Best Zelda Games After Link’s Awakening on Switch

If you just finished Link’s Awakening on Switch, the top pick for your next adventure is The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — it shares the same charming top-down perspective and puzzle-driven dungeons, but adds a fresh mechanic (binding and summoning echoes) that makes it feel like a natural evolution rather than a repeat. It’s the closest spiritual successor in tone, structure, and play length, and it’s also the most direct answer to “what do I play next?”

What to Look For

When choosing your next Zelda after Link’s Awakening, the criteria that actually matter are:

• Perspective and gameplay style: Do you want more top-down 2D action (like Link’s Awakening) or are you ready for a 3D open-world shift?
• Story tone: Link’s Awakening is a self-contained, whimsical, slightly melancholic tale. Some Zelda games are epic and lore-heavy; others are more minimalist.
• Dungeon design: If you loved the classic puzzle-box dungeons with items that unlock new areas, look for games that emphasize that structure. If you prefer exploration and open-ended goals, that’s a different category.
• Length and commitment: Link’s Awakening is a 15–20 hour game. Some Zelda titles are 50+ hours; knowing your time budget helps narrow options.
• Difficulty and accessibility: Some games have more challenging combat or cryptic puzzles. Consider whether you want a relaxed experience or something that demands more skill.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (2024)

Strengths: This is the most direct follow-up to Link’s Awakening. It uses the same toy-like art style and top-down camera, and it’s built on the same engine (the Switch remake’s engine). You play as Zelda herself, and the core mechanic is creating “echoes” — copies of objects and monsters — to solve puzzles and fight. The dungeons are classic Zelda puzzle-boxes, and the overworld is a compact, handcrafted map that encourages exploration without overwhelming you.

Trade-offs: The echo system takes a little getting used to, and some players find the menu management clunky. The story is lighter and more comedic than Link’s Awakening‘s dreamlike narrative.

Who it suits: Anyone who wants more of the exact same flavor — cute, clever, and compact. It’s the safest recommendation.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES via Switch Online)

Strengths: This is the game that Link’s Awakening was built on — same top-down perspective, same item-based dungeons, same sense of discovery. It’s widely considered one of the best 2D Zelda games ever made, with a dark world/light world mechanic that doubles the map and adds clever puzzle twists. It’s available free with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, so there’s no extra cost if you already have the service.

Trade-offs: The graphics are 16-bit (which some players might find dated), and the game is more challenging than Link’s Awakening, especially in combat and some cryptic moments. There’s no hand-holding; you’ll need to explore and sometimes talk to NPCs to figure out where to go.

Who it suits: Players who want to see the direct ancestor of Link’s Awakening and don’t mind retro graphics. It’s a perfect bridge between the old and new.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)

Strengths: If you’re ready to leap into 3D, Breath of the Wild is the most acclaimed Zelda game on Switch. It abandons the linear dungeon structure for a massive open world where you can go anywhere and tackle objectives in any order. The physics-based puzzle shrines and the freedom to solve problems in multiple ways are incredibly rewarding. The sense of discovery is unmatched.

Trade-offs: It’s a huge shift in tone and gameplay. There are no traditional dungeons (instead, you have 120 small shrines and four larger “Divine Beasts” which are more like themed puzzle rooms). The weapon durability system frustrates some players, and the story is sparse compared to other Zelda games. The open world can feel overwhelming after the linear, compact Link’s Awakening.

Who it suits: Players who are curious about 3D Zelda and want to experience the most influential game of the last decade. It’s a big commitment (50–100 hours), so it’s best if you have the time and patience for open-world exploration.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)

Strengths: The direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, this game takes everything that made its predecessor great and adds new building mechanics (Ultrahand, Fuse) that let you construct vehicles, bridges, and creative solutions. The sky islands and underground depths add verticality and new areas to explore. It’s a masterpiece of emergent gameplay.

Trade-offs: It’s even larger and more complex than Breath of the Wild. If you found the open-world freedom of Breath of the Wild overwhelming, this might be too much. The building mechanics have a learning curve, and the game assumes you’ve played the first one (the story is a direct continuation).

Who it suits: Players who loved Breath of the Wild and want more, or those who enjoy creative problem-solving and don’t mind a steep initial learning curve. It’s not the best starting point if you’re new to 3D Zelda.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (2021)

Strengths: This is a remaster of the 2011 Wii game, and it offers a more linear, story-driven 3D Zelda experience that’s closer to the classic formula than Breath of the Wild. The dungeons are excellent, and the motion controls (or button controls in the HD version) let you aim your sword swings precisely. The art style is bright and painterly, similar to the toy-like aesthetic of Link’s Awakening.

