With our recent review of the excellent Sparklite coming out, it got me thinking of all the other Zelda inspired games on the Nintendo Switch. So, here’s a list of all the best indie game Zelda-likes on the Nintendo Switch.

These games encompass all of the Zelda games over the years. So some games may be inspired by the original NES Zelda games or they could be inspired by modern classics like Breath of the Wild. The list is also in no particular order.

Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas

Personally, Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas is my favourite indie Zelda-like on the Switch. It has a feel of a Zelda game with the whimsical story, the ability to break pots and chop down grass for gems. Even more so, it especially feels like Windwaker because there is an emphasis on sailing in the game.

Here’s our review!

Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King

What a fantastic game! This one is for you old-school Zelda fans. Developers CastlePixel have really done their best to get that old Zelda feel, but bring it into a modern era. There’s a bow, a bomb and all that Zelda stuff. But unlike the older Zelda games, the pixel art looks so beautiful and colourful on the Switch’s screen. You play as a Knight of the Rose, tasked with defeating a Wizard and waking the King from his magic induced slumber- does it get much more Zelda than that?

Here’s our review!

Reverie: Sweet As Edition

Reverie is a mix of Zelda dungeon crawling and Mother story telling. You play as Tai, a young boy from New Zealand on his holidays. However, some weird things are happening on Toromi Island, as the local Moari spirits go to war with each other. It’s left to Tai and his trusty cricket bat to knock the spirits’ heads together and restore peace.

Here’s our review!

Legend of the Skyfish

A cheaper option for you Zelda fans, Legend of Skyfish is heavily influenced by A Link to the Past. Unlike most Zelda games though, Legend of Skyfish has you using a multipurpose fishing rod to beat up enemies and solve puzzles. Furthermore, it has a beautiful art style and splendid sound design with the sound of crashing waves washing over you as you play.

Here’s our review!

Pine

I think this one of the first Breath of the Wild-likes we’ve seen on the Switch. Whilst it does look to be heavily influenced by that game, Pine nevertheless has it’s own unique story. You play as a human trapped on an island where animals have developed faster than humans. This means you’re bottom of the food chain! So if you have an itch for BOTW, then maybe check out Pine!

Anodyne

This game totally surprised me this year (and even won an award for it in our yearly award show). I picked it up on sale for 0.99 cent not really knowing what it was. To my delight, it was a Zelda-like game, with similar mechanics to A Link to the Past. Though I found the story of the game hard to follow and the art style a little bland, I nevertheless enjoyed my time with Anodyne. If it’s on sale again, definitely pick it up!

The Binding of Isaac Afterbirth+

At first glance, you may not see the comparison between The Binding of Isaac Afterbirth + and a Zelda game. However, look a little deeper and you’ll see how much Isaac is inspired by the original Zelda games. From the top down perspective, to how dungeons are laid out and even having secret rooms, Isaac took a lot from the Legend of Zelda.

Forager

Another Zelda-like with a rogue-like twist. I’d argue that the Zelda inspiration comes in the game’s combat and look. What’s interesting is that there’s also some base building and survival mechanics thrown in. So, if you’re a Zelda fan and like base building games, then Forager might be for you!

minit

I’d say minit is as Zelda as you get with the games in this list. It is literally The Legend of Zelda but with an unusual twist. You only have one minute to live. 60 seconds is all you’ve got to reach the next checkpoint, but whatever you change in the world will be saved in the next life. Therefore, if you open a door with a key, the same door will still be open in your next life. It’s such a cool game, short and has an amazing monochromatic art style.

Here’s our review!

Caydence of Hyrule

Brace Yourself Games are the developers of indie hit Crypt of the Necrodancer. Because of the success of that game, Nintendo commissioned the studio to make another rhythm game dungeon crawler but with characters from the Legend of Zelda. The game looks gorgeous and is a homage to the 16-bit Zelda games, looking authentic and stunning at the same time. If you’re a rhythm game fan and love Zelda, this is a game for you!

Sparklite

Sparklite is the game that inspired this list. It’s a Zelda-like based in space on exotic planets with fearsome alien creatures. You play as Ada, a young girl whose ship has crash landed on the planet of Geodia. Crawl through dungeons, destroy titan bosses and talk to a cute little robot!

Here’s our review!

There you go! Those are the best indie game Zelda-likes on the Nintendo Switch! Have you played any of them? Are there any games you think I’ve missed out on this list? Let me know over on Twitter or come and chat with me on our Discord server.

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