The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its sequel Tears of the Kingdom redefined what open-world adventure games could be — physics-based exploration, environmental puzzle solving, true freedom of movement, and a world that rewards curiosity at every turn. If you have finished both Zelda games and are looking for what to play next, or if you want games that capture the same spirit of exploration and discovery, this guide covers the best games like Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch, the best games like Legend of Zelda across different subgenres, games like Luigi’s Mansion for haunted adventure fans, and the best Zelda-inspired indie games worth playing in 2026.
For the complete ranked list of the best Nintendo Switch games of all time — including both Zelda titles — see our guide to the best Nintendo Switch games of all time — ultimate ranked list.
Best Games Like Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch
| Game | Genre | BotW Similarity |
| Tears of the Kingdom | Open World Adventure | Direct sequel — same world, vastly expanded |
| Genshin Impact | Open World RPG | Closest gameplay feel to BotW; free-to-play |
| Immortals Fenyx Rising | Open World Adventure | Most direct BotW alternative; Greek mythology |
| Xenoblade Chronicles 3 | Open World RPG | Massive open world; deep combat; 100+ hrs |
| Pokemon Legends: Arceus | Action Adventure | Open world exploration; same discovery loop |
| Monster Hunter Rise | Action RPG | Large environments; exploration + combat |
| Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity | Action | BotW characters + story; different gameplay style |
| Hollow Knight | Metroidvania | Exploration-first; same sense of discovery; darker |
| Ori and the Will of the Wisps | Metroidvania | Exploration + combat; beautiful world |
Best Zelda-Like Games on Switch — Detailed Reviews
1. Tears of the Kingdom — If You Haven’t Played It Yet
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the obvious first recommendation for anyone who loved Breath of the Wild and hasn’t yet played its 2023 sequel. Tears of the Kingdom uses the same Hyrule map as BotW but expands it vertically with sky islands above and underground Depths below, effectively tripling the explorable space. The Ultrahand, Fuse, Ascend, and Recall abilities replace BotW’s runes and enable dramatically more creative problem solving — you can build vehicles, flying machines, and weapons from parts found in the world.
Tears of the Kingdom is arguably a better game than Breath of the Wild in every measurable way: more content, deeper mechanics, more complex dungeons (the Temple-style dungeons are a significant improvement over BotW’s Divine Beasts), and a more substantial narrative. If you completed BotW and haven’t started Tears of the Kingdom, it is the definitive next step.
2. Genshin Impact — Closest Free-to-Play BotW Alternative
Genshin Impact by HoYoverse is the most direct gameplay equivalent to Breath of the Wild available on Nintendo Switch — and it is free to download. The climbing mechanic, gliding traversal, elemental interaction system, and open-world structure of Genshin are clearly inspired by BotW, and the game has expanded enormously since its 2020 launch into one of the largest free-to-play games in the world. The Teyvat world now spans multiple nations (Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, Fontaine, Natlan, Snezhnaya), each with unique environmental design, puzzles, and storylines.
The key difference from BotW: Genshin Impact is a gacha game — new playable characters are obtained through a random banner system using in-game currency (Primogems). The gameplay and exploration are entirely free, but collecting the strongest characters requires either significant time or real money spending. For players who want the BotW exploration feel without spending money, Genshin’s free content is genuinely enormous. For players who want to avoid gacha mechanics entirely, Immortals Fenyx Rising is a better recommendation.
3. Immortals Fenyx Rising — Best Paid BotW Alternative on Switch
Immortals Fenyx Rising by Ubisoft is the most overtly BotW-inspired game on Nintendo Switch — a Greek mythology-themed open world adventure featuring climbing, gliding, physics-based combat, and a map structure strikingly similar to BotW’s in design. You play as Fenyx, a winged demigod on a quest across the Isle of the Blessed to restore Olympian gods transformed into monsters by the titan Typhon.
