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m (Ceiling Master moved page The Legend of Zelda: Whiff of the Butt to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild over a redirect without leaving a redirect: Vandalism.)
m ({{Cite Web}} Capitalization Clean Up)
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{{Infobox Game
 
{{Infobox Game
 
|name= ''The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild''
 
|name= ''The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild''
|image= [[File:BotW NA Logo White.png|320px]]<br/>[[File:BotW NA Switch Box Art.png|x320px]]
+
|image= [[File:BotW English Logo.png|320px]]<br/>[[File:BotW NA Switch Box Art.png|x320px]]
 
|caption= North American Switch version box art
 
|caption= North American Switch version box art
 
|developer= Nintendo
 
|developer= Nintendo
 
|publisher= Nintendo
 
|publisher= Nintendo
 
|designer= [[Hidemaro Fujibayashi]] (director)<br/>[[Eiji Aonuma]] (producer/group manager)
 
|designer= [[Hidemaro Fujibayashi]] (director)<br/>[[Eiji Aonuma]] (producer/group manager)
  +
|released=
|released= {{Release|na= March 3, 2017<ref name= "Release Date">{{Cite web|quote= |author= Nintendo|published= January 12, 2017|retrieved= January 12, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuC4YLLkqME|title= Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref>
 
  +
{{Release
 
|en= March 3, 2017<ref name="Presentation Trailer">{{Cite Web|quote= |author= Nintendo|published= January 12, 2017|retrieved= January 12, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuC4YLLkqME|title= Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref>
 
|jp= March 3, 2017
 
|jp= March 3, 2017
  +
|au= March 2, 2017<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= '''Release date'''<br/>02/03/2017|author= Nintendo|published= |retrieved= March 24, 2022|url= https://www.nintendo.com.au/games/nintendo-switch/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|site= Nintendo.co.uk|type= }}</ref>
|eu= March 3, 2017
 
  +
|be= March 3, 2017<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Date de publication: 03/03/2017|author= Nintendo|published= |retrieved= March 24, 2022|url= https://www.nintendo.be/fr/Jeux/Nintendo-Switch/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Breath-of-the-Wild-1173609.html|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|site= Nintendo.co.be|type= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Releasedatum: 03-03-2017|author= Nintendo|published= |retrieved= March 24, 2022|url= https://www.nintendo.be/nl/Jeux/Nintendo-Switch/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Breath-of-the-Wild-1173609.html|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|site= Nintendo.co.be|type= }}</ref>
|aus= March 3, 2017
 
  +
|hk= Feburary 1, 2018<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= 2018.2.1|author= Nintendo HK官方頻道|published= Janurary 23, 2018|retrieved= March 24, 2022|url= https://youtu.be/QMwiRhw9tIA?t=217|title= 『薩爾達傳說 曠野之息』介紹影片 (香港)|site= YouTube|type= video}}</ref>
|hk= March 3, 2017
 
|kr= February 1, 2018<ref name= "KOR Release Date">{{Cite web|quote= |author= Nintendo of Korea|published= December 26, 2017|retrieved= December 29, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKYjsB0ZJ7I|title= 젤다의 전설 브레스 오브 더 와일드 3RD TRAILER|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref>
+
|ko= February 1, 2018<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= Nintendo|published= December 26, 2017|retrieved= December 29, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKYjsB0ZJ7I|title= 젤다의 전설 브레스 오브 더 와일드 3RD TRAILER|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref>
  +
|uk= March 3, 2017<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Release date: 03/03/2017|author= Nintendo|published= |retrieved= March 24, 2022|url= https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Breath-of-the-Wild-1173609.html|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|site= Nintendo.co.uk|type= }}</ref>
|twsar= February 1, 2018
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
|ratings={{List
 
|ratings={{List
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|{{Game Rating|PEGI|12}}
 
|{{Game Rating|PEGI|12}}
 
|{{Game Rating|CERO|B}}
 
|{{Game Rating|CERO|B}}
|{{Game Rating|CB|M}}
+
|{{Game Rating|ACB|M}}
 
|{{Game Rating|USK|12}}
 
|{{Game Rating|USK|12}}
|{{Game Rating|GRB|12}}
+
|{{Game Rating|GRAC|12}}
 
|{{Game Rating|GCAM|7}}
 
|{{Game Rating|GCAM|7}}
 
}}
 
}}
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|zu= {{ZU Guide|https://zeldauniverse.net/guides/breath-of-the-wild/|{{BotW|-}}}}
 
|zu= {{ZU Guide|https://zeldauniverse.net/guides/breath-of-the-wild/|{{BotW|-}}}}
 
