For most newcomers, start with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It is Nintendo’s discovery-led open-world adventure and the clearest introduction to modern Zelda on Switch. Choose Tears of the Kingdom for the largest follow-up, Echoes of Wisdom when Brazilian Portuguese text is essential, Link’s Awakening for a compact traditional quest, or Skyward Sword HD for a guided story with motion and button controls. Language support is regional: Nintendo Brazil lists Português Brasileiro for Echoes of Wisdom, while the checked Nintendo Portugal pages for the other four games do not list Portuguese.
Quick answer: which Zelda should you buy?
Your best choice depends on three things: whether Portuguese text is mandatory, how large and open you want the world to be, and whether you prefer standard buttons or motion controls. The table below puts the key differences in one place.
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| Game | Best for | World and structure | Controls | Portuguese status in the checked listing | Switch release |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breath of the Wild | Most first-time players | Vast, dangerous territory built around discovery and exploration | Standard button controls | Portuguese is not listed on the checked Nintendo Portugal page | 3 March 2017 |
| Tears of the Kingdom | The biggest, most expansive adventure | Hyrule’s surface, skies and underground areas; highly open-ended | Standard button controls | Portuguese is not listed on the checked Nintendo Portugal page | 12 May 2023 |
| Echoes of Wisdom | Brazilian Portuguese readers | Standalone Zelda adventure; confirm the exact edition for your market | Check the regional product listing | Nintendo Brazil lists Português Brasileiro | Not stated in the checked material |
| Link’s Awakening | A shorter, traditional-style quest | Compact, contained adventure rather than a huge open world | Standard button controls | Portuguese is not listed on the checked Nintendo Portugal page | 20 September 2019 |
| Skyward Sword HD | A guided story and control flexibility | More directed progression than the open-world games | Improved Joy-Con motion controls plus a button-control option | Portuguese is not listed on the checked Nintendo Portugal page | 16 July 2021 |
Every checked title has an official Nintendo Switch game-card and/or downloadable listing, but the exact combination depends on the country and edition. Check the product page for the market where you will buy before paying.
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Portuguese support is a regional question, not a series-wide feature
“Portuguese-speaking” includes Brazil, Portugal and other markets, and Nintendo does not publish one universal language list for every Switch edition. In the evidence checked for this guide, Nintendo Brazil explicitly includes Português Brasileiro in the supported-language entry for Echoes of Wisdom. That makes it the safest pick for a Brazilian reader who requires Portuguese text.
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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
The Nintendo Portugal pages checked for Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Link’s Awakening and Skyward Sword HD list several languages but do not list Portuguese. That does not prove that every cartridge or eShop edition worldwide lacks Portuguese; it means you should not assume support from the game’s title alone. A Brazilian-Portuguese listing also does not automatically promise European Portuguese.
- Open Nintendo’s product page for the country in which your Nintendo Account or physical retailer operates.
- Read the supported-language field for the exact edition, not a reseller’s generic description.
- For a physical import, check the cartridge’s regional information and the language list supplied by the seller.
- Keep your receipt until you have launched the game and confirmed the language option on your console.
1. Breath of the Wild: the best first Zelda for most players
Why it is the broadest recommendation
Nintendo presents Breath of the Wild as a vast and dangerous territory centered on discovery, exploration and adventure. That makes it the easiest modern Zelda to recommend without knowing a reader’s preferred play style: you can move at your own pace, investigate what catches your eye and decide how much optional content to pursue. The open structure also lets beginners learn through experimentation instead of following a single narrow route.
The Switch version launched on 3 March 2017. Nintendo’s checked Portugal listing includes both a physical game card and a downloadable edition, so you can choose a cartridge or install it from the eShop where that edition is sold.
Who should choose it
- Players who have never played Zelda and want the modern starting point.
- Anyone who values free exploration more than a tightly prescribed story path.
- Readers comfortable playing with a non-Portuguese interface after checking the language field for their edition.
When it is not the right first purchase
If Brazilian Portuguese text is a hard requirement, this is not the safest choice based on the checked Nintendo Portugal listing. If you already know you want the largest possible version of this formula, Tears of the Kingdom adds a broader setting and may be more appealing, although starting with Breath of the Wild gives you the clearest introduction to the world and its premise.
