Top 50 Best Action Adventure Games Like Zelda

#30. – Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

I love experimental titles. With that said I like them in spin-offs or original games. I don’t typically like developers to mess with formulas in my favorite franchises. Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 64 was my favorite Zelda title, and when I heard they were making a Gaiden style follow up I was intrigued. When Majora’s Mask launched I was actually a little disappointed. Truth be told I still am. The game uses the same engine as Ocarina of Time but incorporates some not so welcome new features. It’s much darker, and focuses on an apocalyptic scenario. The game takes place in a new world where a dark moon is threatening to crash into the planet. It’s up to young Link to save everyone. The problem is the time travel mechanic. It’s repetitive and I still don’t like it. I’m also not a fan of the mask system either.

#29. – Zoda’s Revenge: Startropics 2

Startropics makes very little sense in my opinion. Nintendo was kind of the action adventure realm with the Legend of Zelda, and so it’s very strange that they created an original title in this same vein. Right now however I’m talking about Startropics 2. This is a direct sequel to the original and plays rather similarly. You travel across a world map, progress the weird story, and fight your way through dungeons. The big change here is that the storyline is based on time travel, and that’s precisely why I like it so much. You explore areas such as the stone age, ancient Egypt, the Wild West, and more. It’s a fun theme and Startropics 2 pulls it off. Gameplay has also been updated and Mike can now move in eight directions. What I don’t like is that there’s less focus on puzzles, and the dungeons are weaker for it.

#28. – The Guardian Legend

I’m a sucker for games that incorporate multiple genres. I had long heard of the Guardian Legend but found it for cheap in a second hand store, and couldn’t resist. This one is part action adventure and vertical shoot ’em up. In some areas you’re blasting through space (or above the planet) shooting down foes, and others have you exploring corridors and huge areas collecting items and using your blaster to defeat enemies. Both modes are very well done, but let’s focus on the latter. I say this because it’s one of the best action adventure games of all time. I absolutely love exploring in this game. It gives the same feeling of loneliness as Metroid. This is set up in a rather labyrinthine way, but it never gets too confusing. It’s one of the best Zelda clones, but with a flair all its own. Seriously, get this one.

#27. – Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole

First of all, whatever happened to the Landstalker PSP remake? I’ve been holding that one in for a while. Landstalker is an action adventure game made unique by the isometric viewpoint. You hack and slash foes while solving light puzzles and collecting treasures. It’s no mistake that this sounds like Nintendo’s classic, and Landstalker is one of the best Zelda clones. The dungeons here are absolutely amazing to explore. In many ways these rival Nintendo’s own designs. It’s great that they’re good because it’s the primary focus. The only major drawback to Landstalker is that it has platforming elements. Anyone who has played isometric games knows this can, and often is awkward. Landstalker is no different. Once you really get used to it the game is an absolute treat to play and it’s one of the best action adventure games of all time. It’s underappreciated and deserves a look.

#26. – The Legend of Zelda

Many are going to be upset that I placed the original Zelda so low on the list. I do have nostalgia with this one, but I feel it has been surpassed by so many others. With that said the Legend of Zelda is still a lot of fun to play. This is where the action adventure genre became what we know it as today. This top down game has you exploring an overworld and making your way into dungeons to solve puzzles and defeat baddies. The graphics and soundtrack are absolutely iconic now, and these hold up fairly well. It’s tough to figure out where to go if you don’t already know. Simply finding out how to get into dungeons is a puzzle in and of itself, but with few to no clues. Despite this it’s still one of the best action adventure games of all time.

#25. – Alundra

In the 32-bit era there was one absolute truth for me. If I saw the name Working Designs on a game I knew it was going to be good. They were just a publisher, but their translations were top notch, and they only brought over the best games. Alundra is one of the best action adventure games for the PS1, and is only made better with their colorful translation. Alundra is a spiritual successor to the Landstalker series. The titular character enters people’s dreams, and that’s the basis for the dungeons and story. It’s definitely interesting, and certainly one of the best Zelda clones. Alundra doesn’t focus so much on combat, and is instead based more on it’s puzzle solving. You’ll probably find yourself scratching your head because it can be tough. I really like this aspect, and it’s one of the best action adventure games because of it.

#24. – Secret of Mana

I’m kind of blurring the lines between action RPG and action adventure here. It’s my list so I do what I want, and what I want is to include Secret of Mana on it. This is actually the second title in the Seiken Densetsu series (the first was Final Fantasy Adventure which I already covered). Squaresoft moved the franchise to home consoles with this release, and with that came many advantages. First of all the graphics and soundtrack are absolutely amazing. Also, thanks to the increased storage capacity it’s a longer and more involved quest. Secret of Mana is a top down action adventure title and even has multiplayer with up to two other friends joining in. That was almost unheard of back in the day. This feature alone makes it one of the best action adventure games of all time.

#23. – The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages

Nintendo passed off their handheld Zelda entries to Capcom so that they could focus on development of Majora’s Mask. Capcom didn’t have a lot of experience with the action adventure genre, or even the franchise in general. They managed to surpass many of Nintendo’s own efforts in my opinion. I’d go so far as to say that both games are among the best action adventure games of all time. It is however strange that they released not one but two titles. Oracle of Ages is slightly worse. It’s more focused on puzzles and changing the time of year. Gameplay is very similar to Link’s Awakening but with Capcom’s own flair added to the mix. While the focus here is on puzzles there’s no shortage of combat. The changing of time is still an interesting mechanic, and makes this game well worth playing even today.

#22. – Crystalis

Few action adventure games have offered as interesting a world to explore as Crystalis did. This is a post apocalyptic world where the populace is avoiding technology at large because of where it led the previous generation. Here you play as a warrior cryogenically frozen, and revived to save the world. You are armed with a sword, as well as psychic powers that become more prevalent as you progress in the story. I really love the overworld (and the music that accompanies it) as well as the dungeons which are very challenging. There are multiple town areas where you gain clues and items which serves to give you a moment to catch your breath from the relentless combat. Crystalis has some of the best areas to explore, and is easily one of the best action adventure games because of it. The swamp in particular is very inspired.

#21. – Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons

Of the sister titles in the franchise that Capcom developed for the original Game Boy this is the superior choice. While I do love puzzles in the series, the combat is what holds my interest a bit more. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons focuses more on this aspect and is all the more stronger for it. I find that the overworld here is more interesting to explore, and I prefer these dungeons oh so slightly. While it’s not as puzzle heavy as it’s contemporary they are still here, but you’ll have less issues solving them. Heck, in Zelda I just want to hack and slash my way through the enemies and that’s why Oracle of Seasons is superior. In terms of the best action adventure games the Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons ranks high on my list. Capcom really should take the helm for another installment.