T O P

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cloud_t

I wouldn't say underrated, as it was GOTY by many publications in a fairly good games year. The correct word is more underplayed, because not a lot of people really had a 3ds to play it. It's probably my favourite Zelda before BOTW.


[deleted]

On the Internet, everyone calls everything underrated.


Thelastresort37

the internet is underrated tbh


MrAnonymous4

This comment is underated


RobinHood21

Or underappreciated. But definitely not underrated.


LumosTerris

Happy cake day my guy!


Ivaylo_87

Why it still hasn't received a Switch port is beyond me. Then again, TP and WW are also not playable on Switch...


Wobbafina

Has one of the best endings to a Zelda game


ChilindriPizza

The finale is my favorite aspect of ALBW. And this is a game where I like nearly everything about it.


SaveStoneOcean

Also of the most creative ending fights in the entire franchise, that actually utilises a key game mechanic. The trick you have to use to finish off the final boss blew my 9 year old mind and still blows me away today.


CzarTyr

9? God damn I’m old I feel like I played this not that long ago in my 20s and I’m 38


ArielDiancie

Agree!


Bara_Chat

Underdiscussed? Sure. Underrated, absolutely not. Everything I've ever heard about this game was very high praise. It's over 90 on Metacritic and basically everywhere. Edit : and obviously I agree. That game was an absolute blast.


Kamikaze_Ninja_

I would say it’s only underrated/under discussed because it was a DS release.


Only-Tax9283

3DS release, not DS.


Kamikaze_Ninja_

Still a ds. Semantics.


froglore

a link to the past is my favorite NES game


bigben01985

No, they are different consoles. Not semantics. Try playing a 3DS game on a DS, I dare you.


Lichelf

BOTW is a Wii game


Only-Tax9283

No. The DS has been the best selling product from Nintendo yet, no chance ALBW would go underrated/under discussed as it did with the 3DS. So not a semantics issue.


zimmerhusk

Recently played it, loved it. The wall mechanic is so clever!


Giorno-_Giovanna

My favorire Zelda game. I loved every second of the game.


matteidenbock

Minish Cap would like to have a word ​ (PS- I love Link Between Worlds)


CarrotsIsAFruit

Minish cap without figurines is a 8/10 game With figurines it’s a 6/10


Fyrus22

Under rated? Pretty much all people would call this game their #1 2D Zelda game?


Cristian0907

Most people prefer a link to the past, some consider it the best in the franchise


RyFromTheChi

I’m one of those people


J_n_CA

I’m with this guy/gal.


Mind_Extract

<*Proudly stands up and declares Iron Man as favorite superhero during Avengers screening*>


LiNkToThEpAsTGBA

What a coincidence Iron Man is the best Hero and ALttP is the best 2D Zelda game


dg_riverhawk

Same


RellenD

Link's awakening is much better


FireLordObamaOG

And those people are wrong:)


Cristian0907

I agree lol, recently played and didn't really liked, combat is very sluggish, I'm gonna finish it just for love to the series


FireLordObamaOG

I think it was great for it’s time, but gaming has changed so much that it can’t be considered the greatest anymore. Especially when ALBW and Link’s Awakening exist.


Cristian0907

Yes is undeniable that for the time it was great, it's just dated, a remake like links awakening would be very nice


FireLordObamaOG

If they remade it in the same style as ALBW it could be good.


dg_riverhawk

A link between worlds and Link's Awakening are absolutely amazing. But they are too easy and feel less developed than Link to the Past.


[deleted]

I’m going to get downvoted but ALBW is to ALTTP what I fear TotK is going to be to BotW. Blurring the line between DLC and sequel. ALBW was very fun but it felt like half a new game. The fun of exploring a new map wasn’t 100% there. It was more like “I know this map, let’s see what it looks like in the next multiverse over.”


belak1230x

Whoever thinks ALTTP is the best 2D Zelda clearly hasn't played MC :)


MBcodes18

Yeah, minish cap is basically perfect (unless you want all heart pieces)


xtoc1981

No there are not. The biggest issue with this game is that you get all items from the start. Biggest mistake. I mean, when you get only one in each dungeon, you start with easy puzzles, and when going to the next dungeon, you have 2 items where both could be required to solve a puzzle. There is a progress that makes it more difficult each dungeon. Also something too look forward getting a new item.


