The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch

I'm a huge fan of the entire Legend of Zelda franchise. Yes, even the weakest of games, like Four Swords. Simply put, there are few series like it, and I'm here for the long haul.

Naturally, I'm super excited that after decades of waiting, we finally get a Legend of Zelda game that actually features Zelda as the main character. As we approach the 40th anniversary of the franchise, you could say it's about time.

That wait proves worthwhile, as Echoes of Wisdom isn't just a great Zelda game, it's one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch. A playful, joyous exploration of everything that makes this series so iconic. It isn't a sweeping odyssey like Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom. But its narrow focus helps Echoes of Wisdom hone its gameplay to the same faultless brilliance as its larger siblings.

Set in an alternate timeline of Hyrule history, Echoes of Wisdom sees Link fail in his quest to save Princess Zelda. As Ganon's magic pulls The Hero of Time into another dimension, it's up to Zelda to restore order to the kingdom.

The adventure unfolds similarly to A Link to the Past, one of the best Zelda-adventures to date. Zelda must traverse the four corners of Hyrule to clear the tears in reality that Ganon left behind. At the same time, she can help out the citizens in their smaller adventures, including saving missing people and sorting out long-lost desires.

Most of the adventure is spent on the overworld map, which is a cheerful and supremely charming affair. This is a colorful game that is beautiful to look at. Character animations are clear and distinctive, spells look and sound great, and it strikes the right balance between nostalgic and new. For someone who grew up with A Link to the Past, it's a lovely experience to revisit something that feels both old and fresh at the same time.

The gameplay borrows from both Tears of the Kingdom and older Zelda adventures, once again blending the past with the present. Apart from a specific skill, Zelda herself doesn't engage in traditional battle. Instead, her skill is that of replicating spirits of items and enemies, and controlling them on the battlefield. As with Link's grander adventures, Zelda can traverse the kingdom any way she sees fit, which leads to delightful ways to break the game.

For example, why even try to traditionally climb any area when you could just stack a bunch of beds together? At its best, Echoes of Wisdom almost dares you to try out alternative solutions to puzzles.

Similarly, combat is a blast thanks to the freedom the game offers. As with Breath of the Wild, no two encounters are the same.

Dungeons, another series staple, fare equally well. These are smartly designed and fun excursions that are just challenging enough to warrant attention. They never halt progression too badly, despite offering a nice challenge that balances out the exploration of the larger map.

It's only a certain skill that proves slightly irksome. Early on, Zelda encounters Link, controlled by Ganon, and ends up using his sword to channel his power. Later, she picks up his bow and bombs as well. These provide the Zelda-equivalent of a Super Mario star, effectively turning Zelda into a roaring rampage of revenge.

The problem is, I don't think Echoes of Wisdom needs it. In fact, turning into a quasi-Link underlines how little Nintendo has done with the famed princess in the first place. Sure, she's got the alter-ego of Sheik in another timeline, but that's about it. Here, she's most effective when she borrows famous weaponry. Even if it's only temporary.

It's a minor quibble, and something that, in the end, didn't bother me too much. But it is worth noting, especially since we've waited so long for Zelda's own adventure.

The echoes themselves, while fun, can also get a little too much towards the end. There are over a hundred to discover, and eventually they become a pain to navigate. It ultimately forced me to settle on using a few favorites, just because I didn't want to navigate the menus to find alternatives. A slightly less cramped UI would do wonders next time around.

On a technical level, there are minor gripes when it comes to performance. While beautiful, Echoes of Wisdom occasionally struggles with stuttering even in docked mode. It never hurts the actual gameplay, and eventually I just stopped caring altogether, but it's there, and worth noting. The Nintendo Switch is a masterpiece of a console, but it is also seven years old by now. At times, it shows.

Despite the occasional grumble, I can't fault Echoes of Wisdom for anything consequential. This is one of the most joyous Zelda titles out there, and easily in the top five of any game in the series.

From an expansive overworld to fantastic dungeons, every aspect of Zelda's first adventure feels handcrafted and beautifully designed. The story comes packed with Easter eggs and nods for hardcore fans, but never feels like a clip show. Instead, it's a surprisingly emotional story with themes of letting go, personal growth, and finding your own voice. Exactly as you'd expect from this series.