The combat is more elaborate than BotW’s — stamina-based dodge and parry timing, ability cooldowns, and divine power moves — but the core loop of exploration, puzzle solving in themed vaults (Assassin’s Creed-meets-Zelda shrine equivalent), and gear upgrading will feel immediately familiar to BotW veterans. The tone is notably lighter and more comedic than Zelda, with Zeus and Prometheus narrating your adventure as an ongoing bickering commentary. Immortals Fenyx Rising is typically $30-40 and goes on sale regularly — excellent value for BotW fans.
4. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 — Best Open World RPG on Switch
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the most ambitious open-world RPG on Nintendo Switch — a 100+ hour story-driven adventure set across the war-torn world of Aionios, featuring enormous interconnected environments, a massive cast of playable characters, and a deep real-time combat system built around Chain Attacks and class-switching mechanics. The world design shares BotW’s commitment to making exploration rewarding: every visible landmark can be reached, vistas reveal new areas to discover, and hidden collectibles reward players who go off the marked path.
Xenoblade 3 is significantly more complex than BotW — the combat system has a steep learning curve, the story is dense with lore and characters, and the game expects players to engage with its mechanics deeply. For players who loved BotW but wanted more story depth, more character development, and more RPG systems, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the Switch’s answer.
5. Zelda and Stardew Inspired Adventure Games — Indie Options
A growing category of indie games explicitly targets the intersection of Zelda-style adventure and Stardew Valley-style life simulation — open-world exploration combined with farming, crafting, and relationship building. The best examples on Nintendo Switch:
- Moonlighter: A roguelite dungeon crawler where you fight through procedurally generated dungeons and run a shop in a Zelda-inspired village — the loop of adventuring for items and returning to town to sell and upgrade feels distinctly Zelda-adjacent.
- Hob: An atmospheric puzzle-adventure game with no dialogue — exploration and world manipulation tell the story, similar to BotW’s environmental storytelling approach.
- Ittle Dew 2+: A deliberately Zelda-inspired 2D adventure game with dungeons, items, and a world structured around classic Zelda design principles.
- Blossom Tales II: The Minotaur Prince: Another deliberate Zelda homage — top-down adventure with dungeons, items, and a Hyrule-like overworld.
- CrossCode: A top-down action RPG with incredible puzzle design and a huge world to explore — one of the best Zelda-inspired indie games ever made.
Games Like Legend of Zelda — By Subgenre
Games Like Zelda BotW / Tears of the Kingdom — Open World
- Genshin Impact (free) — closest exploration feel; gacha for characters
- Immortals Fenyx Rising — most direct BotW clone; Greek mythology
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 — deepest open world RPG on Switch
- Monster Hunter Rise — large environments; exploration and hunting loop
Games Like Classic Zelda — Dungeons and Top-Down Adventure
- CrossCode — incredible puzzle design; huge world; top-down perspective
- Ittle Dew 2+ — deliberate Zelda homage; dungeons; items
- Blossom Tales II — top-down adventure; Zelda formula closely followed
- Tunic — isometric adventure; mysteries and secrets like classic Zelda
- Death’s Door — top-down action adventure; tight combat; compact world
Games Like Zelda — Metroidvania Style
- Hollow Knight — exploration-first; map reveals through exploration; deep world lore
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps — beautiful world; ability-gated exploration
- Axiom Verge 2 — alien world exploration; mysterious narrative
- Metroid Dread — Nintendo’s own Metroidvania; tense and atmospheric
Games Like Luigi’s Mansion on Nintendo Switch
Luigi’s Mansion 3 is available on Nintendo Switch and is one of the best games in the series — but if you have completed it and want similar experiences:
| Game | Why It’s Similar to Luigi’s Mansion |
| Luigi’s Mansion 3 | The Switch entry — hotel setting; best in series; co-op Scarescraper mode |
| Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD | Switch remaster of Dark Moon — multiple mansions; portable-first design |
| Phasmophobia (PC only) | Ghost investigation; similar spooky atmosphere but horror-focused; not on Switch |
| Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective | Mystery-solving as a ghost; puzzle-focused; Switch port available |
| Little Nightmares II | Atmospheric puzzle-platformer; spooky setting; Switch version available |
| Yomawari: Lost in the Dark | Japanese horror-lite; exploring dark environments; Switch version |
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD (a Switch remaster of the 3DS game Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon) is the most direct follow-up for players who want more Luigi’s Mansion after completing Luigi’s Mansion 3. It features multiple shorter mansion environments rather than one large hotel, and the Scarescraper co-op mode supports up to 4 players online.
