Best Switch Games Like Breath Of The Wild

With the enthralling Breath of the Wild, and other Zelda games that have come out since, Switch has become a great home for Zelda fans. Not only this, but Nintendo’s latst 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 retro 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 December 27, 2024, by Gerardo Molina: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is arguably one of the greatest open-world games to have ever been released on both the Nintendo Switch and any other platform. This title features amazing combat mechanics, lots of things to discover, and a broad range of NPCs and side quests that keep the experience interesting. Since Breath of the Wild was released, many games have tried to emulate it, and while some have failed, others have been very successful, offering players a chance to get a similar experience while focusing on other universes. This formula seems to work very well, and more often than not, makes for entertaining gameplay.

33

Ori And The Will Of The Wisps

A Metroidvania With Beautiful Environments

Ori and the Will of the Wisps takes place right after the events of the prequel, Ori and the Blind Forest. This title also presents players with a beautiful environment that they can explore while encountering a few challenges and other surprises along the way.

The main objectives of the game remain exploration, item collection and upgrading, and backtracking to discover previously inaccessible areas. All in all, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a great title that will give players who love Breath of the Wild exactly what they’re looking for.

32

Sonic Frontiers

An Outstanding Addition To The Popular Sonic Franchise

Sonic Frontiers will task players with exploring the Starfall Islands, looking for Chaos Emeralds that they’ll have to collect. Similar to other titles in the franchise, Sonic Frontiers has fast-paced combat and a lot of action that will keep players entertained for several hours.

The game not only allows players to explore the islands in many different ways, but also pits them against certain area enemies and bosses that are challenging enough to be fun, but not enough to be frustrating, making for a perfect combination.

31

Effie

Homage To The Glory Days Of Early 3D Adventuring

Effie is a charming throwback to the early days of 3D gaming, featuring a colorful but humble aesthetic. The vibe feels very “N64 Rareware” or “PlayStation 2 Naughty Dog” — but in a delightful way! The game brings a nostalgic and artistic charm, fleshed out by quasi-open-world exploration and sword-based combat.

It resembles Zelda in some aspects — especially the on-the-nose fantasy hero themes, as well as its arcade-style action and deep adventuring. Though Inverge Studios also rounds things out with some basic 3D platforming, keeping things upbeat and fun even when traversing the colorful worlds alone.

30

Moonlighter

Shopkeeper By Day, Dungeon Crawler By Night

Moonlighter can be described as an homage to the 2D dungeons traversed by Link, fused with a shop-keeping sim — and a touch of Stardew Valley. The experience shifts from ARPG-style action to shop and finance management. Players not only pawn the goodies they just gathered, but set prices and alter them according to popularity. It’s a clever, rewarding experience that scarcely gets old.

Just beyond town are a slew of randomized dungeons that bring tough roguelite gameplay, as players must delve into vast monster-laden depths to get items and resources for their shop — which expands as the shop-keeping monster slayer gains more wealth. The accessible, simple combat is balanced by a surprisingly deep in-game economy and ample layers of progression.

29

Paper Mario: The Origami King

Unfold And Unpack A Great Mario Adventure

In a departure from most games starring Nintendo’s famous mustached mascot, the Paper Mario series has thrived on narrative-driven gameplay, deep progression, and a sense of humor. Origami King holds these traits in spades, with a surprisingly compelling (and slightly dark) tale featuring folded Origami foes. Shoving Bowser aside, the game features a new dynamic villain named King Olly, leader of the “Folded Soldiers”.

The combat is similarly deep and memorable, featuring a circular grid in which players must shift and rotate baddies scattered about to more effectively defeat them in fewer hits. While more whimsical than Breath of the Wild, this game is similarly dripping with imagination, colorful worlds, and rewarding gameplay.

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-Branded 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 Nintendo’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

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.

21

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 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.

20

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.

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.

19

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 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.

18

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 that is quite suited for Switch’s handheld pick-up-and-play sensibilities.

17

Hyper Light Drifter

Retro Zelda Style

It isn’t often 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.

16

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 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.

15

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.

14

Ittle Dew 2+

Similar Game Design And Settings Of Link To The Past

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
• Released: November 15, 2016
• Developer: Ludosity
• Genre: Action-Adventure

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.