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00:08Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we're ranking every ending across the Legend of Zelda series.
00:15Our ranking is based on how satisfying the ending is for the player, as well as how impactful it is
00:21for the characters.
00:24Oh, Link. I'm home.
00:27But before we dive in, we publish new content all week long, so be sure to subscribe and ring the
00:33bell to get notified about our latest videos.
00:37Number 20. The Legend of Zelda Four Swords
00:48We often place Four Swords low or at the bottom of lists like this.
00:53It's not to say that the game is bad, there just isn't much depth.
00:57At the end of the game, Vaati is defeated, Zelda is saved, and the multiple Links become one again.
01:03It's a fun little experience, but there obviously isn't much weight to its ending.
01:07It plays out how you expect it to.
01:17After the credits, where the players get to stab at a bunch of fairies for rupees, there's one final scene
01:22of the Four Sword being returned to its pedestal.
01:25Since this was originally a multiplayer add-on for the GBA port of A Link to the Past, storytelling and
01:31emotional impact clearly weren't big factors.
01:41Number 19. The Legend of Zelda
01:49So, how does something as simple as an NES game beat out a newer game when it comes to story
01:55and presentation?
01:56Well, we have to factor in what was capable at the time of release.
02:00The Legend of Zelda was as deep and engaging of a long journey that you could get at the time.
02:05And because of this, it feels much more momentous to finally complete it.
02:14After trekking through the grueling final dungeon and vanquishing Ganon, having Zelda thank us and call us the Hero of
02:21Hyrule came with a sigh of relief and a definite feeling of accomplishment.
02:25Still, objectively, there isn't much here, so we can't rank it any higher.
02:39Number 18. Zelda II The Adventure of Link
02:48Needless to say, Zelda II is in a similar situation as its predecessor, but its ending benefits from having a
02:54more original story.
02:56Instead of saving the princess from a monster, Link works to undo a curse put on her, keeping her in
03:02an endless sleep.
03:03And its final dungeon is even more demanding, leading to an even greater feeling of satisfaction when you beat it.
03:10Plus, there's a bit more fanfare to the final moments.
03:18The Triforce twirls across the screen, this version of the princess also praises Link as a hero,
03:24and there's even a hint of a kiss as it closes out.
03:27You save the kingdom, and get the girl.
03:36Number 17. The Legend of Zelda Four Swords Adventures
03:48A spiritual successor to the original Four Swords, this game naturally also doesn't place a heavy emphasis on story.
03:55At the end, the villain is once again defeated, this time Ganon, and Zelda is saved.
04:01The Link's become one, and the Four Sword is placed back in its resting spot.
04:05While it shares the same basic details with Four Swords, there's a lot more visual flair to it,
04:11primarily through the maidens performing a protective spell on the blade.
04:19You also get to see all of the game's locations in celebration throughout the credits.
04:23This makes it so the piece you've managed to secure feels more significant.
04:27However, there are still much more memorable endings to come.
04:37Number 16. The Legend of Zelda Triforce Heroes
04:49The silliest entry in the series, expectedly, has a pretty silly ending.
04:55After defeating Lady Maude, Link returns to Hytopia,
04:58and changes his outfit one final time to the ladies' ensemble.
05:02Yeah, pretty goofy looking.
05:04But he needs this outfit to cleanse Princess Styla of the curse, keeping her in a horrid brown jumpsuit.
05:18The whole town then gathers to celebrate the hero,
05:21happy to see their princess back as her beautiful, stylish self.
05:25The humor of the whole scenario is clearly what makes this one memorable,
05:29even if you don't get that same sense of life-or-death, fate-of-the-world peril that comes with
05:35other entries.
05:45Number 15. The Legend of Zelda Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons
06:00Oracle of Ages and Seasons have similar endings.
06:03The villain is defeated, each oracle is rescued, and the lands of Labrynna and Holodrum are returned to normal.
06:10Everyone celebrates Link's victory with some really charming sequences that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
06:16However, the true ending is reached when linking both games.
06:21Onyx and Varen's plans lead to Twinrova kidnapping Zelda in an attempt to revive Ganon.
06:34After defeating all three, Link once again earns a kiss from the princess,
06:37and we're treated to more lovely scenes of happiness and the key characters returning to their lives.
06:43It feels a bit more complete than what you see in the individual adventures.
06:55Number 14. The Legend of Zelda A Link to the Past
07:06A Link to the Past is the timeless blueprint to many elements across multiple Zelda games, including its ending.
07:13Once Ganon is defeated, Link is greeted by the essence of the Triforce, which grants him one wish.
07:19Of course, being the pure good lad that he is, Link wishes for the return of peace to Hyrule.
07:25Players are then treated to images showing the rewards of their good deeds.
07:29Those who perished throughout the story, like the king and Link's uncle, are returned to the land of the living.
07:35And everyone across the kingdom lives happily ever after.
07:38It's similar to sequences we'd get in later games, but since it came first, the conclusion feels more impactful here.
07:53Number 13. The Legend of Zelda The Minish Cap
08:02The Minish Cap is a fan favorite to those who've played it, and it thankfully sticks its landing.
