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Start with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. It is the clearest follow-up to Ocarina of Time when you want another 3D adventure but are ready to leave behind fixed dungeon order, guided routes and a compact overworld. Its open-ended exploration, physics-driven puzzles and freedom to approach objectives in different ways make it feel like a genuine next step rather than another remake of the same formula.
Play Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition after it, not before: Nintendo describes it as a sequel to Breath of the Wild. If you would rather keep Ocarina’s linear progression and traditional item-gated dungeons, choose Skyward Sword HD. For a shorter top-down adventure, pick Link’s Awakening; for a more inventive puzzle system and a different lead character, choose Echoes of Wisdom.
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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - World Edition | $56.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The quick ranking
| Rank | Game | Best for | How it follows Ocarina of Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | Players wanting the biggest change in 3D Zelda design | Moves from a directed quest to self-directed exploration and experimentation |
| 2 | Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | Players who want the deepest systems and building tools | Expands the Breath of the Wild world across the surface, sky and depths; it is a direct sequel |
| 3 | Skyward Sword HD | Fans of linear routes, traditional dungeons and item progression | Closest modern Switch release to Ocarina’s structured adventure pattern |
| 4 | Link’s Awakening | Players wanting a compact, top-down remake | Keeps puzzle rooms, dungeon keys and a clear sequence in a smaller format |
| 5 | Echoes of Wisdom | Players who want unusual puzzle solutions and a different protagonist | Retains top-down exploration while making copied objects and creatures the main tool |
| 6 | Classic Zelda through Nintendo Switch Online | Players sampling earlier 2D and Nintendo 64-era design | Lets you trace the series’ ideas before and around Ocarina’s era |
The order is an editorial recommendation based on structure, systems and how naturally each game answers the question “what next?” It is not an official Nintendo ranking, review score or completion-time list.
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Ocarina of Time teaches you a deliberate rhythm: enter a region, solve its dungeon, receive an item, and use that item to open the next part of Hyrule. Breath of the Wild deliberately breaks that rhythm. You can climb most surfaces, glide across the map, combine environmental effects, cook, improvise weapons and approach major objectives in several orders.
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- Discover Hyrule as never before: by making your own path, choices, and consequences
- Ingenuity is the key to survival: find multiple solutions to tons of dynamic puzzles
- Surprises hide around every corner: scavenge weapons, armor, plants, animals, and more
- Live off the land: find weapons and armor, cook food, and brew elixirs
- Utilize special technology: the in-game Sheikah Slate controls, objects and enemies in fun ways
That contrast matters after Ocarina. You still get a recognisable Hyrule, shrines and larger dungeon-like challenges, but the game rarely insists on one correct route. A puzzle may be solved with fire, metal, wind, magnetism or a completely unexpected interaction. Combat also asks you to manage weapon durability, terrain and enemy patterns instead of relying mainly on a growing sequence of permanent equipment.
What changes most from Ocarina
- World scale: Hyrule is an open world rather than a chain of mostly separated regions.
- Structure: objectives are self-directed; the critical path is much less rigid.
- Dungeons: the game emphasises shrines and large Divine Beast areas instead of Ocarina-style temples with one signature item each.
- Puzzle freedom: physics and systems let you discover multiple solutions.
- Combat: stamina, weapon condition, shields, bows and elemental effects create more moment-to-moment decisions.
Nintendo lists the Switch 2 Edition as released June 5, 2025. If your goal is to experience how Zelda evolved after the Nintendo 64 formula, this is the strongest first stop.
When to play Tears of the Kingdom instead
Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is the choice for players who want the most elaborate toolkit. Nintendo identifies it as a sequel to Breath of the Wild, and its Hyrule builds on that game’s geography, story context and systems. Starting here is possible, but you lose much of the impact of seeing the world and its characters change from one game to the next.
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The sequel adds major explorable layers above and below the surface. Sky islands provide a vertical counterpoint to ground travel, while the Depths create a darker, resource-focused environment. Its signature abilities let you attach objects, move through ceilings, reverse motion and create functional vehicles or machines. Those systems make problem-solving even less predictable than in Breath of the Wild.
Choose it second if you want
- More construction, experimentation and emergent solutions.
- A larger sense of vertical exploration across land, sky and depths.
- A continuation of the open-world style rather than a return to Ocarina’s linear design.
Choose it first only if you already know you do not need the preceding game’s story and systems explained in sequence. For most Ocarina players, the better order is Breath of the Wild, then Tears of the Kingdom.