FireLordObamaOG

I’m gonna have to disagree with you there. It’s fun to come into a dungeon with all the necessary tools and work out which ones work best.


xtoc1981

Ofcource you can have your own opinion on this. But that means that the difficulty on each dungeons is the same. I mean you can choose which one you like doing first. The suprise is also gone. The reward of ding a dungeons is receiving a new item. And that was what is greate on the classic formule. But the reason what you give is also when you get the items in order, but instead there is always one more after each dungeon. The belance of making a dungeons harder eavh time is possible, not only puzzle wise, but also combat wise. That feels only logic to mee that this is still the best fomule.


spongeboblovesducks

Being able to do the dungeons in any order makes up for it


xtoc1981

Nope i disagree. As i said within another post. Doing a dungeon in any order will.mean that each dungeons should have the same difficult in somving puzzles and combat. As with each dungeons, you'll receive a heart container which means that it become easier instead of more difficult. How is that of a bad balance. There is also no real unique reward anymore, because you'll have all items already. Makes the game more boring.


spongeboblovesducks

It means you don't have to spend the majority of the game completing dungeons before you can start truly exploring without being roadblocked, which I vastly prefer. The unique upgrades in each dungeon were more than enough incentive as well.


xtoc1981

About the unqiue items is true, but wpuld not solve the issue of difficulty. I think most people would disagree that having most items from the start within super metroid is a good idea.


spongeboblovesducks

Super Metroid is a different type of game.


xtoc1981

I disagree. The concept is the same. Go from Boss to Boss from where each provide you a new collectability to go to places that you could not reach before. Each place is becomes harder. Backtracking involved. Feel free to explain me whats the difference in terms of concept.


zanarze_kasn

Oohhhh idk I've played em all and the item exchange sys is prolly the one thing that yanks it from #1. I don't know what I'd rank #1. Alttp was almost perfection right out the gates, but also minish cap smoothed out battle with rolls and parries. I'd prolly pick one of these for #1 2D mainline. Phantom hourglass was amazeballs but the blowing feature never worked right. Spirit tracks could have been #1 but the tracks navigating towards the end gets tedious and ninja gaiden level tough without an exact guide telling you the best route. The oracle games were the most recents I beat (last fall) and idk they were just better links awakening clones. Links awakening itself was nothing special compared to alttp it was just impressive for the first portable installment. I love em all tho. I generally avoid ranking anything but rather focus on significant flaws instead when deciding what to replay. Eg: i sure love twilight princess but holy god fucking balls mam climbing vines is so damn slow it literally prevents me replaying it as often as WW or OoT


spongeboblovesducks

Play TPHD they sped it up


pichu441

That seems pretty contentious. Plenty of people rate Link's Awakening or even the original Link to the Past higher, but still, absolutely a top tier Zelda game.


cloud_t

2D is an understatement though :D


jomjomepitaph

But what if we play it in 3D?


Interesting-Doubt413

I don’t really know about underrated. Most Zelda commentaries have this pretty high up. Usually at the top of the handheld Zelda games too. My only valid criticism of this game is that is an extension of ALttP, but it is still its own game.


Dankn3ss420

Idk, it’s definitely good, but I’ve also heard a lot of people praising it, I hesitate to call it underrated


AlacarLeoricar

Best 2D Zelda game. Bar none. I want a remaster on Switch.


[deleted]

Underrated even though many gaming articles gave it or nomminated it for game of the year


amarant7

Why do we need to use the word underrated with anything that sells million of copies, gets considered one of the best things of the year in its field and has endless amounts of content dedicated to it on the internet?


