Summary
The Legend of Zeldafranchise is undoubtedly one of the most iconic series in gaming, both in the 2D and 3D space. But, for a long time, it’s been hotly contested whether or not the 2D entries into this franchise are superior to the 3D ones, or if it’s the other way around.
That’s why I’m here to put this debate to rest. That’s right, definitively, the 3D games are far superior to the 2D ones. If you’re throwing things at your computer screen, fear not, I have an argument. Here’s why the 3D Zelda games are far superior to the 2D ones.
10Story
In Fair Hyrule, Where We Lay Our Scene
The stories of the Legend of Zelda franchise are some of the most memorable in all of video games. While some of the more recent entries like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom put story second, a lot of the main 3D installments of this series just have superior stories.
That’s not to say that the stories in games like A Link to the Past or Link’s Awakening aren’t also evocative, but there’s just nothing more impactful than the story of Ocarina of Time or Wind Waker. I won’t spoil anything if you haven’t played some of the 3D games, but there’s at least one twist-worthy moment in Ocarina that is just historic in terms of gaming.
9Characters
For Midna Alone
The characters of The Legend of Zelda franchise are also some of the most unforgettableNPCs in video games. Some are indeed more annoying than others. Fi and Navi come to mind. But then, my friends, there’s Midna.
Midna is far and away the most lovable and compelling character that we’ve ever had the honor of calling our sidekick in The Legend of Zelda. For her alone, the 3D sidekicks and NPCs have to take the cake. Plus, with characters like Sheik and some of the more memorable iterations ofGanon and Ganondorfin tow, the 3D games emerge triumphant on this front.
8Puzzle-Solving
It Just Gets More Complex
There are fantastic puzzles to be found throughout the Legend of Zelda series, some in dungeons, some not. Regardless of what your favorite puzzle is in the Legend of Zelda franchise, it’s objectively fair to say that rendering puzzles in a 3D space allows for a lot more complexity.
There are just some puzzles in 3D Zelda games that wouldn’t work in 2D ones. The Stone Tower Temple in Majora’s Mask alone wouldn’t be possible without 3D graphics. That’s not to say that all 3D puzzles are better than the 2D ones. But, generally speaking, there’s just far more flexibility that can happen when you’re creating puzzles in three dimensions.
7Combat
Always More Fun In 3D
The Legend of Zelda series has never been particularly known forits combat mechanics. Most of the time, you’re just swinging your sword left to right, with an occasional spin attack or roll. However, in more recent years, the 3D entries have found ways to be more fun about combat. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, of course, offer a lot of extra creativity, but there’s more to it than just adding more weapons.
Games like Twilight Princess introduced mounted combat mechanics and a sort of skill tree for Link, while games like Wind Waker created satisfying opportunity attack mechanics. It’s not that these couldn’t also feature in more 2D games, but overall, they just happen to be in more of the 3D ones.
6Canon Significance
This One’s not My Fault
Unfortunately, just due to the nature of home consoles' prevalence over portable ones, and the fact that so many of the 2D Zelda games got relegated to portable consoles, the 3D games just tend to have more narrative impact on the canon. Of course, the Legend of Zelda canon is hotly contested, and ultimately, never set in stone.
But it’s ridiculous to say that the impact that a game like Ocarina of Time had on the idea of the Zelda timeline/canon is less impactful than something like Oracle of Seasons or Ages. A lot of the 2D games tend to feel more like side stories, which, while enjoyable, just don’t carry the same narrative heft.
5Dungeons
Some Of The Most Iconic In The Bunch
Beyond just the puzzles, which again, in a 3D dungeon, often can be more creative than in a 2D space, the dungeons in the 3D games just offer a lot more in terms of tone, aesthetics, and overall layouts. Some of the more frustrating dungeons are indeed found in these games, but some of the best-designed dungeons (either in terms of vibe or puzzle-solving) are found in the 3D games.
Some quick examples that come to mind: The Ancient Cistern, The Forest Temple (Ocarina of Time), The Stone Tower Temple, Sky Keep, and The Wind Temple. All of these have fantastic 3D puzzles, as well as excellent tone and atmosphere that just can’t be matched by a 2D game.
4Item Usage
Hit That Hookshot
A lot of the 2D and 3D Zelda games share items. It’s sort of a joke, really, how many items recur over and over again between games. However, the way these items work across 2D games and 3D ones is not always equal.
The hookshot or clawshot is one such example. Consider the way the double clawshots work in Twilight Princess as compared to the way the hookshot works in most 2D games. In one, you get to be Spider-Man; in the other, well, you’re able to sometimes pull yourself across a narrow gap. It’s just not the same experience.
3Music
Do I Have To Explain This One?
This is another comparison that frankly, feels a little unfair to the 2D games. After all, most of the 2D games originated the music in the series, and the iconic theme song for the franchise works just as well in many ways in 8-bit or with a full orchestra behind it.
But, in many other ways, it’s just fair to say that the 3D games got a lot more time, effort, and money poured into them in terms of their soundtracks. Hearing these scores rendered with a full orchestra just better captures the sense of adventure that The Legend of Zelda does so well.
2Environments
Death Mountain’s Just Not The Same In 2D
There are many iconic locations and environments in both 2D and 3D Zelda games, as well as some shared ones that carry over between games. However, just like the music of these games, sometimes, a particular location just packs more of a punch in 3D.
Take the iconic Death Mountain, for example, which recurs throughout the series. Is it fair to say that a 2D version of Death Mountain is as impactful as scaling the side of the iconic volcano in Breath of the Wild?. In my opinion, no. Other environments like the Deku Forest and Zora’s Domain come to mind as well.
1Zeldas
You Know Her, You Love Her
This one’s a bit more personal, but I think there’s plenty of objective merit as well. When it comes to the incarnations of Zelda, the 3D incarnations just feel more engaging. Zelda is the titular character in this franchise, so it feels worth weighing which versions of this iconic princess feel more memorable.
For some of the 2D games, Zelda is largely absent or asleep. Take this in comparison with Zelda from Breath of the Wild, Wind Waker, or Ocarina of Time, who all feel so full of personality and character, and the answer seems obvious. If the Zeldas themselves are better in 3D, then certainly the games themselves have to be superior.
