Highlights

• Switch offers a variety of Zelda-like adventures for fans of the franchise, including both exclusive titles and other open-world games.
• Death's Door is an indie game that combines dungeon exploration and puzzles, reminiscent of classic Zelda games.
• Super Mario RPG (Remake) brings back the beloved RPG gameplay of the original with updated visuals and added features like chain combos and super moves.

With the enthralling Breath of the Wild along with other Zelda games that have come out since, Switch has become a great home for Zelda fans. Not only this, but Nintendo's latest console plays host to many epic, enjoyable Zelda-like adventures; each with distinct traits.

There are ample franchises — from little-known indies to major releases — that capture the essence and majesty of Breath of the Wild, and the beloved series at large while bringing unique qualities to the table. These games range in style but adhere to the Zelda formula on some level, be it the NES and SNES classics or more modern epics on the Big N's 3D consoles.

This list will explore some of the best, most fitting Switch games sure to satiate gamers' Zelda: Breath of the Wild longing.

Updated November 27, 2023 by Stephen LaGioia: The anticipated Tears of the Kingdom has been released to much acclaim and lived up to its expectations, which is no easy feat given the soaring heights of its predecessor. The game's darker and deeper premise added tools and powers to toy with, along with new multi-dimensional areas to explore have made this a compelling sequel.

But even while this epic successor spans countless miles and many hours, players will no-doubt still yearn for similarly deep action-adventures on Switch, as the two mainline Zelda games spur one's imagination of similar games. And so, we thought we'd dive back into this piece and highlight a few more Breath of the Wild-esque titles.

28 Death's Door

Ample Dungeons, Tools, And Puzzles

Studio Acid Nerve proves that fantasy concepts can still be applied without adhering to tired tropes. Case in point? The aptly-named Death's Door, which brings the amusing premise of a reaper crow gathering souls for the afterlife, embodied by the "Reaping Commission Headquarters". Absurd themes aside, Death's Door shines as an amusing, atmospheric dungeon explorer and puzzler at the end of the day.

The level design is akin to classic Zelda dungeon crawlers, while the stylish, shadowy aesthetic reminds one of Twilight Princess' darker bouts. Swappable weapons and tools, deep progression, and some fun abilities also make this indie a compelling choice for fans of Nintendo's fantasy series.

27 Sable

Hand-Crafted Locales Inspired By Zelda

Ancient mythological civilizations? Check. Highly stylized graphics and open-world locales? Yes indeed. A story-driven quest driven by NPC interactions? Check that too. Combat? Not so much... Indeed, Sable can be considered a reimagined version of 3D Zelda — assuming that alternate vision didn't include any form of fighting.

Rather, Shedworks' adventure stresses discovery, world traversal, puzzles, and platforming — wrapped in a story-driven campaign. That's not to say there's a lack of action here, as the heroine Sable will spend plenty of time on her hoverbike zipping through the vast desert planet of Midden.

This is a good pick for fans seeking that same Zelda vibe but with a lower-key, borderline relaxing, experience. At least players won't have to worry about those pesky Guardians here.

26 Super Mario RPG (Remake)

A Nintendo-Braned RPG With Exciting Combat

Mario's debut in the RPG realm makes an emphatic return in this vibrant, delightful Switch remake. The same core gameplay and atmosphere of the original classic remain in all of their glory. Mario must again team up with Peach, Bowser, and Square Enix creations Geno and Mallow to rid the Mushroom Kingdom of Smithy and his gang.

Of course, the visuals have been spruced up, and they complement the isometric perspective nicely. Various aspects have been refined and added, including a new chain combo system, AoE (area of effect) attacks, and a combined super move that can be used to wallop foes into oblivion.

The time-based hits heavily featured in battle (which are now more clearly conveyed) add some pacing and excitement to the turn-based combat Like Zelda, this Mario romp is a glorious symphony of Nintedo's charm and accessibility — coupled with rich, rewarding RPG and adventure gameplay.

25 Biomutant

Open-world ARPG Combat And Exploring, Freezing Cold Zones

While garnering a mixed reception, it's hard to deny the unique appeal and amusing themes of this mammalian ARPG by Experiment 101. Players will venture through a vibrant post-apocalyptic world as they clash with hostile mutant animals. Fusing fantasy role-playing and sci-fi action, Biomutant offers plenty of zany fun as players explore and toy with various weapons and powers.

While the Zelda comparison is more of a stretch here, the game holds some parallels to Breath of the Wild, including open-world journeying, fast-paced combat, and icy-cold biomes for good measure. There's even the familiar mechanic of lacing the animal hero with equipment to deal with different environments and dynamic weather. This wild quest utilizes various influences ranging from Zelda to Mass Effect to Kung Fu — yet the result is a truly unique experience.

24 Diablo 3: Eternal Collection

Dungeon-Crawling Exploration And Ample Loot

Switch gamers may be missing out on the darker, more expansive Diablo 4, but they can boast possessing perhaps the best way to experience its predecessor on console. Between the alluring dungeon crawling, simple-yet-deep progression, and seamless co-op (local and online), fans of Blizzard's groundbreaking RPG will have their hands full here. It also helps that this version has had years of fine-tuning under its belt, after a rather shaky initial release.

