Best Upcoming Games Like Zelda (March 2026): Adventure Guide
What are the best upcoming games like Zelda? The most anticipated Zelda-like games releasing in 2026 and beyond include Ghost of Yotei, Hirogami, Mina the Hollower, and Moonlighter 2, each offering unique takes on the open-world adventure formula with exploration, puzzle-solving, and compelling combat systems.
As someone who’s been adventuring through Hyrule since the original NES days, I’ve spent countless hours exploring every corner of Zelda’s various incarnations. From my first encounter with the golden cartridge to completing Tears of the Kingdom multiple times, I’ve developed a keen sense for what makes a truly great Zelda-like experience. Today, I’m sharing my insights on the most promising upcoming adventures that capture that magical Zelda essence we all crave.
| Game Title | Release Window | Key Zelda-Like Features |
|---|---|---|
| Ghost of Yotei | October 2, 2025 | Open exploration, samurai combat |
| Hirogami | September 3, 2025 | Paper aesthetic, puzzle-solving |
| Mina the Hollower | Halloween 2025 | Top-down action, dungeon crawling |
| Avowed | Released February 18, 2025 | First-person exploration, magic systems |
| Moonlighter 2 | 2025 | Dungeon exploration, item management |
What Makes a Game Truly “Zelda-Like” From My Gaming Perspective?
After decades of gaming, I’ve learned that being “Zelda-like” isn’t just about having swords and shields. It’s about that perfect blend of exploration, discovery, and progression that keeps you saying “just one more shrine” at 3 AM. In my experience, the best Zelda-inspired games nail these core elements: the sense of wonder when you discover a hidden area, the satisfaction of solving an environmental puzzle, and that dopamine hit when you finally unlock a new ability that opens up previously inaccessible areas.
The formula extends beyond simple mechanics. I’ve found that truly great Zelda-likes understand the importance of pacing – they know when to let you breathe and explore freely versus when to ramp up the challenge with a demanding boss fight. They respect your intelligence with puzzles that make you think without being obtuse, and they reward curiosity with meaningful discoveries rather than empty collectibles.
From my time with hundreds of adventure games, I can tell when developers truly understand what makes Zelda special versus those just copying surface-level elements. The upcoming games I’m about to share with you all demonstrate that deeper understanding in their own unique ways.
The Essential Elements I Look For
When I evaluate whether a game captures that Zelda magic, I focus on several key aspects. First, there’s the exploration loop – does the game make me want to check behind every waterfall and investigate every suspicious crack in the wall? Second, I consider the progression system – am I gaining abilities that fundamentally change how I interact with the world, or just getting incrementally stronger numbers?
Combat is another crucial element, but it’s not just about difficulty. The best Zelda-likes I’ve played offer combat that feels like a puzzle in itself, where understanding enemy patterns and using the right tools matters more than button mashing. Finally, there’s that intangible sense of adventure – the feeling that you’re on an epic journey rather than just completing a checklist of objectives.
Ghost of Yotei – The Samurai Epic That Channels Wind Waker’s Spirit
When Sony announced Ghost of Yotei during their September 2024 State of Play, I immediately recognized the Zelda DNA in its presentation. As the sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, this October 2, 2025 PlayStation 5 exclusive promises to deliver what I consider the most ambitious open-world samurai adventure we’ve seen since, well, its predecessor redefined the genre.
What excites me most about Ghost of Yotei is how it’s building on the exploration mechanics that made Tsushima feel like a mature Wind Waker. I spent over 100 hours in the original game, and the way it guided you through environmental cues rather than waypoint markers reminded me of my favorite moments in Breath of the Wild. The wind literally guides you to your destination – it’s poetry in motion, and exactly the kind of elegant design I appreciate after years of cluttered UI in modern games.
From what Sucker Punch has revealed, Yotei takes place in 1603, featuring a new protagonist named Atsu. Based on my experience with the studio’s evolution from Infamous to Ghost of Tsushima, I’m confident they’ll deliver even more refined exploration mechanics this time around. The northern Japanese setting of Mount Yōtei promises varied biomes that should scratch that itch for diverse environments we love in Zelda games.
My biggest anticipation comes from the combat evolution. If Tsushima taught me anything, it’s that Sucker Punch understands how to make every sword clash feel meaningful. I expect Yotei to introduce new weapon types and stances that will make combat feel even more like the dance-like encounters we experience in games like Twilight Princess or Skyward Sword.
Why Ghost of Yotei Appeals to Zelda Fans Like Me
The parallels to Zelda run deeper than surface-level exploration. In my playthrough of Ghost of Tsushima, I discovered that the game’s shrine-like locations (the bamboo strikes, haiku spots, and hot springs) provided that same meditative break from action that Zelda shrines offer. They’re moments of reflection that make the world feel lived-in rather than just a playground for combat.
