If you’re looking for aLegend of Zeldagame to play on the Nintendo Switch 2, you’re spoiled for choice. Although the console was released witha pretty lacking launch library, it does have the benefit of the original Switch’s backwards compatibility. Add that to all the Nintendo classics you may stream with your Nintendo Switch Online subscription, and you have the beginnings of a half-decent game library.
But while there aren’t many new Nintendo originals on the Switch 2,there’s plenty ofZelda. Ranging from the old classics now streamable on NSO, to new-and-improved versions of Switch originals, there’s aZeldagame on the Switch 2 for everyone’s taste. Here’s every mainlineZeldagame you can play on the Switch 2 today, ranked from worst to best.
14Zelda 2 Is The Odd One Out
Unique Creative Decisions Don’t Always Pan Out
Zelda 2: The Adventure of Linkis an outlierwithin theZeldafranchise. First released in 1987 for the NES (which means you can play it on NSO), it takes a more traditional action RPG approach to classicZelda, with an experience point system, a world map, and more talkative NPCs. Battles are side-scrolling, characterized by verticality and a complicated magic system.
Zelda 2isn’t a bad game by any means, but it lacks a lot of what we’ve come to expect from the series in later years. It’s also a little too hard for modern players to just pick up and enjoy. Still, it’s worth a look.
13Echoes Of Wisdom Has Good Ideas That Aren’t Always Executed Well
UI Holds It Back
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomis also kind of an outlier, in that it’s the only game on this list where Zelda is the sole playable protagonist. While the change in perspective was nice, as was theLink’s Awakeningremake-inspired aesthetic,Echoes of Wisdomjust doesn’t live up to the series' highest points. It has a cool unique mechanic, allowing you to copy and paste items and enemies to win fights and solve puzzles. But that’s held back by an annoying interface that requires you to scroll through hundreds of items just to find the one you want.
Echoes of Wisdomdoes seem to perform better on the Switch 2 than it did on the original Switch.
A slow start and some clunky combat also preventEchoes of Wisdomfrom reaching its full potential. That said,it’s a cool side adventure with some classicZeldacharm.
Poetry In Motion
The Switch’sSkyward Sword HDreally has the best of both worlds: classicZeldacharm mixed with modern 3D aesthetics. With a delightful story that serves as a prequel to the rest of the franchise, some excellent dungeon design, and an immersive setting with several unique concepts,Skyward Swordis a world that’s easy to get lost in.
The problem, though, isSkyward Sword’s main gimmick, which uses motion controlsfor Link’s sword (among other items). While they’ve undergone a lot of improvement since the game’s original release on the Wii, they’re still finicky and frustrating far more often than they’re interesting - and they’re absolutely everywhere in this game.
11The Original Zelda Has Its Merits
The One That Started It All
You can play 1986’sThe Legend of Zeldavia NSO’s NES library, and, if you’re at all a fan of the franchise, you probably should.The originalZeldagame has a lot of the DNA that’s kept the franchise goingover the years: items that improve your abilities, incremental sword upgrades, and lots of dungeon crawling. Although it’s all much simpler and lower-res in the originalZelda, it’s a lot of fun to see where the series started out.
Of course, there are lots of quality of life features and new series staples that wormed their way into theZeldafranchise later. You won’t see any modern innovation in the original game, but there’s still a lot to love.
10Oracle Of Ages Is A Curious Side Adventure
One Of Capcom’s First Zelda Games
The first of severalZeldagames developed by Capcom for Nintendo’s handheld consoles,Oracle of Ageswas actually released in tandem withOracle of Seasons. The two games are meant to be played together - you may use a code you get at the end of one to carry over some of your items into the next. This is classic 2DZelda- the main difference between the games isAges' greater focus on puzzles over combat, which makes it a little dull at times, especially given its fairly tedious time travel gimmick.
Overall, though,Oracle of Agesis a greatZeldagame, and an important part of theAges/Seasonsduology. If you play one, you’ll want to play the other.
9Oracle Of Seasons Is The Slightly Better Of The Two
Brawn Over Brains
WhereOracle of Ages' puzzle focus can make it a little dull and slow-moving,Seasons' combat focus makes it fast-paced and exciting. At the same time, though, it’s the easier of the two games, which makes it one of the most accessible titles to fans new to 2DZelda.
Oracle of Seasons' season-changing mechanic is also pretty cool, and unique among the rest of the series. For these reasons, it’s definitely worth checking out,most likely beforeAgesif you plan on playing both.
8The Minish Cap Is The Best Of Capcom’s Handheld Zelda Games
An Underrated Entry
Capcom’s run ofZeldagames really came into its own, though, withThe Minish Capon Game Boy Advance. With the best dungeon design of the bunch, anda unique mechanic that lets Link change his sizeto access normally inaccessible areas, it’s really unlike any other game in the franchise.
The Minish Capis underratedamong the rest of the series for its relatively short length and its proximity to other, more popular titles, but maybe it shouldn’t be. Since it’s playable on the Switch 2, it might be time for aMinish Caprenaissance.
7Tears Of The Kingdom Is A Half-Decent Follow-Up
New Switch 2 Enhancements
Tears of the Kingdomwas a solidZeldagame, butit could never live up to the awe inspired byBreath of the Wild(which you’ll find much further down this list) when it first came out.TotKattempted to expand on its predecessor with an in-depth building mechanic and some new map areas, but ultimately, it doesn’t quite live up to theBotWhype.
Notably,TotKhas undergone several improvementson the Switch 2. It now comes along with some new story content, as well as better performance, even in higher resolutions.
6A Link To The Past/Four Swords Is 2D Zelda At Its Most Iconic
Classic 2D Style
A Link to the Pastnails absolutelyeverything that’s great about 2DZelda. With its unmatched GBA aesthetic, brilliant dungeon crawling, and strong, central story, it’s not one to be missed, especially now that it’s part of the NSO library.
LTTPdoes time travel far better thanOracle of Ages, and its wide variety of items keeps things fresh throughout the entirety of the game. For me,it’s the absolute platonic ideal of 2DZelda, but I like 3DZeldajust a little better.
5Link’s Awakening Is A Fever Dream Worthy Of Experiencing
Now In 2D & 3D
Okay, I know I just saidLink to the Pastwas the perfect 2DZeldagame, and I stand by that - but hear me out.Link’s Awakeningtakes a totally different approach to the 2DZeldaformula, but it’s those differences that make it stand out. With a dreamlike story set on a tropical island far from Hyrule, it’s definitely one of the strangestZeldagames out there. IfLink to the Pastis the golden child of 2DZelda,Link’s Awakeningis its weird cousin that’s actually way cooler when you get to know it.
At the same time, though,Link’s Awakeningis classicZeldato a T, with excellent dungeons, evocative music, and a wide variety of fun items used to solve all manner of puzzles. It’s available in two versions on Switch 2 - the Game Boy original, and the 3D remake - both of which are worth experiencing.
