With The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 being delayed to 2023, many Legend of Zelda fans are looking for other similar games to play while they wait. The Nintendo Switch hosts a multitude of games that many players will enjoy if they enjoyed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. There are more than enough games to fill a player's time while they wait for 2023.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 was initially announced at E3 back in 2019. In 2021 a second Breath of the Wild 2 trailer dropped, announcing a release date of 2022. On March 29, 2022, Eiji Aonuma, producer of The Breath of the Wild series, announced that Nintendo extended the game's development time, and that it would now release in 2023. The sequel to Breath of the Wild is highly anticipated, so much so that BOTW 2 is already considered a GOTY 2023 contender.
While fans patiently, or not so patiently, wait for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2, they will need something else to play to fill the void. There are plenty of games within Nintendo's own library that can satiate that in the meantime, as well as open world titles from other developers. 2023 might be a long way off for now, but these games should hopefully help make the wait less dull.
Old Zelda Games To Play Before Breath Of The Wild's Sequel
The Legend of Zelda franchise currently consists of 27 different original titles, ports, and remasters. Many of these are available on the Nintendo Switch. Two remastered games were recently released on the Nintendo Switch: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Both Link's Awakening and Zelda: Skyward Sword have been improved for better graphics and gameplay on the Nintendo Switch but are still the classics that Legend of Zelda fans know and love.
Nintendo Switch Online subscribers also have access to old-school Legend of Zelda games. Through the NES port, players can experience the original The Legend of Zelda and Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link. The SNES port gives players access to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. For those who have the Nintendo Switch Online+ subscription, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time are also available to play.
Legends: Arceus Is Pokémon's Answer To Breath Of The Wild
For The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild players who love the exploration aspect of the game, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the perfect game to play while waiting for Breath of the Wild 2. With an open world similar to Breath of the Wild with secrets galore, players explore the ancient region of Hisui searching for answers to the mysteries plaguing the locals. With graphics similar to Breath of the Wild, players will feel right at home.
In both games, there are vast areas for players to explore with possible enemies and tasks around every corner. Along with the main storyline, Arceus is also full of side missions for the player to accomplish. Players will find themselves just wanting to explore each area to its fullest and experience the different environments, much like they do in Breath of the Wild.
Breath Of The Wild Players Will Love Skyrim
If Breath of the Wild fans prefer an open-world game with more realistic graphics, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is the way to go. While Skyrim is now over 10 years old, the graphics are still impressive, and have been improved with a number of remasters. Skyrim also takes immersion to a whole new level, with every book readable and every corner of the map explorable, with countless locations to discover. Like Breath of the Wild, players have a whole world of unique locations to explore across Skyrim while they attempt to save it. Players can get easily distracted in both games by exploring or focusing on side questions and completely forgetting about the main quest.
While in Legend of Zelda: The Breath of the Wild, players take on the role of the hero through Link, Skyrim allows players to also explore more of a villainous role. The main quest requires players to be the hero, but with side quests containing assassinations, thieving, and even cannibalism, Skyrim players can also explore their darker side. Whether players spend their hours hunting, helping others, or saving the world, Skyrim is a great game to play while waiting for 2023.
Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity Gives Players A BOTW Precursor
If Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild fans are interested in what happened prior to Link waking up again, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a good option. In Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, players are transported back to Hyrule to help fight in the battle that took place 100 years before Breath of the Wild. Players will play as Link, Zelda, and the champions, as well as other characters.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is a hack-and-slash type game where players take on large armies of enemies in battles across Hyrule. While the main focus is fighting large-scale battles, players can also cook, upgrade weapons, and solve puzzles like they do in Breath of the Wild. With Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, BOTW players can brush up on their Hyrule history before the release of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 comes out in 2023.
Games To Play If Breath Of The Wild Fans Just Miss Link
If Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild fans are just missing seeing Link on their screens, they have a few games they can play where they can still see the hero in action. Super Mario Kart 8 features Link as a racer that the players can use and even has a few Breath of the Wild-themed vehicles. There is also a track called Hyrule Circuit that has players racing around Hyrule castle, pre-Ganon.
Players can also play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as versions of Link and a few other Legend of Zelda characters. Link, Young Link, Toon Link, Sheik, Zelda, and even Ganondorf are all fighters that players can choose to play as. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate also has multiple stages related to Legend of Zelda areas including Hyrule Castle, Gerudo Valley, and Great Plateau Tower.
While 2023 seems ages away, fans of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild who are waiting on Breath of the Wild 2 have many options if they are looking for something to play while they wait. Whether they are looking to explore a whole new world or just see an old friend again, there's something for everyone. Players should just make sure they finish whatever games they have started before The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 comes out, as it's likely to be similar in scope and size to its predecessor.