I’m particularly excited about the rumored improvements to the grappling hook mechanics. If they expand on this the way I hope, we could see traversal options that rival the climbing and gliding freedom of Breath of the Wild. The PlayStation 5’s power should also enable seamless transitions between exploration and combat that current-gen Zelda games still struggle with due to hardware limitations.
Hirogami – The Paper Adventure That Feels Like A Link Between Worlds Meets Origami
Scheduled for September 3, 2025, Hirogami immediately caught my attention with its unique paper aesthetic that reminds me of the charm I felt playing Paper Mario for the first time. Developed by Bandai Namco Studios Malaysia/Singapore, this game represents something I’ve been craving – a fresh visual take on the adventure genre that doesn’t sacrifice gameplay depth.
I’ve had the chance to try the demo on Steam, and let me tell you, the paper-folding mechanics are genuinely innovative. It’s not just a visual gimmick; the way you manipulate the paper world to solve puzzles gave me the same “aha!” moments I experienced with A Link Between Worlds’ wall-merging mechanic. When I folded a paper bridge to cross a gap for the first time, I felt that same spark of joy I get from solving a particularly clever Zelda puzzle.
What sets Hirogami apart in my mind is how it uses its paper theme to create environmental puzzles that would be impossible in a traditional 3D space. I found myself thinking about space and perspective in ways that reminded me of my favorite shrines in Breath of the Wild – the ones that make you completely reconsider how you approach a problem.
The combat system, while simpler than what we see in mainline Zelda titles, has its own charm. Watching enemies crumple and fold when defeated never got old during my demo time, and the way your character’s abilities are tied to different origami forms adds a strategic layer that keeps encounters interesting.
Platform Availability and My Recommendations
One of the best things about Hirogami is its multi-platform release on PC and PlayStation 5. Based on my demo experience, I’d recommend the PC version if you have a capable machine – the paper effects and folding animations benefit from higher frame rates, and the game’s art style scales beautifully to higher resolutions. However, the PS5’s haptic feedback does add a tactile element to the paper-folding that enhances the experience.
Mina the Hollower – Yacht Club’s Love Letter to Classic Zelda
When Yacht Club Games announces a new project, I pay attention. After their masterful work on Shovel Knight, I knew Mina the Hollower would be something special. Targeting a Halloween 2025 release, this game channels the exact era of Zelda that holds the most nostalgia for me – the Game Boy Color days of Link’s Awakening and the Oracle games.
Having played the demo extensively, I can confirm that Mina captures that perfect sweet spot between modern game feel and retro aesthetics. The moment I picked up the controller, muscle memory from decades of top-down Zelda games kicked in, but with welcome modern improvements. The whip combat feels responsive in a way that classic Game Boy games never quite achieved due to hardware limitations.
What really sells me on Mina is the burrowing mechanic. It’s such a simple concept – diving underground to avoid attacks and traverse the environment – but it fundamentally changes how you approach both combat and exploration. In my demo playthrough, I found myself using it not just as intended, but discovering creative solutions to challenges that I don’t think the developers even anticipated. That’s the mark of a great mechanic in my book.
The Gothic horror theme is a refreshing change from the typical fantasy settings we see in Zelda-likes. As someone who’s always wished for a darker Zelda game (Majora’s Mask remains my favorite for this reason), Mina scratches that itch perfectly. The enemy designs are creative and slightly unsettling without being genuinely scary – hitting that Nintendo-like balance of being family-friendly while still having an edge.
Why I’m Most Excited for the Full Release?
The demo only showed a small slice of what’s coming, but the dungeon design already rivals some of my favorite classic Zelda dungeons. The puzzles require you to think about the burrowing mechanic in increasingly creative ways, and I love how items you collect expand your movement options rather than just being keys for specific locks.
With confirmed releases on PC, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch (and Switch 2!), and Xbox platforms, Mina will be the most accessible game on this list. My recommendation? If you have a Switch, that’s where this game belongs. The pixel art style is perfect for handheld play, and based on my experience with Shovel Knight, Yacht Club knows how to optimize for Nintendo hardware.
Avowed – The First-Person Fantasy Adventure That’s Already Here
While technically released on February 18, 2025, I had to include Avowed because I’m currently 40 hours deep into it, and it’s exceeding my expectations as a first-person take on the Zelda formula. Obsidian Entertainment has created something special here – imagine if Skyrim had a baby with Breath of the Wild’s exploration philosophy.
What strikes me most about Avowed is how it translates Zelda’s exploration loop into a first-person perspective without losing that sense of wonder. Every cave I enter could contain a powerful artifact or a challenging optional boss. The game respects my time by making exploration always feel rewarding – there’s no such thing as an empty cave or pointless detour.
