10 Legend Of Zelda Games With The Best Endings (2024)

The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo's most successful franchises. With more than 40 games in its collection, including spin-offs and releases, the series has covered a wide range of fantastical stories. While every game revisits at least some of the same core characters and elements, they've also continued to individually break new ground, and the endings of the games often manage to bring things home with memorable emotional sequences.

Link and Zelda have been through many adventures, traversing across Hyrule and other realms. The Legend of Zelda games typically start out the same: a tragedy happens, plunging Link into a heroic quest to save Hyrule and rescue Princess Zelda. The endings can have a lot more variety, but out of all the Legend of Zelda games, only some have finales that truly stand out.

10 Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

A Timeline Saved From Calamity Ganon

Though not a mainline game, players can't deny that the prequel spinoff to The Legend of Zelda games delivers a thrilling exploration of Hyrule's history. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity ties perfectly into the mainline games. It takes place 100 years before the events of Breath of the Wild, where Link and Princess Zelda must stop Calamity Ganon from reviving himself and destroying Hyrule once and for all.

Storywise, it's one of the better Hyrule Warriors games, but it follows a similar hack-and-slash gameplay. Age of Calamity's ending makes it so special—set in a different timeline than Breath of the Wild, Terrako, a time-traveling Guardian, takes on Calamity Ganon. In an effort to weaken the villain, Terrako sacrifices itself and Hyrule is saved. Princess Zelda's powers wake up earlier than in the original timeline, thus saving the Champions and the King and preventing Link from being wounded.

Age of Calamity shows how everything would have been had Calamity Ganon been stopped. It's a beautiful ending where Hyrule's heroes triumph without a devastating loss, creating a timeline filled with hope and unity.

9 A Link To The Past

A Beautiful Montage Of Characters Saved By Link

A Link to the Past is a classic. The third game in the Legend of Zelda franchise has an old-time 2D, top-down charm that continues to captivate players. The dungeons, bosses, and overworld were nothing short of perfect, and there were plenty of secrets to uncover. Plus, the fact that you could change between the light and dark worlds added an exciting twist.

A Link to the Past's ending was satisfying. After beating Ganon, Link uses the Triforce to restore peace to Hyrule. That's it — that's the ending. Except, not really, because players then watch a montage featuring locations and characters throughout the game. It's a beautiful and heartfelt moment highlighting the journey and Link's impact on Hyrule.

8 A Link Between Worlds

Hilda And Zelda Make Amends

As the spiritual successor to A Link to the Past, A Link Between Worlds had a lot to live up to. It was released in 2013 on the Nintendo 3DS and packed with twists. A Link Between Worlds featured better graphics, a more complex story, and a beautiful ending. The twists made A Link Between Worlds more exciting and the ending more emotional. In the end, players learn that the Yuga were Princess Hilda's minions and that Ravio is the dark world's version of Link — a revelation that happens when Ravio finally removes his mask.

Throughout the game, players witness the contrasts between Hilda and Zelda and Lorule and Hyrule, as well as the conflict between the two princesses. Link and Zelda return to Hyrule, and after resolving the conflict with Hilda, they restore Lorule's Triforce. Watching the parallels between the light and dark world versions of Zelda, Link, and Hyrule shows how choices and connections shape different worlds. Seeing Link and Zelda forgive Hilda and restore peace to both worlds is touching.

7 Link’s Awakening

All But A Dream

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is probably one of the most gut-wrenching Legend of Zelda endings. How the game sets itself up for the ending only contributes to the following heartbreak. After being lost at sea, Link finds himself on the shores of Koholint Island and soon begins an adventure to open a giant egg on top of a mountain. The egg is home to Koholint's legendary Wind Fish.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Zelda game without some dungeons to explore and monsters to fight—along with The Legend of Zelda's main antagonist, Ganon. The final boss fight is against Ganon in a shadowy pig form. Once Link beats Ganon, he meets the Wind Fish, who explains that all this has been a dream — his dream.

The heartbreaking part comes with the ending credits. In typical Legend of Zelda fashion, Link's Awakening ends with another montage, showing all the people Link helped on Koholint Island and how they are now ceasing to be. Then, Link awakens on the wreckage of his ship, realizing that his latest adventure and the people he had met were nothing more than the Wind Fish's dream. It's one of the saddest and best endings of The Legend of Zelda games. It certainly brought many fans to tears, and its memory lives on.

6 Twilight Princess

Midna Returns To The Twilight Realm

Twilight Princess is a great addition to The Legend of Zelda series. Some fans even argue that it's better than Breath of the Wild. It has an impressive story, more combat choices, better equipment and dungeons, and a beautiful art style. Plus, it has Midna as Link's companion, a step from other companions like Ocarina of Time's Navi and Breath of the Wild's Champions.

What else makes Twilight Princess one of the best Legend of Zelda games is the ending. The entire game of Twilight Princessfeatures a darker twist than other Zelda games, and the defeat of Ganon is morbid and different from what fans are used to. In the final fight, Ganon's neck is snapped by Zant, ending the villain's reign of terror and restoring peace to Hyrule once more.

