The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the closest follow-up to Breath of the Wild: it returns to Hyrule and its open-ended exploration, then adds new sky and underground areas and the Ultrahand building ability. If you want a different series, choose Immortals Fenyx Rising for mythological puzzles, Elden Ring for challenging combat and unmarked discovery, Horizon Forbidden West for a story-led science-fiction adventure, or Genshin Impact for a free-to-play starting point with gacha character mechanics.
Which open-world game is closest to Breath of the Wild?
Tears of the Kingdom is the straightforward answer if you have not played it: it is the follow-up, stays in Hyrule, and expands the exploration with construction and new areas. Nintendo lists it in its Switch store collection, and the game is also listed as having a Switch 2 Edition; check the current store listing for the edition that fits your console. Nintendo’s Switch store collection and GameSpot’s open-world games guide describe the game and its exploration features.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - US Version | $52.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Mario Kart™ World (Nintendo Switch 2) | $79.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Super Mario Galaxy™ + Super Mario Galaxy™ 2 | $64.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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There is no single best substitute outside Zelda. These games share broad open-world adventure elements, but they differ in tone, combat, story emphasis, platform, and monetization. Choose by the part of Breath of the Wild you want more of:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →- Stay in Hyrule and build: Tears of the Kingdom.
- Explore myth and solve puzzles: Immortals Fenyx Rising.
- Find your way through a tougher, less guided world: Elden Ring.
- Follow a cinematic science-fiction story: Horizon Forbidden West.
- Try a free-to-play open world: Genshin Impact, if its gacha character system suits you.
Best games to play after Breath of the Wild
1. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — the closest continuation
Tears of the Kingdom carries forward the familiar setting and exploration premise while giving you new ways to interact with the world. Ultrahand lets you build, and the sky and underground spaces extend your exploration beyond the familiar surface. GameSpot highlights shrines, enemies, chests, open-ended travel, and the building system. GameSpot’s overview covers those elements; Nintendo’s Switch collection lists the game.
#1 Best Overall
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
- Choose it if: you want to keep exploring Hyrule and are interested in construction as well as exploration.
- Platform: Nintendo Switch; a Switch 2 Edition is also listed. Confirm the current edition and compatibility in Nintendo’s store before buying.
2. Immortals Fenyx Rising — mythological adventure and puzzles
Ubisoft describes the premise this way: “Play as Fenyx, a new winged demigod, on a quest to save the Greek gods.” The game combines mythological battles with ancient puzzles, making it a good pick if you want colorful adventure and puzzle-solving in a different setting. That overlap does not make it identical to Breath of the Wild. Ubisoft’s game page describes the premise and lists platform options.
- Choose it if: mythological creatures and puzzles appeal more than returning to Zelda’s world.
- Platforms listed by Ubisoft: PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
3. Elden Ring — unmarked discovery and demanding combat
Elden Ring suits players who like exploring without a heavily directed checklist and who want a substantial action-combat challenge. PlayStation describes travel through an open world on foot or horseback and calls the combat “demanding but fair.” PC Gamer notes that the game has no quest log, map markers, or collectibles list, which leaves more room for organic discovery. PlayStation’s open-world guide and PC Gamer’s open-world guide describe those qualities.
Rank #2
- New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. Game
- Challenge others anytime, anywhere, whether you're on the couch or on the go
- Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
- Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer
- Choose it if: you want to explore at your own pace and are comfortable with harder combat.
- Look elsewhere if: what you want is Breath of the Wild’s gentler tone or low-pressure fighting. Elden Ring is a contrast in challenge and atmosphere, not a direct replacement.
4. Horizon Forbidden West — cinematic story and machine combat
Horizon Forbidden West is the pick for a richly presented science-fiction adventure with expansive scenery, a strong narrative focus, and varied action combat. It is less suited to someone specifically seeking Zelda-style physics puzzles. PlayStation describes the game as an open-world adventure with a high-concept narrative and intense, varied combat. PlayStation’s game page gives more detail.
The cited technical features apply to the PS5 version: its page lists 4K/HDR support requirements, a performance mode targeting 60 fps, DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers, and 3D audio on compatible headphones. Check the page’s requirements for the display and audio features you plan to use.
Rank #3
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
- Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam
5. Genshin Impact — free-to-play, with gacha character mechanics
Genshin Impact offers an open-world adventure with puzzles, monsters, quests, and additional regions. GameSpot describes it as free-to-play and notes that limited-time characters are obtained through gacha mechanics. That monetization system is an important part of the choice: consider whether you are comfortable with it before investing time in the game. GameSpot’s overview discusses both the adventure and character system.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Journey through space in two Super Mario adventures, now improved for the Nintendo Switch system!
- Travel the stars with enhanced resolution, improved UI, and additional content
- Learn more about the Lumas from additional Storybook chapters, groove to a bit of additional music
- Get additional Health and fall recovery in Assist Mode
- Join Rosalina and the Lumas to restore the Comet Observatory and rescue Princess Peach in Super Mario Galaxy.
How to choose by what you liked about Breath of the Wild
| What you want next | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| More Hyrule, puzzles, and creative traversal | Tears of the Kingdom | It continues the setting and adds shrines, Ultrahand building, and sky and underground areas. GameSpot |
| A different world with myth and puzzles | Immortals Fenyx Rising | Ubisoft describes mythological battles and ancient puzzles. Ubisoft |
| Unmarked exploration and a tougher action challenge | Elden Ring | Its world encourages discovery without a quest log, map markers, or collectibles list. PC Gamer |
| A cinematic story and varied combat | Horizon Forbidden West | PlayStation emphasizes its narrative and intense, varied combat. PlayStation |
| A free-to-play entry point | Genshin Impact | GameSpot describes it as free-to-play, with gacha mechanics for limited-time characters. GameSpot |
Platform and purchase checks
- Nintendo: Tears of the Kingdom is listed for Nintendo Switch, with a Switch 2 Edition also shown. Check the current store page for edition details. Nintendo
- Multiple platforms: Ubisoft lists Immortals Fenyx Rising for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. Check its page for current platform listings. Ubisoft
- PS5-specific features: the 4K/HDR, performance-mode, DualSense, and compatible-headphone audio details above refer to the PS5 version of Horizon Forbidden West. PlayStation
- Genshin Impact availability: the cited GameSpot overview supports the game description and monetization caveat, not a claim about current platform availability. Check a current official listing for your platform.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
