For a puzzle-and-exploration follow-up, start with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. Choose Breath of the Wild for a bigger, more open adventure; Tears of the Kingdom for open exploration and creative building; or Skyward Sword HD for a more structured run of puzzle-filled dungeons. There is no officially established “closest” match: the best pick depends on which part of Link’s Awakening you want more of.
Which Zelda game should you play after Link’s Awakening?
The Switch remake of Link’s Awakening sends Link through Koholint Island’s dungeons, puzzles, and exploration. These four Switch games make different follow-ups rather than direct sequels. Nintendo’s product descriptions support comparing their focus and features, but do not rank them by similarity or provide comparative playtime figures.
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| Game | Best fit | What changes from Link’s Awakening | Useful caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom | Puzzle solving and regional exploration | Princess Zelda is the playable hero in a new adventure. | Nintendo’s description does not establish that it shares Link’s Awakening’s compact structure or length. |
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Open exploration and player-directed discovery | Exploration expands to a much broader Hyrule. | It is the predecessor to Tears of the Kingdom. |
| The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | Open exploration and creative construction | Explore Hyrule and floating islands, and use Ultrahand and Fuse to make things. | It is a sequel to Breath of the Wild. |
| The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD | Structured dungeons, puzzles, and item progression | Its description emphasizes puzzle-filled dungeons, items that open further areas, and sword practice. | It features motion controls; Nintendo cautions that the experience can differ on Switch Lite. |
Best for puzzles and exploration: Echoes of Wisdom
Echoes of Wisdom is the most natural first pick if you want another adventure centered on exploring regions, solving puzzles, and facing foes. The big change is who you play: Princess Zelda is the hero. Nintendo lists it as a single-player Nintendo Switch game, released September 26, 2024, and its U.S. product page includes a physical edition. That makes it a thematic match, not a Link’s Awakening sequel or a confirmed match in length and structure. See Nintendo’s Echoes of Wisdom listing.
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Pick Breath of the Wild if you are ready to trade Koholint’s focused island adventure for much broader exploration across Hyrule. Nintendo lists it as a Nintendo Switch game and provides an Explorer’s Guide download from its product page. It is also the sensible starting point if you plan to play Tears of the Kingdom: Nintendo identifies that game as its sequel. Playing the predecessor first is a recommendation for experiencing the sequence, not a stated requirement. See Nintendo’s Breath of the Wild listing.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Best for exploration and building: Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom suits players who want broad exploration but are especially interested in making their own tools and ways to travel. Nintendo highlights Ultrahand and Fuse for creative construction, as well as exploration in Hyrule and the sky. It is the sequel to Breath of the Wild, so start with that game if you want to follow the relationship in order. Nintendo lists the Switch release date as May 12, 2023 and a physical edition on its U.S. product page. See Nintendo’s Tears of the Kingdom listing.
Best for structured dungeons: Skyward Sword HD
If the dungeons, puzzles, and item progression in Link’s Awakening were the draw, Skyward Sword HD is the strongest fit among these recommendations. Nintendo emphasizes puzzle-filled dungeons, items that open new areas, sword practice, and motion controls. Its Switch listing gives a release date of July 16, 2021 and supports TV, handheld, and tabletop modes; the U.S. listing offers a physical edition. Nintendo cautions that software compatibility and play experience may differ on Switch Lite. See Nintendo’s Skyward Sword HD listing.
What the Switch version of Link’s Awakening offers
The 2019 Switch remake reimagines the 1993 adventure on Koholint Island. Nintendo highlights dungeons, an arranged soundtrack, the ability to equip more items at once, conversation review, map navigation, mini-games, and Chamber Dungeons assembled from chambers found during the adventure. The game is single-player and supports TV, tabletop, and handheld play. Nintendo’s U.S. listing also describes a Switch 2 update and says behavior is consistent on Switch 2; for Switch Lite, it cautions that compatibility and experience may differ. See Nintendo’s Link’s Awakening listing.
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- See Hyrule 100 years before the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild game and experience the events of the Great Calamity.
- Join the struggle that brought Hyrule to its knees. Learn more about Zelda, the King of Hyrule, the four champions; Urbosa, Revali, Mipha, Daruk and more through dramatic cutscenes as they try to save the kingdom from Calamity. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is the only way to see first-hand what happened 100 years ago.
- Battle hordes of Hyrule’s most formidable foes - From barbaric Bokoblins to towering Lynels, Ganon’s troops have emerged in droves. Revisit iconic locations such as Zoras Domain, Death Mountain and Hyrule Field and use your playable heroes’ distinct abilities to carve through hundreds of enemies to save Hyrule from the impending Calamity.
- Team up and take on Ganon - Pass a Joy-Con to a friend and take on Calamity Ganon as a team in local co-op multiplayer. Fight side-by-side or divide your efforts to cover more ground, complete objectives and defeat the forces of darkness!
Nintendo says tapping a Zelda-character amiibo can unlock Chambers exclusive to amiibo in Link’s Awakening. This is optional extra content for the game you already own, not a requirement for any of the follow-ups. Nintendo lists a Link (Link’s Awakening) amiibo; check the local storefront for current availability and compatibility. See Nintendo’s Link (Link’s Awakening) amiibo listing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose
- Choose Echoes of Wisdom for another puzzle-and-exploration adventure with a different protagonist.
- Choose Breath of the Wild if you want the biggest shift toward open-ended exploration.
- Choose Tears of the Kingdom for open exploration paired with creative construction, preferably after Breath of the Wild if story and continuity matter to you.
- Choose Skyward Sword HD if your favorite part was working through dungeons, puzzles, and item progression.
The Nintendo product pages cited here describe these titles as single-player Switch games. Editions, language options, and inventory vary by listing and region; check your local Nintendo storefront for current details.
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