Adventure Games on Nintendo Switch — Complete Genre Map
| Adventure Style | Best Switch Games |
| Open World / BotW-style | BotW, TotK, Genshin Impact, Immortals Fenyx Rising, Xenoblade 3 |
| Metroidvania | Hollow Knight, Ori, Metroid Dread, Dead Cells, Axiom Verge 2 |
| Top-Down Zelda-style | CrossCode, Tunic, Death’s Door, Ittle Dew 2+ |
| Action Adventure | Monster Hunter Rise, Bayonetta 3, Astral Chain |
| Puzzle Adventure | Tunic, Return of the Obra Dinn, Outer Wilds |
| Haunted / Spooky | Luigi’s Mansion 3, Ghost Trick, Little Nightmares II |
| Zelda + Stardew hybrid | Moonlighter, Stardew Valley, Sun Haven |
For the best indie adventure games on Switch — including Hollow Knight, Tunic, and CrossCode — see our guide to the best indie games on Nintendo Switch 2026 — top ranked indie titles.
For detailed Zelda BotW and TotK guides including shrine locations and puzzle solutions, see the Zelda Dungeon — Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom guides. For Genshin Impact guides and character builds, see the Genshin Impact wiki — characters, builds, and world exploration guide.
What Makes Breath of the Wild So Special — And What to Look For in Alternatives
Understanding why Breath of the Wild resonates so deeply helps identify which alternatives will satisfy the same itch. BotW’s core appeal comes from four specific design principles that few open-world games replicate successfully. First, true environmental physics: BotW’s world operates on consistent physical rules — fire spreads, metal conducts lightning, objects roll downhill — meaning every puzzle has multiple valid solutions that the player discovers through experimentation rather than finding the ‘correct’ answer. Second, no hand-holding: BotW trusts the player to navigate, discover, and problem-solve without objective markers, quest arrows, or tutorials beyond the opening plateau. The satisfaction of figuring things out yourself is central to the experience. Third, vertical exploration: the climbing mechanic means any visible surface can be scaled, giving BotW a three-dimensional exploration space that flat open-world games lack. Fourth, consistent reward for curiosity: every time you see something interesting in BotW and investigate it, you find something — a shrine, a Korok seed, a camp to raid, a hidden chest. The world is designed so that curiosity is always rewarded. When evaluating BotW alternatives, the games that best replicate these four qualities — consistent physics, player agency, vertical movement, and curiosity rewards — are Tears of the Kingdom (all four), Genshin Impact (strong on all four), and Immortals Fenyx Rising (strong on three of four, weaker on hand-holding avoidance).
Outer Wilds — The Most Underrated Zelda-Inspired Adventure on Switch
Outer Wilds deserves special mention as one of the most unique adventure games on Nintendo Switch — and one that captures BotW’s spirit of discovery more purely than almost any other game despite looking nothing like it. In Outer Wilds, you explore a miniature solar system that loops every 22 minutes when the sun goes supernova, using the information you gather each loop to piece together what happened to an ancient alien civilization. There are no combat systems, no health bars, no enemies — only exploration, observation, and the gradual revelation of interconnected secrets. The game is entirely driven by the player’s curiosity and the satisfaction of understanding how the pieces fit together. For players who loved BotW’s sense of wonder and exploration but are open to a completely different genre, Outer Wilds is the most profound adventure game on Nintendo Switch. The Echoes of the Eye DLC adds a horror-tinged underground ocean section that significantly extends the game. Outer Wilds is available on the Nintendo Switch eShop and is one of the most critically acclaimed games of the past decade, winning numerous Game of the Year awards in 2019.
