Top 5 Non-Nintendo Zelda Games That Will Blow Your Mind

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Summary

  • Capcom’s Oracle games showcased love for Zelda through adventure, combat, and puzzles, staying true to the series.
  • Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity provided an epic non-Nintendo Zelda experience with massive battles and iconic races.
  • Grezzo’s Link’s Awakening on Switch remains the best non-Nintendo Zelda game, capturing the classic spirit with a modern twist.

The Legend of Zelda is undeniably one of Nintendo’s strongest assets, with the legendary series often spearheading some of the gaming industry’s most remarkable titles. Notably, while many games within the Zelda series have been developed by Nintendo, there have been instances where they have granted the intellectual property to another developer, leading to some of the most intriguing additions to the series.

It’s not just Nintendo who has produced amazing Zelda games; Capcom and Grezzo have also shown great devotion to the series with their outstanding titles. These games have managed to maintain the essence of Zelda while introducing something fresh, as other developers have utilized the unique qualities of the series to craft their own interpretation of this legendary franchise.

5. The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle Of Seasons

Handheld Zelda Game By Capcom Captures Spirit Of Classics

Developed as a reboot of the initial game within the Capcom series, this project led to a duology, beginning with “The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons“. Drawing inspiration from other portable Zelda games such as “Link’s Awakening“, “Oracle of Seasons” unfolds in a 2D top-down world adorned with stunning pixel art, evoking a sense of nostalgia for the classic feel of the series.

This exceptional portable game, reminiscent of the beloved Zelda series, demonstrated an exceptional level of care and respect in its creation, effectively embodying the sense of adventure and joy that the franchise is renowned for. Known as Seasons, it complements its Game Boy counterpart brilliantly, providing a more action-packed and combat-focused experience compared to the puzzle-centric second installment. Fortunately, you can enjoy both Oracle games on Nintendo Switch Online, allowing you to easily relish this outstanding handheld action game today.

4. The Legend Of Zelda: Oracle Of Ages

A Capcom Developed Handheld Is One Of The Franchise’s Best

In contrast to Oracle of Seasons, the second instalment in Capcom’s pair of portable Zelda games, namely The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages, placed a greater emphasis on solving puzzles and exploration. This game demonstrated Capcom’s deep understanding of the classic franchise, successfully incorporating various elements from its extensive history.

The experience offered by “Oracle of Ages” remains simply outstanding, boasting one of the best narratives and most imaginative dungeon layouts within the series. With beautiful music and artistic direction, this extraordinary title continues to rank among the finest handheld games ever created. Alongside “Oracle of Seasons”, this game is easily accessible for play today, as it was made available on Nintendo Switch Online in 2023.

3. Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity

Zelda Musou Game Developed By Omega Force Stuns On Nintendo Switch

Over time, I’ve found myself deeply immersed in the expansive world of Dynasty Warriors, a genre they call Musou – essentially large-scale hack-and-slash combat games with multitudes of enemies and characters clashing on-screen. Notable franchises like Fire Emblem and Dragon Quest have undergone the Musou transformation by Omega Force, but their finest work, in my opinion, was Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity for Nintendo Switch in 2020.

100 years prior to the events in Breath of the Wild, Age of Calamity unfolds, delving into the period depicted during flashbacks. It tells the tale of Ganon’s ascension and throws players into a vast, epic battleground filled with characters from across the franchise. Known for its grandeur, engaging combat, and epic narrative, Age of Calamity is among the Switch console’s most remarkable titles and one of the most intriguing Zelda games developed by a company other than Nintendo.

2. The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Another Capcom Entry For The Ages

By the time the Game Boy Advance launched, Capcom had firmly grasped the essence of “The Legend of Zelda” series. They seemed intuitively aware of what made this franchise successful, and they crafted some truly outstanding games as a result. Their crowning achievement in the series was undoubtedly “The Minish Cap,” released in 2004. After developing “Oracle of Seasons” and “Ages,” Capcom decided to delve into a fairy tale narrative within Hyrule, introducing the Minish, or Picori, and shrinking Link down to their size for an epic adventure.

This captivating and delightful video game titled “The Minish Cap” presents Link battling against a villain other than Ganon, with the wicked sorcerer Vaati taking the role of the main adversary. Boasting one of the franchise’s best soundtracks, exceptional dungeon layouts, and an impressive combat system, “The Minish Cap” is often overlooked as a standout entry in the series. Thanks to its availability on Nintendo Switch Online, enjoying this classic game has never been more convenient!

1. The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Grezzo Develops Remake Of Timeless 1993 GBC Classic

Back in 1993, I found myself immersed in a game that would leave an indelible mark on me – The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, on the original Game Boy. This game was a game-changer for the series, as it delved deeper into story and narrative than any Zelda game before it. I was tasked with escaping Koholint Island by awakening the Wind Fish, a quest that remains one of the franchise’s most captivating narratives. Fast forward to 2019, developer Grezzo breathed new life into this classic, crafting a stunning 3D remake for the Nintendo Switch. They perfectly captured the essence and warmth of the original Game Boy version, making it an unforgettable journey all over again.

On Nintendo Switch, the revamped version of Link’s Awakening boasts a captivating art style reminiscent of handmade puppets from the game’s original marketing back in 1993. The combat has been refined for precision and intensity, while the classic dungeons have been meticulously recreated and the soundtrack is nothing short of breathtaking. Developed by Grezzo, this iteration of Link’s Awakening stands out as the finest non-Nintendo Zelda game, managing to seamlessly blend a timeless classic with modern gaming while maintaining its own distinct charm. You can now experience this revitalized adventure on Nintendo Switch.

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2025-02-06 08:34