The Legend of Zeldais undoubtedly one of Nintendo’s most iconic and innovative franchises. As the video game industry has evolved, so too has the series. Thankfully, you can play many (though not all) of these games on Nintendo Switch. Below you’ll find a complete list of Legend of Zelda Switch games, as well as information on where you can find each one. We’ll start with a few of the obvious ones.
1.The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Availability: Physical or the Nintendo eShop
The release ofBreath of the Wildwas monumental for both theLegend of Zeldaseries and the Nintendo Switch. The stunning open world and award-winning gameplay won over many fans for both the franchise and the console.
2.The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdomis one of the most expansive, exciting, and engagingLegend of Zeldagames yet. The seamless connection of sky, surface, and depths is incredible, and you’ll log hundreds of hours in this game as you explore all three.
3.The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
WhenSkyward Swordwas first released, it seemed like every review of the game held reservations because of its dependence on the Wii’s motion controls. The Switch edition of the game thankfully allows players to disable these controls, as well as travel between Skyloft and the surface significantly faster.
4.The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Link’s Awakeningon Switch is a remake of a 1993 classic in which Link is stranded on Koholint Island and needs to collect instruments that wake up a giant Wind Fish that helps him return to Hyrule. What a premise!
5.Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
Hyrule Warriorsis a hack-and-slash adventure that was originally developed for the Wii U. Since then, its made its way to both Switch and the Nintendo 3DS, though each port contains a few differences from the original.
6.Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
Age of Calamityfollows the combat style of the firstHyrule Warriors, but its narrative is far more interesting. For fans of the versions of Link and Zelda inBreath of the Wild, this one’s a must have.
7.Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the Necrodancer
As far as Zelda games go,Cadence of Hyruleis quite unusual. You’ll need to move to the beat of remixedLegend of Zeldasoundtrack to attack, defend, and interact with objects.
8.The Legend of Zelda
Availability: Nintendo Switch Online
The originalLegend of Zelda, first released in Japan in 1986, is an excellent game despite its age. Its simple and direct story helped lead the series to greatness.
9.Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Although the first entry in the series has maintained its status as a retro gaming gem, the same cannot be said for the sequel.
10.The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
A Link to the Pastintroduced many parts of the iconicZeldaformula we’ve come to know and love, from the Master Sword to the Dark World and the sages. This one’s a classic that’s worth revisiting even today.
11.The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Four Swords
Availability: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass
This version ofFour Swordswas originally included on the same cartridge asA Link to the Past, but is essentially a separate multiplayer game. It’s the newest addition to the list ofZeldagames available through Nintendo Switch Online.
12.The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Timeis considered by many to be the bestLegend of Zeldagame of all time. It has a fantastic story that in my opinion has yet to be topped by any other game in the series.
13.The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX
If you enjoyed the more recent edition ofLink’s Awakening, thenLink’s Awakening DXis a fun way to explore a version of the game that’s closer to the original.
14.The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Beloved by many fans, the world ofMajora’s Maskis a unique, oddly terrifying sequel toOcarina of Time.The time loop in which Link is stuck adds the right amount of pressure to the story and makes the race to stop the moon from crashing down very satisfying.
15.The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
After Zelda is turned to stone, Link travels to the Minish Woods, where he talks to a magical hat who gives him the power to shrink down to a tiny size and talk to the equally tinyPicori people. The Picori let Link know where to find the Four Elements necessary for restoring the Four Sword, which is in turn necessary for rescuing Zelda.
16.The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages + Oracle of Seasons
Oracle of AgesandOracle of Seasonswere released simultaneously for the Game Boy Color in 2001 and share a single ending to their stories. If both games were played using a linked password, then this ending would unlock. Thankfully you can easily play both via Nintendo Switch Online.
17.Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Availability: Physical or the Nintendo eShop, coming soon
The newestLegend of ZeldaNintendo Switch game isEchoes of Wisdom,in which Princess Zelda herself is finally the protagonist. The game launches September 26th, 2024, and allows players to create ‘echoes’ of objects found throughout the environment in order to solve puzzles.
What About Wind Waker and Twilight Princess on Switch?
As of theJune 2024 Nintendo Direct, we still haven’t heard anything about a port for either of these games. Fingers crossed!