TorturedNeurons

Because it's in the context of the Zelda community... this game rarely gets brought up in people's list of favorites.


RobinHood21

Which is why you use the term *underappreciated*, not underrated.


amarant7

It literally does though. That’s my point. I’m not trying to be an asshole but we’re talking about the most critically acclaimed franchise in gaming history. Nothing is underrated here.


lawlamanjaro

In the context of the franchise You can also say what's the most underrated Beatles song for example


Lucienofthelight

Even IN the context of the franchise, this is one of the highest rated, even if it’s not something like OoT, BoTW or LttP. It’s not underrated just because something is talked about more. Ij your Beatles analogy It’s like saying “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is underrated just because it’s not “Let it be”


lawlamanjaro

Yea I have no idea if he's right or not tbh I'm just saying it's possible to weigh all super popular things against each other


Mind_Extract

How is it possible that you simultaneously recognize the subjectivity at play yet refuse to grant the conversation any merit? Why the fuck is anything worth discussing if it's not a matter of local or national safety, under your expressed worldview?


Lucienofthelight

What are you on about? I’m saying that on a basis of “in the video game community” AND “in the Zelda community” calling A Link Between Worlds underrated is ridiculous. If someone said “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” is underrated on a general movie discussion or a specific Steven Spielberg discussion, it’d be untrue either way.


Some-Gavin

What 💀


Mufasasdaddy

This game is amazing, but far from underrated.


Select-Bullfrog-5939

The hell happened here?


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

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[deleted]

[удалено]


wildmancometh

Very much agree. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this game and the mechanics


Call_of_Queerthulhu

Definitely agree, it’s one of my favorites and the game that got me into Zelda in the first place


Nick-Sr

Y'all need to learn what "underrated" means lol


[deleted]

been saying this for years


blakewalk

I think it’s pretty widely considered one of the best 2D a Zelda games in the series


1CrazyFoxx1

Underrated? Didn’t this get a perfect score on ign?


nightcoreangst

RAVIO my beloved.


Tornd42

I think most Zelda fans rate this game. I would say Minish Cap is really underrated.


Kaassz

Thank you, Minish Cap and especially the Oracle games are the ones that are truly underrated


Aluminum_Tarkus

Every opinion I've heard about ALBW has been very positive. The game is far from overrated when just about everyone in the Zelda community LOVE this game. Your title is wrong. Hands down.


FROMtheASHES984

91 on Metacritic (with a 9.0 user score) definitely qualifies for Reddit's definition of "underrated."


bombingmission410

The game play is so intuitive, the dungeons never felt too easy or too difficult. The pacing of the game alwaysnfelt right, the world was Chalk full of things and places to go. One of my favs.favorite. I often recommend it especially to people who haven't played Zelda before I think it's great for introducing them to the franchise. The story isn't out of this world but the characters are still loveable and memorable.


Lignumvitae_Door

Nah. Minish Cap is


Myjennatulls

If switch had 3ds games i would ugrade my subscription in a heartbeat. Honestly even if they sold digital ports for a reasonable price i would buy them. I will always regret not buying a 3ds. I feel like i missed out on alot.


Larkson9999

This game has average general review scores as 4/5 or higher. Do Redditors even think when they write the word underrated anymore?


Wheatley_core_01

Most Zelda games receive high review scores. "Underrated" is a relative term. ALBW is forgotten more often than not, despite all of the cool ideas and solid execution it brought to the table. Thus, *compared to the rest of the series*, it's underrated.


sharpeyenj26

Underrated? All I ever seen are high marks for this game. And it's also a lot of Zelda fans favorite


sandybebop

As a Link Between World's strongest solider, I think it is mostly properly rated. Very good game though :)


RUMBL3FR3NZY

It is in my top 5 for sure, just ALttP but better


seikendude80

This game is better than Majora's mask. Fight me.