08:08With Vaati defeated, peace returns to Hyrule Kingdom.
08:11But speaking of fan favorites, what makes this ending a little more special is the inclusion of Ezlo, Link's companion
08:18throughout the game.
08:19The curse on him is lifted, and he returns to his normal form.
08:22And before saying his goodbyes, he gives his creation, the wish-granting cap stolen by Vaati, to Zelda so she
08:29can restore the kingdom.
08:38Monsters and signs of destruction vanish before our eyes, and the citizens who have been turned to stone are restored.
08:45Yes, it's another warm, everything is alright type of ending, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
09:01Number 12. The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass
09:12With Bellum destroyed at the end of Phantom Hourglass, Link is finally reunited with Tetra, one of the best versions
09:20of Zelda.
09:20But it isn't just her that makes this ending strong. Mostly, it's Linebeck.
09:25After spending the game being selfish and cowardly, yet still winning all of us over, it's nice to see him
09:31show gratitude towards Link.
09:33And when Oshus is returned to his true form and grants Linebeck a wish, his desire to forgo treasure over
09:39the return of his ship, emblematic of his joy for exploring, takes the character to a new level.
09:45Seeing them all returned to their world, the pirate crew together again, and Linebeck setting off on another journey is
09:52just the cherry on top.
10:04Number 11. The Legend of Zelda Echoes of Wisdom
10:16During the climax of Echoes of Wisdom, Zelda must defeat Null to close rifts all across Hyrule, which have swallowed
10:23up citizens.
10:24She does, of course, with the help of Link, and were treated to a heartfelt goodbye between Zelda and her
10:30companion, Tri.
10:31Although Tri is far from the first companion to leave at a game's end, Zelda's clear sorrow, despite her kingdom
10:39being saved, is touching.
10:48We then get a great moment of humor at Hyrule Castle Town when everyone is shocked to hear Link speak.
10:54Yet, even in the moment of happiness, Zelda thinks of the ally she's going to miss.
10:59It's this bitter sweetness that lingers even through the credits with more joyful images that makes this ending stand out.
11:15Number 10. The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild
11:20But courage need not be removed, for it is never forgotten.
11:29Many players have expressed disappointment in the final fight of Breath of the Wild, which is understandable.
11:35But as far as the final scenes go, they're still stunning.
11:39With Ganon on his last legs, Zelda finally appears, shining in all her glory to deliver the final blow.
11:46She unleashes all of her power and annihilates him.
12:02The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild
12:03Having watched flashbacks detail her inability to awaken these powers until it was too late, seeing her win so decidedly
12:10is a wonderful moment.
12:11Post-credits, we see her and Link begin to set out on a new journey to restore all of the
12:16damage left behind by the Calamity.
12:18It's a smaller moment, but that final shot as we pull back to the silent princess, symbolic of her, is
12:26a beautiful one.
12:26I'm surprised to admit it, but I can accept that.
12:39The Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks
12:40Number 9. The Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks
12:53Speaking of entries that make us love Zelda, the princess plays a major role in Spirit Tracks.
12:59And it's because of this that the game's ending is so strong.
13:03After she returns to her body and helps Link defeat Maladus, the duo say goodbye to Angine.
13:08She, along with the rest of the Locomos, ascend to the heavens with trust that Link and Zelda can rule
13:14the kingdom justly.
13:15It's a pleasant moment, filled with hope for the future, both widespread and personal, as Link and Zelda, clearly harboring
13:22crushes on one another throughout the game, hold hands.
13:25It's undeniably adorable, as is seeing Zelda in a post-credits scene looking out at Link from her window with
13:32joy on her face.
13:40The Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds
13:41Number 8. The Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds
13:53Seeing characters go against what has defined them throughout A Link Between Worlds is what makes the ending so good.
14:01After Ravio is revealed to be the low-rule counterpart to Link, he convinces Hilda to see the error of
14:07her ways.
14:08This conversation sees Ravio show courage for the first time, and Hilda showing compassion, even though her plot to destroy
14:16Hyrule would save her own kingdom and people.
14:19It's also nice to see this conflict resolved through peaceful means rather than a big fight.
14:25And as it turns out, their good deeds don't go unrewarded.
14:38When Link and Zelda return home to their Triforce, they use its wish to restore the one low-rule lost.
14:44This faith in each other ends the game on a wonderfully hopeful note.
14:58The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening
14:59Number 7. The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening
15:10Despite the original version being much older than most others in the top half of our list, Link's Awakening has
15:16one of the more memorable endings in the series.
15:18Link is warned leading up to the climax that waking the Wind Fish will cause the island around him to
15:24cease existence.
15:25Still, he must get home.
15:27Coho-Lint turns out to be a manifestation of the Wind Fish's dream.
15:32And as Link makes it out, everyone and everything vanishes.
15:47Although we're happy that Link makes it to safety, characters disappearing who all felt real, distinct, and wonderfully odd makes
15:55this one of the sadder endings.
15:57No matter which version you're playing, being left with these mixed feelings makes the ending much stronger.
