Summary
The Legend of Zeldahas undergone a lot of changes over the years. Beginning in 1986, the Nintendo series originated on the NES, introducing gamers to the rich world of Hyrule through a top-down action-adventure RPG centered on solving puzzles and exploration. However, the franchise has expanded quite a lot in recent years, incorporating 3D action, open worlds, and tons of lore.
Something that’s also been steadily evolving over the decades is the ability to play AAA-quality games on iPhone. Given the simplicity and influence ofZeldaover the video game industry as a whole, it’s not surprising that there are plenty of games oniOSthat have been inspired by, or even rip off, Nintendo’s iconic fantasy franchise, such as these 10Zelda-like games that we highly recommend you play.
Genre(s)
RPG, action-adventure
From just one look at the graphics forAfterplace, its inspiration fromThe Legend of Zeldais easy to see. The game has players controlling a lost child exploring a vast world, discovering mysteries about this seemingly-barren map, fighting monsters, and uncovering dungeons. Gameplay-wise, it’s assimple of aZeldacloneas it gets from a game made by a one-person dev team.
Particularly,Afterplaceis made for mobile devices, and can even be played vertically rather than the sometimes cumbersome horizontal mode most RPGs on iOS allow for. More than anything,Afterplaceis a really charming and funny game that deserves a lot more attention, especially fromZeldafans looking for a way to kill time on their commute.
Cat Questis sure toentice cat-lovers or animal-lovers of any kind. Originally released in 2017, this mobile game feels as indebted toThe Legend of Zeldaas it is breaking from the formula, allowing players to control an anthropomorphic cat warrior scouring an open world for his kidnapped sister, a plotline that may sound familiar to fans ofThe Wind Waker.
However, the 2019 sequel,Cat Quest 2,is an improvement on all fronts, allowing for co-op multiplayer and even featuring—gasp—dogs?! There’s also aCat Quest 3that has yet to see a mobile release, so for the latest adventure in this lovably adorable franchise,Cat Quest 2is the top-down RPG of any feline lover’s dreams.
RPG, shooter, action-adventure
With its gorgeously charming visuals and roguelike elements,The Swords of Dittois one of the more unique games on this list, despite taking a lot from theZeldaformula. With each playthrough, players control a randomly generated hero and are given a limited amount of time to defeat the final boss. If they fail, they start over from the beginning with a new hero, or two if they’d like to play co-op.
The feedback loop inThe Swords of Dittomight result in diminishing returns compared to the more emotionally investing experience players get withZelda, but given its availability on iOS, players will likely find it a fun way to kill time by starting up new adventures. If anything, it’s certainly worth a playthrough just to admire the beautiful animations and art design.
iOS, Android
Platformer, action-adventure, Metroidvania
Originally released in 2012,Swordigohas more in common gameplay-wiseto obscureZeldatitles likeZelda 2: The Adventure of Link. This sidescroller features a handful of familiar platforming elements, with methods leveling up and growing in strength that are pretty unique to that NES classic. Many reviewers even positively compared this iOS title toZelda 2as a solid action RPG.
WhileSwordigomight not be as fascinating of a world as even the worstZeldagame, the gameplay and variety provided will keep players engaged for multiple playthroughs.Zeldafans may also appreciate the game’s borrowed mechanics from theMetroidseries, allowing them to traverse the large map with ease and prioritize different strengths, such as their attack power or magic.
Some video game fans may be well aware ofBastion, given it was made by the same company that went on to make the indie darlingHades. However, the two games couldn’t be any more different. WhileHadesis a hack-and-slash roguelike,Bastionis an action RPG in which players must navigate through levels, only getting to upgrade their weapons and stats in between at the titular home base.
It’s certainly a little more complex thanZeldaever gets, but some of its gameplay and top-down perspective will certainly be familiar to fans. Some critics felt the game needed a better plot, while others were entranced by the addictive gameplay and stunning graphics. If players find themselves completing it too quickly, have no fear, asBastionalso has a New Game Plus mode.
It’s kind of cheating to putSecret of Manaon this list, given that it predates the modern smartphone by a few decades. Adapted by Square Enix,Secret of Manais not only one of the most iconic JRPGs in the genre’s history but is considered by many one of the greatest video games of all time. Of course, its similarities toZeldaare also shared with other top-down RPGs likeFinal FantasyorChrono Trigger.
WhereSecret of Manareally differs from those other games is its real-time battling system, allowing for much more dynamic action sequences akin toThe Legend of Zeldaeven at its most primitive. Just the fact that one of the best SNES RPGs, enhanced but still capturing the essence of the original release, is playable on iOS is nothing short of a privilege for JRPG fans.
The Binding of Isaacmight be indie game royalty at this point, but it also wears itsLegend of Zeldainfluence on its sleeve.A procedurally-generated roguelike, the gameplay strongly resembles that of the original NESZelda.Players control the naked and teary-eyed Isaac as he navigates the labyrinthian basement of his home while trying to survive the ire of his devoutly religious mother.
As of 2025, only the base game of the remake,The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, has made it to iOS, while further expansions likeAfterbirthandRepentanceare exclusive to consoles (or, for Apple fans, tvOS). It’s the perfect indie game for mobile devices, given that playthroughs ofThe Binding of Isaactend to be pretty short unless players are fully equipped for the mayhem that’s ahead of them.
While it’s also available for PC and Nintendo Switch, the iOS version ofShovel Knight Digis what it was made for, combining theZelda 2: The Adventure of Linkinfluence of the original game with roguelikes such asSpelunky. If players are tired of replayingShovel Knightagain and again, maybe give this spin-off a go instead.
Action-adventure
When glancing at the gameplay forLegend of the Skyfish 2, it might be easy to draw comparisons to the top-downZeldagames. However, this is a hack-and-slash action adventure where the player’s primary weapon is… a fishing rod? Surprisingly,compared to most standard fishing games,Legend of the Skyfish 2is a genuinely engaging action RPG, albeit at the expense of world-building and exploration.
There’s a lot thatLegend of the Skyfish 2does have working in its favor, from an open world to a quest system that allows players to encounter dungeons and fearsome bosses. Its variety from theZeldaseries may seem like a novelty, but until Nintendo makes a proper iOSZeldagame,Legend of the Skyfish 2may be the best option for those wanting a similar experience.
For a next-gen game likeOceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm,currently available on Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S,it’s surprising that it even runs on iOS. The 2013 predecessor was a top-down action RPG, butOceanhorn 2strongly takes afterBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom,such as in its gorgeous art style, open-world exploration elements, and exciting combat.
LikeShovel Knight Dig, this is another exclusive to Apple Arcade, but it’s worth it if players want the most up-to-dateZeldaclone out there. It’s got a lot more content than evenTears of the Kingdom, including playing card minigames, solving puzzles, and dozens upon dozens of side quests to get enveloped by. Suffice it to say,Oceanhorn 2is aZeldagame for iOS that even Nintendo would envy.
