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Best Graphics

Wind Waker

This category was exactly one point away from being a tie between the two main GameCube entries in the series. ultimately, Wind Waker came ahead though, and with good reason. Wind Waker was ingeniously made with Cel-Shaded graphics, which have barely aged since 2002. Remember about a year ago when Wind Waker HD was announced and some people wondered how exactly Nintendo could improve the graphics other than upping the resolution? That's the kind of quality graphics we're talking about here. Seriously, look at them graphics. Wowzers.

Runner-Up: Twilight Princess

 

Best Art Style

Twilight Princess

Twilight Princess is what many "hardcore" Zelda players always wanted. A gritty Zelda game that snubs as many bright colors as possible in favor of duller ones! In all seriousness though, Twilight Princess's art style is remarkable. It both adheres to what people expect from a Zelda game and makes its own distinct vision of the series style. Wind Waker may have been more distinct, and Ocarina of Time more iconic, but neither could reach the balance that Twilight Princess did.

Runner-Ups: Wind Waker, Ocarina of Time

 

Best Soundtrack

Ocarina of Time

It's fitting that the first Zelda game named for a musical instrument have the best soundtrack in series history. I'm not going to explain why this soundtrack is so good. You've probably already heard this topic exhausted multiple times. So just take a listen to the Song of Storms.

Runner-Up: N/A

 

Best Tone

Majora's Mask

Majora's Mask was not the prettiest Zelda game. Most of its assets were recycled from Ocarina of Time. But in terms of using these assets well, none can top it. The impending doom of the world is hinted at throughout the game, and saturates the entire experience. Other Zelda games were funny or optimistic or even dark, but even Twilight Princess, despite its best efforts, could not capture the same powerful spirit as Majora's Mask.

Runner-Up: Twilight Princess

 

Best Overall Presentation

Ocarina of Time

This was a close match against Twilight Princess, but ultimately Ocarina of Time's soundtrack is so revered, it makes up for the unimpressive graphics and merely satisfactory Tone. Seriously, that Soundtrack alone earned more points than both Oracle games' every category combined! And now that I look at them, the scores Ocarina of Time got for other Presentation cateogries were far from bad. It's just that in the entire series, OoT's soundtrack has had the best reception of any aspect of any Zelda game's presentation.

Runner-Up: Twilight Princess