40 years. More than 20 different games. One incredible legacy.
As The Legend of Zelda celebrates its 40th anniversary, the Zelda Universe staff has come together to determine the forty very best moments from across the series. These are story cutscenes that left us stunned, awe-inspiring locations that took our breath away, gameplay sequences that tested our mettle, boss battles that thrilled us from start to finish, and more. They come from the earliest days all the way back on the NES, to some of the most recent adventures that released on the Nintendo Switch.
In a series that that has delivered countless unforgettable memories, these are the moments that best define what The Legend of Zelda means, and why it has remained so beloved by fans around the world for four decades.
Linebeck’s reputation precedes him. Captain of a fine boat. A fearless adventurer who has travelled all over the world. One who has never known defeat. When Link finally meets the renowned captain in person, he quickly discovers that Linebeck is more bravado than brave and is always quick with an excuse to explain his shortcomings. Link first encounters our undefeated adventurer stuck in a trap. Oh, that’s only because he “sprained” his ankle. Never mind that he’s running like the wind the moment Link sets him free. Link’s fairy companion Ciela sees right through him and is not shy about calling him out, leading to some hilarious banter between the two. This sets the stage for Linebeck to be the game’s source of comedic relief, though all his boasting and bluster in the early parts of Phantom Hourglass go on to have an impact later as his character grows during the events that unfold around him.
– Shona Johnson
19. Flipping the Stone Tower Temple
The Stone Tower Temple is a complicated dungeon, both in the sense of it being an absolutely mind-bending maze and having some seriously tricky sequences. Just reaching the Stone Tower can be tedious, after having navigated the Gibdos in the Ikana Valley Well and playing the Elegy of Emptiness countless times. But when you start to see treasure chests glued to the ceiling, it begs an inviting question. Certainly, we all know what that’s telegraphing, but that sounds crazy, right? It can’t be! But then, it is. With one magical Light Arrow, the Stone Tower Temple is turned upside down and becomes unfamiliar again with your brain racing to understand the implications. Sure, each room is recognizable, but nothing works like it used to. This sort of mechanic has never been replicated save for possibly Vah Rudania in Breath of the Wild, but the Stone Tower in Majora’s Mask is more memorable for being the first to implement it, and it is unlikely we’ll see this dungeon’s likeness ever again.
– David Johnson
18. The Master Sword is proven powerless against Ganondorf
Anyone who has defeated the Helmaroc King in The Wind Waker knows that’s the time to break out the popcorn, because once Link goes through the threshold of Ganondorf’s lair in the Forsaken Fortress, that’s when the big grown-up things go down. Surprise, the Master Sword is powerless. Oh no! This amazing action-packed scene is barely five minutes long but remarkably holds up 23 years later. It shows that Link and Ganondorf can carry a riveting conversation without Link saying a single word. More amazing still, we get a fantastic plot twist, relatable character perspectives, an exciting fight and escape scene, and a potent dose of lore all in such a short amount of time. We also learn three important things about Ganondorf. First, he chooses violence. Second, he can’t swim. And third, if all else fails, use fire (namely Valoo’s).
– Chelsea Reed
17. Zelda becomes a ghost companion
Despite the series bearing her name, we don’t get to spend much time with Zelda throughout the video games. In the vast majority of cases, our interactions with her are limited to a conversation or two. The first time she is a constant presence comes in Spirit Tracks, where Zelda becomes our companion for the adventure, joining us for every battle, puzzle, and dungeon-diving quest. The circumstances surrounding our partnership are quite shocking, as Chancellor Cole effectively kills the princess, driving her soul from her body. A short while later, we learn the reason Zelda was targeted was so that Demon King Malladus could possess her body. Zelda’s reaction is understandable, memorable, and downright hilarious.
“Nooooooooooooo! The Demon King is going to run around in MY body? BLECH! That’s too disgusting for words!”
– Connor Schultz
16. The final battle with Ganon
Link and Zelda manage to escape Ganon’s Castle before it collapses, surveying the devastation and believing that their quest to save Hyrule is finally over. At that moment, Ganondorf emerges from the rubble, eyes ablaze with fury and malice. In a fit of rage, uses the Triforce of Power to turn himself into his classic pig-beast form, the monstrous Ganon. Thus, Ocarina of Time’s final battle ensues between Link and Ganon. Link is put at a severe disadvantage early, as Ganon knocks away the Master Sword with one crazed swing of his gigantic blades. Even once Link retrieves the sacred blade, he continues to battle intensely with Ganon in what is to this day one of the greatest final boss battles of any video game, let alone a Zelda title. The atmosphere, the music, the constant lightning, the whole scene is pure cinema — a glowing example of why The Legend of Zelda remains one of the best video game series ever created.
