Summary
- The Nintendo Switch 2 will have access to most main series Zelda games at launch.
- Only six main series Zelda titles will be missing from Switch 2 when the system releases on June 5.
- There is hope that some, if not all of them, will be made available on Switch 2 over time.
When the Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, it will give buyers access to many main series Legend of Zelda games. Unlike its predecessor, the Nintendo Switch 2 isn't launching with a brand-new Legend of Zelda title in tow. In fact, at the time of this writing, no new main series Zelda games have even been announced for the Switch 2. However, fans can at least look forward to upgraded versions of Switch 1 Zelda games.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are launching alongside Nintendo's next-generation console on June 5. The Zelda Switch 2 Editions feature considerable performance upgrades when compared to their Switch 1 counterparts, plus they have compatibility with the Nintendo Switch app's Zelda Notes feature. With Zelda Notes, players can get help in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom through a map and can even unlock achievements. Those interested can purchase the upgrades at $10 a pop, or they can access them at no additional charge if they are signed up for the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service.
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's Best Ability is a Wildcard for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
If Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is anything like Age of Calamity, it could include a radical spin on Tears of the Kingdom's best mechanics.
The Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Zelda on Switch 2. Thanks to Nintendo Switch Online and its Expansion Pack tier, subscribers have access to classic games like the original Zelda, Zelda 2, A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Link's Awakening DX, Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons, A Link to the Past and Four Swords, and The Wind Waker. The latter will be a brand-new addition to the Nintendo Classics lineup, debuting as part of the new line of GameCube games that are being added exclusively for Switch 2 owners. Notably, The Legend of Zelda's Link will also be featured in Soulcalibur 2, which is also part of the GameCube Switch 2 launch lineup.
All Main Series Zelda Games Playable on Switch 2 at Launch
- The Legend of Zelda
- Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link
- A Link to the Past
- Ocarina of Time
- Majora's Mask
- Link's Awakening DX
- Oracle of Ages
- Oracle of Seasons
- A Link to the Past and Four Swords
- The Wind Waker
- The Minish Cap
- Breath of the Wild
- Link's Awakening (2019)
- Skyward Sword HD
- Tears of the Kingdom
- Echoes of Wisdom
- Breath of the Wild: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- Tears of the Kingdom: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Zelda fans will be kept plenty busy with the classic games, but there are also the Switch 1 Zelda titles to take into account. Switch 2 is backward compatible with the original Switch, meaning all the games that were released for the Switch 1 are playable on the new console. This includes the Switch 1 versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, as well as the Link's Awakening remake, Skyward Sword HD, and the critically-acclaimed Echoes of Wisdom.
All Main Series Zelda Games Missing from Switch 2 at Launch
- Four Swords Adventures
- Twilight Princess
- Phantom Hourglass
- Spirit Tracks
- A Link Between Worlds
- Tri Force Heroes
When the Switch 2 launches, it will have access to almost every main series Zelda game, minus six that have yet to make their way to newer platforms. Four Swords Adventures especially seems like it could have a second lease on life on the Switch 2, as the game's co-op originally required every player to have their own Game Boy Advance. Four Swords Adventures is a GameCube game, so here's hoping it's added to Switch 2 as part of Nintendo Classics.
Another Zelda GameCube game that hopefully makes a comeback sooner rather than later is Twilight Princess. Twilight Princess HD was made for the Wii U, but the revamped version of the game never made its way to Nintendo Switch. With the original Wind Waker joining Switch Online's Expansion Pack, there's a chance the OG GameCube Twilight Princess could do the same, and even if it does, it wouldn't close the door on the HD version getting a full Switch 2 release as well.
The DS Zelda games, Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, were brought to the Wii U Virtual Console back in the day, and so Nintendo could be willing to do the same for Switch 2. Maybe the Switch Online service will one day be expanded to include DS titles and Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks can live on that way. Alternatively, maybe the games could receive remakes that take better advantage of the Switch 2's beefier hardware.
Finally, the 3DS Zelda games A Link Between Worlds and Tri Force Heroes (not to mention the Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask remakes) will be missing from the Switch 2 at launch. If we ever see those games on the Switch 2, the most likely scenario is that they will be remade for the platform, but time will tell if that ever happens.
Of course, Nintendo almost certainly has a brand-new main series Zelda game in the works, and it will be exciting to see it in action. In the meantime, Zelda fans can look forward to the spin-off, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, which is launching for the Nintendo Switch 2 at some point later this year.
- Brand
- Nintendo
- Operating System
- Proprietary
- Storage
- 256GB internal / MicroSD
- Resolution
- 1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
- App Store
- Nintendo eShop
- Wi-Fi
- Yes