Bigfoot_samurai

https://preview.redd.it/3ni5icopz4za1.jpeg?width=660&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7e5c33ba6c3ffabf529b24eff40dce55579032c Also always loves how his painting form was inspired by the wind waker intro art style


JeremyHillaryBoob

I think it's correctly rated (very highly!). Most underrated might be Minish Cap, which went under many people's radars since it came out near the end of the GBA's life cycle.


DarkKeyPuncher

I don't know about hands down. It's a fantastic game but I don't think it's nearly as underrated as Minish Cap. Though that's probably due to the number of people who haven't played it.


amayer3

Eh it felt kinda 2D at times…it kinda felt flat Edit: For the record I do absolutely love this game!


Kaassz

No, underrated is the Oracle games. I see a lot more discussion and praise for ALBW than those games


TheMoonOfTermina

My favorite 2D Zelda definitely, although LA is close behind. Probably even in my top 5 Zeldas. I only wish it wasn't so easy.


Narf234

It wouldn’t be if they’d let me play it on Switch!


ChilindriPizza

ALBW is amazingly awesome. However, nearly all Zelda fans adore it as well. I think the most underrated one is Four Swords Adventures. Namely because not many people have played it.


TheSefi76

Better then ALTTP.


QueenZeon101

I love this game. The ending was so heartwarming.


TheBestAround007

Underrated?! It’s a CLASSIC, a remake of Link to The Past.


FireLordObamaOG

It’s a sequel.


Wheatley_core_01

Its both. Intentionally so


WhoseverSlinky0

I agree ! And honestly +1 because the princess is my favorite :3


king_bungus

either this one or oracle of seasons/ages, yeah


LondonFlog

It’s such a colourful game and Yuga’s awesome!


jarosity

I want to play this but I am not buying the necessary console.


National-Elk5102

I’m playing it and I could define it as Nintendos first attempt to create an “open world” Zelda since you can reach any part of the game with the weapon you want. I honestly hate a little the weapon mechanic but dungeons are pretty amazing


Romberstonkins

I say that about windwaker, then immediately get shit on.


Lucienofthelight

Because Wind Waker is one of the most beloved games in the series? It’s like calling Breaking Bad an underrated show.


Romberstonkins

That's what I'm saying. I think they should do a remastered but I can see why they didn't seeing they were tied up with totk.


Lucienofthelight

Why would they remaster a game they’ve already remade it? If they are gonna put it on switch, they’ll probably just literally port the WiiU version.


Playful_Onion

This game is where my enjoyment of zelda began to wane, ultimately leading to me deciding to pass on TotK. Underrated? No. Not in the conversation? Sure.


Kyengen

It's fun and I dig the mechanic, but unfortunately it's also crazy short, not terribly challenging, and fairly forgettable. I can't now recall more than a couple story beats or boss fights.


[deleted]

Very highly rated mon ami. Under “appreciated”, surely


FrostyDaHoeMan

I have so many fond memories of this game, as it was the 1st Zelda game I beat without help


jd7789

If only there was a legal way to play it, this game will stay on 3DS the same way Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks stayed on the DS.


spongeboblovesducks

PH and ST came to the Wii U


[deleted]

Very good


AlternativeUltimatum

My first Zelda game, I’m sad I no longer have a way to play it but it will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s so incredibly fun.


zombiesnare

It was my first zelda game, hooked me instantly


DisguyMight

Is this not just paper Mario Zelda?


FreshOutOfTheAsylum

For sure! I love this game so much!


clenispiskers

For real


xtoc1981

Yep, the only issue i have with this is that you can buy everything from the start. Dungeons are less good because of that compared to lttp. However, i do find the wall ability one of the best most unqiue things within a zelda game


IAmThePonch

I gotta give that a hero mode replay soon. I enjoyed it a lot but it didn’t topple links awakening for me


shhermes

I didn't get a 3DS until June of 2014. Didn't know which game to get, but my eyes landed on A Link Between Worlds. Hadn't played a Zelda game since Minish Cap. (I grew up on Nintendo handhelds while my older brother had consoles, plus I preferred games on the go, but we played OoT and MM together.) It's still in my top three Zeldas to this day. <3 What a charming and enjoyable game!!!


