Every Zelda Game on Switch: Complete 2025 Guide
The Legend of Zelda series has captivated players for decades, and the Nintendo Switch has become the ultimate destination for fans of Hyrule. With a growing library spanning modern masterpieces, cherished remakes, and a vault of retro classics, playing through Link's epic history has never been easier. As we look ahead to 2025 and the whispers of new hardware on the horizon, now is the perfect time to survey every single Legend of Zelda title you can play on the Nintendo Switch right now.
This comprehensive guide covers every mainline game, spin-off, and classic available on the platform, and looks toward what the future might hold for the legendary franchise.
The Modern Open-World Epics
The Switch is home to two of the most ambitious and critically acclaimed games of all time. These titles redefined what a Zelda adventure could be, offering unparalleled freedom and emergent gameplay in a vast, interconnected Hyrule.
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017): The game that launched a revolution. Breath of the Wild shattered series conventions by dropping players into a massive, open-world Hyrule with minimal direction. Its physics-based puzzles, weapon durability system, and the freedom to tackle any of the four Divine Beasts in any order created a deeply personal and unforgettable adventure. It set a new standard not just for Zelda, but for the open-world genre as a whole.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023): Building upon the foundation of its predecessor, Tears of the Kingdom expanded the world of Hyrule vertically, adding sprawling Sky Islands to explore and a mysterious Depths to uncover. The game's true innovation lies in the new suite of abilities: Ultrahand, Fuse, and Ascend. These tools allow for staggering creativity, letting players build vehicles, fuse weapons, and traverse the environment in ways previously unimaginable. It's a masterful sequel that enriches and expands on everything that made the original great.
Beloved Remakes and High-Definition Remasters
Nintendo has lovingly brought several classic Zelda titles to the Switch, rebuilding them from the ground up or giving them a fresh coat of high-definition paint for a new generation.
- The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (2019): Originally a Game Boy classic, this title was given a complete and utterly charming remake. Reimagined with a beautiful "tilt-shift" toyetic art style, the game retains the quirky characters, bizarre story, and clever dungeon design of the original. It’s a polished and poignant adventure that proves a great game is timeless.
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (2021): This HD remaster of the Wii's epic origin story makes a fantastic game more accessible than ever. It tells the tale of the creation of the Master Sword and the first-ever conflict with Demise. The Switch version offers players the choice between refined motion controls using the Joy-Con or an all-new button-and-stick control scheme, resolving one of the original's most debated features.
Action-Packed Spin-Offs
Beyond the core adventures, the world of Hyrule has been explored through exciting spin-off titles that offer a different kind of gameplay.
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (2020): Serving as a direct prequel to Breath of the Wild, this game showcases the Great Calamity that was only hinted at in the 2017 title. Instead of exploration and puzzles, Age of Calamity focuses on large-scale battles, with players controlling Link, Zelda, the four Champions, and more to fight off Ganon's hordes in classic Warriors-style gameplay.
- Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda (2019): A unique and brilliant crossover, this title blends the rhythmic, roguelike gameplay of Crypt of the NecroDancer with the iconic world, music, and characters of The Legend of Zelda. Players must move and attack to the beat of remixed classic Zelda tunes in a procedurally generated overworld and dungeons.
A Vault of Classics with Nintendo Switch Online
A subscription to Nintendo Switch Online and its Expansion Pack tier unlocks a massive library of classic Zelda games from Nintendo's historic consoles. This is the easiest and most affordable way to experience the series' foundational titles.
Available with the standard Nintendo Switch Online membership:
- The Legend of Zelda (NES): The one that started it all. Explore the original Hyrule and discover its secrets.
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES): A unique sequel that introduced side-scrolling combat and RPG elements.
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES): Considered by many to be one of the greatest games ever made, establishing the Light and Dark World mechanic.
- The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (Game Boy Color): The original color version of the classic portable adventure.
- The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of Ages (Game Boy Color): Two interconnected adventures that can be linked together for a true final ending.
Available with the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership:
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64): The revolutionary 3D adventure that set the template for action-adventure games for years to come.
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64): A dark and fascinating sequel built around a three-day time loop mechanic.
- The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (Game Boy Advance): A charming adventure where Link can shrink down to the size of the tiny Picori race.
The Future: Zelda on "Switch 2" in 2025 and Beyond
With the current Switch nearing the end of its lifecycle, all eyes are on Nintendo's next-generation hardware, unofficially dubbed the "Switch 2." While nothing is confirmed, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year. The arrival of a more powerful console opens up incredible possibilities for the Zelda franchise.
Many fans hope to see the remaining HD remasters from the Wii U era, The Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD, finally make their way to a modern platform. The increased power of a new console could present these beloved games in their definitive forms, potentially running at higher resolutions and frame rates.
Beyond ports, the prospect of a brand-new Zelda title designed for next-generation hardware is thrilling. A "Switch 2" could allow developers to create an even denser, more dynamic, and visually stunning version of Hyrule, building upon the groundbreaking physics and systems introduced in Tears of the Kingdom. Whether we see a new top-down adventure, another major 3D epic, or a yet-to-be-announced remake, the future of The Legend of Zelda is brighter than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How many Zelda games can you play on the Nintendo Switch?A: Currently, there are over a dozen Zelda titles available on the Switch when you include the mainline releases, remakes, spin-offs, and the entire classic catalog available through Nintendo Switch Online and the Expansion Pack.
Q: Can you play Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo Switch?A: Yes! The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is available to play for subscribers of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service via its Nintendo 64 library.
Q: What is the newest Legend of Zelda game?A: The newest mainline title is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which was released in May 2023.
Q: Will The Wind Waker HD come to the Switch?A: While it is one of the most highly requested ports, Nintendo has not officially announced any plans to bring The Wind Waker HD or Twilight Princess HD to the Nintendo Switch or its successor. Fans remain hopeful for a future release.