Bottom Line
| Best game like BotW (paid) | Immortals Fenyx Rising — most direct BotW clone; Greek mythology |
| Best game like BotW (free) | Genshin Impact — same exploration feel; gacha for characters |
| Best open world RPG on Switch | Xenoblade Chronicles 3 — 100+ hrs; deepest world on Switch |
| Best Zelda sequel | Tears of the Kingdom — play this before anything else |
| Best top-down Zelda-like | CrossCode or Tunic — incredible puzzle design |
| Best Metroidvania like Zelda | Hollow Knight — exploration-first; mysterious world |
| Best game like Luigi’s Mansion | Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD (Switch remaster) or Ghost Trick |
| Zelda + Stardew hybrid | Moonlighter — dungeon crawling + village shopkeeping |
| Best adventure games Switch 2026 | BotW/TotK → Immortals → Xenoblade 3 → Hollow Knight |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best games like Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch?
The best games like Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch are Tears of the Kingdom (the direct sequel — play this first if you haven’t), Genshin Impact (free-to-play; closest gameplay feel to BotW with climbing, gliding, and elemental puzzles), Immortals Fenyx Rising (the most direct paid BotW alternative with Greek mythology setting), Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (deepest open-world RPG on Switch at 100+ hours), and Hollow Knight (Metroidvania with the same exploration-first design philosophy). Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Monster Hunter Rise are best for players who want more combat depth alongside open-world exploration.
What games are similar to Legend of Zelda on Switch?
Games similar to Legend of Zelda on Nintendo Switch include Immortals Fenyx Rising and Genshin Impact (open-world adventure similar to BotW/TotK), CrossCode and Tunic (top-down adventure games with dungeon-like puzzle design similar to classic Zelda), Hollow Knight and Metroid Dread (Metroidvania exploration similar to classic Zelda’s ability-gated world design), and Death’s Door (top-down action adventure with tight combat and a compact interconnected world). Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the Switch’s best RPG for players who want Zelda’s sense of world scale with deeper narrative and character systems.
What should I play after Breath of the Wild?
Play Tears of the Kingdom first — it is the direct sequel and significantly expands BotW’s world and mechanics. After both Zelda games, the best next choices are: Genshin Impact (free; same exploration feel), Immortals Fenyx Rising (Greek mythology open world), Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (deepest Switch RPG), Hollow Knight (exploration Metroidvania), and CrossCode (best Zelda-inspired indie game). The order depends on whether you prefer open-world games (Genshin/Immortals/Xenoblade) or more focused Metroidvania exploration (Hollow Knight/Metroid Dread).
Is there a game like Zelda and Stardew Valley combined?
The closest game combining Zelda-style adventure with Stardew Valley-style farming and life simulation on Nintendo Switch is Moonlighter — a roguelite where you explore dungeon floors (Zelda-style) and run a merchant shop in a village (Stardew-style economy). Sun Haven and Coral Island are newer farming sims with more adventure content than Stardew. CrossCode blends top-down Zelda exploration with RPG systems. For a more direct Stardew + adventure hybrid, Rune Factory 4 Special (available on Switch) combines farming simulation with dungeon crawling and town relationship building in a single package.
What are games like Luigi’s Mansion on Nintendo Switch?
The best games like Luigi’s Mansion on Nintendo Switch are Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD (Switch remaster of Dark Moon — multiple mansions; 4-player Scarescraper online co-op), Luigi’s Mansion 3 (if you haven’t played it — hotel setting; best in series), Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (mystery-solving as a ghost; puzzle-focused; Switch port available), and Little Nightmares II (atmospheric puzzle-platformer; spooky setting; Switch version). For a PC alternative with similar ghost-investigation gameplay, Phasmophobia offers cooperative ghost hunting but is not available on Nintendo Switch.
