The 10 best Legend of Zelda Games (That you can play on Switch)

The Legend of Zelda series has always held a special place in my heart, especially since it’s a game series I can remember since before my brain explosion. I have never forgotten the wonder of leaving Kakariko Village in Ocarina of Time and stepping into Hyrule Field. It was my first time experiencing an “Open World” game, and I was drawn into the adventure much like our reluctant hero and it created a lifelong fan out of me.

With the recent release of “Tears of the Kingdom” (and yes, there will be a review soon!) it got me thinking about all the adventures I have had with Link and friends, and which ones hold a special place in my heart. Now, don’t worry Gamers, I want to know your thoughts too! So feel free to add to the poll at the bottom of the article, or message our Facebook page to tell me your top 10 Zelda games and we will publish a reader version of this article to see how we all did!

10. Majoras Mask

A very brave and bold departure from Ocarina of Time, Majoras Mask was a sequel that could only be described as Zelda meets Doctor Strange to create a truly mystical and mysterious adventure. The moon is set to crash into Termina and there are only 3 days remaining until the end of the world! This anxiety-inducing time limit may have scared away some fans, but those who stayed were treated to a cameo-filled adventure (In the vein of Links Awakening) in which you wear masks to transform and gain abilities to traverse the world. You learn to travel back to the 3-day mark and retain your items and knowledge from your previous run, thus helping you progress more through the game.

As mentioned it is a truly unique take on the Zelda series, and as it’s currently free to play on the Nintendo 64 app with a Nintendo Online subscription, well worth taking another look at even if you dipped your toes in the pool during the N64 era.

9. Hyrule Warriors: age of Calamity

I fear many people avoided this title as it isn’t a part of the mainstream series, but rather a spin-off to the tune of the Dynasty Warriors series. Which is a shame as the game expands on the Breath of the Wild “Calamity” storyline and features addictive (albeit a little repetitive) gameplay. It does fix the main issues with the original Hyrule Warriors by adding clearer and more exciting objectives, more characters to play as, and interesting and varied locales.

If you ever wanted to experience the war before Breath of the Wild, you can’t go wrong by picking up Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.

8. A Link to the Past

While I didn’t play A Link to the Past until well after its release, many regard it as the quintessential Zelda experience. A Link to the Past is a timeless classic that set the template for future entries in the franchise. The game tells the story of Link, a young hero on a quest to save the land of Hyrule from the clutches of the evil wizard Ganon. Along the way, Link must journey through dark dungeons, solve intricate puzzles, and battle fierce enemies using an arsenal of weapons and tools.

One of the game’s defining features is its dual-world system, which allows Link to travel between the light and dark realms of Hyrule. This mechanic not only added depth to the gameplay but also enhanced the narrative by showcasing the consequences of Link’s actions and the impact they have on the world around him. The game’s soundtrack is equally iconic, with themes that have become synonymous with the Zelda franchise as a whole.

7. The Minish Cap

Debuting on the GameBoy Advance, The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap was a charming and whimsical entry in the Zelda franchise that follows Link as he sets out on a quest to rescue Princess Zelda and save the land of Hyrule from the evil sorcerer Vaati.

What set Minish Cap apart from other Zelda games is its unique shrinking mechanic, which allows Link to explore the tiny world of the Minish and gain new abilities by donning a magical cap. This mechanic not only adds a new layer of puzzle-solving to the game but also showcases the game’s colorful and detailed world from a new perspective.

It’s currently free to play on the GBA app if you have a Nintendo Switch Online account, and I highly recommend giving it a whirl!

6. Links Awakening Remastered

Less of a remaster, and more of a complete rebuild, Link’s Awakening saw players take control of Link as he awakens on a mysterious island after his ship is caught in a storm. The game features classic Zelda gameplay, with a focus on exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. What sets Link’s Awakening apart from other Zelda games is its charming and quirky atmosphere, which is infused with elements of surrealism and whimsy.

The remastered version of Link’s Awakening features updated graphics and a new art style that retains the game’s original charm while giving it a fresh look. The game also features quality-of-life improvements, such as a more intuitive inventory system and streamlined menu navigation. One of the most significant new features of the remastered version is the addition of the Chamber Dungeons, which allow players to create and share their own custom dungeons. This adds a new layer of creativity to the game and offers endless replayability for those who want to test their dungeon-building skills.