}}
 
}}
'''''The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild''''' is the nineteenth main installment of {{TLoZ|Series}}. It was released simultaneously worldwide for the [[Wii U]] and [[Nintendo Switch]] on March 3, 2017.<ref name= "Release Date"/>
+
'''''The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild''''' is the nineteenth main installment of {{TLoZ|Series}}. It was released simultaneously worldwide for the [[Wii U]] and [[Nintendo Switch]] on March 3, 2017.<ref name="Presentation Trailer"/>
   
 
==Story==
 
==Story==
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===Development===
 
===Development===
 
[[File:BotW Guardian Firing.png|thumb|200px|During E3 2014, a video introduced various gameplay elements of {{BotW|-}}]]
 
[[File:BotW Guardian Firing.png|thumb|200px|During E3 2014, a video introduced various gameplay elements of {{BotW|-}}]]
The [[Zelda HD Experience|''Zelda'' HD Experience]], a {{TLoZ|-}} tech demo of the [[Wii U]], was shown at {{E3|2011}}. In June 2011, [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] confirmed that [[Nintendo]] is planning on creating an HD {{TLoZ|-}} title.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= This is an HD system, our first HD system, and we want to create a real HD Zelda game for it. You will see a lot of these in-depth and deep experiences in terms of visual style. You will also see some play styles that are fun and interesting because of the play structure.|url= https://kotaku.com/how-the-wii-u-one-ups-television-5814227|title= How the Wii U One Ups Television|site= Kotaku}}</ref> Development of {{BotW|-}} started immediately after the development of {{SS}} ended.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= CaC |publisher= |page= 416}}</ref>
+
The [[Zelda HD Experience|''Zelda'' HD Experience]], a {{TLoZ|-}} tech demo of the [[Wii U]], was shown at {{E3|2011}}. In June 2011, [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] confirmed that [[Nintendo]] is planning on creating an HD {{TLoZ|-}} title.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= This is an HD system, our first HD system, and we want to create a real HD Zelda game for it. You will see a lot of these in-depth and deep experiences in terms of visual style. You will also see some play styles that are fun and interesting because of the play structure.|url= https://kotaku.com/how-the-wii-u-one-ups-television-5814227|title= How the Wii U One Ups Television|site= Kotaku}}</ref> Development of {{BotW|-}} started immediately after the development of {{SS}} ended.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= CaC |publisher= |page= 416}}</ref>
   
{{BotW|-}} was officially announced in a [[Wii U Direct]] presentation on January 23, 2013. [[Eiji Aonuma]] stated that the game intended to challenge what was expected of ''The Legend of Zelda'' franchise, such as having to complete dungeons in a specific order. The game was already expected to have a long development time, so Nintendo released {{TWWHD}} for the Wii U to decrease the gap between releases.<ref>{{Cite web|author= Nintendo|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIyU8-XTTLc |title= Wii U Direct Presentation - 23.01.2013|site= YouTube}}</ref> During {{E3|2014}}, the first video of the game was shown, revealing Link riding a horse, in addition to a {{Term|BotW|Guardian|link}} and {{Term|BotW|Hyrule Field|link}}. During the Game Awards 2014, Miyamoto and Aonuma showcased another gameplay video. It demonstrated the scale of Hyrule, which was designed with the open world concept of the original ''The Legend of Zelda'' in mind.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= One of the main things we wanted to do was go back to the open-world concept of the original 'Zelda' games and design with that in mind.|author= Derrik J. Lang|published= |retrieved= December 18, 2014|url= http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/miyamoto-amiibo-zelda-mario-movie-27699825|title= Miyamoto on 'Amiibo,' 'Zelda' and 'Mario' Movie|site= ABC News|type=}}</ref> It also showed the first use of the {{Term|BotW|Paraglider|link}}, map features, as well as additional riding and fighting mechanics. Features to be used on the [[Wii U]] gamepad were also shown during these videos, which were later removed during development, when the game was ported to [[Nintendo Switch]].
+
{{BotW|-}} was officially announced in a [[Wii U Direct]] presentation on January 23, 2013. [[Eiji Aonuma]] stated that the game intended to challenge what was expected of ''The Legend of Zelda'' franchise, such as having to complete dungeons in a specific order. The game was already expected to have a long development time, so Nintendo released {{TWWHD}} for the Wii U to decrease the gap between releases.<ref>{{Cite Web|author= Nintendo|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIyU8-XTTLc |title= Wii U Direct Presentation - 23.01.2013|site= YouTube}}</ref> During {{E3|2014}}, the first video of the game was shown, revealing Link riding a horse, in addition to a {{Term|BotW|Guardian|link}} and {{Term|BotW|Hyrule Field|link}}. During the Game Awards 2014, Miyamoto and Aonuma showcased another gameplay video. It demonstrated the scale of Hyrule, which was designed with the open world concept of the original ''The Legend of Zelda'' in mind.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= One of the main things we wanted to do was go back to the open-world concept of the original 'Zelda' games and design with that in mind.|author= Derrik J. Lang|published= |retrieved= December 18, 2014|url= http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/miyamoto-amiibo-zelda-mario-movie-27699825|title= Miyamoto on 'Amiibo,' 'Zelda' and 'Mario' Movie|site= ABC News|type=}}</ref> It also showed the first use of the {{Term|BotW|Paraglider|link}}, map features, as well as additional riding and fighting mechanics. Features to be used on the [[Wii U]] gamepad were also shown during these videos, which were later removed during development, when the game was ported to [[Nintendo Switch]].
   
