The Legend of Zelda isn’t just a franchise; it’s a phenomenon that has been continuously evolving since 1986. Nintendo Switch completely transformed the Hyrule experience, taking it from nostalgic remakes that awaken childhood memories to open-world adventures that redefine what it means to explore. The Zelda universe found its perfect home on Switch, and now, with Switch 2, the magic is just beginning.
A Catalog That Embraces Decades of History
Switch houses eight epic Zelda experiences released between 2017 and 2025, each with its own unique personality:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
It didn’t just redefine the series. It forever changed how we understand open worlds. With over 32 million copies sold and its status as a launch title, it became the perfect flagship for a new era. Every climbable mountain, every interactive physics element, every moment of absolute freedom proved that Zelda could reinvent itself without losing its soul.
Check up the Top 10 Best-Selling Nintendo Switch Games.
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition (2018) and Age of Calamity (2020)
Brought musou action to the Hyrule universe with brutal intensity. Age of Calamity especially conquered hearts by letting us experience the tragedy that preceded BOTW, turning lore into pure playable adrenaline.
Link’s Awakening (2019)
Reminded us that nostalgia, when executed masterfully, can be revolutionary. Its diorama style and remastered music transformed a Game Boy classic into a visually stunning experience that respects every pixel of the original.
Skyward Sword HD (2021)
Took us to the chronological origins of the series, refining motion controls and offering a button alternative that finally did justice to this celestial adventure.
Tears of the Kingdom (2023)
Did the impossible: surpassed its predecessor. With aerial and underground exploration, it sold over 10 million copies in just three days, proving that creativity has no limits when the tools are infinite.
Echoes of Wisdom (2024)
Broke the mold by making Zelda the absolute protagonist. Her magic wand for replicating objects isn’t just a mechanic; it’s a statement of principles about creativity as a way to solve problems.
Cadence of Hyrule (2019)
Proved that Zelda can dance to any beat, fusing with Crypt of the NecroDancer to create something completely unexpected and addictive.
Bonus
And as cherries on top, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack unearthed treasures like Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, A Link to the Past, and many more classics that remain relevant decades later.
Switch 2: When Perfection Evolves
June 5, 2025 changed everything. Nintendo Switch 2 didn’t just improve these games; it transformed them into completely new experiences:
Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom received the treatment they always deserved: crystal-clear 4K and hypnotic 60fps. But the real revolution came with “Zelda Notes,” an app that includes:
- Voice navigation that guides you to every hidden Korok and lost shrine
- QR functions to share your most epic creations with friends
- Detailed statistics that document every moment of your adventure
- Enhanced Amiibo compatibility to unlock extra content
The improvements are free with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, or available separately for those who want to enjoy every pixel of these masterpieces. Link’s Awakening and Echoes of Wisdom shine even brighter with free patches that improve resolution and add intuitive shortcuts.
GameCube classics like The Wind Waker finally made it to the catalog, though we’re still waiting for Twilight Princess and the DS touch titles to find their way to the new generation.
Innovation as DNA
Zelda never settles. The series demonstrated a capacity for reinvention that few franchises can match.
BOTW and TOTK introduced physics that respond to your creativity, absolute freedom of exploration, and tools like Ultrahand that turn every player into an inventor. TOTK vertically expanded the concept with infinite skies and mysterious depths, while BOTW continues to be considered by many as the purest Zelda experience.
Echoes of Wisdom took creativity to another level with its “echo” mechanic, where every object can become the perfect solution to the right problem. Players highlight its natural accessibility and contemplative pace that invites experimentation without pressure.
Spin-offs like Hyrule Warriors and Cadence of Hyrule expanded the universe into uncharted territories: massive combat and musical rhythm. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment promises to be the Switch 2 exclusive we’re all waiting for, exploring past events that connect directly with Tears of the Kingdom.
The Future of Hyrule Is Already Here
Zelda on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 represents the perfect balance between respect for legacy and innovative ambition. With a live-action movie directed by Wes Ball scheduled for March 2027 and new exclusive adventures waiting on Switch 2, Hyrule expands beyond consoles toward a multimedia future.
The upcoming Nintendo Directs hold secrets we can barely imagine. But one thing is clear: Zelda on Switch proved that some stories don’t just transcend generations, they define them.
The Kingdom of Hyrule has never felt so alive. And this is just the beginning.
