The entireThe Legend Of Zeldaseries is filled with some of the best stories in the history of both Nintendo and gaming as a whole. Seeing the adventures of Link as he sets out to take Ganon down is always a joy, but some of those fantastic stories are quite a bit longer than others.
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On the shorter end of the spectrum, you’ll be able to beat some Zelda games in just a handful of hours if you know what you’re doing. As things have progressed, it’s entirely possible that now, you’re able to be playing certain Zelda games for well over a hundred hours if you want to do everything you possibly can.
10A Link Between Worlds - Roughly 16 Hours
It shouldn’t surprise anyone thatthe excellent handheld entries in the seriesare some of the shorter ones. While it will take you longer if you want to take your time and explore every inch of the familiar map in this A Link To The Past sequel, you can beat this 3DS gem in about 16 hours.
That number may be a bit surprising considering the game is relatively newer than some others on this list, but due to the lower difficulty of A Link Between Worlds, it’s a fun and simple game to play.
9Phantom Hourglass - Roughly 17 Hours
If you’re like some people who struggled to figure out some of the more obscure and inventive DS puzzles in this game, it might have taken you more than 17 hours. Realistically, it seems that most people are able to get through the main story in around that time.
Exploring the oceans with Linebeck at your side is a ton of fun, but as long as you aren’t sidetracked at every opportunity, you shouldn’t struggle to beat Phantom Hourglass in less than twenty hours at all.
8Spirit Tracks - Roughly 20 Hours
You might think that a Zelda game filled with trains would mean a faster completion time, but it does seem to be one of the longest handhelds in the series. You won’t even need to worry about classic baddies like Ganon because you’ll be up against Malladus in this one.
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Interestingly, you get to work alongside Zelda in this game instead of her being more of a side character. It’s a simple little story, but an underrated game as far as the handheld Zeldas go, so it might be worth going back and giving this one a try if you haven’t before.
7Majora’s Mask - Roughly 20 Hours
You might be forced to repeat the same three days over and over again, but Majora’s Mask is another Zelda game that’s only going to take you roughly twenty hours to beat. That number will change drastically if you’re interested intracking down each and every mask, but that’s a completionist’s problem.
The main adventure of this game really is a lot shorter than you might remember, which is both a good and a bad thing for different people. Heading back to Termina is never a bad idea, especially if you’re in the mood for weird.
6Ocarina Of Time - Roughly 27 Hours
One of the all-time classic Nintendo 64 titles, Ocarina Of Time is a fulfilling adventure that is going to take you more than an entire day of straight playing in order to beat it. With all the adventuring you have to do across two points in time, it just makes sense.
If you aren’t a fan of horror, it might take you a bit longer than twenty-seven hours just because the Shadow Temple and The Bottom Of The Well both have no right to be anywhere near as creepy as they are.
5The Wind Waker - Roughly 30 Hours
The Wind Waker only taking around 30 hours to beat might surprise some people because, while fun,the sailing can make you feel like you’re on a huge and epic journey. If you have no idea what you’re doing in the original version, it might end up taking you even longer thanks to that Triforce quest.
Regardless of how long the game takes, you’ll have a blast playing this timeless and surprisingly heartfelt entry in the series. Everything you do may be for Hyrule, but at the end of the day, isn’t it really just for your sister and grandma?
4Twilight Princess - Roughly 37 Hours
Considering Twilight Princess felt like the first truly cinematic game in the series, it only makes sense that it would be a pretty long game. At nearly forty hours to beat it in a casual playthrough, you’ll enjoy braving the twilight with the impish Midna by your side.
Believe it or not, before Tears Of The Kingdom was released, this game was the last time Ganondorf was the main threat of a Zelda title, something incredibly difficult to wrap your head around. This edgier take on the series isone of the absolute bestfor good reason.
3Skyward Sword - Roughly 38 Hours
Skyward Sword is another Zelda game that is fairly easy, but the wonderful story takes place at the earliest point in the Zelda timeline thus far, and it’s well-worth experiencing. Acting as the origin story of the Link, Zelda, and Ganon cycle, Skyward Sword is a Wii-mote stroke of genius.
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By the end of the story, you’ll still be wishing it was longer, even if you don’t think Fi is one of the better companions. As long as you don’t loiter around Skyloft, you’ll be able to take down Demise in around 38 hours.
2Breath Of The Wild - Roughly 50 Hours
For a long time, Breath Of The Wild was by far the biggest Zelda game you could play. While you can rush right to the boss if you want, a full playthrough of the story is likely going to end up taking you around fifty hours to complete.
That’s without even attempting full completion of the game, something that will basically double the length of the game. It may be lacking in story content compared to other Zelda games, but it doesn’t lack things to find and lands to explore.
1Tears Of The Kingdom - Roughly 55 Hours
People weren’t sure just how big of a game Tears Of The Kingdom could be considering it was seemingly going to reuse the same Hyrule from Breath Of The Wild, but oh boy, it’s even bigger.Forget classic Hyrule, now there’s the sky and the depths to explore.
While people are still figuring out how long it’s taking for the average player to beat the game, those going through the motions of the main story content are finding a roughly 55-hour playtime. Considering every payer will tackle the game differently, it’s likely that you’ll have a different time from any of your friends.