Skyward Sword HD: the traditional alternative
Skyward Sword HD is the best recommendation when what you loved in Ocarina of Time was not simply 3D movement, but the dependable structure of dungeons, keys, items and a clear progression route. Its world is divided into focused regions reached from the sky, and each area is revisited with new abilities. The result is more linear and puzzle-dense than either Switch 2 Edition open-world game.
The HD release offers control options designed for modern hardware, including motion-based swordplay and button controls. The exact feel depends on which control method you use, but its combat remains more deliberate and timing-focused than the free-form weapon experimentation of Breath of the Wild.
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- Dungeons are central rather than optional-feeling side destinations.
- Items usually have a clear purpose in the region where you obtain them.
- The story follows a directed sequence with less map-wide wandering.
- Puzzle rooms reward learning a dungeon’s visual language and mechanics.
Nintendo lists Skyward Sword HD as a Nintendo Switch release from July 16, 2021. Nintendo Switch 2 plays compatible Switch physical and digital games, but Nintendo warns that some titles may not be supported or fully compatible. Check the game’s current compatibility information before buying.
Link’s Awakening: a compact top-down adventure
Link’s Awakening is ideal when you want the classic Zelda loop in a shorter, more concentrated format. The remake uses a toy-like visual style, but underneath it is a traditional top-down adventure: explore a region, find a dungeon, solve rooms, collect keys and obtain an item that changes what you can reach.
Compared with Ocarina, the viewpoint is different and the world is smaller, yet the logic of progression is familiar. Dungeons have a strong identity, secrets are tucked into the overworld, and the game expects you to remember locations that become accessible after each new ability.
Pick Link’s Awakening if you prefer
- A clear sequence rather than a huge map with many possible destinations.
- Top-down rooms and screen-sized puzzle spaces.
- A self-contained story that does not require knowledge of other Zelda timelines.
- An adventure that is easier to fit into short sessions than the open-world entries.
Nintendo lists the remake as a Nintendo Switch release from September 20, 2019. On Switch 2, confirm compatibility for the edition available in your region.
Echoes of Wisdom: a different way to solve Zelda puzzles
Echoes of Wisdom is the most distinctive top-down option on this list. Instead of making Link’s conventional equipment the centre of play, it gives Zelda the lead and lets her create “echoes” of objects and creatures. You can use those copies to build paths, block attacks, reach high ledges, distract enemies or solve environmental problems.
That system changes the question a puzzle asks. In Ocarina, you often search for the item the designer expects you to use. In Echoes of Wisdom, you choose from a growing catalogue of possibilities and test which one fits the situation. The result is still recognisably Zelda, but the puzzle-solving rhythm is more experimental and less dependent on a fixed item order.
Who should choose it
- Players who want a top-down game but have already played the conventional remake formula.
- Anyone interested in seeing Zelda as the playable hero.
- Players who enjoy making solutions from reusable tools rather than following one intended trick.
Nintendo lists Echoes of Wisdom as released September 26, 2024. It is a Nintendo Switch title, so verify title-specific Switch 2 compatibility before purchase.
Classic Zelda through Nintendo Switch Online
A paid Nintendo Switch Online membership provides access to classic Zelda games offered through Nintendo’s subscription apps. Nintendo’s Zelda catalog says classic Zelda titles are playable on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, subject to the games and service tier available in your region.
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Use the classics as a sampler
- Start with a 2D entry to see how exploration and item gates work without a third-person camera.
- Try a Nintendo 64-era title to compare its controls and dungeon navigation with Ocarina.
- Return to a modern game when you know whether you prefer compact puzzles or open-ended systems.
Nintendo Switch Online benefits continue across Switch 2 and Switch. Availability of individual games, applications and features can vary by membership tier and country.
How the games differ
| Game | World scale | Structure | Dungeon emphasis | Puzzle freedom | Viewpoint | Combat complexity | Direct sequel chain? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breath of the Wild | Open world | Self-directed | Distributed shrines and large objective areas | High; systemic solutions | 3D | High; weapons, stamina, terrain and elements | No direct sequel to Ocarina |
| Tears of the Kingdom | Open world across surface, sky and depths | Self-directed | Large temples plus shrines and caves | Very high; construction and abilities | 3D | Very high; expanded systems and building | Yes; sequel to Breath of the Wild |
| Skyward Sword HD | Focused regions | Linear | Very high; traditional temples | Moderate; item- and route-led | 3D | Moderate; timing and equipment focused | No |
| Link’s Awakening | Compact island | Mostly linear | High; classic key-and-item design | Moderate | Top-down | Moderate | No |
| Echoes of Wisdom | Focused regions | Guided with optional exploration | Present, with flexible tool use | High; echo-based experimentation | Top-down | Moderate; echoes supplement direct combat | No |
| Classic catalog | Varies by game | Usually guided or sequence-based | Usually high | Varies from fixed-item logic to open experimentation | 2D or early 3D | Varies by title | Varies |
These categories describe how each game plays, not published technical measurements. “High” and “moderate” are practical comparisons for choosing a next game.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Switch 2 compatibility and edition details
Nintendo states that Switch 2 can run compatible physical and digital games released for the original Switch. It also warns that some games may not be supported or may not be fully compatible because the hardware differs. A Switch release therefore is not automatically identical to a Switch 2 Edition.
