For anyone new to The Legend of Zelda, it can be difficult to determine where to start in the series. Fortunately, Nintendo Switch Online provides an easily accessible way to play through many of the classic video games that established The Legend of Zelda as the iconic series and household name that it is today.

There is a plethora of games in the Zelda franchise but so many of them are restricted to older Nintendo consoles. Nintendo Switch Online gives Switch players access to numerous NES, Super NES and Game Boy games including several Zelda games. With the smash hit release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, fans may be looking to jump into some of the older games.

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All Zelda Games on Nintendo Switch Online

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  • The Legend of Zelda
  • The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
  • The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
  • The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
  • The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
  • The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
  • Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link

The Legend of Zelda and Zelda 2

Zelda 2: The Adventures of Link

This game is the first and most simplified of the Zelda titles and establishes the rudimentary ideas and gameplay cycles of The Legend of Zelda games to come. In top-down view with pixelated graphics, Link must fight his way through various dungeons in order to collect the eight pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom, which will allow him to fend off Ganon and save Zelda. While this is where the series originated, it may feel dated for some Switch players as it was released in 1986.

Side scrolling gameplay, a less forgiving lives system, and the removal of the regular "The Legend of Zelda" moniker separate Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link from other games in the Zelda franchise. Due to its bold decisions and high-stakes combat, players looking for a more difficult Zelda game should definitely play this one on the Nintendo Switch Online service.

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The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is the third mainline installment of the franchise. While retaining the top-down camera point of view, this game deviates from its predecessor by being much more focused on its story and characters. This installment is where Link’s iconic weapon, the Master Sword, is introduced. There’s also an emphasis on new mechanics like A Link to the Past’s Light and Dark Worlds.

Links Awakening DX

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening finds Link trapped on the island of Koholint and needing to find the eight instruments of the Sirens to make his way out. This game revisits the top-down format while bringing some newer features with a more light-hearted tone to the series. This is the game for hardcore Nintendo fans as this Zelda game includes some familiar enemies from the Mario series, like Goombas and Thwomps.

Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask

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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo 64 was the first Zelda game to be fully 3D and is the first game to introduce Link's horse, Epona. A captivating and emotional story coupled with engaging and fresh gameplay made Ocarina of Time become renowned as not only one of the best Zelda games, but one of the most beloved video games in general.

The sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time continues in the 3D format introduced in the previous game. Switch players can enjoy Majora’s Mask’s unique gameplay with Link's ability to manipulate time in order to complete the quests that he's faced with. There are plenty of characters to interact with and quests to take on in this installment, with the main objective being to save the world in just three days.

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Zelda Fan Shows Off Impressive Stained Glass Window Based on Minish Cap

Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can play through the Game Boy Advance game, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. Having an overhead point of view reminiscent of Pokemon games released around the same time, The Minish Cap goes back to the series’ roots with a focus on dungeon exploration. Playing through The Legend of Zelda game in handheld mode will be more ideal as the game is originally a portable game.

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