The Legend of Zelda franchise has decades worth of games to collect, but some of the older games are among the most expensive for collectors.
With games releasing throughout the history of Nintendo's consoles, The Legend of Zelda franchise is perfect for collectors, though some Zelda titles are more expensive than others. Depending on the age of the game, the condition of the cartridge, whether a box and manual is included, and the overall popularity of the game, Legend of Zelda games can be quite pricey. Rather than focus on the esoteric or weird editions to the Legend of Zelda franchise, the value of the core Legend of Zelda games, complete in box, will be evaluated.
Set in the fantasy world of Hyrule, Legend of Zelda games tend to focus on Princess Zelda and the hero Link as they work together in various ways to save their world. As a hero, Link has become especially popular, and is notable for the fact that throughout Legend of Zelda, Link remains a silent protagonist. The evil Ganon appears most often as the main antagonist, but in games such as The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, there have been other main storyline foes for Link to face. By creating a unique universe full of magic, creatures, and battles, Legend of Zelda games have created one of the most successful Nintendo franchises for over 35 years.
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Because of the expansive history and cult-like following of The Legend of Zelda, collectibles and older games have become quite rare and, therefore, expensive. An original The Legend of Zelda cartridge sold for a record-breaking price in 2021, making it one of the most expensive video games ever sold at an auction. Whatever the best console for playing Legend of Zelda games might be, the allure of having the classic games in their original boxes and cartridges is appealing to any collector. So disregarding whether the game has been graded, is a special collector's edition, its popularity status, or even what console the game was initially released for, this roundup is more of a starting point for collectors, taking a look at some of the more difficult to find, and more expensive, complete in box titles throughout The Legend of Zelda franchise.
Everything began in 1986 with the release of The Legend of Zelda. Originally released in Japan on the Famicom Disk System, it was internationally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1987. Though playing all Legend of Zelda games in order would mean starting with a different title, the first Legend of Zelda game is an important addition to any serious collection. The price for the original NES cartridge of The Legend of Zelda greatly relies on the condition of the cartridge, box, and manual. On the low end, a more ragged copy can be sold for anywhere from $100 to $200, whereas better quality copies have sold at a high of $350. However, a copy of The Legend of Zelda in the best possible condition goes for a starting price of $500. While collectors have a handful of different options in what type of condition to get the game in, finding a copy means acting fast, as there aren’t often new listings for The Legend of Zelda NES game.
Additionally, copies of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), can sell for quite high prices. While Link to the Past has the most dungeons in the franchise, it also has some of the highest prices for a core game. While a collector might get extremely lucky and find a copy between the rare prices of $150 and $200, a complete in box copy of A Link to the Past more often sells at a low of $350, often soaring well over $450. At the time of writing, A Link to the Past often sells for higher than The Legend of Zelda, but it also seems to be more available to collectors, currently featuring a higher number of eBay listings. These two titles are significant additions to any collection, as they are the beginning of the phenomenon that is The Legend of Zelda and important titles for the first two Nintendo consoles.
Following the SNES, the N64 was the next era for Nintendo and The Legend of Zelda. The N64 game, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has many easily missable things within the game, which is probably one of the reasons the title is included in the video game hall of fame. Finding a complete in box copy of Ocarina of Time can take some time for collectors, as there are a limited number of copies, and it’s a more popular game in the Legend of Zelda franchise. Prices for Ocarina of Time have waxed and waned throughout 2022, dipping as low as $100, while reaching over $500 for mint and near-mint editions. Collectors should expect to spend more for the level of quality, while also understanding that price trends are always changing, so deciding when to purchase Ocarina of Time is an important factor.
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The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask was also released for the N64 in 2000. While now is the perfect time for a new Majora’s Mask, collecting the original game is the perfect counterpart to waiting on the next Legend of Zelda title. Complete in box copies of Majora’s Mask start at around $200, which is quite a good deal, considering many complete copies are listed at $300 or more. Majora’s Mask is one of the most well-known Legend of Zelda games, and even though the standard edition is pricey, it’s an essential title for collectors.
Finally, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is one of the most expensive core Legend of Zelda games to find complete in box. Released in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance, The Minish Cap is the twelfth Legend of Zelda game, and a Zelda game where the title item is collected. The starting price for a complete in box copy of The Minish Cap is roughly $200. However, a copy that is sealed or in mint or near mint condition can sell for up to $350. The Minish Cap is the only original title released for the Game Boy Advance specifically, while other Legend of Zelda games were adapted for the console later on, making it a worthy addition to any Legend of Zelda collection.
Not surprisingly, the older the game, the more expensive and difficult to find. While some of these games are currently available as remakes for different consoles or part of the Nintendo Switch’s Online Expansions, these versions don’t elicit quite the same feeling as having the original, decades-old cartridges. Link will always be the hero in Zelda, just as Legend of Zelda games will always be an iconic Nintendo franchise. While there are some more complicated factors to consider when starting to collect - such as graded versus non graded, factory sealed versus opened, etcetera - the standard, original editions of The Legend of Zelda games are a great starting point for new and seasoned collectors.
Chloë Rain is a Gaming Features writer for ScreenRant. A writer and editor from the Midwest, she currently works for various magazines and journals. She is pursuing a B.F.A. in Creative Writing, specializing in poetry, prose, and short fiction and, thanks to ScreenRant, gaming features. Her passion for video games started when her stepdad introduced her to Luigi's Mansion. Too, she's passionate about birds and a great story, whether in a book, movie, or video game. Online, Chloë exists everywhere as @bcrainy.