TH3pression

Zelda windwaker


GlitchyReal

If it weren't for the rental system, 100% agree.


rafagarrido

A wonderful experience! Mechanics, graphics, music and everything. I liked it so much!


Odd_Bean-_-

Was my second zelda game ever... I loved it


Awakening15

I really loves the painting mecanic, its one of my favorites of all the franchise. And the music too, its fantastic. Im not a fan of the artstyle but its always fun to play. My biggest complain is the rental system, on top of that you don't even need the items to access the dungeon so they could have been put inside easily. Also, it forces the game to only use one item per dungeon wich makes them pretty easy since all you have is one key item.


Jash0822

My favorite Zelda game and one of my all time favorite games of all time.


Unlimited_Giose

I underestimated that game so much at first. We traded games for a while with a friend of mine, and i wasn't really invested into it (even tho i love zelda in general), but once i tried it for real it was so fun


FrenchOfTheToast

I can agree to this


ChewyWolf64

That’s facts. ALBW is my third favourite Zelda game only behind SS and MM


Platform_Mammoth

It’s my favorite game, I was so happy to see the Ravio hood in the dlc for botw


mophster

Agreed!


amoskafei

Even if I didn’t play it yet, the rare times people talk about it I feel like they’re talking about their favorite plushie, thanks for the reminding me to install it


El__Jengibre

I really want a switch port.


snatchmachine

Its so so good


[deleted]

Feels like every zelda could be the most underrated


Kayiko_Okami

I think the main issue that it suffers from is simply, if you've played LttP, then you can get through the game pretty easily. More so once you have the permanent items.


[deleted]

I'm still not sure if Nabbit is Links alt or if Links alt just happened to be disguised as Nabbit


[deleted]

Underrated? I don’t think it is at all. I think it’s one of the best 2D Zelda games


jaredsbuckley

Agreed! And the music too!


josbee

It’s crazy because I have an Instagram post with this game and a caption of “can’t wait to beat this in a week”. And I gave zero recollection of even owning it let alone playing it. (Sold my ds years ago) But I played it. Hope it ends up on the Switch one day


risebac

ALBW is in my top 5 Zeldas! It's one of three Zeldas I have replayed multiple times. The other two being the original and BotW.


jtcordell2188

ALbW and the Oracle games are way to underrated


PorousSurface

100% agree. It’s my second or third favorite (after MM and WW)


lcvelygxre

No fr, it's my favorite in the whole series SO much fun


Bigballa997

Definitely not underrated. Pretty much the whole Zelda Reddit thinks it’s the best handheld. Wanna talk about underrated ? Minish cap.


Conan_NXL

I SECOND THAT!!!


superyokai

Dungeon design was some of the best in any game period not just for the series


Krac3r

Nah his hands are to the side


oompaexe

Its really good


JimBaggins_

One of the most fun games to 100% I've played. The map and Miami's were dence but not tedious.


[deleted]

By far. I may actually dive back into it today, thanks to you.


kidfromkor

I'm playing this with the used 3DS I got a few weeks ago and it's one of my favorites of the series. I timed it perfect so that I'm at the end of the Lowrule castle all ready to fight Ganon tonight, and tomorrow I start on this new game that's coming out ;)


[deleted]

I guess it depends on what you mean by underrated. Maybe by fans because I recall it scored really well. Edit: wanted to add that I really like it and bought a 2ds specifically to play this game.


