Hyrule's Finest: Ranking Every Mainline Zelda Game on Nintendo Switch for its 40th Anniversary
As The Legend of Zelda hits its 40th anniversary, we're ranking every mainline game on Nintendo Switch, from groundbreaking epics to beloved remakes.
TL;DR: As The Legend of Zelda celebrates its 40th anniversary, we dive deep into the mainline games available on Nintendo Switch, ranking them from groundbreaking epics to beloved remakes. This analysis explores each title's impact, innovation, and enduring appeal, offering insights into why the Switch has become a cornerstone for the legendary franchise.
What's New
The Legend of Zelda series reaching its 40th anniversary this year isn't just a milestone; it's a testament to enduring innovation and storytelling. For Nintendo Switch owners, this celebration is particularly rich. The console hosts an unparalleled collection of mainline Zelda titles, offering both revolutionary new entries and meticulously crafted remakes of classics. This isn't merely a rehash of old favorites; these games represent significant evolutionary steps for the franchise, pushing boundaries in open-world design, narrative depth, and player agency. The recent releases, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, have redefined what open-world adventure can be, while titles like Link's Awakening and Skyward Sword HD bring cherished memories to a new generation with modern polish. This vibrant library ensures that whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, the Switch offers a definitive Zelda experience, making this a perfect time to assess where each title stands in the grand tapestry of Hyrule's legends.
The Definitive Switch Zelda Ranking
1. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom doesn't just build on Breath of the Wild; it elevates it to dizzying new heights. Released in May 2023, this sequel ingeniously expands Hyrule with vast sky islands and treacherous depths, introducing mechanics like Ultrahand and Fuse that empower players with unprecedented creative freedom. The sheer scope for emergent gameplay, from building elaborate vehicles to crafting bizarre weapons, makes every discovery feel unique. Its narrative, while still subtly delivered, offers a more direct and emotionally resonant story than its predecessor. This game isn't just a sequel; it's a masterclass in evolving an already groundbreaking formula, earning its spot at the pinnacle.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Launched alongside the Nintendo Switch in March 2017, Breath of the Wild wasn't just a game; it was a paradigm shift. It shattered conventions of linear progression, offering an expansive, physics-driven open world where exploration was paramount. Its minimalist storytelling, emphasis on discovery, and innovative rune abilities captivated millions, setting a new standard for the open-world genre. While Tears of the Kingdom refined many of its ideas, BotW's initial impact and its foundational role in the Switch's success cannot be overstated. It remains a monumental achievement that forever changed how we perceive Hyrule.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
The 2019 remake of Link's Awakening for Switch is a delightful reimagining of a Game Boy classic. With its charming diorama-like art style and faithful recreation of the quirky Koholint Island, it perfectly captures the spirit of the original while adding modern conveniences. While it doesn't boast the epic scale of its open-world counterparts, its intricate dungeon design, memorable characters, and unique non-Hyrule setting provide a refreshing and deeply satisfying experience. It's a testament to the timeless design of the original, expertly brought to life for contemporary audiences, proving that even smaller, more focused Zelda adventures have immense value.
4. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
Originally released on the Wii in 2011 and remastered for Switch in July 2021, Skyward Sword HD offers a polarizing but ultimately crucial piece of Zelda lore. While its motion controls (even with the improved Joy-Con implementation and button-only option) remain a point of contention for some, the game delivers a compelling origin story for Link, Zelda, and the Master Sword. Its linear, dungeon-focused structure and vibrant art style are distinct from the open-world entries. The HD remaster makes it more accessible than ever, allowing players to appreciate its innovative dungeon puzzles, character interactions, and the foundational elements it laid for future games, even if its overworld design feels comparatively restrictive.
Why It Matters
The presence of these four mainline Zelda titles on the Nintendo Switch is more than just a convenience for fans; it represents a strategic masterstroke by Nintendo. It showcases the console's versatility, from handling sprawling open-world epics to beautifully rendering classic remakes. This robust library has not only driven Switch sales but has also cemented the console's legacy as a haven for some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful games of the past decade. For the gaming industry, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have profoundly influenced open-world game design, encouraging developers to prioritize player freedom and emergent gameplay over scripted sequences. They've raised the bar for environmental storytelling and physics-based interactions, pushing the boundaries of what players expect from large-scale adventures. Furthermore, the success of remakes like Link's Awakening demonstrates a strong market for re-envisioned classics, proving that quality design transcends generations when given a proper modern treatment. This collection isn't just about selling games; it's about shaping the future of interactive entertainment.
