The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an action-adventure game developed by Nintendo EPD and released for the Nintendo Switch and Wii U on March 3, 2017. Directed by Hidemaro Fujibayashi and produced by Eiji Aonuma, it changes the traditional Zelda structure by allowing Link to explore most of Hyrule immediately after leaving the Shrine of Resurrection. The game’s “open-air” design emphasizes climbing, gliding, physics, weather, and experimentation rather than a fixed sequence of dungeons.

The story begins after Link awakens with no memories. One hundred years earlier, the kingdom of Hyrule was defeated by Calamity Ganon, who now remains confined inside Hyrule Castle. Princess Zelda has held him back since the disaster, and Link must recover his memories, regain control of four Divine Beasts, and confront Ganon. The main quest connects directly to the events of the past through memories scattered across Hyrule. These scenes reveal the relationships among Link, Zelda, the Champions, and King Rhoam before the kingdom fell.

The four Divine Beasts are enormous ancient machines controlled by Ganon’s manifestations. Their associated Champions are Mipha of the Zora, Daruk of the Gorons, Revali of the Rito, and Urbosa of the Gerudo. After freeing each machine, Link receives an ability based on its Champion: healing from Mipha’s Grace, a protective shield from Daruk’s Protection, an upward draft from Revali’s Gale, and a lightning strike from Urbosa’s Fury. Shrines provide more than one hundred small puzzle challenges, while Spirit Orbs increase Link’s hearts or stamina.

Weapons in Breath of the Wild have durability, so ordinary combat continually requires replacement equipment. Environmental systems create distinctive solutions: metal objects conduct electricity, fire spreads through grass, cold regions require protection, and rain makes climbing difficult. Cooking combines ingredients into meals and elixirs with effects such as increased attack power, heat resistance, or temporary stamina.

Nintendo also released two downloadable-content packages. The Master Trials added the Trial of the Sword, additional challenges, and the Master Cycle Zero. The Champions’ Ballad added new memories, shrine puzzles, and a final Divine Beast-style dungeon. Breath of the Wild received broad critical acclaim for its exploration-focused design and won numerous awards, including The Game Awards’ Game of the Year in 2017. It later received a direct sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, released in 2023.