Over two years ago, I wrote a top ten list of the best Legend of Zelda games you could play on your Nintendo Switch. A lot has changed since then. There are more Zelda titles available thanks to new releases and additions to Nintendo Switch Online, giving fans more choice than ever. Today I am revisiting that list and my son Link has joined me to help rank these adventures. He loves the series almost as much as his dad. Lists can be a bit divisive at times, so I welcome you to share your favourite Zelda titles as we had to make some difficult cuts to narrow things down to just ten. So without further ado, let us dive right in.
10. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
The Minish Cap is a classic 2D Zelda adventure that first appeared on the Game Boy Advance. Players take control of Link as he shrinks to a tiny size to explore hidden corners of Hyrule, solve puzzles, and stop the evil sorcerer Vaati from taking over the kingdom. The game blends traditional top-down Zelda gameplay with a unique shrinking mechanic that opens up inventive puzzles and exploration.
The Minish Cap was such a great adventure for such a great console. Experiencing a grand adventure like this on a handheld was impressive for its time, and replaying it on Nintendo Switch Online really highlighted how clever and engaging the game still is. I remember waiting in my car for a mate to get home, and I got so lost in the game that I completely lost track of time in the car park. The combination of classic Zelda combat and inventive level design makes it stand out, while the playful music perfectly matches the whimsical tone of the world. It is a charming, inventive, and still very enjoyable Zelda adventure.
9. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Echoes of Wisdom is one of the freshest and most creative Zelda adventures in years. Instead of relying on familiar tools, the game introduces echo mechanics that let you copy objects and use them in clever ways to solve puzzles and explore the world. It feels different in all the right ways and brings a new layer of creativity to the series while still feeling like a true Zelda experience.
This game also holds a special place in our family. It was my daughter’s first Zelda game, and she was thrilled to play as Princess Zelda. Hearing her excitedly call out “Look at that” every time she discovered something new was a reminder of the magic that makes this series so special. It took me back to my own first Zelda moment in Ocarina of Time, stepping into Hyrule Field and realising how big and full of possibility the world felt. Echoes of Wisdom captures that same sense of wonder. It is a thoughtful, imaginative Zelda title that encourages curiosity and experimentation, and it deserves its spot on this list for the new memories it creates as much as the adventure it offers.
8. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (2019 Remake)
Less of a simple remaster and more of a complete rebuild, Link’s Awakening brings one of the most beloved Game Boy adventures into a beautiful modern format. You take control of Link after he washes ashore on the mysterious Koholint Island, and from there the game unfolds with classic Zelda exploration, puzzle solving, and lighthearted combat. What makes Link’s Awakening so memorable is its charming and quirky atmosphere. The entire adventure is filled with surreal moments, strange characters, and a dreamlike tone that sets it apart from anything else in the series.
The remake on Nintendo Switch features a gorgeous toy-box art style that manages to feel both nostalgic and completely fresh. It retains the soul of the original while offering smooth controls, refined inventory management, and a clean presentation that suits the hardware perfectly. The addition of Chamber Dungeons gives players a fun way to remix rooms and create simple custom dungeons for extra replay value. It might not be the biggest Zelda game on the list, but it is one of the most heartfelt and imaginative, and replaying it on Switch is always a joy.
7. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Majora’s Mask is one of the boldest games in the Zelda series. It drops you into Termina, a world that is facing the end in just three days, and from the moment you arrive the entire adventure carries a sense of urgency and mystery. You revisit the same people and places as time resets, learning their routines and helping them in ways that slowly change the world around you. It creates a very personal type of storytelling that still feels unique today.
Playing Majora’s Mask on Nintendo Switch Online reminded me how clever the game really is. The three-day cycle can feel intense at first, but once you understand how it works, the structure becomes one of its greatest strengths. It encourages you to pay attention, explore, and experiment at your own pace. The masks you collect add a creative layer to the gameplay, each one giving Link new abilities that open up fresh paths and puzzle solutions. Majora’s Mask is darker and more emotional than most Zelda games, and that is why it earns a place on this list. It is a game that rewards patience and curiosity, and even after all these years, it remains one of the most memorable adventures in the series.
6. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is one slick package. It combines polished combat with an engrossing narrative that explores a huge part of Hyrule’s history, giving fans plenty to enjoy beyond the mainline Zelda games. Even casual players will have a great time on the battlefields thanks to intuitive controls that make pulling off incredible combat feats feel effortless.
While Hyrule Warriors is a spinoff at heart, Age of Imprisonment’s attention to detail and strong gameplay give it a rightful place in Hyrule’s legend. The game’s epic battles, rich character roster, and satisfying progression make it an accessible yet rewarding experience for both newcomers and long-time fans. It’s a title that proves Zelda adventures can be exciting even outside the traditional formula.
5. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
While I didn’t play A Link to the Past until well after its release, it is widely regarded as the quintessential Zelda experience. This timeless classic set the template for future entries in the franchise. The game follows Link, a young hero on a quest to save Hyrule from the evil wizard Ganon. Along the way, he journeys through dark dungeons, solves intricate puzzles, and battles fierce enemies using a variety 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 adds depth to the gameplay and strengthens the narrative, showing the consequences of Link’s actions and how they affect the world around him. The soundtrack is iconic, with themes that have become synonymous with the Zelda franchise itself. Even decades later, A Link to the Past remains a must-play adventure that captures the spirit of Hyrule perfectly.
4. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom was an exciting adventure and our second visit to this version of Hyrule. Gone were the Guardians from Breath of the Wild, replaced with Zonai technology and a new Ultrahand ability that allowed Link to build outlandish designs to tackle his epic quest. The new crafting, the sky islands, and the depths added to the sense of scale and wonder of this world. What was old was new again, and the constructions you could make were limited only by your imagination. The quests felt rewarding and impactful, giving a real sense of accomplishment as you journeyed through Hyrule.
For me, I originally ranked this at number one on my previous list, so long-time viewers might be surprised to see it at number four this time. Despite the drop, Tears of the Kingdom remains a spectacular experience. It expands on everything that made Breath of the Wild great while adding inventive new mechanics and tools that make exploration and combat feel fresh. Hyrule feels as magical and alive as ever, and the game rewards creativity and curiosity at every turn.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
Hands down, one of my personal all-time favourite games. Sailing across the vast ocean on the King of Red Lions gave a true sense of scale and adventure, and the cel-shaded “Toon Link” is expressive, charming, and instantly lovable. After Ocarina of Time, it was a big creative swing for Nintendo to take the series in this direction, and it absolutely smashed it out of the park.
Wind Waker balances its whimsical art style with deep exploration, memorable dungeons, and a story that feels both epic and personal. Every island has its own personality and secrets to uncover, and the music perfectly complements the adventure. It’s a game that still captures the joy of discovery and the feeling that anything is possible in Hyrule.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
I know some people might raise an eyebrow at Ocarina of Time sitting at number two on this list, but hear me out. There is no denying that Ocarina of Time is a quintessential Zelda experience. It will always hold a special place in my heart as one of my all-time favourite games, but I feel like many people rank it number one simply because it is expected to.
Ocarina of Time is a masterclass in game design. It delivers an incredible story, cutting-edge graphics for its time, hours of gameplay, and a time jump of seven years that gives a new perspective on what is at stake if the hero fails. We were taken on an emotional journey through Hyrule in 3D for the first time, tackling infuriating stealth missions, epic temples, and learning Ocarina songs that altered the very world around us.
Much like the franchise itself, Ocarina of Time has stood the test of time and is still enjoyed by gamers today, myself included.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Whether you have wandered Hyrule before or are stepping into it for the very first time on Switch 2, Breath of the Wild is hard to fault. In this gamer’s humble opinion, it may well stand as the greatest Legend of Zelda experience ever crafted. Its engaging narrative, sweeping world design, and elegant mechanics come together to create something truly special. Back in 1998, it was Ocarina of Time that first gave me that unforgettable moment, standing in Hyrule Field, filled with wonder at what lay ahead. For nearly two decades, nothing quite matched that feeling. Then Breath of the Wild came along, and somehow, even now, it still captures that same magic, perhaps even more so.
Breath of the Wild redefined what a Zelda game could be. The world feels alive, from the wind rustling through the grass to the distant menace of a guardian challenging your courage. Exploration is entirely player-driven; you can climb mountains, glide across valleys, and stumble upon secrets that feel like discoveries rather than guided checkpoints. Combat is flexible and satisfying, whether you prefer stealth, strategy, or sheer brute force. Even revisiting the world after hundreds of hours, Breath of the Wild continues to surprise with hidden shrines, powerful weapons, and breathtaking vistas.
Breath of the Wild on Switch 2 isn’t just special… It’s perfect.
Ranking these Zelda games was a lot of fun, and having my son Link help me made it even more special. From the timeless adventures of Ocarina of Time to the expansive wonder of Breath of the Wild, each game on this list holds a unique place in Hyrule’s history and in our hearts.
Of course, every Zelda fan will have their own favourites, and that is part of what makes the series so magical. Did I get it right? I would love to hear your thoughts. Which Zelda game is your personal favourite, or which adventure gave you that unforgettable first taste of Hyrule? Share your favourite memories with us in the comments. I can’t wait to read them.
