The Ultimate Guide to Ranking the Legendary Master Swords in The Legend of Zelda

Highlights

The Master Sword is an iconic and powerful weapon in The Legend of Zelda franchise, with memorable appearances in various games.

Games such as A Link to the Past, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom feature the Master Sword in awe-inspiring moments that are earned. While titles like Ocarina of Time and Skyward Sword bring refreshing narrative and gameplay elements, others like Hyrule Warriors and Oracle of Seasons/Ages fail to introduce anything innovative.

The Legend of Zelda franchise is Nintendo's most prominent intellectual property, rivaled only by a certain mustachioed plumber. Since its inception in the 1980s on the NES, this series has graced every Nintendo console and handheld, captivating players who bravely face the perils of Hyrule and conquer mythical foes like Ganon.

The Master Sword, a crucial weapon in fighting darkness, takes center stage in almost every installment. Often, this legendary blade is an exceptional weapon concealed for players to uncover, holding immense narrative importance and wielding unparalleled power during gameplay. Over time, the Master Sword has become an iconic symbol within The Legend of Zelda series. With its numerous appearances, each player undoubtedly holds personal favorites, yet a compilation of the most unforgettable and awe-inspiring moments featuring this fabled sword is deserving.

Spoiler Warning for Tears of the Kingdom Ahead

S-Tier

The Master Sword is an incredibly powerful weapon, both in terms of its significance within the game's lore and its effectiveness for the player. The various iterations of the Master Sword depict it in a truly epic manner, emphasizing its importance while also conveying its devastating capabilities. A memorable moment in A Link to the Past on SNES occurs when Link journeys into a mystical forest and pulls the sword from a stone, reminiscent of the legendary King Arthur. From that point on, the player wields a formidable weapon capable of swiftly vanquishing any foe that stands in their way.

Similarly, both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom adopt a shared design philosophy that elevates the Master Sword to new heights of awe and wonder. In Breath of the Wild, the game masterfully captures the enchanting essence of the mystical forest seen in A Link to the Past, while also incorporating the element of progression by requiring players to tirelessly level up their maximum heart containers in order to wield this legendary weapon. As a result, the moment when the sword is finally pulled from its resting place feels truly earned and immensely gratifying. On the other hand, Tears of the Kingdom brings forth a refreshing twist by introducing a new concept for the sword. Within the early stages of the adventure, the sword is tragically destroyed, prompting players to embark on a quest to restore its former glory. This unique approach, though distinct from the traditional narrative, adds an epic depth to the game and swiftly establishes itself as an unforgettable standout moment.

A-Tier

Introducing a new dimension to its power, the Master Sword transcended into the realm of 3D. While its combat prowess may have been comparatively weaker in Ocarina of Time, its significance within the narrative solidifies its revered status among gamers. Serving as a crucial tool for time travel, the Master Sword creates unforgettable moments throughout the game. As the journey reaches its climax, a poignant image of the sword resting upon its altar ensures that its legacy endures long after the game is completed.

Skyward Sword may be a polarizing addition to the series, but its inventive use of the Master Sword should not go unnoticed. Serving as the sword's initial appearance in the franchise's timeline, its narrative significance takes a backseat to the groundbreaking gameplay approach attempted by Nintendo. By capitalizing on the intuitive motion controls of the Wii, Nintendo sought to replicate the actual sensation of swinging a sword with each flick of the Wii remote, immersing players in Link's world like never before. Regrettably, the occasional input errors in the motion controls hindered its potential, leading to occasional frustration during gameplay.

B-Tier

The GameCube era elevated the franchise to new heights with the dynamic duo of The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. In The Wind Waker, Link embarks on an epic voyage across an endless sea to rejuvenate a Master Sword that has lost its once-great power. On the other hand, Twilight Princess conceals the Master Sword deep within a mysterious forest, serving as a catalyst to restore Link's humanity and free him from his wolf form. These narratives captivate players, but combat also takes center stage with the introduction of stylish move sets, such as evasive maneuvers and breathtaking finishing moves.

The spiritual successor to A Link to the Past on the 3DS, A Link Between Worlds, pays homage to its predecessor in every aspect, including the iconic Master Sword. This powerful weapon remains just as enjoyable to wield in the newer game, unleashing a brilliant beam of light that obliterates all adversaries in the player's path. However, it must be noted that this incarnation of the Master Sword may evoke a sense of familiarity, as it closely resembles its SNES counterpart, potentially lacking a distinct identity of its own. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning the original NES game, The Legend of Zelda, which introduced the foundation upon which all subsequent versions of the Master Sword were built.

C-Tier

Please note that the placement of these final entries at the bottom does not imply any negative connotation. They are still versions of the Master Sword that fans adore, but they lack the novelty and excitement in terms of both story and gameplay. In the Hyrule Warriors games, the sword's power is significantly amplified, but this also makes it feel excessively exaggerated and less extraordinary. Undoubtedly, it is enjoyable to wield and witness enemies soaring across the screen, but the other weapons operate similarly, eliminating any sense of distinctiveness.

Finally, the inclusion of the Master Sword in the Game Boy adventures Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages is worth noting. While it bears a striking resemblance to the iconic sword and possesses formidable power within the game, there is no explicit confirmation that it is indeed the legendary sword. Similar to the Master Sword, it stands as the most potent tool in the game, despite being found in an unconventional location and having the capability to be broken. Nevertheless, having a sword capable of vanquishing evil is undeniably valuable in any installment of The Legend of Zelda, and its presence in these games is highly appreciated.