– Jason Coleman
15. “You’ve met with a terrible fate, haven’t you?”
The introduction to Majora’s Mask is exhilarating. As a direct sequel to the beloved Ocarina of Time, it features a Link who, despite still being young, is a seasoned adventurer. He’s riding horseback and doing fancy flips when he jumps. You’re feeling pretty good about yourself, right up until you literally fall into a nightmare situation, losing your items, transformed into a lowly Deku Scrub, and one of Skull Kid’s lackeys won’t stop insulting you. The first person who’s willing to give you the time of day (or three) is the Happy Mask Salesman, who recognizes the dire situation Link is in and sums it up honestly. “You’ve met with a terrible fate, haven’t you?” he quips. But at least he’s willing to help you, so as you enter Clock Town and play through the first part of the game, with every shred of Ocarina of Time’s comfort and familiarity torn away, there’s an inkling of hope.
– Shona Johnson
14. The truth about Koholint Island
Each Legend of Zelda adventure takes the “saving the world” story in its own direction, but only once did it have you questioning not just your quest, but the nature of reality itself. All throughout your journey on Koholint Island in Link’s Awakening, you receive hints that something strange is going on. But it’s not until you reach the Southern Shrine, and come upon the ancient murals which throw everything into question. You learn that you are not simply trapped on an island, you are somehow trapped within the dream of the very entity that you are supposedly trying to awaken. Uncertain of the outcome, and taunted by the Nightmares that face you every step of the way, it’s not until you reach the end of the game and finally awaken the Wind Fish that the nature of the dreams is revealed, sending you on your way home.
– Connor Schultz
13. Zelda transforms into the Light Dragon
Throughout your time in Tears of the Kingdom, you have probably noticed a peculiar looking dragon with a golden mane flying around the map. As you explore the overworld and discover the Dragon Tear Memories, you slowly find more and more clues that hint at what this mysterious creature is, and where it might have come from. The truth is finally confirmed within the very last Memory, where Zelda reflects upon her journey and what she has experienced during her time in the past. She decides that the only hope Hyrule has left to defeat Demon King Ganondorf lies with Link and the Master Sword, which she currently holds in a time long ago. After setting various things in motion for Link in the future, her final act is to swallow her Secret Stone while holding onto the Master Sword. Doing so transforms her into the immortal Light Dragon, who will then bear and restore the Master Sword for countless ages to come.
“Link! Protect them all!” Zelda shouts, and with tears streaming from her eyes, she soars off into the sky.
– Jason Coleman
12. Link leaves Kokiri Forest
Many coming of age stories feature a protagonist stepping out from their sheltered life and heading into the big, wide world. Ocarina of Time’s Kokiri Forest is certainly sheltered, where the Kokiri whisper in hushed tones about those who become lost forever, or even die if they venture outside the safety of the village. So when Link, who has grown up in the forest, is directed to leave by its guardian spirit, the Great Deku Tree, it’s an emotionally poignant moment, made even more so when he’s forced to bid farewell to his best friend Saria. With her blessing, as well as the gift of the Fairy Ocarina, he takes his first steps into the world beyond, where he’s greeted by a vista full of adventure and possibility (and an annoying owl, but that’s memorable for another reason).
– Shona Johnson
11. The battle with Link’s Shadow
Making it to the end of The Adventure of Link is going to feel like a triumph for anyone who’s managed to accomplish it, simply because the game is renowned for being incredibly difficult. You likely breathed a sigh of relief after defeating Thunderbird, the final dungeon’s boss, and reaching the Triforce of Courage…only to have the game deliver one final troll: Link’s very shadow leaps out and begins to attack. What follows is a fight that will be memorable for one of two reasons: You either fight him properly like a true hero, or you’ve heard from a friend (or a strategy guide) that you can totally cheese the fight, reducing one of the series’ most difficult boss battles to a joke. But, if you’ve made it that far and take the (ch)easy way out at the very end, we’re certainly not going to judge. Regardless of how punishing the fight proves, it’s the debut of a fan favorite enemy who would frequently appear in later games, as well as other Legend of Zelda media.
– Shona Johnson
Jeffrey Pawlak
Jeffrey Pawlak is the Features Director for Zelda Universe, and has been a member of the website's community for more than 20 years. He is also a high fantasy author and an aspiring comic book artist.
by Jeffrey Pawlak on February 23, 2026