5. Skyward Sword

Sometimes touted as a contender for Ocarina of Time’s equal, Skyward Sword Remaster takes the adventures to the skies. The challenge of making the transition form the original Wii Motion controls to a more traditional control method did leave some “jank” in there like Link awkwardly swinging his sword as the speed of sound in all manner of directions, but that doesn’t detract from the incredible adventure that takes place above and below the clouds.

In terms of story, Skyward Sword centers around a conflict between Link, his childhood friend Zelda, and an evil entity known as Demise. The game takes place in a floating city called Skyloft and features a mix of overworld exploration and dungeon-crawling gameplay. Along the way, Link gains access to a variety of weapons, tools, and abilities, including a time-traveling mechanic that allows him to revisit past areas and solve puzzles.

Skyward Sword fleshed out our beloved characters and was full of charm and personality, devious puzzles, and an epic tale.

4.  The Legend of Zelda

The one that started them all! Originally coming in a gold cartridge, I wonder if gamers knew what was in store for them in 1988.

The Legend of Zelda featured an open-world design, allowing players to explore Hyrule and discover secrets at their own pace. Players navigate through a top-down perspective and engage in real-time combat with enemies using a variety of weapons and items. The game also features a unique system of dungeon crawling, with each of the eight dungeons presenting its own unique challenges and boss battles.

The Legend of Zelda is a groundbreaking game that set the standard for action-adventure games and became a cultural phenomenon in its own right. It’s a must-play for fans of the Zelda franchise and anyone looking to experience one of the greatest games of all time.

It’s available on the NES app if you have a Nintendo Online Subscription, and with the advantages of creating restore points, you can’t go wrong revisiting where it all began!

3. Breath of the Wild

What a game! You step once again into the boots of Link, who awakens from a 100-year slumber to find that Hyrule has been ravaged by the evil Calamity Ganon. Link must journey across the vast landscape, fighting enemies, solving puzzles, and exploring ancient ruins to gather the power needed to defeat Ganon and save the kingdom.

The game features an open-world design that allows players to explore Hyrule at their own pace, using a variety of tools and abilities to traverse the landscape. Link has access to a wide range of weapons and equipment, including swords, bows, and shields, which can be upgraded and customized with various materials found throughout the world. Instead of huge temples, the world was littered with smaller shrines, which allowed players to have a more portable adventure, fitting right in with the Nintendo Switch’s core philosophy of gaming on the go.

Breath of the Wild also features a dynamic weather system, a day-night cycle, and a physics engine that allows for complex interactions between objects and the environment. These systems, combined with the game’s non-linear progression, give players a level of freedom and agency rarely seen in open-world games.

The game has been widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive gameplay, and innovative design. It won numerous Game of the Year awards in 2017 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time.

2. Ocarina of Time

I know I’m going to get some hate for having Ocarina of Time sitting at second on this list, but if I can explain… There’s no denying Ocarina of Time is a quintessential Zelda experience, and will always hold a place in my heart as one of my all-time favourite games, but I feel like many people rate it #1 on every list because it would create furor not to.

Ocarina of Time is a masterclass in game design, an incredible story, cutting-edge graphics for it’s time, hours of gameplay, and a time jump of 7 years which adds a new perspective on what’s at stake should the hero fail. We were taken on an emotional journey through Hyrule in 3D for the first time and took on infuriating stealth missions, epic temples, and learned new Ocarina songs which altered the very world we played in.

Much like the franchise, Ocarina of Time has stood the test of time and is still enjoyed by many gamers (myself included) to this day. It’s currently on the N64 app for free for those with a Nintendo Online Subscription, and should not be missed.

1. Tears of the Kingdom

Yes, the hype is real. No, it’s not a simple expansion of Breath of the Wild. Since the game has only come out for most people this weekend, I will keep this spoiler free.

The story? Sublime. Gannon is menacing and genuinely gave me chills when I first encountered him, Everyone is fleshed out more to create a more living, breathing, chaotic world of Hyrule. Elements from Breath of the Wild have been sharpened, and perfected even… and new gameplay elements radically change the way how you experience the game depending on your personality and problem-solving imagination. My son and I have been playing side by side and both tackled different areas in different ways. I can’t go into further detail without spoiling the game but I will say this, your hard-earned money is well spent on what I personally believe to be, the greatest Legend of Zelda ever made.

I hope you enjoyed our list. But hey, I want to hear your thoughts. Did I get it right or am I way off? Add your custom answer in the poll below to tell me what order you want the games in. (Hint: Use abbreviations like BoTW, OoT, MM. etc.)