Nintendo Switch 2 Zelda Games: Complete Guide & List

You can play many Zelda games on the Switch 2, but not every title, and each game has a different way to access it. Some are available as enhanced Switch 2 Editions, others are older Switch games playable via backward compatibility, and some are accessible through a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. As of November 6, 2026, one Zelda game is also exclusive to the new console: the Ocarina of Time remake, released on November 5.

We’ve reviewed what’s available, how to play each game, how much it costs, what’s not included, and which games are worth a go.

Every Zelda game on Switch 2 at a glance

All Zelda games exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2

Only two Zelda-themed titles are designed exclusively for Switch 2, and the rest are remasters, not brand-new titles.

• Ocarina of Time (2026): a remake from scratch, exclusive to Switch 2. The first mainline Zelda developed solely for the new hardware.
• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment: a musou action spin-off, not a proper game. Set in the distant past, this action mash-up is based on the Imprisoning War.
• Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Editions: upgrades of existing games, not brand-new games. They will only work on Switch 2 hardware.

You can access all of the above through backward compatibility or a subscription library.

The two Switch 2 Editions: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Both titles are getting Switch 2 Editions on 5 June, 2025. Your save, your map, and your Hyrule remain unchanged.

Breath of the Wild features improved resolution, more stable frame rates, and HDR support. Tears of the Kingdom offers smoother frame rates, quicker load times, and enhanced resolution and textures. The Switch 2 Edition of Tears of the Kingdom also includes a second manual save slot, so you can start a new adventure without erasing your previous one. Both editions provide access to ZELDA NOTES. More information is available in our Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition guide and Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition guide.

Upgrade pack or full edition?

If you already have the Switch version, you don’t have to buy it again. The upgrade pack is $9.99 (US) or £7.99 (UK) per game. If you don’t own either game, the boxed Switch 2 Editions arrived at $69.99 for Breath of the Wild and $79.99 for Tears of the Kingdom, each with the original game included, plus the upgrade. Buying the base game and the pack alone works out roughly the same.

The free upgrade access shortcut: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can claim both upgrade packs for free. But there are 2 caveats: you’ll need to own the game you’re upgrading to, and free upgrade access lasts only while your membership is active. If your membership does end, so does your free upgrade access. Our Zelda upgrade price guide walks through all the buying scenarios.

Upgrades will only work on a Switch 2. The pack will not fix anything on the original Switch, and if you don’t think the upgrade is making a difference, your first stop should be Nintendo’s support page for DLC access issues. Also, make sure you have the latest version of the game installed, since these features are updated on the Switch 2.

The Ocarina of Time remake

Nintendo announced a remake in a September 2026 Nintendo Direct, with a launch date of 5 November 2026. It is not a port; it is a remake built from scratch. The launch coverage shows rebuilt visuals, fully voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue, orchestral music, a twin-stick camera, and free jumping. It is only available on Switch 2.

List price is $59.99 digital and $69.99 physical. US: If you live in the US, some stores offered the physical version at a discount during pre-orders. Before you pay list price, check retail prices.

Reviews are mostly positive, but with a familiar warning. Most critics praise the graphics, controls, and presentation, but a few dismiss it as a cautious remake. Nintendo Life noted that it was so close to the original, save for the lack of a Master Quest, and some reviewers found the spoken cutscenes impede people who want to venture out. We go into it at length in Ocarina of Time on Switch 2.

Notknowingaboutit is a bit confusing, since the remake is separate from the N64 version of Ocarina of Time, available in Nintendo Classics. Searching for “Ocarina of Time Switch 2” will bring up both. The N64 version is the 1998 game with online-service features, while the remake has brand-new graphics, voice acting, and gameplay.

Can you play Zelda games without Nintendo Switch Online?

Yes, most of the new games. All of the games you purchased, either on the two-pack-bought or pack upgraded Switch 2 Editions, Ocarina of Time, or previous Switch releases like Echoes of Wisdom, still require no subscription for regular offline play.

Nintendo Classics libraries are treated differently. They’re subscription content, so you need the appropriate membership tier to access them, and you can’t access them if your membership isn’t active. The only two Switch 2 Editions with that kind of benefit on the Expansion Pack upgrade benefit are completely free.

Classic Zelda through Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Classics are tiered. The lists below reflect Nintendo-derived coverage of Nintendo Classics as of September 2026, but the company adds games over time; consult before subscribing to a title.

GameCube Nintendo Classics are only on Switch 2. The Wind Waker is the 2002 GameCube version here, not The Wind Waker HD that is on Wii U. We’ve cataloged which Nintendo Classics are in which library in our guide to all the Nintendo Classics Zelda.

Wind Waker and Twilight Princess: where they stand

Is Wind Waker Switch 2? – Related Questions: Can you play Wind Waker on Switch 2? How to Play Wind Waker on Switch 2: The Wind Waker is only available on Switch 2 if you get the original GameCube port (with the Expansion Pack). See our Wind Waker on Switch 2 article.

Twilight Princess isn’t available in any form. It’s not in GameCube Nintendo Classics, and Twilight Princess HD remains tied to Wii U. Nintendo hasn’t announced a port, so claims that one is coming are speculation. The only route today is older hardware, covered in Is Twilight Princess available on Switch 2?

