Every console has a flagship franchise, and you could argue that a big company like Nintendo has a few. The Legend of Zelda has been around for years and fans are obsessed with each of the adventures. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and eventually, you will finish the games and be left with nothing new. This is where your smartphone comes into play.
These games are the next best thing to playing the actual Legend of Zelda games as you wait for the next installment in the series. They each have their own special charm that makes them similar to The Legend of Zelda, while still holding onto their own special flair that sets them apart from the rest.
Updated on April 18, 2023 by Quinton O'Connor: We have added a couple more games to the list. That means you have more Zelda-likes to consume your free time. Sorry not sorry?
15 Adventures Of Mana
Released in 2016, Adventures of Mana is a 3D remake of Final Fantasy Adventure on the Game Boy. This is actually the second such remake of that particular game, following in the footsteps of Sword of Mana on the Game Boy Advance in 2003.
As the first game in the long-running Mana series, the original game had introduced players to most of the elements that would come to define subsequent games, including its high fantasy settings and action RPG gameplay.
14 Ys 1 & 2
Another action RPG series that should immediately appeal to The Legend of Zelda fans is the Ys series. And the good news is that remakes of the first two games, Ys 1 & 2, are available on the Google Play Store.
Even though the original versions were released all the way back in the late 80s, both games still hold up pretty well today, with more than enough adventure spread between them to satisfy most gamers.
13 Ittle Dew
Ittle Dew will cost you a couple of bucks to download, and although this isn't the most expansive option available for Android games like Zelda, the price is more than worth it. This charming little game takes you on an adventure with a girl and her flying companion, a creature that reminds you of a weasel, as they are shipwrecked on an island. You must help her find a way home by solving a variety of puzzles. What makes this most like a Zelda game is the view and graphics, but it has less emphasis on combat.
12 Dungeon Hunter 5
The most recent installment of a popular RPG series that relies more on a hack and slash environment as opposed to a storytelling aesthetic, Dungeon Hunter 5 has all the cool stuff from the previous games in the franchise. There is an over-arching storyline that your character plows through, and it has a similar structure to the Baldur's Gate series in the sense that the next game often picks up right where the last one left off.
11 Secret Of Mana
The Secret of Mana is most definitely for the more retro fans out there, as it's a bit older (having originally released back in 1993), but that makes it ideal for those who have fond memories of TLoZ on vintage Nintendo consoles. Another plus is that you're most definitely getting a full-fledged game here.
This is a remastered version of the old game, and the only downside is that the 3D remake isn't available on Android. However, it has a ring command system that makes it very easy to perform actions — for the uninitiated, you play as a character named Randi who is followed by his two companions. It has real-time battles, and it focuses on the magical powers of mana as you work to save the world from peril.
10 Zenonia 4
This is an action RPG that assembles a group of heroes to save the world, and it is still free to download and play. There are different classes of heroes in Zenonia 4, as well as various difficulty modes, so it suits players of all playstyles.
The story is what makes this Android game like The Legend of Zelda. It's phenomenal and gives all the Zelda vibes you need to fill the void if you've completely exhausted your Zelda catalog.
9 Anodyne
Quirky and creative, Anodyne is for Zelda fans who prefer the darker side of the series, with games like Majora's Mask being the most obvious example. This is even described as a Zelda-lite game, so it's open about the source of inspiration for the adventure and characters. It's available for both Android and modern versions of Windows. You might even be able to buy it as a bundle with the recent sequel that was released in 2019, Anodyne 2.
8 The Fable Of Ruby
The Fable of Ruby is a Zelda-like game for Android that follows the story of a girl who works for someone who works in a laboratory in a tower. She can acquire various weapons, explore dungeons, and search 200 rooms as she makes her way through the various stages.
It's well worth the cost to play this dungeon-crawling Zelda-like game for Andriod. However, it does take a bit of patience if you like to rush into fights, as sitting back and thinking through a problem is the better approach for steady progression.
7 Oceanhorn
Oceanhorn sends you into uncharted waters to find your father, who disappeared one day without a trace. Aside from being a Zelda-like game for Andriod, it also recalls other vintage Nintendo titles like Star Tropics. It is in 3D, which brings it up a notch from your average Zelda-like game, and has a story that you won't ever forget. However, it does require a single in-app purchase if you want to unlock the full version. Two of the cool things about this game are that you can use a controller and it has over ten hours of gameplay.
6 Stories Of Bethem - Full Moon
Stories of Bethem - Full Moon is another Zelda-like Android game that's more about brains than brawn. It's filled with tons of mind-boggling puzzles for you to solve. You are tasked with exploring the vast world in order to uncover its secrets and, some of the stories therein are bound to shock you.
There are even tons of monsters for you to fight and costumes for you to wear to show your progression. It's free on the app store, but there is a single payment required if you want to unlock the full game.
5 Final Fantasy 5 Pixel Remaster
What's Final Fantasy got to do with The Legend of Zelda? A fair ask, perhaps, but don't rule this one out. Among the classic 2D FFs from the late 1980s through mid-1990s, Final Fantasy 5 sticks out for its especially high-adventure atmosphere and overall whimsy. It's a fun game, it's a funny game, and its recent 'Pixel Remaster' has made it prettier than ever.
4 Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion
Depending on your personality, the title alone may have sold you on this one. Or maybe it's entirely off-putting. Either way, Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is... pretty fun, actually. We called Final Fantasy 5 funny, but this one's downright hysterical. If you've ever thought the one thing missing from The Legend of Zelda was a corrupt vegetable government, this one's for you.
3 HonorBound
This is a free fantasy RPG that will take you on a magical adventure like never before. You will fight plenty of monsters like orcs, dragons, and ogres, and you get to decide what kind of hero you want to be. It could be that you were born to be a Wizard, or maybe a Warrior or Cleric more suits your style as you harness the elements and recruit all different species of this world to be your allies. Really, you can't argue with the entry fee here. It's definitely worth a shot for Zelda fans.
2 Evoland
Evoland takes the player on a 2D and 3D journey through the history of video games. You will explore dungeons, solve puzzles, and unlock achievements as you make your way through this world, which is designed as a tribute to all manner of early RPG games, not just Zelda. There are no ads or in-app payments, so it is well worth the price of admission.
For the record, Evoland 2 is worth your time as well. The first game just feels a little more Zelda-like than the sequel, though your mileage may vary if you give the second outing a shot for yourself!
1 Legend Of The Skyfish
Legend of the Skyfish has a hand-painted art style that looks similar to both Wind Waker and A Link to the Past. It is now available on a variety of platforms, including Android, and you can play half the game for free before you have to purchase the rest. You utilize a fishing pole as a weapon and tool while you solve puzzles and grapple your way around the map. There are 45 levels and tons of bosses to defeat as you make your way to fight the Skyfish.