Switch 2: The ULTIMATE Zelda Machine?! You Won’t BELIEVE This!

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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.

Upon its release on June 5th, the Nintendo Switch 2 will offer players a chance to play multiple mainline series “The Legend of Zelda” games. Contrary to its predecessor, the Nintendo Switch 2 does not come with a new “Legend of Zelda” game at launch. As of now, no new main series “Zelda” games have been officially announced for the Switch 2. However, enthusiasts can anticipate enhanced editions of the Zelda games originally released on the Nintendo Switch 1.

On June 5, both editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom for the Nintendo Switch 2 will be released alongside Nintendo’s new-gen console. These Zelda Switch 2 Editions boast significant performance improvements over their original Switch counterparts, and they are compatible with the Nintendo Switch app’s Zelda Notes feature. With Zelda Notes, players can seek assistance in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom via a map, and even unlock achievements. Interested individuals can purchase these upgrades individually for $10 each, or access them for free if they subscribe to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service.

On Nintendo Switch 2, The editions of Breath of the Wild 2 and Tears of the Kingdom are merely the start. With Nintendo Switch Online’s Expansion Pack subscription, you can dive into a rich library of Zelda games on the Switch 2. This includes 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, and A Link to the Past and Four Swords. The Wind Waker will make its debut as a new addition to the Nintendo Classics collection, available exclusively for Switch 2 owners. Interestingly, Link from Zelda will also appear in Soulcalibur 2, which is 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

Fans of Zelda can anticipate a wealth of entertainment from the original games, yet they should also consider the Switch 1 Zelda titles. Notably, the new Switch console is backward compatible with its predecessor, allowing players to enjoy all games initially released for the first Switch on the upgraded model. This encompasses the Switch 1 versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, as well as the remake of Link’s Awakening, Skyward Sword HD, and the highly-praised 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

As a gaming enthusiast, I can hardly contain my excitement when the Switch 2 drops! With its launch, it seems like almost every mainline Zelda game will be within arm’s reach – that is, except for six games still waiting to join the party on modern systems.

Among them, “Four Swords Adventures” particularly stands out as a candidate for revival on the Switch 2. Originally, this GameCube gem required each player to possess their own Game Boy Advance for cooperative play. With the Switch 2, let’s cross our fingers and hope that Nintendo revisits “Four Swords Adventures” as part of their Classics collection!

One more game from the Zelda series that we eagerly anticipate returning to consoles is Twilight Princess. The high-definition remake of this game, Twilight Princess HD, was initially released for Wii U, but unfortunately, its Switch port never materialized. Given the recent addition of the original Wind Waker to Nintendo Switch Online’s Expansion Pack, there is a possibility that the original GameCube version of Twilight Princess might follow suit. Even if this happens, it wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the HD version receiving a full-fledged release on the rumored Nintendo Switch 2 as well.

Previously, Nintendo released the DS games “Zelda: Phantom Hourglass” and “Zelda: Spirit Tracks” on the Wii U Virtual Console. It’s possible that they could do the same for a potential Switch 2 system. An alternative scenario might involve these classic titles being added to the Nintendo Switch Online service, allowing them to continue to thrive in this format. Another possibility is that the games may undergo remakes, utilizing the enhanced capabilities of a future Switch 2 console.

At launch, it appears that the 3DS Zelda games such as “A Link Between Worlds” and “Tri Force Heroes” (alongside the remakes of “Ocarina of Time” and “Majora’s Mask”) will not be available on the Switch 2. Should these games appear on the Switch 2 in the future, it is probable that they would have been remade for the platform; however, whether this happens remains uncertain.

Indeed, it’s highly likely that Nintendo is developing a fresh installment in the main series of the beloved _Zelda_ franchise. In the interim, fans of _Zelda_ can anticipate the spin-off title, “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment”, which will debut on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 at a later date this year.

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2025-04-30 16:35