February 21, 2026 marks a historic anniversary: 40 years of The Legend of Zelda. Since 1986, the saga created by Nintendo has had a profound impact on the video game industry, introducing Link, Zelda and Ganon into the collective imagination.
To celebrate this event, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can access several cult episodes for free on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. From NES classics to Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Advance masterpieces, nine titles are currently playable at no additional cost, outside of the subscription.
Zelda NES and Game Boy games available for free
Among the oldest episodes, we find The Legend of Zelda (1986) and The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987) on NES. The first opus remains a fascinating experience, despite its difficulty and sometimes obscure puzzles. As the source article points out: “There is a magic to this game. Playing The Legend of Zelda today, we understand how it inspired a new generation of developers.” On the Game Boy and Game Boy Color side, Link’s Awakening, Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages are also included. These 2D episodes offer varied mechanics, including time travel in Oracle of Ages and a system of linked adventures between the two games.
The Zelda Game Boy Advance and SNES to rediscover
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, released on SNES in 1994, remains an absolute benchmark of the genre. As the article clearly states: “For me, A Link to the Past is the closest thing to perfection that a video game can achieve.”
Another essential: The Minish Cap on Game Boy Advance. This episode features colorful artistic direction and an original concept allowing Link to shrink to explore miniature environments. These two games represent the very essence of classic 2D Zelda.
Nintendo 64 masterpieces included with Switch Online
Subscribers to the Nintendo Switch Online add-on pack can also play Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask. Ocarina of Time remains one of the highest-rated games in history, while Majora’s Mask stands out for its darker atmosphere. As the text points out: “There is a palpable sadness in Majora’s Mask that sets him apart from his peers.” These two titles laid the foundations for modern 3D Zelda.
The Wind Waker, the exception reserved for the Switch 2
At the top of the ranking proposed by ScreenRant is The Wind Waker. However, an important clarification is necessary: ”The Wind Waker is only available on Nintendo Switch 2, because Nintendo has decided not to offer the GameCube library on Nintendo Switch.” Its cel-shading style, its maritime exploration and its more intimate narration make it an episode that remains as popular as ever. With these nine games available via Nintendo Switch Online, players have access to four decades of gaming history, from 8-bit pixel art to legendary 3D adventures.