Trade-offs: The game is notoriously linear — you revisit the same three areas multiple times, and some players find that repetitive. The motion controls, even with the button option, can be finicky. The story is more involved than Link’s Awakening‘s, with a lot of cutscenes.

Who it suits: Players who want a 3D Zelda that still has classic dungeon structure and a stronger narrative, but don’t want the open-world freedom of Breath of the Wild. It’s a good “middle ground” between old and new.

The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap (GBA via Switch Online)

Strengths: Another top-down 2D Zelda, this one is developed by Capcom and features a unique shrinking mechanic: you can shrink to miniscule size to explore tiny areas, which adds a fresh twist to puzzle-solving. It’s charming, well-paced, and about the same length as Link’s Awakening. It’s also available through the Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.

Trade-offs: It’s not as well-known as other Zelda games, and the shrinking mechanic, while clever, can be disorienting at times. The game is a bit easier than Link’s Awakening, which might be a pro or con depending on your preference. It’s only available with the more expensive Expansion Pack tier of Switch Online.

Who it suits: Players who want another compact, top-down adventure with a unique gimmick and don’t mind a slightly easier challenge. It’s a hidden gem that many fans overlook.

How to Choose

Start by deciding whether you want to stay in the 2D top-down world or try 3D. If you want more of the same, Echoes of Wisdom is the obvious choice — it’s the newest, most polished, and most similar. If you’re on a tight budget and already have Switch Online, A Link to the Past is free and excellent. If you’re ready for a big epic, Breath of the Wild is the best value (it’s often on sale and includes all DLC on the cartridge).

Consider your time: Echoes of Wisdom and Minish Cap are 15–25 hours; Skyward Sword is about 30–40; Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are 50–100+. If you only have a weekend, stick to the shorter ones.

Difficulty is another factor: Link’s Awakening is moderately challenging. A Link to the Past is harder; Minish Cap is easier; Breath of the Wild has a different kind of difficulty (combat can be tough, but puzzles are flexible).

Finally, think about what you loved most in Link’s Awakening: if it was the dungeons, go for Echoes of Wisdom or A Link to the Past. If it was the sense of mystery and exploration, Breath of the Wild will blow your mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Echoes of Wisdom a direct sequel to Link’s Awakening?

No, it’s a standalone story, but it shares the same engine, art style, and top-down gameplay. It’s set in the same region of Hyrule and features many familiar characters, but you don’t need to have played Link’s Awakening to enjoy it.

Can I play Breath of the Wild without playing other 3D Zelda games?

Absolutely. Each Zelda game is self-contained, and Breath of the Wild is a perfect entry point for newcomers. It does have a different structure than classic Zelda, but that’s what makes it so accessible.

Is A Link to the Past worth playing if I already played Link’s Awakening?

Yes, because Link’s Awakening was originally a sequel to A Link to the Past (sharing the same engine and Link design). You’ll notice many similarities, but A Link to the Past has a larger world, more items, and a more complex story. It’s a must-play for any Zelda fan.

Which Zelda game on Switch has the best dungeons?

If you mean classic puzzle-box dungeons, Echoes of Wisdom and Skyward Sword have the best ones on Switch. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have shrines and Divine Beasts, which are different but still clever.

Are the Switch Online Zelda games worth the subscription?

If you already have the base Switch Online subscription, you get A Link to the Past and Link’s Awakening DX (the Game Boy Color version) for free. That’s a great deal. The Expansion Pack adds Minish Cap and other retro titles, but it costs more, so only upgrade if you plan to play multiple games from that library.

Is Tears of the Kingdom too hard for a casual player?

It’s not too hard, but it’s complex. The building mechanics can be overwhelming at first, and the open world is massive. If you’re a casual player, I’d recommend Breath of the Wild first, as it’s simpler and more straightforward.

Bottom Line

For most players coming off Link’s Awakening, Echoes of Wisdom is the top pick — it’s the most similar in feel, the most polished, and the most respectful of your time. If you want a free alternative, A Link to the Past is a fantastic classic. If you’re ready to jump into 3D, start with Breath of the Wild — it’s the best gateway to the modern era of Zelda. Choose based on your time, budget, and how much you want to step out of your comfort zone.

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