more so than the likes ofKirbyorSuper Mario. Granted, everyone’s mileage may vary — some eight-year-olds may already be masteringElden Ring— but as a more sweeping assessment, accessibility will be prioritized over quality and complexity. With that in mind, these are the top recommendations forthe best Zelda games for kids.
One of the best entries in the illustrious series is an easy recommendation. However, thelayers of mechanics and physicsthat madeThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildso lauded can serve as a significant barrier to getting the most out of the game, and some of the boss fights are far from simple.
The complete lack of direction could also likely prove too much of a challenge for younger players hoping to see the credits roll. That same freedom and consistent rewards for exploration are where this recommendation does come in, though. It’s possible to have dozens of hours of fun inBreath of the Wildwithout engaging with the main quest line or confronting any of the opposing enemies.
As a whole, the classic top-down format is going to be well represented as it presents a natural guiding hand and progression path through the game without the need for endless prompts and tutorials. The games are designed to be completed and are usually accompanied by more modest runtimes that makes them more likely to hold a young player’s attention for the duration of the adventure.
As a modern entry,The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdombenefits from a lot of mod-cons compared to its contemporaries but brings with it a little more complexity and runtime more befitting of modern expectations. The game successfully transplants the freedom ofBreath of the Wildinto the top-down format, but that makes for a lot of systems to master, and the unconventional combat presents a challenge even for seasoned players.
As the name might suggest,The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worldsis very much intended as a bridge to the SNES era of the series and a direct sequel toThe Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. It is probably the best game in the series for revitalizing the old formula and offers a great combination of gated direction and freedom of exploration.
Outside a few key areas, the player can wander wherever they want, but the game is intricately designed in a way that ensures players are never lost for an objective. On the downside, it is one of the more difficult games in the series, with some complex multi-room puzzles and a penalty of losing helpful items upon death toup the stakes of dungeons.
One of thebest outings for the kid-friendlyToon Link,The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Trackshas immediate appeal for younger audiences. A fairly linear adventure that showcases the best of the series' tropes at that point with familiar patterns and tools. The biggest twist is Zelda’s spirit being separated from her body at the beginning of the story and accompanying Link on his adventure.
She serves as a great guide to keep the player on the right track, and she can also become a physical AI companion in her Phantom form. Phantom Zelda has applications in both puzzle-solving and combat and can be guided by the player at will. A handy shoulder to lean on! However, it does add some complexity when switching between the two roles is required for tougher boss encounters.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamityis one of a precious fewZeldatitles these daysnot made directly byNintendo, and the experience is noticeably different in this licensed crossover with theDynasty Warriorsseries. It’s not useful for introducing the series' core gameplay, but as a means of introducing young gamers to the characters — especially those popularized byBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom— it’s a great, accessible option.
The thing that makesHyrule Warriors: Age of Calamitystand out ahead of so many main canon releases is the sheer fun and power fantasy the series is known for. The difficulty is adjustable on the fly, and standard enemies are no trouble on most difficulties, allowing young audiences to feel engaged and in control. With 18 playable characters, it also offers a great variety for young gamers to find a playstyle that suits them.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Wakeris probably the best-aged game in the series, offering an innovative yet familiar take on theZeldaformula that is just as engaging today as it was when it was first released over 20 years ago. The once controversialcel-shaded art style has now become a fan-favorite motifand has also helped the game endure the test of time.
The HD re-release for theWii Uis the best way to experience the game, currently adding a slight upscaling and some quality-of-life improvements like increased ship speed to combat the sometimes tedious navigation of the original.Wind Wakeris also one of the easier games in the series, with a plethora of combat options, a generous life bar, and some powerful potions and elixirs.
A friendly reminder that this is not to say theNintendo Switchremake ofThe Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakeningis the best in the series, but it is the best option for young players, particularly if they are playing the series for the first time. In short, it is the most complete and exemplary example of everything discussed above.
It sticks close to thenostalgic and accessible formulawhile reinvigorating it with a charming new child-friendly presentation. It has a short runtime to completion, a linear progression path, and a reasonably shallow difficulty curve that ramps up just enough without ever crossing into being expressly hard with either puzzles or combat. It can not only be enjoyed but easily completed by young gamers, making it the ideal starting point.