In another gut-wrenching ending, Link then must say goodbye to his sidekick, Midna. Midna returns to the Twilight Realm, and that's the last Link sees of her. While it's painful to watch her leave, players can take comfort in knowing she's finally at peace.

5 Wind Waker

King Daphnes's Ultimate Sacrifice

To some fans, Wind Waker is one of the best Legend of Zelda games out there. Its fun new art style and different game mechanics certainly broke the mold of what was normal for The Legend of Zelda games. It also introduced some of the most memorable characters, like Tetra, and unique bosses.

In terms of endings, though, Wind Waker takes the cake. Despite defeating Ganon, Hyrule is still in trouble: it's destined to be swallowed up by the sea. Wind Waker sees yet another character making a sacrifice to save the world — this time, King Daphnes, who was Link's companion in Wind Waker, in the form of a red boat.

Ultimately, King Daphnes reveals his true form and sacrifices himself to save Hyrule. However, before he sacrifices himself, he gives a bittersweet speech. Link tries to save King Daphnes, but it's useless, and the King dies. His sacrifice saves Hyrule but leaves Link and the players to mourn their loss.

4 Ocarina Of Time

An Emotional Farewell To Navi

Another great Legend of Zelda game is Ocarina of Time. In fact, Ocarina of Time has maintained a high critical and cultural status as one of the best games of all time. Even almost 26 years later, it remains a fan favorite. It was the first 3D Zelda game and the first to introduce the beloved Epona. The story, combat, design, and game mechanics also make it a timeless classic.

As one of the most iconic Legend of Zelda games out there, it's no surprise that its ending is equally iconic and memorable. Link beats Ganon in an epic and intense battle. The Seven Sages then seal Ganon away. Hyrule is saved yet again by the green hero. Characters come together to celebrate, and Zelda apologizes to Link. Link says goodbye to Navi, and then Link meets up with young Zelda. It's an ending full of emotion, nostalgia, and bittersweet farewells.

3 Majora’s Mask

Skull Kid Is Saved From The Mask's Influence

Majora's Mask has gotten some hate over the years. Many showed annoyance over the time limits and resets. Nonetheless, it's a great Legend of Zelda game with a dedicated fanbase. Fans of the game have even created some iconic cosplays of Majora Mask's Skull Kid. It's undeniable that Majora's Mask has a fun and engaging story, taking Link into a parallel world where he must stop the moon from crashing in three days.

Most of Majora's Mask is depressing, especially if players experience the end-of-the-world cutscene, but that makes the ending even more impactful. Like most Legend of Zelda endings, the ending sees the main villain defeated and the characters celebrating. However, what's different here is that Skull Kid was saved.

No longer under the influence of the mask, Skull Kid can meet again with his fairy friends. Before parting ways, Skull Kid asks Link to be his friend. Link agrees, and the end shot shows a cute drawing of Link and Skull Kid left behind on a tree by Skull Kid himself.

2 Breath Of The Wild

A Touching Cutscene When All Memories Are Collected

Breath of the Wild takes a new spin on the Legend of Zelda games by reintroducing the open-world concept to Zelda games, and it did it incredibly well. Though the story did lack in some areas, Breath of the Wild was still well-received. The ending of Breath of the Wild left the door open for its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, and it was beautifully done, no matter which of the two endings was received.

If all of Link's memories are recovered, players learn about how Zelda was able to tap into her powers. It's an emotional story where Princess Zelda must awaken her powers to save Link's life. Witnessing this and Zelda harnessing her powers is a powerful and touching moment.

With all memories gathered, players enjoy an extra cutscene once the final boss is defeated. If Link misses any memories, the ending is shorter and simple, with the credits rolling and the spirits looking down on the heroes.

1 Tears Of The Kingdom

Hyrule Is Saved From Calamity Ganon

Arguably the best Legend of Zelda game and the best ending in the franchise, Tears of the Kingdom was released several years after Breath of the Wild and was worth the wait. It improves on many aspects of Breath of the Wild, including the story. With a stronger story, the ending delivers an emotional and satisfying conclusion. Link and Ganon battle in an intense fight, with Ganon soon taking the form of a dragon.

Zelda, who has also transformed into a dragon, helps Link take down Ganon in an epic battle in the sky. After the battle, Zelda returns to her normal form with the help of Rauru and Sonia, and Link has to save Zelda as she falls through the sky. Hyrule has been saved again, leaving the characters of Tears of the Kingdom to celebrate. Link and Zelda are reunited, Mineru says goodbye, and the Sages promise to keep Hyrule safe.

The Legend of Zelda is a masterpiece of a franchise. The stories, visuals, characters, and endings all contribute to the timeless appeal of the franchise. The endings, in particular, often stay with fans for years after the games end, leaving them with a lasting emotional impact.

The Legend of Zelda

Action-Adventure

Franchise

The Legend of Zelda

Platform(s)

Nintendo Entertainment System , Game Boy Advance , 3DS , Wii , Nintendo Wii U

Developer(s)

Nintendo EAD