There are few franchises in gaming as iconic as The Legend of Zelda. Nintendo’s action-adventure epic remains one of the most renowned fantasy properties, since its debut in 1986. Since that time, the series has seen a slew of memorable games ranging in style, scope, and premise.
Link’s adventures have taken him into majestic, vibrant lands, dark doomsday scenes, sailing the open seas, and even back in time. This has culminated with the most epic rendition yet, Switch’s Breath of the Wild, which is loaded with content and a rich atmosphere.
Still, there will always be a need for fans to satisfy their Zelda itch elsewhere. Luckily, there is no shortage of similar games, some of which are directly influenced by this classic. With that said, let’s take an adventure and explore 10 of the best games for fans of the Zelda series.
Titles featured will range from retro-style romps akin to classic Zelda, to 3D epics more comparable to modern games - while most will have thematic overlap as well.
10 Beyond Good & Evil
While this 3D game dates back to 2003, Ubisoft’s action-adventure held up quite well. This is thanks to its diverse gameplay elements, solid mechanics, and enthralling plot. It helps that BGaE’s colorful visual style, stealth elements, and dynamic gameplay feels ahead of its time.
The close-range combat, imaginative world-building, and unique monsters can definitely be seen as Zelda-esque. Fans with an appreciation of early 3D Zelda efforts, in particular, are likely to enjoy Beyond Good & Evil.
9 Darksiders
Similar to how Zelda draws from mythological and Medieval motifs, THQ’s Darksiders uses The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse for its inspiration. This hack ’n’ slash adventure captures much of the same thrills and majesty of that epic, while giving it a slightly darker twist.
With its frantic action and onslaught of enemies, Darksiders possesses some overlap to the likes of Hyrule Warriors in particular.
8 Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King
Those who fancy early 90s Zelda need look no further than this charming top-down action romp from Castle Pixel. The game superbly channels the vibe and tight gameplay mechanics of SNES’ A Link to the Past, offering 15 hours of gameplay and a slew of lush worlds.
Dungeon Crawling aficionados should enjoy this pixelated journey too, with its 5 grind-it-out dungeons, distinct foes, and tons of items to gather.
7 Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of Dana
Part of the charm of Zelda is that sense of adventure and constant progression as players fight their way to glory. This somewhat unknown series from Japan captures much of this feel, pitting players on a remote island beckoning them to explore and unlock its secrets.
Though it’s an RPG at heart, Ys VIII stresses arcade-style combat with a brisk pacing throughout. Despite being the 8th title in a seasoned franchise, fans have noted that Ys VIII is a great starting point, with its accessible gameplay and standalone story.
6 Trials Of Mana
Another RPG that incorporates Zelda elements is the recently-released Trials of Mana, and the Mana series as a whole. Its ‘93 predecessor, Secret of Mana, made for a great alternative to 16-bit Zelda, while this sequel partly serves this function for Breath of the Wild.
Though it may be lacking the scale and polish of that epic, Square Enix’s RPG has its own charm and depth, along with similar real-time combat. Its high fantasy premise and incorporation of magic gives Trials of Mana plenty of overlap.
5 Okami HD
Zelda fans exploring the vibrant, stylized settings of Okami with Amaterasu may be reminded of the wolf portions of Twilight Princess. And while this artistic journey shines with unique traits, the influence of that game are apparent.
This award-winning title - and its spruced-up remaster - has developed a passionate cult following over the years. The game entices with its distinct brush mechanic and rich watercolor visuals with plenty of Japanese flair.
4 The Binding Of Isaac
The word “roguelike” may not come to mind when one thinks of Zelda, let alone such a dark gorefest like The Binding of Isaac. Yet, those who have played those grueling dungeons of classic Zelda will find similarities in this chaotic dungeon crawler.
Though its cartoony, 2D presentation might make it look simple, 2011’s The Binding of Isaac is anything but. Its onslaught of white-knuckle combat, permadeath, and randomized elements make this a rough journey rife with action. Yet, it’s one that finds a way to keep beckoning players back.
3 Lttle Dew 2 +
Those who love them some Link to the Past with an even cuter exterior and more laidback gameplay would do well to give this a look.
The game harkens back to classic Zelda with satisfying combat and unrestrained exploration. Despite its simple presentation, Lttle Dew 2 + injects depth with a sprinkling of RPG elements and puzzle-solving items. It’s a solid balance of accessibility and complexity.
2 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls and The Legend of Zelda have seen some parallels in their seasoned history. While Bethesda’s epic stresses bombast and complex gameplay, Nintendo takes these themes and dials them back with a brisker, more arcade-style experience.
But while this WRPG is quite distinct from Zelda - Skyrim, in particular, captures that same feeling of high fantasy and wonder. The heavy combat, open-world gameplay, and magic overtones are reminiscent of both Breath of the Wild and the NES classics.
1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
In many ways, The Witcher 3’s Geralt can be viewed as a darker, antihero variant of Link, in his societal role and his abilities. Not only does he wield swords, but he also handles crossbows, bombs, and magic. And just like the lands of Hyrule, Continent is crawling with a variety of creatures looking for a fight with the game’s hero.
CD Projekt Red’s 50-hour odyssey really does feel like an adult-themed, WRPG take on Nintendo’s fantasy series.
NEXT: The Legend Of Zelda: Every Game Ranked By Difficulty
