Switch 2 Just Got One of The Best Zelda-likes in Years

Hey, remember when Nintendo announced a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time? I wouldn’t blame you if you’ve somehow convinced yourself that it was all a dream. Since its June reveal, we have learned absolutely nothing about a massive game that’s supposedly coming out this year, despite not having a firm release date yet. Considering that Nintendo historically hosts a Direct stream in September, we’ll hopefully learn more about it soon. But until then, something has to whet your Zelda-sized appetite.

Thankfully, the best appetizer possible just launched. Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, one of 2025’s best hidden gems, got a shiny new Switch 2 version today. If you missed it last year, now’s the best time to try out one of the best top-down Zelda homages in recent memory, right up there with Mina the Hollower.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo puts you in control of a blue bat, Pippit, who gets unwittingly caught up in corporate warfare. When his family’s business is attacked by rivals, he sets out on an urban adventure to take down some evil corporations. His weapon? A giant mythical sword — no, wait, that’s not right. It’s a yoyo.

Described as a “yoyovania,” Pipistrello sets itself apart from your average Zelda ode by building the game around that unique tool. Yes, it can whack the heck out of enemies, but developer Pocket Trap finds a lot of ways to play with its utility. Pippit can ride it, ricochet it off of walls, launch it to hit switches, and more. It’s like having Link’s entire toolset (boomerang, hookshot, etc) in one single item. That creative approach to design allows for a creative game that’s always remixing Zelda staples in fresh ways.

What stands out about it most of all, though, is its world. Rather than tossing you into sprawling grasslands, Pipistrello takes place in a busy city. You have to navigate through alleyways, public parks, and corporate HQs that act as dungeons. Metroidvania-style exploration means that you’re always finding new ways to open those spaces up as you acquire upgrades. It’s a distinct look and feel that helps Pipistrello stand apart from genre peers that deal in more traditional fantasy settings. It even gives the story some space to get into some biting industrial satire, too.

The new Switch 2 version might be the best way to experience it. You’ll be able to play it at 120fps in handheld mode. You’ll be locked at 1080p there, but you’ll get 4K visuals if you dock your Switch 2. It also features HDR support, which is especially great for a game that features such colorful art direction. (You really want to see Pippit as bright and blue as possible.) And if you already bought it on Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2 Upgrade Pack is free to download.

All of that should be enough to help you forget about Ocarina of Time for the next few weeks. We’ll have plenty of chances to dissect the remake soon enough, I’m sure, but Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo will remind you what makes the classic Zelda formula worth obsessing over in the first place. It’s a lovely adventure that rewards your curiosity at every turn with well-hidden secrets. Plus, you get to do some sick yoyo tricks while you explore. Can Link do that? I think not.