The Eternal Collection on Switch brings the Reaper of Souls add-on, the deadly Necromancer class, and a slew of rotating seasonal events to add even more replay value. As a neat bonus, Zelda fans can enjoy a Ganondorf-themed cosmetic armor set, further adding to the game's sinister tinge.

23 Raji: An Ancient Epic

Similarly Stylistic Art And Fantasy Themes

This Indian-made adventure entices players with a unique visual style modeled off Pahari paintings, and underpinnings of Hindu mythology. Players take the role of Raji, an isolated circus performer, who finds herself up against a slew of ominous demons and beasts to retrieve her captured brother Golu. What follows is a memorable, story-driven ride that yields more revelations as well as more powerful weapons and upgrades.

With simpler, fast-paced combat, Raji can be more likened to Hyrule Warriors — sprinkled with some clever puzzle gameplay and lovely atmospheric music. Either way, the game should intrigue many Zelda fans with its familiar, yet distinct, design — especially with its lush environments and free-roaming exploration.

22 Immortals Fenyx Rising

Similar Open World, Themes, And Exploration

Comprising many discounted game lists since its 2020 release, this Ubisoft sleeper hit should lure many Zelda fans with its comparable art style, grandiose themes, and expansive action gameplay — at an affordable price. Indeed, many aspects feel so similar that Immortals seems like the Breath of the Wild spinoff that never was.

And the game does, in fact, clearly draw influence from Nintendo's fantasy series, along with Greek mythology. But while its content is a fair bit slimmer than Breath of the Wild, this overlooked romp has been regarded for its deeper progression system and charming storytelling that feels so "Ubisoft".

21 Hades

Mythological Fantasy Themes And Dungeon Crawling

Take an indie hack-and-slash frenzy, inject grueling roguelike elements, and dress it up with enchanting Greek mythology, and 2020's Hades is the result. It channels that retro Zelda vibe with its barrage of tough baddies and dungeon-crawling.

Supergiant Games entices players with a slew of hellish, randomly generated dungeons, loads of unique foes, and satisfying weapons. Like many roguelikes, the antihero Zagreus is all-but set up to fail, as he must fight his way through the vast reaches of the underworld. But while death is a near-certainty, there's something about this addictive, white-knuckle gameplay that beckons players back for more punishment.

20 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Similar Blend Of Action And Role-Playing

With its superb blend of historical influence and high fantasy, CD Projekt Red's epic feels somewhat like a darker, Westernized Zelda that never was. While The Witcher 3's visuals take a sleeker, more realistic approach, they prove equally enthralling as the more stylized charm of BotW. And of course, the gritty antihero Geralt is a far cry from the classic hero Link.

On the gameplay front though, the lines blur quite a bit more, as both games have a healthy dose of action-based combat and exploration — as well as ample crafting and customization to adhere to one's own playstyle. The Witcher 3 enriches and immerses players into its lush locales and gripping story — strengthened by the Eastern European mythology and fantasy novels it draws from.

19 Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Frantic Yet Nuanced Combat

Drawing from the strong lore and enjoyable gameplay of the hit Wii RPG, Monolith Soft triumphs again with this deep, majestic Xenoblade sequel on Switch. Like the first Xenoblade, this 2017 follow-up stresses a gripping story, likable characters, and lavish environments.

Of course, it also sports loads of addictive combat that's equally interesting in its own way. Instead of revolving around the iconic Monado sword, the game excels in its unique system of Pokemon-esque Blades, each of which brings a different dynamic and distinct powers. The Zelda overlap is apparent in the vast, explorable landscapes and fantasy themes — but also in the endlessly fun battles, which blend arcade action with various skills and nuance.

18 The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening

A Blend Of Old And New Zelda

Including a Zelda title may seem rather "on the nose", even one that's fairly distinct from its more dynamic BotW sibling on Switch. Still, given the superb blend of classic and modern Zelda, this charming Game Boy remake just had to receive a nod. This is the third release of Link's Awakening, this time being a complete graphical overhaul.

Link's Awakening on the Switch is absolutely gorgeous and plays as smoothly as butter. Like BotW, Link's Awakening opens up much of the full overworld to explore pretty early on, giving that same, wonderful sense of exploration. And of course, there's still much journeying, combat, and puzzle-solving to be had. It's a fairly subdued, kid-friendly counterpart to the more bombastic Breath of the Wild, but it certainly has its place.

17 Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition

An Action-Heavy Brand Of Zelda

One of Wii U's sleeper hits has made its way to the Switch, and in more appealing form than ever. While the themes, of course, contain similarities to the main series' fantastical Hyrule and its colorful monsters, the actual gameplay is more akin to Dynasty Warriors with its frantic action.

This game is like Zelda amped up to a fever pitch, taking the number of baddies on-screen to absurd and wild heights. Hyrule Warriors is a satisfying hack 'n' slash which is quite suited for Switch's handheld pick-up-and-play sensibilities.

