The Legend of Zelda series just celebrated its 25th anniversary. Getting a video game franchise to the twenty five is no easy feat but Nintendo has done it through a combination of clever level design, engaging worlds and spot on controls. Sure there have been a few missteps along the way, but the Zelda name is synonymous with quality.

So in that spirit I would like to present you with my personal picks for the best entries in this storied franchise. Warning: Opinions ahead.

Yes, I consider the black sheep of the Zelda franchise to be among the best. There's a lot of depth here, hidden in its 2D side scrolling execution. Sure it has aged fairly poorly by today's standards but at the time the combat was extremely unique. The combat in this game had a heavy focus on Link's swordplay. You could attack high and low and many enemies would be able to block attacks and shift their shields as you fight. Layer that with some Mario-lite platforming, an RPG’s XP and leveling up system, and Zelda's patented items and magic and you have an extremely memorable game. It beat out Twilight Princess on this list because of how forgettable that game was.

The one real complaint I can raise about this game is the unyielding difficulty. I don't think I'm going out on a limb here when I say this is the most difficult and frustrating Zelda title. But when you can get through Death Mountain you are overwhelmed with a feeling of accomplishment that few games can match.

I'm kind of cheating here a bit, but these games are two halves of a whole. Would you count Pokemon Red and Blue as two separate titles?

These titles can be played separately sure, but if you play them both you'll get the complete story along with other bonuses. Each game has a different way to interact with the world. In one you'll be able to cycle through the seasons of the year and the other you'll be able to jump between different periods of time.

While the games aren't as epic in scope as their console brothers, they are unique and ooze charm.

A non linear game that took dozens of hours to beat seems pretty standard for games these days. But this was 1986! This was unheard of! Wait, it had a save feature? You didn't have to mess around with tedious passwords! This was every kids’ dream!

Boy if you are a fan of open world sand box games this is the game for you. You're literally just dropped off in the middle of a huge map and that's it. You go where you want, you fight what you want and you're truly left alone. The sense of exploration is so rewarding, especially if you can decipher so of the cryptic clues scattered through the land. Honestly though, some of that magic is ruined a bit today. It's way too easy and tempting to look up what to do on the Internet. Also the dungeons are not nearly as tricky or challenging as some of the latter games. Still though I think it holds up better than most other NES games and still recommended playing.

This is the game that truly made Zelda into a franchise. At the time this was a true revolution for the series. Big, colorful and detailed graphics. In-game storytelling. Actual characters with some personality. An infinitely useful map screen. More complex dungeons with challenging puzzles. It expanded the mythos with things like the master sword, the sages and the idea that there were multiple reincarnations of the characters.

This was truly the super version of the classic Zelda game, ironically being one of the very few SNES games without 'Super" in the title.

Take everything I just said about A Link to the Past. Now add multiplayer with three of your buddies.

Four Swords Adventures may not seem like an entry into the main series as the other games on this list and more of a spin off, don't discount it. It is quite the fun and hectic party game. Single player can get a bit annoying since you'll have to control four Links yourself but that's not the way you should play this game anyway. Everything is designed around having multiple humans sitting next to you, trying to figure out some pretty obtuse puzzles.

Granted it can be a pain to get a session of multiplayer going on this. Everyone needs a GBA and Gamecube link cable to play this. If this is an option for you I recommend it highly. Also you should check out the original four swords on the 3DS. It’s a free download and has wireless play.

When this game came out all I heard was "I hate the graphics. This game is going to suck!" and "Why is he in a boat? This game is going to suck!" How small minded people can be.

This game looks gorgeous! I haven't seen characters more expressive outside of cartoons than the ones here. The colors pop and the world feels fun and alive. The atmosphere is so thick you'd need a chainsaw to cut through it! The music perfectly suits every island and when you sail it's big and boisterous. You truly feel like you're on a grand adventure!

Just watch it change time and see a storm kick up on the horizon, it feels so organic. There's a surprising amount to see and discover out on the open water. Every square on your map has something to see or do no matter how small.

This is one of the major games you should point to when people bring up the "Are video games art?" debate.

What more can I say about Ocarina of Time? Everything has been said about this game from over a decade and it’s all true. Great story, revolutionary game play, memorable moments, it has it all!

While this game was great on its original Nintendo 64 and subsequent Gamecube reissues, the 3DS version is the most complete package. First off it updates the one thing that aged, the graphics. The game now looks beautiful and even better with the 3D cranked up. It also has the extremely challenging master quest and boss rush modes as unlockables. You can’t go wrong with any version of this game however.

People love to complain about Nintendo not changing up the formula for their franchises. Those people need to be slapped in the face with this game.

Completely disregarding the quest to save the triforce from some sort of evil wizard, Link travels to the alternate realm of Termina to save the world from being crushed by the scariest moon ever conceived.

While Link still traverses a series of progressively challenging dungeons to get equipment, almost everything else is new. Link will have access to an ever growing collection of masks that serve different functions, from increasing his speed to making him explode, in addition to special masks that change Links form and give him totally new powers and abilities.

The most different addition to this game however is the clock. It ticks down for 72 hours, when the world ends. It adds this sense of impending doom and effectively makes you hustle. Even better everyone in this world has their own schedule, and will do certain actions, at certain times on certain days. This makes the side quests incredibly detailed and really make this feel like a living, breathing world.

It’s tough to describe why I love this game so much. It might be a bit of nostalgia blindness. It might be the very light hearted nature of the game. It might be that you get to take a chain chomp for a walk. Who can say?

What I can say is that is it packs a load of fun into a very small package. As the first portable game in the series the world is packed with content. It features a map of comparable size to any of its contemporary console titles, filled with dungeons, hidden secrets and lots of memorable characters. The DX version adds even more! In addition to the obvious color you also get a new dungeon where your reward can substantially change how Link plays.

I know that describes pretty much every game before this one but the game just charms the pants off of me. I have to play through it at least once a year. Download it on 3DS as soon as you are able.

I went into this game not expecting too much. I expected a competent Zelda game but after Twilight Princess I couldn’t get all that hyped for another motion Zelda game.

Boy was I wrong. This game combines the best attributes of all the other games on this list and adds even more. The art style is the perfect mix of realistic and cartoony, giving it this living painting look. The characters will actually develop over the course of the game. The music is all orchestral, for the first time in the series. Pretty much everything works. Hell, it even has some of the self referential humor of Link’s Awakening.

This is also the best designed Zelda game. Getting from point A to point B is just as much fun as any dungeon from any game. You’re constantly engaged the whole way through.

The controls are so perfect they may actually convert some of those motion haters. The swordplay is constantly changing as you fight more and more enemies. Just like with the different areas you’re always engaged.

As I neared the finale of the game I became extremely saddened. I knew it was going to end.