What This Means For You
For gamers, especially those new to the Legend of Zelda series, the Nintendo Switch offers an unparalleled entry point into one of gaming's most storied franchises. If you're looking for sheer innovation and freedom, Tears of the Kingdom or Breath of the Wild are essential, offering hundreds of hours of exploration and discovery. They are premium titles, typically retailing around $69.99 and $59.99 respectively, and represent incredible value. If you prefer a more traditional, dungeon-focused experience with a charming aesthetic, Link's Awakening ($59.99) is a perfect choice, offering a condensed yet deeply satisfying adventure. For those interested in the series' lore and a unique take on combat and puzzle-solving, Skyward Sword HD ($59.99) provides a compelling, if sometimes challenging, experience. Each game offers a distinct flavor of Hyrule, catering to different playstyles and preferences. This rich selection means you can tailor your Zelda journey, starting with the epic scale of the modern entries or delving into the nostalgic charm of the remakes. As the series celebrates 40 years, there has never been a better time to be a Zelda fan on the Nintendo Switch.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom ranked as the top mainline Zelda game on Nintendo Switch?
A: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom builds upon the already revolutionary foundation of Breath of the Wild by introducing unprecedented verticality with sky islands and expansive subterranean depths. Its innovative Ultrahand and Fuse abilities empower players with incredible creative freedom, leading to emergent gameplay experiences that feel truly unique to each playthrough. The game's refined narrative and vast, interconnected world offer a depth of exploration and player agency that pushes the boundaries of open-world design, making it a masterclass in evolving an already groundbreaking formula.
Q: How did The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild impact the gaming industry and the Nintendo Switch console?
A: Released as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch in March 2017, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a transformative title that redefined the open-world genre. It prioritized player freedom, physics-driven exploration, and emergent gameplay, moving away from traditional linear progression. Its critical and commercial success was instrumental in the early adoption and success of the Nintendo Switch, showcasing the console's capabilities. It set new standards for environmental storytelling and encouraged other developers to rethink their approach to open-world design, leaving a lasting legacy on the industry.
Q: What makes The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake a valuable addition to the Switch's Zelda library?
A: The 2019 remake of Link's Awakening for the Switch is a charming and faithful recreation of the Game Boy classic, standing out with its distinctive diorama-like art style. Its value lies in bringing a beloved, more traditional dungeon-focused Zelda experience to modern hardware with updated visuals and quality-of-life improvements. While it doesn't offer the open-world scale of Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, its intricate puzzle design, memorable non-Hyrule setting, and quirky characters provide a refreshing and deeply satisfying adventure that appeals to both nostalgic fans and new players looking for a different kind of Zelda journey.
Q: Despite some original criticisms, what are the strengths of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD on Switch?
A: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, released in July 2021, brings the 2011 Wii title to the Switch with improved visuals and refined controls, including a new button-only option. Its strengths lie in its crucial role in the Zelda timeline, providing the origin story for Link, Zelda, and the Master Sword. The game features innovative, themed dungeons with clever puzzles and unique boss encounters that are highly regarded. Despite original criticisms regarding its motion controls and more linear world design compared to later titles, the HD remaster makes its narrative depth, character interactions, and foundational lore more accessible and enjoyable for a new generation of players.
Q: Which Zelda game on Nintendo Switch is recommended for newcomers to the series, and why?
A: For newcomers to the Legend of Zelda series on Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is often recommended as an excellent starting point. Its emphasis on open-world exploration, player freedom, and discovery allows new players to learn the mechanics and lore at their own pace without feeling overwhelmed by a rigid narrative. While Tears of the Kingdom offers more advanced mechanics, Breath of the Wild provides a more streamlined introduction to the modern Zelda formula, making it highly accessible and incredibly engaging for those embarking on their first adventure in Hyrule.
Q: How has the Nintendo Switch's Zelda library contributed to the franchise's ongoing legacy as it celebrates its 40th anniversary?
A: The Nintendo Switch's Zelda library, featuring both groundbreaking new titles like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, alongside meticulous remakes such as Link's Awakening and Skyward Sword HD, has significantly invigorated the franchise's legacy. This diverse collection has expanded Zelda's appeal to new generations while satisfying long-time fans, demonstrating the series' versatility and capacity for reinvention. It has cemented the franchise's position at the forefront of gaming innovation, influencing industry trends in open-world design and proving the enduring quality of its classic titles, ensuring The Legend of Zelda remains a benchmark for adventure games.