Daily Debate: Did Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild Have Greater Impact on the Zelda Series?
Posted on October 07 2022 by Kat Vadam
When it comes to the Zelda series, there have been several great or important games. The original, of course, gave birth to the series, while A Link to the Past remains one of the most beloved entries in the series. And, of course, there’s Majora’s Mask, the first time Link ever encountered something that could truly be considered “dark.”
Yet, arguably, two entries to the series could be considered the most impactful, without which we would not have the story, the love, or the Hyrule we fight for and the hero we fight with every iteration. One older entry that set the stage for 3D Zelda as we know it, with music that we still hum to ourselves and characters we wish could make a return someday. One newer entry that made Hyrule vast and re-imagined the series for a whole new generation of fans.
I’m talking, of course, about Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild. Both have done wonders to keep the games alive, and both have breathed life into new ways to play and defend the kingdom and its princess. Each has their own new controls and mechanics, like z-targeting and weapon durability. Fans may love these mechanics or hate them, but without either game, these wouldn’t exist. Both have their own heartfelt story that many related to or found themselves immersed in.
Most of all, both have kept The Legend of Zelda going from generation to generation.
Any way you look at it, these games have had an immeasurable impact, but which impacted the Zelda series more? Do you think it’s Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild? Do you find these impacts good or bad? Let us know in the comments below!
Kat Vadam is a mother of one, proud cat mom, and wife to someone far nerdier than she could ever hope to be. She also works by day as an analyst, writer, and editor. Here at Zelda Dungeon, she is the Head of Social Media and a copy editor, though she still enjoys occasionally writing things. Someday, she plans on giving up all her worldly possessions to move to the forest and become best friends with a korok. Were it so easy.
