Post by goldensandslash on Dec 4, 2021 0:54:42 GMT
I recently decided to embark on a journey through every single Zelda game. Because, to my knowledge, the details of how to play each one (i.e. which consoles are needed) isn't found anywhere else online, I'm making this post for myself to reference. Note that this is mostly for my own sake and not really for the public, but since it's a resource that the internet could find valuable, I opted to publish it for all. So, here you go.
Zelda 1: The Legend of Zelda
This game was originally released on the NES. Note that for the Japanese version, simply having a Famicom (a Japanese NES) is not enough. You need the Famicom Disc System add-on in order to play it. The game was later one of several NES games that were re-released through the Game Boy Advance's "Classic NES Series" set of cartridges, enabling it to be played on a GBA as well. For the GameCube, there is a game called Animal Crossing, where you collect furniture items and decorate your home. Among the furniture items that you can collect are NES games that are fully playable (this is a thing that is only in the original Animal Crossing, no future AC games have any NES games for you to collect). There are 20 games in total that you can collect, but only 16 of them are available through normal gameplay. The other 4 are only available via Nintendo Event. Of these, Zelda 1 is one of the event-only games. On top of that, for Zelda 1 in particular, the events in question never happened. Nonetheless, the game can still be obtained in Animal Crossing via cheating or hacking. Additionally, a game called "The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition" was released for the GameCube, which contained four Zelda games, with Zelda 1 being among them. Finally, if you have a Game Boy Player add-on, you can play Game Boy Advance games on your GameCube, giving you that option as well. Meanwhile, on the DS, you can play it via the DS's backwards-compatibility with Game Boy Advance games. However note that later DS models do not support GBA backwards compatibility. For the Wii, the game is available via Virtual Console from the Wii Shop. Unfortunately, the Wii Shop was closed in 2019, so you would have had to purchase it before that happened. Early models of the Wii were backwards-compatible with GameCube games, so you could still play Zelda 1 via the GameCube backwards compatibility with either Collector's Edition or Animal Crossing. Though later Wii models removed this feature. On the 3DS, the game is available via Virtual Console from the eShop. On the Wii U, the game is available via Virtual Console from the eShop. Additionally, the Wii Shop was accessible from the Wii U, so you could get it from Virtual Console there as well, though, as previously stated, that closed in 2019. On the Switch, Nintendo Switch Online members get to play select NES/SNES games, and this is among them. The dedicated "NES Classic Edition" console has a bunch of built-in NES games, and Zelda 1 is among them. And lastly, for Zelda's 35th anniversary, they released a special Game & Watch with a few different games built-in to it, and Zelda 1 was among them.
Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link
Much like Zelda 1, Zelda 2 was originally released on the NES, and the Japanese Famicom Disc System. It was also re-released as part of the Game Boy Advance's "Classic NES Series" games. On the GameCube, it was a part of The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition, and the GBA version can also be played via the Game Boy Player. Early Nintendo DS models are also backwards compatible with the GBA, and early Wii models are backwards compatible with the GameCube. The game was also available via Virtual Console on the Wii Shop, accessible on either the Wii or Wii U, though the Wii Shop was closed in 2019, so you can't download it if you hadn't already by that point. It's also available via Virtual Console on the 3DS eShop and the Wii U eShop, and those ones are still open. On the Switch, it is available to Nintendo Switch Online members. And it's also included on the NES Classic Edition and the 35th Anniversary Zelda Game & Watch.
Zelda 3: A Link to the Past
This game was originally released on the SNES. A remake of Zelda 3 was included with the Zelda 9 game on GBA (both games on one cartridge). This could also be played on the GameCube via the Game Boy Player, and on the DS, via the DS's backwards compatibility. However, later DS models lack backwards compatibility. It's also available on Virtual Console, via the Wii Shop (which is closed), the 3DS eShop, and the Wii U eShop (and the Wii U can access the Wii Shop as well, though it is closed). Note, however, that SNES games cannot be played on the 3DS, except for newer 3DS models. On the Switch, the game is available to Nintendo Switch Online members. And the game is also included on the SNES Classic Edition (which is basically just a SNES version of the NES Classic Edition).
