The Legend of Zelda franchise, a cornerstone of gaming history, has seen a remarkable resurgence on the Nintendo Switch. Since its debut on the NES in 1986, the series, chronicling the heroic Link's battles to save Princess Zelda and Hyrule from Ganon's evil, has consistently captivated players. The Switch, however, has propelled Zelda to unprecedented heights, with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom becoming phenomenal bestsellers. With the recent release of Echoes of Wisdom, and the impending arrival of the Switch 2, the future of Hyrule on Nintendo consoles is brighter than ever.
This comprehensive guide details every Legend of Zelda game currently available on the Nintendo Switch, excluding those accessible via Nintendo Switch Online.
Eight Zelda Titles on Nintendo Switch:
A total of eight Zelda games have graced the Nintendo Switch since 2017, encompassing both mainline entries and spin-offs. Below, each title is listed in chronological order of release.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
Breath of the Wild revolutionized the Zelda formula with its unprecedented open-world design. Link awakens after a century-long slumber to confront Calamity Ganon and rescue Princess Zelda.
[Read our Breath of the Wild review.]
2. Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition (2018)
This definitive edition of the action-packed Hyrule Warriors brings together all content from the original Wii U release, plus Breath of the Wild-inspired costumes.
[Read our Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition review.]
3. Cadence of Hyrule (2019)
A unique collaboration, Cadence of Hyrule blends the rhythmic gameplay of Crypt of the NecroDancer with the Zelda universe.
[Read our Cadence of Hyrule review.]
4. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (2019)
A charming remake of the classic Game Boy title, Link's Awakening features a captivating storyline and unique gameplay.
[Read our Link's Awakening review.]
5. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (2020)
A prequel to Breath of the Wild, Age of Calamity delves into the events preceding the Great Calamity.
[Read our Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity review.]
6. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (2021)
This remastered version of the Wii classic offers both motion controls and a traditional button-only control scheme.
[Read our Skyward Sword HD review.]
7. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)
Tears of the Kingdom, a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, expands the gameplay with vertical exploration and new abilities.
[Read our Tears of the Kingdom review.]
8. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (2024)
Princess Zelda takes center stage in this latest installment, offering a unique take on the familiar formula.
[Read our Echoes of Wisdom review.]
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack:
Numerous classic Zelda titles are also available through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription service.
Upcoming Zelda Games and Beyond:
While specifics are scarce, the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2's backward compatibility suggests continued Zelda adventures are on the horizon. Furthermore, a live-action Zelda movie is in the works.