Which Zelda games are missing from Switch 2?

Most of the mainline series are available on a Switch 2 with an Expansion Pack, although these titles still haven’t been released on the current Switch or Switch 2:

• Twilight Princess, including its HD version, Twilight Princess HD.
• Four Swords Adventures
• Phantom Hourglass DS, Spirit Tracks DS
• A Link Between Worlds and Tri Force Heroes 3DS (3DS)

A few others, such as The Wind Waker HD (Wii U), Ocarina of Time 3D, and Majora’s Mask 3D (3DS), are also on older hardware. Retail versions are the only option for them now that Wii U and 3DS eShop sales ended in 2023.

Switch 1 Zelda games that run on Switch 2

Most native Switch games are playable on Switch 2 via backward compatibility, including Echoes of Wisdom, Skyward Sword HD, and Link’s Awakening. They don’t receive Switch 2-specific enhancements, so they will look and play exactly as they did on the original console. The two Hyrule Warriors games on Switch, like Age of Calamity, will be playable too, but each game is judged separately.

ZELDA NOTES: the free feature people overlook

ZELDA NOTES is an optional free feature within the Nintendo Switch application. While you don’t need a Switch Online subscription, your system must have the corresponding title installed: either the 2 Switch 2 Versions or Ocarina of Time, and your method should be appropriate. The features will range by title, so don’t assume they all apply to everything:

• Breath of the Wild: voice-guided directions to Koroks and shrines by completion percentage for each category, plus location-based commentary.
• Tears of the Kingdom: share your Ultrahand creations using QR codes and a shareable item box
• Ocarina of Time remake: easter egg record, quizzes, and making and sharing your own ocarina tunes.

Other play-related metrics, such as play stats, along with a handful of other daily bonuses, are also published for the open-world games, but the exact per-game list can change. The current official list of features is on Nintendo’s ZELDA NOTES page.

If you’re a completionist, then the most useful thing on this list is the % tracker. It shows what you’re missing most, and a community wiki can help you find that particular shrine or Korok.

Which Zelda game should you play first?

A guide to the best Zelda games for Switch 2. This is an editorial recommendation only, not an objective rating. Here’s a closer look at the best Zelda games for Switch 2.

• Open-world freedom: Breath of the Wild. The safer starting point for newcomers.
• Crafting and experimenting: Tears of the Kingdom. Inventor-friendly, but a bit much for novices with all its features.
• 3D adventure remake of the classic: OoT, or the N64 version if you’ve already purchased the Expansion Pack.
• Classic dungeon-and-item design: Link’s Awakening or A Link to the Past.
• Puzzle-basedgameplay: Wisdom returned.
• Story-driven play: Skyward Sword HD, even if you don’t like movement-based combat.

For a casual who wants just one, Breath of the Wild (for open-world freedom) or the Ocarina of Time remake (for a guided journey) are the most promising options.

Two things worth knowing before you spend money

Subscription math wins out over individual packs. If you’ve got both Switch games, the upgrade packs come to $19.98 in the US. An Expansion Pack subscription grants access to both while it’s live, plus N64, GBA, and GameCube Zelda titles. Existing subscribers get upgrades at no cost.

Remake isn’t a substitution. It omits Master Quest and reworks the presentation, so some will be more comfortable with the sensation of playing the N64 game. If you already own the Expansion Pack, you can also play the N64 version for free.

What’s coming next

Regarding other non-remake titles, there have been no announcements of new Zelda games for Switch 2. The original September 2026 Direct was instead solely dedicated to the remaster.

1 confirmed Zelda game release ahead is a film, not a game: the live-action The Legend of Zelda movie is coming on April 30, 2027. Please treat “new Zelda in 2027” rumors as unconfirmed until Nintendo confirms.

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to play classic Zelda games on the Switch 2?
Yes, 2 ways. The original Switch Zelda titles are BC, and other past classics are available in Nintendo Classics with the correct membership. GameCube titles are Switch 2 only.

Can Ocarina of Time be played on Switch 2?
Yes, in two ways: the new remake, which came out on November 5, 2026, and the N64 version in Nintendo Classics with an Expansion Pack.

Has The Wind Waker Been on Switch 2?
This applies to the original GameCube version, not the GameCube version available through Nintendo Classics with the Expansion Pack. Wind Waker HD isn’t.

Is Twilight Princess playable on Switch 2?
No. It isn’t even available in any version, and no port has been announced.

Is Nintendo Switch Online required to play Zelda titles on Switch 2?
Not for the games you purchased. You will need a membership for the Classics libraries, as well as the Expansion Pack for N64, GBA, and GameCube titles.

Will I be able to get my Zelda Switch 2 upgrade packs for free?
$9.99 in the US. Free to active Expansion Pack members who have the base game.

Bottom line

Switch 2 is the best single console for Zelda right now, but it is not the whole series. These, plus the enhancements and the Ocarina of Time remake, make the headline games; Nintendo Classics covers the rest of the older games, with Twilight Princess the only real missing title. Verify your membership to see how much you actually pay.

Dileep

I’m a content writer passionate about gaming and strategy. I create engaging and informative content based on the latest gaming trends and industry updates. I enjoy exploring new tools, analyzing games, and making complex topics easy to understand for readers.