Zelda 4: Link's Awakening
This game was originally released on the Game Boy. The SNES had an add-on called the "Super Game Boy", which permitted you to play Game Boy games on it, so that is also an option. The Game Boy Color is backwards compatible with the Game Boy. Additionally, a remake of Zelda 4 was made for Game Boy Color to take advantage of the color screen. The GBA is backwards-compatible with both the Game Boy and the Game Boy Color versions of the game. The GameCube's Game Boy Player, which lets you play GBA games, is also backwards compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. This game is also available via Virtual Console on the 3DS eShop. Another remake of the game was made for the Switch. Lastly, this game (the Game Boy version of it) was included in the 35th Anniversary Zelda Game & Watch.
Zelda 5: Ocarina of Time
This game was originally released on Nintendo 64. Additionally, a Limited Edition version of Zelda 10 came with a GameCube version of this game. That GameCube disc includes both the original Nintendo 64 version, as well as a remake version that features increased difficulty. The original version is also available on the GameCube's "Collector's Edition" disc. Both GameCube discs are also able to be played on early Wii models via backwards compatibility. The game is also available on the Virtual Console on both the Wii Shop and the Wii U eShop (the former of which has been closed), enabling the game to be played on the Wii and Wii U. On the 3DS, a remake of Zelda 5 was released. And with the Nintendo Switch, you can access the game if you're a Nintendo Switch Online member who bought the Expansion Pack. Finally, if you're in mainland China, then you can play this game on an iQue Player (due to how video gaming works in the People's Republic of China, the Nintendo 64 itself could not be released there (video game consoles were banned from 2000 to 2015), so Nintendo released the iQue Player instead, which was a Nintendo 64 with a more limited library (and everything translated into Chinese). Only 14 games were ever released, and Zelda 5 is among them).
Zelda 6: Majora's Mask
Zelda 6 was originally released on Nintendo 64. It was also included on the GameCube "Collector's Edition" disc. On the Wii, not only can the GameCube version be played via backwards compatibility of early Wiis, but also the game is available via Virtual Console from the Wii Shop, which is now closed. The Wii Shop can also be accessed from the Wii U (though it's closed), and the Wii U can also buy it via Virtual Console from the Wii U eShop. On the 3DS, a remake of Zelda 6 was released. Finally, on Nintendo Switch... if you are a Nintendo Switch Online member with the Expansion Pack, then you can play it... but not right now. No date has been announced, but this is among the games that Nintendo has said that they plan to release on this platform in the future.
Zelda 7: Oracle of Seasons
This game was originally released on Game Boy Color. Due to Game Boy Color backwards compatibility, it can also be played on a Game Boy Advance or a GameCube with the Game Boy Player add-on. It's also available via Virtual Console on the 3DS eShop.
Zelda 8: Oracle of Ages
Much like Zelda 7, Zelda 8 was originally released on the Game Boy Color, and can also be played on Game Boy Advance or GameCube. It's also available on Virtual Console from the 3DS eShop.
Zelda 9: Four Swords
This one was originally released on GBA, though multiplayer is required to play it, so you'll need four GBAs and three link cables to connect them all. Via the GameCube's Game Boy Player add-on, you can play it here too, though multiplayer is required, so you'll need either four GameCube controllers, four Game Boy Advances and four link cables to connect them to a GameCube, or some combination of the two. The Nintendo DS's backwards compatibility with the GBA is NOT enough to play this game, though. Because multiplayer is required, and the DS cannot do multiplayer with GBA games. However, an "Anniversary Edition" of Zelda 9 was released on the DS, so this can be played, and this one was made to be single-player. The Anniversary Edition was also released for the 3DS as well.
Zelda 10: The Wind Waker
This game was originally released on the GameCube. Early Wii models are also backwards compatible with GameCube games. A remake of the game was also released for the Wii U.