2. Tears of the Kingdom: the biggest Switch Zelda adventure
What makes it different
Tears of the Kingdom expands the journey beyond Hyrule’s surface into the skies and underground. Nintendo’s product copy frames it as a world in which you can give your imagination room to shape your own adventure. That vertical scale and open-ended structure make it the choice for players who want the most ambitious exploration of the five games compared here.
The game released on 12 May 2023. The checked Nintendo Portugal page lists physical and downloadable Switch editions and does not list Portuguese among its supported languages. Nintendo’s own description asks players to recall Breath of the Wild before beginning, so newcomers can play it first, but those who want the strongest story context should start with its predecessor.
Who should choose it
- Experienced players who want the largest map and the most layers to explore.
- Anyone who enjoys setting personal objectives instead of following a fixed sequence.
- Players who are comfortable with a non-Portuguese interface and want a sequel-sized adventure rather than a compact game.
Nintendo Portugal summarizes the game with the line: “Cria a tua própria aventura num mundo onde podes dar asas à imaginação.” That is an accurate shorthand for its emphasis on player-directed discovery, but it should not be read as a promise of Portuguese language support.
3. Echoes of Wisdom: the safest pick when Brazilian Portuguese text matters
The language evidence
Nintendo Brazil’s product page lists Português Brasileiro among the supported languages for Echoes of Wisdom. For a Brazilian reader who wants to read menus, tutorials and story text in Portuguese, that explicit listing makes this the strongest recommendation in the comparison.
Check the edition before buying
Language support belongs to a specific regional product listing, not to every copy sold under the same name. Before buying an imported cartridge or a code from another country, confirm that its language field matches the Brazilian listing. If a retailer does not show the language information, use Nintendo’s Brazil page or ask the seller for the exact edition rather than relying on a product title translated into Portuguese.
Who should choose it
- Brazilian players for whom Portuguese text is more important than open-world scale.
- Families and younger players who benefit from a clearly documented local-language option.
- Anyone who wants to avoid buying a Portugal-market or imported edition on the assumption that all Portuguese variants are interchangeable.
The checked material does not establish European Portuguese support for this game. If you live in Portugal or another Portuguese-speaking market, verify your own regional listing instead of treating the Brazilian language entry as universal.
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4. Link’s Awakening: the best compact traditional adventure
A contained alternative to open worlds
Link’s Awakening is a remake-style, compact adventure. Its contained structure suits players who prefer a clear beginning, middle and end over a map that can absorb dozens of hours. It is also a useful choice for someone who wants a traditional Zelda rhythm without committing to the scale of Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom.
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The Switch release arrived on 20 September 2019. Nintendo Portugal lists both a physical game card and a downloadable edition. Portuguese is not included in the language list on that checked page, so Portuguese-speaking buyers should confirm the edition before purchase.
Who should choose it
- Players who want a shorter, more focused Zelda experience.
- Fans of classic, remake-style presentation and a contained world.
- People who find very large maps tiring or difficult to fit around a busy schedule.
Its smaller scale is a deliberate advantage, not a technical limitation to overlook. Choose it when finishing a coherent traditional adventure matters more to you than having the biggest possible playground.
5. Skyward Sword HD: the best guided story and control flexibility
Two ways to play
Skyward Sword HD improves performance and Joy-Con motion controls while adding a button-control option. That makes it the most flexible pick for households in which one player enjoys motion aiming and another prefers a conventional controller layout. You can also switch away from motion control if playing handheld or if repeated gestures are uncomfortable.
The Switch version launched on 16 July 2021. The checked Nintendo Portugal listing offers physical and downloadable editions and does not list Portuguese. Nintendo also documents amiibo compatibility, but amiibo are optional enhancements rather than requirements for completing the game.
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- Players who prefer a guided story and more directed progression.
- Anyone deciding between motion and button controls.
- Collectors interested in optional Zelda amiibo functionality, while understanding that the base game remains playable without accessories.
Choose this over the open-world games when structure and story direction are more important than unrestricted exploration.
How the five games compare by play style
| Question | Best match | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Do you want the easiest modern entry point? | Breath of the Wild | It teaches the series through discovery in a large but coherent open world. |
| Do you want the most expansive setting? | Tears of the Kingdom | Its adventure spans the surface, skies and underground. |
| Must the game list Brazilian Portuguese? | Echoes of Wisdom | Nintendo Brazil explicitly lists Português Brasileiro. |
| Do you want a compact traditional quest? | Link’s Awakening | Its remake-style design is more contained than the open-world entries. |
| Do you want motion or button controls? | Skyward Sword HD | It supports improved Joy-Con motion controls and a button-control option. |
Decision paths for common buyers
“I am new to Zelda and do not need Portuguese text.”