The magic system particularly reminds me of acquiring new items in Zelda games. Each spell fundamentally changes how you can interact with the environment. I discovered that combining frost magic with force push creates ice projectiles – the kind of emergent gameplay that made me fall in love with Breath of the Wild’s chemistry engine. These aren’t just combat tools; they’re keys to environmental puzzles and hidden areas.
Playing on Xbox Series X with Game Pass, I’ve been blown away by the visual fidelity. The game runs at a smooth 60fps, and the immediate loading times when entering dungeons maintains that seamless exploration feel that’s so important to the Zelda experience. If you have Game Pass, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not trying this immediately.
My Experience With Post-Launch Content
Obsidian has been supporting Avowed with regular updates since launch, and the recent addition of new regions has kept me coming back. The developer’s approach to post-launch content reminds me of how Nintendo expanded Breath of the Wild with meaningful DLC – it’s not just more of the same, but new mechanics and areas that enhance the core experience.
Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault – When Zelda Meets Merchant Simulation
The original Moonlighter was one of those games that consumed my life for a solid two weeks, and Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault promises to be even more dangerous to my free time when it launches later in 2025. The blend of dungeon crawling and shop management scratched an itch I didn’t know I had – it’s like if Link decided to actually sell all those Bokoblin horns instead of hoarding them.
What I loved about the first game, and what seems expanded in the sequel, is how the two gameplay loops feed into each other. My dungeon runs aren’t just about getting stronger; they’re about finding valuable items to sell, which funds better equipment, which lets me delve deeper. It’s a satisfying cycle that gives additional meaning to the exploration beyond just progression.
From the preview footage I’ve analyzed, The Endless Vault introduces interdimensional travel, which immediately reminds me of A Link to the Past’s dark world mechanic. The ability to shift between dimensions to solve puzzles and access new areas is exactly the kind of mechanic that keeps exploration fresh dozens of hours in.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales – The Indie Darling to Watch
Slated for 2026, The Adventures of Elliot might be further out, but it’s already on my radar as potentially the most interesting indie take on the Zelda formula. The hand-drawn art style immediately sets it apart, looking like a children’s storybook come to life in the best possible way.
What has me intrigued is the generational storytelling aspect. Playing through different time periods with consequences that carry forward sounds like an evolution of Ocarina of Time’s time travel mechanic. If the developers can nail the execution, this could offer the kind of narrative depth that Zelda games often hint at but rarely fully explore.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows – The AAA Dark Horse
I know what you’re thinking – “Assassin’s Creed isn’t a Zelda-like!” But hear me out. After spending hundreds of hours across the recent trilogy (Origins, Odyssey, Valhalla), I’ve watched Ubisoft slowly transform their franchise into something that shares more DNA with modern Zelda than traditional Assassin’s Creed.
Shadows’ feudal Japan setting already has me excited for the exploration possibilities. If Ubisoft applies the lessons learned from their recent games while returning to a more focused experience, we could have something special. The dual protagonist system, featuring both a shinobi and a samurai, offers the kind of gameplay variety that reminds me of switching between Link’s various forms in Majora’s Mask.
Hyper Light Breaker – From 2D Excellence to 3D Adventure
Hyper Light Drifter was one of my favorite indie games of the last decade, so seeing Heart Machine take the series into 3D with Hyper Light Breaker has me cautiously optimistic. The early access launch in 2025 will be our first taste of how well they’ve translated that mysterious, wordless storytelling into a 3D space.
What made Drifter special was its willingness to let players figure things out for themselves – much like the original Legend of Zelda. If Breaker maintains that philosophy while adding vertical exploration and aerial combat, it could offer something truly unique in the crowded adventure game space.
Platform Recommendations and Pre-Order Strategies
Based on my experience with similar games and the technical requirements I’ve researched, here are my platform recommendations for each title:
For PC Gamers: Hirogami, Mina the Hollower, and Avowed are must-plays on PC. The modding potential for Avowed alone makes it worth choosing PC if you have the hardware. For Hirogami, the higher frame rates really make those paper animations pop.
For PlayStation 5 Owners: Ghost of Yotei is your exclusive treasure, and it’s worth the wait. Don’t sleep on Hirogami either – the DualSense implementation adds a tactile dimension that enhances the paper-folding mechanics.
For Switch Players: Mina the Hollower feels tailor-made for Nintendo’s platform. The pixel art style and pick-up-and-play nature make it perfect for portable gaming. Plus, if you’re planning to upgrade to Switch 2, it’s confirmed for that platform too.
For Xbox/Game Pass Subscribers: Avowed being on Game Pass day one makes it a no-brainer. The value proposition is incredible, and the Series X version runs beautifully.