Zelda 11: Four Swords Adventures
This game was originally released on the GameCube. Because of backwards compatibility, it can also be played on a Wii.
Zelda 12: The Minish Cap
This game was originally released on the Game Boy Advance. With the Game Boy Player, it can be played on the GameCube. With backwards compatibility, it can be played on the DS. It's also available on Virtual Console via the 3DS eShop and the Wii U eShop. However, there's a catch. In 2011, the 3DS received a significant price drop, by almost half. To reward players who bought a 3DS at full-price prior to this, only those players are able to play GBA games on Virtual Console on the 3DS. So unless you have a 3DS that was one of those ones, you cannot purchase this on 3DS.
Zelda 13: Twilight Princess
This game was originally released simultaneously on the GameCube and the Wii. Additionally, early Wiis are backwards-compatible with GameCube games, so Wiis can play it that way too. The Wii U is backwards compatible with the Wii, so the Wii U can play the Wii version. A remake of Zelda 13 was also released for the Wii U.
Zelda 14: Phantom Hourglass
This game was originally released for the DS. The 3DS is backwards compatible with DS games, so it can be played there too. It's also available on Virtual Console on the Wii U eShop.
Zelda 15: Spirit Tracks
This game was originally released for the DS. The 3DS is backwards compatible with DS games, so it can be played on the 3DS as well. And it's also available on Virtual Console on the Wii U eShop.
Zelda 16: Skyward Sword
This game was originally released for the Wii. The Wii U is backwards-compatible with the Wii. Additionally, the game is available for purchase on the Wii U, from the eShop. This is, however, only available as a digital download. A physical version of the game cannot be purchased for the Wii U, only the Wii. Additionally, a remake of Zelda 16 is available on the Switch.
Zelda 17: A Link Between Worlds
Zelda 17 was originally released on the 3DS.
Zelda 18: Tri Force Heroes
Zelda 18 was originally released on the 3DS.
Zelda 19: Breath of the Wild
This game was originally released simultaneously on the Wii U and the Switch.
Zelda 20: Untitled
This game is forthcoming. Nintendo has already announced it, but details are still unavailable, including console availability. However, it is overwhelmingly likely that it will be for the Nintendo Switch, since Nintendo does not currently have any other consoles that they are promoting.
Zelda 1: The Legend of Zelda
This game was originally released on the NES. Note that for the Japanese version, simply having a Famicom (a Japanese NES) is not enough. You need the Famicom Disc System add-on in order to play it. The game was later one of several NES games that were re-released through the Game Boy Advance's "Classic NES Series" set of cartridges, enabling it to be played on a GBA as well. For the GameCube, there is a game called Animal Crossing, where you collect furniture items and decorate your home. Among the furniture items that you can collect are NES games that are fully playable (this is a thing that is only in the original Animal Crossing, no future AC games have any NES games for you to collect). There are 20 games in total that you can collect, but only 16 of them are available through normal gameplay. The other 4 are only available via Nintendo Event. Of these, Zelda 1 is one of the event-only games. On top of that, for Zelda 1 in particular, the events in question never happened. Nonetheless, the game can still be obtained in Animal Crossing via cheating or hacking. Additionally, a game called "The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition" was released for the GameCube, which contained four Zelda games, with Zelda 1 being among them. Finally, if you have a Game Boy Player add-on, you can play Game Boy Advance games on your GameCube, giving you that option as well. Meanwhile, on the DS, you can play it via the DS's backwards-compatibility with Game Boy Advance games. However note that later DS models do not support GBA backwards compatibility. For the Wii, the game is available via Virtual Console from the Wii Shop. Unfortunately, the Wii Shop was closed in 2019, so you would have had to purchase it before that happened. Early models of the Wii were backwards-compatible with GameCube games, so you could still play Zelda 1 via the GameCube backwards compatibility with either Collector's Edition or Animal Crossing. Though later Wii models removed this feature. On the 3DS, the game is available via Virtual Console from the eShop. On the Wii U, the game is available via Virtual Console from the eShop. Additionally, the Wii Shop was accessible from the Wii U, so you could get it from Virtual Console there as well, though, as previously stated, that closed in 2019. On the Switch, Nintendo Switch Online members get to play select NES/SNES games, and this is among them. The dedicated "NES Classic Edition" console has a bunch of built-in NES games, and Zelda 1 is among them. And lastly, for Zelda's 35th anniversary, they released a special Game & Watch with a few different games built-in to it, and Zelda 1 was among them.
Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link
Much like Zelda 1, Zelda 2 was originally released on the NES, and the Japanese Famicom Disc System. It was also re-released as part of the Game Boy Advance's "Classic NES Series" games. On the GameCube, it was a part of The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition, and the GBA version can also be played via the Game Boy Player. Early Nintendo DS models are also backwards compatible with the GBA, and early Wii models are backwards compatible with the GameCube. The game was also available via Virtual Console on the Wii Shop, accessible on either the Wii or Wii U, though the Wii Shop was closed in 2019, so you can't download it if you hadn't already by that point. It's also available via Virtual Console on the 3DS eShop and the Wii U eShop, and those ones are still open. On the Switch, it is available to Nintendo Switch Online members. And it's also included on the NES Classic Edition and the 35th Anniversary Zelda Game & Watch.
Zelda 3: A Link to the Past
This game was originally released on the SNES. A remake of Zelda 3 was included with the Zelda 9 game on GBA (both games on one cartridge). This could also be played on the GameCube via the Game Boy Player, and on the DS, via the DS's backwards compatibility. However, later DS models lack backwards compatibility. It's also available on Virtual Console, via the Wii Shop (which is closed), the 3DS eShop, and the Wii U eShop (and the Wii U can access the Wii Shop as well, though it is closed). Note, however, that SNES games cannot be played on the 3DS, except for newer 3DS models. On the Switch, the game is available to Nintendo Switch Online members. And the game is also included on the SNES Classic Edition (which is basically just a SNES version of the NES Classic Edition).
Zelda 4: Link's Awakening
This game was originally released on the Game Boy. The SNES had an add-on called the "Super Game Boy", which permitted you to play Game Boy games on it, so that is also an option. The Game Boy Color is backwards compatible with the Game Boy. Additionally, a remake of Zelda 4 was made for Game Boy Color to take advantage of the color screen. The GBA is backwards-compatible with both the Game Boy and the Game Boy Color versions of the game. The GameCube's Game Boy Player, which lets you play GBA games, is also backwards compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. This game is also available via Virtual Console on the 3DS eShop. Another remake of the game was made for the Switch. Lastly, this game (the Game Boy version of it) was included in the 35th Anniversary Zelda Game & Watch.
Zelda 5: Ocarina of Time
This game was originally released on Nintendo 64. Additionally, a Limited Edition version of Zelda 10 came with a GameCube version of this game. That GameCube disc includes both the original Nintendo 64 version, as well as a remake version that features increased difficulty. The original version is also available on the GameCube's "Collector's Edition" disc. Both GameCube discs are also able to be played on early Wii models via backwards compatibility. The game is also available on the Virtual Console on both the Wii Shop and the Wii U eShop (the former of which has been closed), enabling the game to be played on the Wii and Wii U. On the 3DS, a remake of Zelda 5 was released. And with the Nintendo Switch, you can access the game if you're a Nintendo Switch Online member who bought the Expansion Pack. Finally, if you're in mainland China, then you can play this game on an iQue Player (due to how video gaming works in the People's Republic of China, the Nintendo 64 itself could not be released there (video game consoles were banned from 2000 to 2015), so Nintendo released the iQue Player instead, which was a Nintendo 64 with a more limited library (and everything translated into Chinese). Only 14 games were ever released, and Zelda 5 is among them).