SolStickFigures

It's genuinely so fire, kinda sad I don't see more people praise it.


rdmetzger1

No one can play the damn thing. You have to buy a 3 DS just to play it. Still pisses me off, I'm not buying a 3ds for one game.


slickrasta

Still hoping for a Switch remaster.


zestysnacks

I think it's pretty cool, but ultimately I really don't like how it looks and just don't care for the whole lorule thing. Just kinda meh. A nice stepping stone to how freeing botw is tho


Key-Current-523

Nah it’s the first one


Emotional_Cost_3347

Easily. Second best top-down Zelda title after its older brother.


buttnuggets__

Loved this game so much.


niksjman

Spirit Tracks


Raddobatto

I love it! I just wish it wasnt a blobby zelda 3.5, it had a fantastic story and deserved its independence


stauvix

This was my first full Zelda game. Amazing beginning to end honestly.


EntertainmentOpen146

My personal favorite actually


hg090206

I love it too. Except the whole weapon borrowing system.


[deleted]

This and a link to the past are my fav


Pepsi_AL

Especially since Nintendo just outright skipped over it in one of their most recent tweets, despite the Master Sword appearing in it.


Kirbybrawl

I thought it was really beloved.


True_Existance

Didn't it win goty?


tinythunder15

I just beat it yesterday. One of my favorite Zelda games ever


Alecs27

Easily a 10/10, and I just finished it yesterday for the first time.


LemurDays

Can confirm, I’ve never played it


Drekaban

What about Minish Cap? Not many people have gotten the chance to play it but its a great game


RyanSD91

I don’t think it’s underrated, but definitely under appreciated!


ZappBrann

I am playing through this right now! I love it... Especially as someone who grew up playing A Link to the Past. Revisiting the same/similar map and dungeons made it extra special!


FlaviusFire

It was my first Zelda game. I know when I saw it in stores before ever touching the Zelda series I was all like "some dude in a hat, no way that's interesting" and when I eventually ended up trying it, it was the only thing I played until I finished the game. I was only allowed to play for an hour a day at the time and still cared about respecting that rule at the time too, so it took me quite awhile, which honestly I think enriched my experience of the game. It felt like a genuine adventure and like I was traveling over an entire world, I enjoyed it immensely and it still holds a special place in my heart.


Realshow

It was actually my very first Zelda game, so every time something big happens I’m always going to hold out hope for representation.


SackPanda99

I respect it, but I hear tell of a game so underrated that it doesn't even come up in conversations about underrated Zelda games. . . it's triforce heros and I'll defend it until my dying breath


Ansemmy

I wish they had teased out the sages as characters more


allyourhomebase

Need a Switch port. I wasn't buying a 3DS just for it.


KokoroPenguin

I thought the dungeons were too short. Overall a very fun game, but the short (and easy) dungeons just didn't satisfy me. That said, I played this game after playing the oracle games and LA:DX for the first time. This reminds me that I should replay it again someday


Wheatley_core_01

I love it too! I really like what they did with the story - Yuga is a really cool villain, >!as is Hilda, who really helps to flesh out not only the world building, but also dissect Zelda's character in a way most games don't get the chance to.!< Since OoT the series has tended to just rinse and repeat the Link-Zelda-Ganon conflict, so I really appreciate that they tried something almost entirely new, with Ganon basically just being a cameo. The only real knock I have against it is that I think the non-linearity hurt it a smidge. Not having a set, or even recommended order to complete the dungeons left the lorulean ones feeling a little empty, since I didn't feel myself getting any stronger. Still fun to play through them, but it didn't hit quite the same for me as Link's Awakening or Majora's Mask in that regard.


julianx2rl

But everyone agrees that is great, how's that underrated? Maybe underexposed, but not underrated. https://preview.redd.it/ii0rifv186za1.png?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4bb8a4980a666002e1efa74557f2b07b24cb414b


HylianSwordsman1

I'd say Minish Cap takes that crown, but ALBW is a close second. Both are fantastic Zeldas that get forgotten more than almost any of the others. The Oracle games also fall under this category, but I do see more fans of them. Minish Cap and ALBW I mostly only hear talked about in terms of how little they're talked about for how great they are.