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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf you want the closest follow-up to Breath of the Wild, play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: it returns to Hyrule and expands its exploration with new sky and underground areas and the Ultrahand building ability. If you want a different world, choose Immortals Fenyx Rising for mythological puzzles, Elden Ring for discovery and demanding combat, Horizon Forbidden West for a cinematic sci-fi story, or Genshin Impact for a free-to-play starting point—with gacha character mechanics to consider.
Which open-world game is closest to Breath of the Wild?
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom is the clearest choice if what you want is more time in Hyrule. It follows Breath of the Wild and keeps its open-ended exploration, while adding sky and underground areas and the Ultrahand ability, which lets you build and manipulate objects. GameSpot highlights its shrines, enemies, chests, open-ended travel, and building system; Nintendo includes it in its Switch game collection (Nintendo; GameSpot).
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.82 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - US Version | $52.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Mario Kart™ World (Nintendo Switch 2) | $79.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Super Mario Galaxy™ + Super Mario Galaxy™ 2 | $64.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Choose it if you want the familiar setting and a continuation of the same broad exploration premise. It is a Nintendo Switch game, and Nintendo’s store collection also lists a Switch 2 Edition; check the current listing and edition details before buying.
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Which games offer a different kind of adventure?
Immortals Fenyx Rising: mythological adventure and puzzles
For a separate setting with mythological creatures and puzzle-solving, Immortals Fenyx Rising is a strong alternative. Ubisoft describes its premise as: “Play as Fenyx, a new winged demigod, on a quest to save the Greek gods.” Its official page lists PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch (Ubisoft). It shares broad adventure and puzzle elements with Zelda, but it is its own game rather than a like-for-like substitute.
#1 Best Overall
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Elden Ring: organic discovery and demanding combat
Pick Elden Ring if you want exploration with fewer signposted objectives and are ready for a tougher action-RPG. PlayStation describes travel through an open world on foot or horseback to discover secrets, with combat it calls “demanding but fair.” PC Gamer notes that the game has no quest log, map markers, or collectibles list, so exploration is less guided (PlayStation; PC Gamer). That makes it a contrast to Breath of the Wild, not the right choice if you want a gentle tone or low-pressure combat.
Horizon Forbidden West: cinematic storytelling and machine combat
Horizon Forbidden West suits players looking for a story-led science-fiction adventure, expansive scenery, and varied combat. PlayStation characterizes it as an open-world adventure with a high-concept narrative and intense, varied combat; its PS5 page also lists 4K/HDR support requirements, a performance mode targeting 60 fps, DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers, and 3D audio on compatible headphones (PlayStation). Those technical features apply to the PS5 version. Choose it for narrative presentation and action rather than Zelda-style physics puzzles.
Rank #2
- New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. Game
- Challenge others anytime, anywhere, whether you're on the couch or on the go
- Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
- Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer
Genshin Impact: a free-to-play way in, with gacha mechanics
Genshin Impact offers a free-to-play open-world adventure with puzzles, monsters, quests, and additional regions, according to GameSpot. The same coverage notes gacha mechanics for obtaining limited-time characters (GameSpot). Consider that character system before choosing it; free-to-play does not mean every aspect of its character acquisition works like a conventional one-time purchase. The cited review does not establish current platform availability.
Choose by what you liked about Breath of the Wild
| If you want… | Try… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| More Hyrule and a direct continuation | Tears of the Kingdom | It continues the setting and exploration, with Ultrahand building and sky and underground areas (GameSpot). |
| Mythological creatures and ancient puzzles | Immortals Fenyx Rising | Ubisoft describes a quest involving Greek gods, mythological beasts, and ancient puzzles (Ubisoft). |
| Unmarked exploration and a substantial combat challenge | Elden Ring | Secrets and discovery take priority over quest logs and map markers (PC Gamer). |
| A cinematic sci-fi narrative and varied action | Horizon Forbidden West | Its open world is paired with a high-concept story and varied combat (PlayStation). |
| A free-to-play option | Genshin Impact | It is described as free-to-play, but character acquisition includes gacha mechanics (GameSpot). |
Check platform and edition before buying
- Tears of the Kingdom is a Nintendo Switch title; Nintendo’s store collection also lists a Switch 2 Edition. Confirm the edition and compatibility details on the current listing (Nintendo).
- Immortals Fenyx Rising is listed by Ubisoft for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch (Ubisoft).
- The cited performance and controller features for Horizon Forbidden West are specific to its PS5 version (PlayStation).
- The cited Genshin Impact review does not verify which platforms are currently available; check the game’s current official listing for that information.
Bottom line: pick the experience, not a similarity score
For continuity, start with Tears of the Kingdom. For a new world, decide whether you want puzzles, harder combat, cinematic storytelling, or a free-to-play entry point with gacha mechanics. Those differences are more useful than treating any one game as an objectively closest match.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Journey through space in two Super Mario adventures, now improved for the Nintendo Switch system!
- Travel the stars with enhanced resolution, improved UI, and additional content
- Learn more about the Lumas from additional Storybook chapters, groove to a bit of additional music
- Get additional Health and fall recovery in Assist Mode
- Join Rosalina and the Lumas to restore the Comet Observatory and rescue Princess Peach in Super Mario Galaxy.
Rank #3
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
- Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam
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