16 Hyper Light Drifter

Retro Zelda Style

It isn't often that an indie game of this magnitude is released with so much critical acclaim, but Hyper Light Drifter lives up to its popularity. Created by a very small team of developers, Hyper Light Drifter takes classic Zelda formulas and turns them into something uniquely beautiful.

The fast-paced, challenging gameplay is complemented by a story that needs to be played to be understood, as everyone will interpret its cryptic cutscenes in different ways. Players will likely get lost quite a bit in this deceptively deep pixel-art game, but that makes it all the more enjoyable.

15 Oceanhorn: Monster Of Uncharted Seas

Wind Waker Feel And Sailing Mechanic

Until Nintendo finally decides to port Wind Waker HD to the Switch, Oceanhorn is here to scratch the itch of fans who fancy that seafaring twist on Zelda. Originally released as a mobile title, Oceanhorn isn't afraid to pull quite a bit from multiple Zelda games, but it does so with its own special charm.

Players will be sailing seas in search of treasure, exploring caves, and fighting monsters just like Zelda, but Oceanhorn is a more compact adventure fit for those looking for a quicker, more low-key journey.

14 Bastion

2D Zelda Gameplay In Isometric Form

Paving the way for many indie games after it, Bastion has its roots in classic 2D Zelda gameplay, and every bit of it is just as great. Bastion excels with its fun, polished combat, exploration, and unique, vibrant art style to call its own.

Hitting the Switch nine years after its initial release, Bastion looks better than ever and serves as one of the best action RPGs on the platform at a great price, making it a great choice for any Zelda fan looking for a delightful experience. This is certainly one of the more overlooked Switch games like Zelda.

13 Ittle Dew 2+

Similar Game Design And Settings Of Link To The Past

This enduring little indie manages to capture the charming simplicity and colorful visuals of older Zelda games while bringing an open world that allows dungeons to be tackled in any order. This adventure title is essentially a Zelda clone to the point of injecting some humorous self-aware gags, yet it's still a terrific experience in its own right.

Its neat hand-drawn cartoon art style and a couple of innovative gameplay concepts allow Ittle Dew 2+ to feel both familiar and unique. The game encourages exploration and provides some clever puzzles while offering satisfying combat that's easy to grasp and engaging.

12 Dark Souls Remastered

Similar Open-World Exploration And Tough Combat Of 3D Zeldas

If the post-apocalyptic Hyrule seen in Breath of the Wild happened to be filled with demons and monsters, undead warriors, and a few bonfires here and there, it wouldn't be too different from Dark Souls' Lordran. Like Hyrule, Lordran is largely explorable from the get-go, with only a few cryptic hints to keep players on the right track.

Just as how almost anything can act as a weapon in BOTW, Dark Souls prides itself on having a huge list of equipment, making every playthrough feel like an entirely different experience, which also makes finding random weapons and armor around the world all the more rewarding.

11 Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age

Simlar Fantasy Premise And ARPG Gameplay

Of all the titles from Square Enix's epic and iconic RPG franchise, it may seem a bit odd to feature the lesser-known "black sheep" of the Final Fantasy family as a suitable BotW alternative. Yet, as a whole, Final Fantasy 12's gameplay formula adheres closest to these sensibilities, from the more action-oriented combat to the fantasy locales of the semi-open worlds.

FF 12 proves an underrated entry in the series which was sandwiched between the popular FF10 and the hyped 13 — and the remastered Switch version is the game at its best. It looks and feels fantastic, while the unique Gambit system, along with a number of gameplay tweaks, provides a fun, intuitive battle system. This is a gripping quest that Zelda fans shouldn't overlook.

10 Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Similarly Dynamic, Vibrant Open-World

Being Zelda-esque in terms of vibrant fantasy themes and its vast scope, the third mainline Xenoblade is sure to appease fans of Nintendo's game. Monolith Soft pulls out all the stops for this lavish sequel, fusing many strong aspects as well as the lore of the first two titles. Featuring a plot about hope and comradery amidst war and strife, Xenoblade 3 portrays a tale that's gripping and heartfelt.

The fluid 3D combat balances thrilling action with layers of tactical gameplay, as players unleash satisfying Arts while feeding their Talent Gauge. Thanks to the combat, there's rarely a dull moment — especially with the minimal grinding built in. Also featured are a slew of rewarding sidequests, adding countless more hours to this sprawling adventure. As one might expect, this is the prettiest the series has been, especially on the potent OLED Switch.

9 Cadence Of Hyrule: Crypt Of The NecroDancer Featuring The Legend Of Zelda

A Rhythmic, Musical Take On Oldschool Zelda

This title came out of nowhere during an early 2019 Nintendo Direct showcase, much to the delight of old-school Zelda fans. Sure, Cadence of Hyrule is mainly a rhythmic-based experience dressed with Zelda themes. Yet, Cadence of Hyrule shines as a particularly innovative indie — drawing an audience that may not typically be keen on simple rhythm romps.

This collaboration between Nintendo and Brace Yourself Games makes for a satisfying musical trip that's tough to put down. The game combines thrilling action with subtle strategy, as players must time their moves correctly while anticipating the moves of enemies.