The Legend of Zelda is 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 of Breath of the Wild was monumental for both the Legend of Zelda series 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
Availability: Physical or the Nintendo eShop
Tears of the Kingdom is one of the most expansive, exciting, and engaging Legend of Zelda games 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
Availability: Physical or the Nintendo eShop
When Skyward Sword was 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
Availability: Physical or the Nintendo eShop
Link’s Awakening on 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
Availability: Physical or the Nintendo eShop
Hyrule Warriors is 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
Availability: Physical or the Nintendo eShop
Age of Calamity follows the combat style of the first Hyrule Warriors, but its narrative is far more interesting. For fans of the versions of Link and Zelda in Breath of the Wild, this one’s a must have.
7. Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the Necrodancer
Availability: Physical or the Nintendo eShop
As far as Zelda games go, Cadence of Hyrule is quite unusual. You’ll need to move to the beat of remixed Legend of Zelda soundtrack to attack, defend, and interact with objects.
8. The Legend of Zelda
Availability: Nintendo Switch Online
The original Legend 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
Availability: Nintendo Switch Online
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
Availability: Nintendo Switch Online
A Link to the Past introduced many parts of the iconic Zelda formula 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 of Four Swords was originally included on the same cartridge as A Link to the Past, but is essentially a separate multiplayer game. It’s the newest addition to the list of Zelda games available through Nintendo Switch Online.
12. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Availability: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass
Ocarina of Time is considered by many to be the best Legend of Zelda game 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
Availability: Nintendo Switch Online
If you enjoyed the more recent edition of Link’s Awakening, then Link’s Awakening DX is a fun way to explore a version of the game that’s closer to the original.
14. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Availability: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass
Beloved by many fans, the world of Majora’s Mask is a unique, oddly terrifying sequel to Ocarina 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
Availability: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass
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 tiny Picori 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
Availability: Nintendo Switch Online
Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons were 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 newest Legend of Zelda Nintendo Switch game is Echoes 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 the June 2024 Nintendo Direct, we still haven’t heard anything about a port for either of these games. Fingers crossed!