The two native Switch 2 Editions
- Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: released June 5, 2025.
- Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: released June 5, 2025.
For those two games, buy or launch the Switch 2 Edition when you want the edition-specific features. Nintendo also says ZELDA NOTES is available for these Switch 2 Editions through the Nintendo Switch App. Treat that as an optional companion feature, not a requirement for completing either game.
Checking a standard Switch release
- Open Nintendo’s official product page for the exact game and region.
- Look for the title-specific Switch 2 compatibility or upgrade information.
- Confirm whether your copy is physical, digital or an upgrade-eligible version.
- Install the latest system and game updates before judging performance or controls.
If you already own a physical Switch copy, keep the cartridge available when launching it on Switch 2. Digital ownership is tied to the Nintendo Account that purchased the game, while regional storefront rules can affect what edition or upgrade is offered.
What about playing Ocarina of Time itself on Switch 2?
Nintendo’s official Switch 2 page lists Ocarina of Time for release on November 5, 2026, with reimagined visuals, a refreshed soundtrack and modernised gameplay. The page describes dungeons and sacred temples, puzzles, enemies, treasures, open Hyrule exploration and amiibo compatibility.
Because that date is later than the current publication date of October 15, 2026, availability may depend on whether you are reading before or after launch. If you are buying the new version when it becomes available, the recommendations above still apply: Breath of the Wild is the strongest contrast, while Skyward Sword HD is the closest structural follow-up.
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Nintendo has named Ocarina of Time Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo as planned for 2027. Those are future collectibles, not accessories you need to begin any of the games listed here.
Choose by the feeling you want next
“I want another epic 3D journey, but not the same formula.”
Choose Breath of the Wild. Its open world and systemic puzzles make the largest deliberate break from Ocarina while retaining exploration, combat and environmental discovery.
“I want the most things to experiment with.”
Choose Tears of the Kingdom after Breath of the Wild. The sequel’s sky, depths and construction tools offer the broadest range of possible solutions.
“I mainly miss temples, keys and a clear route.”
Choose Skyward Sword HD. It places dungeon progression and item use much closer to the centre of the experience.
“I want classic Zelda in a smaller package.”
Choose Link’s Awakening. Its top-down map and concentrated dungeon sequence are easy to understand without sacrificing the series’ exploration-and-item loop.
“I want Zelda to feel unfamiliar again.”
Choose Echoes of Wisdom. The playable protagonist and echo system change how you approach nearly every puzzle.
“I want to sample the history of the series first.”
Choose the classic games available through Nintendo Switch Online, then move to whichever modern structure appealed to you most.
A practical play order
- Finish or revisit Ocarina of Time, paying attention to whether you prefer its guided progression or its 3D exploration.
- Play Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition as the main modern follow-up.
- Continue with Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition if you want the sequel’s expanded systems.
- Switch to Skyward Sword HD when you want traditional dungeons and a more directed route.
- Use Link’s Awakening or Echoes of Wisdom for a top-down change of pace.
- Keep Nintendo Switch Online classics as a historical sampler rather than assuming they are replacements for the modern games.
This order gives you the clearest view of Zelda’s major design branches: Ocarina’s 3D foundation, Breath of the Wild’s open-world reinvention, Tears of the Kingdom’s systems-heavy sequel, and the top-down and traditional alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I play Breath of the Wild before Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes. Nintendo describes Tears of the Kingdom as a sequel to Breath of the Wild, so playing them in that order preserves the story and system progression.
Are Switch Zelda games guaranteed to work on Switch 2?
No. Nintendo says Switch 2 plays compatible physical and digital Switch games, but some titles may be unsupported or not fully compatible. Check the individual game’s current compatibility information.
Which game is closest to Ocarina of Time?
Skyward Sword HD is the closest in structure because it emphasises linear progression, traditional dungeons and item-based access. Breath of the Wild is the better choice if you want the biggest design evolution.
Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to play the Switch 2 Editions?
No. Nintendo Switch Online is relevant to the classic Zelda catalog and companion benefits such as ZELDA NOTES; the Switch 2 Editions are standalone games.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