16:10Number 6. The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker
16:19The King of Red Lions is another companion we say goodbye to at the end of the game.
16:24However, it's a more somber scene than most, one of sacrifice.
16:28With Ganondorf defeated, the underwater kingdom of Hyrule floods from the sea surrounding it, as that was the King's wish
16:35to stop him at all costs.
16:37However, his actions are also those of hope.
16:40He yearns for a future for Link and Zelda, one that isn't tied to his dead kingdom and mistakes.
16:47So, it's a tragic scene as Link is pulled towards the surface and the King is left behind.
16:53But, it's one that couldn't be avoided.
17:04We see this spark of hope take place in the post-credits scene where Link, Tetra, and the pirates sail
17:10off to find new land.
17:20Number 5. The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time
17:34The ending to Ocarina of Time is one of the most important in the series.
17:38With Ganondorf defeated, Zelda sends Link back in time to relive the childhood he gave up for Hyrule, splitting the
17:45franchise's timeline.
17:53Once again, we are treated to scenes of celebration during the credits, with Hyrule's citizens dancing at the defeat of
18:00the evil king.
18:01These moments, though happy, feel a bit unfair.
18:04King Zora and Mido don't dance with the others, since their loved ones have become sages and vanished.
18:11Link and Zelda barely get any time together, and the hero doesn't even get to celebrate with the people he
18:17saved.
18:18But, a little bit of sorrow makes you appreciate the joy.
18:21It also closes out perfectly, with Link visiting Zelda once again to warn of what's to come.
18:35Number 4. The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess
18:50There's a lot to admire about the ending of Twilight Princess.
18:54It begins with one of Ganondorf's coolest deaths, which sees him go out with a sword in his chest, yet
19:00never going down.
19:01It then moves to pure joy, as Link sees Midna in her true form.
19:06And, since she's one of the franchise's best characters, we're just as happy as he is.
19:16That feeling carries over to scenes within the credits, like seeing the kidnapped children return to Ordon Village.
19:23However, as we've already seen, the best endings blend happiness with sadness, and Twilight Princess does this better than most.
19:31Another scene sees Link and Zelda accompany Midna to the entrance of the Twilight Realm.
19:35She then says her goodbyes, shattering the mirror of Twilight, as well as our hearts in the process.
19:51Number 3. The Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask
20:02With as dark and somber a game as Majora's Mask is, it's fitting that it has one of the happiest
20:08endings in the series.
20:10We first get a great scene with the Skull Kid, who is forgiven by his friends, yet still clearly feels
20:15shame over his actions.
20:17The mysterious masked salesman then departs while imparting some wise words, and during the credits, we see everyone Link helped
20:25across the game enjoying the carnival of time.
20:28Since their stories were all so personal, it's one of the greatest feelings of accomplishments the series can give you,
20:34seeing them all in such joy.
20:36Still, the game has one last gut punch to deliver, with the Deku Butler mourning over his dead son.
20:42As Link leaves Termina, the feeling of having completed something distinct to Zelda lingers.
20:56Number 2. The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword
21:08Skyward Sword is another one of the franchise's most vital endings, yet it has more heart than even Ocarina of
21:15Time.
21:15With Demise defeated, he leaves the world cursing Zelda and Link to an endless cycle of reincarnation, and fighting a
21:22manifestation of his hatred, tying the series together.
21:26The importance to the franchise aside, the ending also delivers a scene of utter heartbreak.
21:31With her task done, Fi plans to sleep in the Master Sword forever.
21:36But before she does, she thanks Link for their time together, which has shown her true happiness.
21:41You're so sweet.
21:43You're so sweet.
21:45You're so sweet.
21:46You're so sweet.
21:47You're so sweet.
21:50Accompanied by a theme so sad it reaches straight into your soul, it is a scene no fan has ever
21:57gotten over.
21:58The ending still has more greatness to give, too.
22:01Impa's death comes right after this for additional sorrow, and post-credits we see Link and Zelda decide to start
22:08a new life on the surface, showing the beginning of the Kingdom of Hyrule.
22:33The story in Tears of the Kingdom does have its issues.
22:38But, as far as the beginning and ending are concerned, it doesn't get any better.
22:43With Ganondorf's demon dragon gone and an impressive explosion, Link gets help from the spirits of Rauru and Sonya to
22:50turn Zelda back into her natural form.
22:53As she plummets towards the Earth, and we as Link dive after her, it's hard not to get emotional.
23:00The context of him having failed to catch her in the opening, her having been a dragon for untold centuries,
23:06and the music swelling all combine for one of the most remarkable moments in the series.
23:22When she awakes on the ground, you truly feel relief to have her back.
23:27We'd be remiss if we also didn't mention the post-credits scene where Minoru's spirit departs, leaving Hyrule in the
23:34hands of Zelda, Link and the Sages.
23:36Other games have left us with messages of hope for the future.
23:40With its visuals, music, and the love we feel for its characters, this is certainly one of the more inspirational
23:46ones.
23:47My friends, with all of your strength, stand with me.
23:57Which Zelda do you think has the best ending? Let us know in the comments.
24:16Let us know in the comments.
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