Buy Breath of the Wild. It is the broadest introduction to the current style of Zelda and gives you room to learn at your own pace. Move to Tears of the Kingdom afterward if you want a larger sequel with more vertical exploration.
“I am Brazilian and Portuguese text is non-negotiable.”
Start with Echoes of Wisdom, because Nintendo Brazil explicitly lists Português Brasileiro. Do not substitute an imported copy without checking its own language field.
“I want a Zelda I can finish without managing a huge world.”
Choose Link’s Awakening. Its compact format is a better match than either open-world game for players who prefer a concentrated adventure.
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Choose Skyward Sword HD only after confirming that the button-control option suits your setup. The HD release supports both control approaches, so you are not locked into Joy-Con motion play.
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- Enhanced resolution, framerates, and load times optimized for Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore a massive open-air version of Hyrule with complete freedom.
- Solve physics-based puzzles, survive dynamic weather, and uncover hidden secrets.
- Customize your adventure with weapons, gear, and food you craft yourself.
- Use the ZELDA NOTES app for bonuses, item sharing, and social features.
“I want to play the newest and largest game first.”
Choose Tears of the Kingdom, but understand that its world and story build on the context of Breath of the Wild. Starting with the earlier game is the smoother introduction; starting with the sequel is reasonable if scale is your overriding priority.
Physical card or digital download?
The checked Nintendo listings show physical and downloadable options for Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Link’s Awakening and Skyward Sword HD. Availability can differ by country, account region and stock, so treat the listing for your market as the deciding information.
Choose a physical card when
- You want to lend, resell or collect the game.
- Your Switch storage is limited and you prefer not to download the full title.
- You are buying an import and can verify the cartridge’s language information before opening it.
Choose a digital edition when
- You want to switch games without carrying cartridges.
- Your local eShop has the correct language and regional edition.
- You have enough console or microSD storage for the download and any required updates.
Do not treat a Portuguese-language product description from a marketplace as proof that the software itself is localized. The supported-language field for the exact Nintendo edition is the reliable check.
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Nintendo documents amiibo compatibility for Skyward Sword HD and Tears of the Kingdom. Amiibo can add optional functionality, but neither game requires amiibo to access its main adventure. Buy an amiibo only if you specifically want its bonus features or collect the figures; do not add the cost to your basic game budget.
A sensible playing order
- Start with Breath of the Wild if you want the clearest modern introduction and do not require Portuguese text.
- Continue with Tears of the Kingdom when you want a larger, more layered version of the same broad Hyrule adventure.
- Choose Echoes of Wisdom independently when Brazilian Portuguese support is your deciding factor.
- Play Link’s Awakening whenever you want a shorter, traditional change of pace.
- Pick Skyward Sword HD for a more guided story or when its motion-and-button control choice fits your hardware.
You do not need to own every game. Select one based on language, scale and structure, then confirm the regional listing before checkout.
Common buying mistakes and how to avoid them
Assuming every Portuguese-speaking market gets the same localization
Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese are separate language entries. The checked Nintendo Portugal pages do not list Portuguese for four games, while Nintendo Brazil does list Português Brasileiro for Echoes of Wisdom. Verify your market rather than generalizing from another country’s eShop.
Buying an import without checking the edition
A cartridge or download code from another region may have a different language list or account requirements. Read the regional product page and keep proof of purchase until you have tested the game.
Choosing by release date alone
The newest title is not automatically the best beginner game. Tears of the Kingdom is the largest, but Breath of the Wild is the more straightforward starting recommendation. Link’s Awakening may suit you better if you want a contained adventure, and Skyward Sword HD if you prefer guided progression.
Budgeting for accessories you do not need
Amiibo support is optional. Buy the game first; add figures only when their specific bonuses or collectible value matter to you.
Final recommendation
For a general recommendation, buy Breath of the Wild. It combines the most approachable starting point with Nintendo’s discovery-focused open-world design. Buy Tears of the Kingdom when maximum scale is the priority. For Brazilian readers who require Portuguese text, choose Echoes of Wisdom after confirming the Brazilian edition. Select Link’s Awakening for a compact traditional adventure and Skyward Sword HD for a guided story with both motion and button controls.
Quick Recap
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