Zelda 6: Majora's Mask
Zelda 6 was originally released on Nintendo 64. It was also included on the GameCube "Collector's Edition" disc. On the Wii, not only can the GameCube version be played via backwards compatibility of early Wiis, but also the game is available via Virtual Console from the Wii Shop, which is now closed. The Wii Shop can also be accessed from the Wii U (though it's closed), and the Wii U can also buy it via Virtual Console from the Wii U eShop. On the 3DS, a remake of Zelda 6 was released. Finally, on Nintendo Switch... if you are a Nintendo Switch Online member with the Expansion Pack, then you can play it... but not right now. No date has been announced, but this is among the games that Nintendo has said that they plan to release on this platform in the future.
Zelda 7: Oracle of Seasons
This game was originally released on Game Boy Color. Due to Game Boy Color backwards compatibility, it can also be played on a Game Boy Advance or a GameCube with the Game Boy Player add-on. It's also available via Virtual Console on the 3DS eShop.
Zelda 8: Oracle of Ages
Much like Zelda 7, Zelda 8 was originally released on the Game Boy Color, and can also be played on Game Boy Advance or GameCube. It's also available on Virtual Console from the 3DS eShop.
Zelda 9: Four Swords
This one was originally released on GBA, though multiplayer is required to play it, so you'll need four GBAs and three link cables to connect them all. Via the GameCube's Game Boy Player add-on, you can play it here too, though multiplayer is required, so you'll need either four GameCube controllers, four Game Boy Advances and four link cables to connect them to a GameCube, or some combination of the two. The Nintendo DS's backwards compatibility with the GBA is NOT enough to play this game, though. Because multiplayer is required, and the DS cannot do multiplayer with GBA games. However, an "Anniversary Edition" of Zelda 9 was released on the DS, so this can be played, and this one was made to be single-player. The Anniversary Edition was also released for the 3DS as well.
Zelda 10: The Wind Waker
This game was originally released on the GameCube. Early Wii models are also backwards compatible with GameCube games. A remake of the game was also released for the Wii U.
Zelda 11: Four Swords Adventures
This game was originally released on the GameCube. Because of backwards compatibility, it can also be played on a Wii.
Zelda 12: The Minish Cap
This game was originally released on the Game Boy Advance. With the Game Boy Player, it can be played on the GameCube. With backwards compatibility, it can be played on the DS. It's also available on Virtual Console via the 3DS eShop and the Wii U eShop. However, there's a catch. In 2011, the 3DS received a significant price drop, by almost half. To reward players who bought a 3DS at full-price prior to this, only those players are able to play GBA games on Virtual Console on the 3DS. So unless you have a 3DS that was one of those ones, you cannot purchase this on 3DS.
Zelda 13: Twilight Princess
This game was originally released simultaneously on the GameCube and the Wii. Additionally, early Wiis are backwards-compatible with GameCube games, so Wiis can play it that way too. The Wii U is backwards compatible with the Wii, so the Wii U can play the Wii version. A remake of Zelda 13 was also released for the Wii U.
Zelda 14: Phantom Hourglass
This game was originally released for the DS. The 3DS is backwards compatible with DS games, so it can be played there too. It's also available on Virtual Console on the Wii U eShop.
Zelda 15: Spirit Tracks
This game was originally released for the DS. The 3DS is backwards compatible with DS games, so it can be played on the 3DS as well. And it's also available on Virtual Console on the Wii U eShop.
Zelda 16: Skyward Sword
This game was originally released for the Wii. The Wii U is backwards-compatible with the Wii. Additionally, the game is available for purchase on the Wii U, from the eShop. This is, however, only available as a digital download. A physical version of the game cannot be purchased for the Wii U, only the Wii. Additionally, a remake of Zelda 16 is available on the Switch.
Zelda 17: A Link Between Worlds
Zelda 17 was originally released on the 3DS.
Zelda 18: Tri Force Heroes
Zelda 18 was originally released on the 3DS.
Zelda 19: Breath of the Wild
This game was originally released simultaneously on the Wii U and the Switch.
Zelda 20: Untitled
This game is forthcoming. Nintendo has already announced it, but details are still unavailable, including console availability. However, it is overwhelmingly likely that it will be for the Nintendo Switch, since Nintendo does not currently have any other consoles that they are promoting.