I've been going back and forth on whether I want to get a Nintendo Switch 2, but as a Legend of Zelda fan there is one very compelling argument for getting the system. Similar to how the original Switch launched with its own version of the Wii U's The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the Switch 2 is getting its own versions of the Zelda titles from the Switch. However, the Switch 2 takes things even further with its ability to run Zelda titles, which makes the console even more appealing to me.

This isn't the Switch 2's only selling point by any means. Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza look like exciting new titles, and I'm interested to see how many games can use the new Game Share feature to play with friends. While a potential price hike due to tariffs has killed some of my enthusiasm, and the initial price tag was already higher than I'd have liked, I am still strongly considering the Switch 2. This is due in part to how easy the console makes it to play The Legend of Zelda games.

The Switch 2 Will Be Able To Run Almost Every Zelda Game

Nintendo Switch Online And Backwards Compatibility Cover A Lot Of Games

The Switch 2 will be getting its own versions of Switch's two main Zelda games: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Both the Link's Awakening remake and Echoes of Wisdom will also be available through backwards compatibility, and includes The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Add in the Zelda games already available on NSO's other consoles, and you have almost every game in the series. You can see the full list below:

• The Legend of Zelda
• Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
• The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
• The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
• The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
• The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords
• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
• The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Now there are some notable exceptions here, most of which were originally handheld releases, like The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, and Spirit Tracks. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Triforce Heroes from the 3DS are also missing, as are the HD remakes from the 3DS, though the originals of those games are available. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is a major omission, but the Switch 2 still boasts quite a large roster of Zelda games. As a big fan of the series, this is a huge appeal of the system for me.

Having (Nearly) Every Zelda On One Console Makes The Series Much Easier To Play

The Switch 2 Allows You To Play Most Zelda Games Without Swapping Between Consoles

As one of Nintendo's longest-running series, The Legend of Zelda games are naturally spread out across the company's many consoles. Prior to things like the Virtual Console on the Wii U and now Nintendo Switch Online, playing older Zelda games could be a major hassle. Consoles older than the Wii U can't hook up to most modern TVs without a special adapter, and old handheld systems require either batteries or unique charging cables which may have been lost over the years. Having most of these games now in one place is a huge convenience for a fan of the whole series.

Getting a Switch 2 would allow me to play basically any Zelda game I wanted without having to swap out consoles, or go digging around for old game cartridges. With recent news that physical games are slowly decaying, having digital versions of a game like The Wind Waker is also a huge plus, since my disc will one day stop working. This is also very convenient for younger players who might not have hoarded physical copies of old Zelda games like me, and don't want to have to track down working versions of old consoles to play them.

The Switch 2's New NSO Console Could Expand The Zelda Collection

The NSO GameCube Could Add A Few More Zelda Games

While there are still a few exclusions from the Switch 2's Zelda lineup, some of the more notable exceptions could still be added. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask wasn't initially available on Nintendo Switch Online's N64, but was added later on. I'm sure we could see something similar happen with missing Zelda games on the GameCube, like Twilight Princess and Four Swords Adventure. I would love to see something like Ocarina of Time Master Quest​​​​​​​ get added too, since it was originally a pre-order bonus for Wind Waker, and discs are hard to find.

I'm still holding out hope that, at some point, the Switch 2 will add Nintendo Switch Online consoles for the DS and 3DS, and complete the Legend of Zelda collection entirely. I would love a chance to play the remake of Majora's Mask on the big screen, plus I misplaced my 3DS charger a while ago. Even without it, the Switch 2 has an impressive number of games from the series, making it a seriously tempting reason to pick up the console.

​​​​​​​Source: Nintendo