My Pre-Order Philosophy
After years of gaming, I’ve developed a simple pre-order strategy: only pre-order if there’s a meaningful discount or exclusive content that actually impacts gameplay. For these titles, I’d only consider pre-ordering Mina the Hollower (to support Yacht Club) and Ghost of Yotei (because Sony exclusives rarely go on sale quickly).
For everything else, wait for reviews. I’ve been burned too many times by pre-order hype, and with digital distribution, there’s no risk of games selling out. The only exception is if you find a significant pre-order discount – I’ve seen some retailers offer 20% off pre-orders, which can be worth it for games you’re confident about.
Which Games Should You Prioritize? My Personal Rankings
If you’re like me and your backlog is already overwhelming, here’s how I’d prioritize these upcoming Zelda-likes based on different preferences:
For Classic Zelda Fans: Start with Mina the Hollower. It’s the most direct homage to classic top-down Zelda games, and Yacht Club’s track record suggests it’ll be polished at launch.
For Breath of the Wild Enthusiasts: Ghost of Yotei should be your priority, followed closely by Avowed. Both offer that open-world freedom with meaningful exploration rewards.
For Puzzle Lovers: Hirogami’s unique paper-folding mechanics offer the most innovative puzzle-solving on this list. The demo alone sold me on its creative approach to spatial puzzles.
For Something Different: Moonlighter 2’s merchant mechanics add a unique twist that keeps the formula fresh. If you’re burned out on traditional adventure games, this might reignite your passion.
The Future of Zelda-Like Games – My Closing Thoughts
After decades of gaming, I’m more excited about the adventure game genre now than I’ve been in years. These upcoming titles aren’t just copying Zelda’s homework; they’re taking the formula in bold new directions while respecting what makes these games special. The variety on display – from Yotei’s cinematic samurai action to Mina’s pixel-perfect platforming – shows that developers understand that “Zelda-like” is more about feeling than formula.
What excites me most is how each game brings something unique to the table. We’re past the era of simple clones; these are games that understand what makes Zelda special and interpret those elements through their own creative lenses. Whether it’s Hirogami’s paper-folding innovation or Avowed’s first-person interpretation, each offers a fresh perspective on familiar concepts.
As someone who’s played every mainline Zelda game multiple times, I can confidently say that the future of the adventure genre has never looked brighter. These games respect our intelligence as players while still maintaining that sense of wonder and discovery that made us fall in love with gaming in the first place. The wait for the next official Zelda game might be long, but with titles like these on the horizon, I’m not worried about running out of adventures anytime soon.
Mark your calendars, set your wishlists, and prepare your backlog – 2026 and beyond are shaping up to be incredible years for adventure gaming. Whether you’re drawn to the samurai epic of Ghost of Yotei or the retro charm of Mina the Hollower, there’s an adventure waiting that will capture that special Zelda magic we all crave. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to Avowed – I just discovered a hidden dungeon that’s calling my name.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a game “Zelda-like” versus just an action-adventure game?
In my experience, true Zelda-likes combine specific elements: dungeon-based progression with items that unlock new areas, environmental puzzle-solving that requires observation and experimentation, a sense of exploration that rewards curiosity, and combat that emphasizes pattern recognition over reflexes. It’s the integration of these elements, not just their presence, that creates that special Zelda feeling.
Are any of these games coming to Nintendo Switch?
Yes! Mina the Hollower is confirmed for both the current Switch and the upcoming Switch 2. While Ghost of Yotei is PlayStation exclusive and Avowed is limited to Xbox/PC, several others like Moonlighter 2 are likely to come to Switch based on their predecessors’ release patterns. I always recommend checking official announcements as release dates approach, as publishers sometimes add platforms later.
Which upcoming Zelda-like game has the best graphics?
From a technical standpoint, Ghost of Yotei will likely be the visual showcase with its PlayStation 5 exclusive development. However, “best” is subjective – I find Hirogami’s paper aesthetic more visually striking despite being less technically demanding. Avowed, which I’m currently playing, offers the best graphics you can experience right now, with stunning vistas that rival any modern open-world game.
Can I play these games without having played Zelda games before?
Absolutely! While these games draw inspiration from Zelda, each stands on its own merits. I’d actually recommend starting with Hirogami or Mina the Hollower if you’re new to the genre – they offer gentler learning curves while still providing that sense of adventure and discovery. The beauty of these games is that they teach you their mechanics naturally through gameplay rather than extensive tutorials.
What’s the expected price point for these upcoming games?
Based on current industry trends and the developers involved, expect Ghost of Yotei to launch at full AAA price ($70). Hirogami and Mina the Hollower will likely be in the $30-40 range, similar to other premium indie titles. Moonlighter 2 should match its predecessor’s pricing around $25-30. Avowed launched at $60 but is included with Game Pass, making it the best value if you’re already a subscriber.