In a recent video from WWE, famous pro wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin made a somewhat out-of-character declaration of the best The Legend of Zelda game, settling a debate that has been raging for years. The argument surrounding which entry is the best in the long-running Nintendo series typically centers on the most popular 3D releases, a list that will likely expand with the upcoming release of Breath of the Wild 2, which may have time travel, according to statements recently made by a BOTW voice actor.
As one of the most beloved and iconic franchises in gaming and popular culture in general, it’s no surprise that The Legend of Zelda has been the subject of fervent discussion amongst fans, many of whom are steadfast in their belief of a particular entry standing above the rest. While there is surely a diversity of opinion to be found when it comes to which games are declared “best,” smash-hits like Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild are more commonly touted as favorites deserving of the title. The former entry went a long way in terms of establishing Zelda as a modern, 3D adventure series, and arguably laid the groundwork for contemporary open-world action-RPGs. The latter reinvented and revamped that same open-world genre, as experienced BOTW players are still finding secrets five years after its massively successful launch.
Needless to say, the argument about whether Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a better game than Breath of the Wild is fiery and persistent, but one unexpected fan recently chimed into the conversation: Steve “Stone Cold” Austin. In a clip shared by the WWE Twitter account (via VGC), Stone Cold and Cody Rhodes answer a series of questions, one of which is “Best Zelda game?” Rhodes promptly states his answer as Ocarina of Time, which Stone Cold quickly rebuts with a simple “No dude, Breath of the Wild.” For WWE fans, Austin’s love of BOTW might just settle the debate on the best Zelda game of all time.
While Stone Cold Steve Austin is not particularly known for his fondness of video games, naming Breath of the Wild as the best Zelda game is perhaps not too surprising. While Ocarina of Time is available on Switch thanks to the Switch Online + Expansion Pack service, the port has been criticized for its performance – as well as the high price tag of the subscription. On the flip side, BOTW is arguably synonymous with the Switch, one of Nintendo’s best-selling consoles, having been a launch title that has gone on to sell millions of copies. While Ocarina of Time is still regarded as one of the best games of all time, it’s possible that more people are familiar with BOTW than OoT.
Of course, professional wrestling is known for its theatric and scripted nature, so this hot take on the best Zelda game from Stone Cold could simply be a bid to garner online attention. Assuming that this legendary WWE star is being sincere, however, his statement could very well stoke the flames of an already heated debate in the Legend of Zelda fanbase.