 
[[File:BotW Happy New Year Artwork.png|thumb|200px|Leading up to the game's release, promotional images were released by Nintendo's various social media outlets]]
 
[[File:BotW Happy New Year Artwork.png|thumb|200px|Leading up to the game's release, promotional images were released by Nintendo's various social media outlets]]
The game's original release was intended for 2015, but as new ideas were implemented during development, the release date was pushed forward several times.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= So, I must apologize to you all that were expecting the game by year's end, but we are no longer making a 2015 release our number one priority.|author= Nintendo|published= March 27, 2015|retrieved= March 27, 2015|url= https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=866919960035802&permPage=1|title= Eiji Aonuma, producer of The Legend of Zelda, has a message to share.|site= Facebook|type=}}</ref> The final release window of the game was first revealed in financial documents released in March 2016, and later confirmed by Nintendo via Twitter.<ref>{{Cite web|author= Nintendo|published= April 27, 2016|retrieved= April 27, 2016|url= https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2016/160427_4e.pdf|title= Earnings Release for Fiscal Year Ended March 2016|site= Nintendo|type=}}</ref>
+
The game's original release was intended for 2015, but as new ideas were implemented during development, the release date was pushed forward several times.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= So, I must apologize to you all that were expecting the game by year's end, but we are no longer making a 2015 release our number one priority.|author= Nintendo|published= March 27, 2015|retrieved= March 27, 2015|url= https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=866919960035802&permPage=1|title= Eiji Aonuma, producer of The Legend of Zelda, has a message to share.|site= Facebook|type=}}</ref> The final release window of the game was first revealed in financial documents released in March 2016, and later confirmed by Nintendo via Twitter.<ref>{{Cite Web|author= Nintendo|published= April 27, 2016|retrieved= April 27, 2016|url= https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2016/160427_4e.pdf|title= Earnings Release for Fiscal Year Ended March 2016|site= Nintendo|type=}}</ref>
   
 
During {{E3|2016}}, the game's first playable demo was made available for visitors. It featured the {{Term|BotW|Great Plateau|link}} area and showed many new elements of the game, such as {{Term|BotW|Perfect Dodging|link}}, the creation of {{Term|BotW|Food|link}} by collecting {{Plural|BotW|Material|link}}, the use of enemy Weapons, the return of the [[Stamina Gauge]], new mini-Dungeons called Ancient Shrines and the {{Term|BotW|Sheikah Slate|link}}.
 
During {{E3|2016}}, the game's first playable demo was made available for visitors. It featured the {{Term|BotW|Great Plateau|link}} area and showed many new elements of the game, such as {{Term|BotW|Perfect Dodging|link}}, the creation of {{Term|BotW|Food|link}} by collecting {{Plural|BotW|Material|link}}, the use of enemy Weapons, the return of the [[Stamina Gauge]], new mini-Dungeons called Ancient Shrines and the {{Term|BotW|Sheikah Slate|link}}.
   
Nintendo revealed the final March release date of {{BotW|-}} during the [[Nintendo Switch]] presentation in January 2017.<ref name= "Release Date"/> Shortly afterwards, on February 9, 2017, the game was completed after more than five years of development.<ref name="BotW Gold">[https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-02-06-lets-take-a-look-inside-nintendos-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-wrap-party Eurogamer: "Let's Take a Look Inside Nintendo's ''Zelda: Breath of the Wild'' Wrap Party"]</ref>
+
Nintendo revealed the final March release date of {{BotW|-}} during the [[Nintendo Switch]] presentation in January 2017.<ref name="Presentation Trailer"/> Shortly afterwards, on February 9, 2017, the game was completed after more than five years of development.<ref name="BotW Gold">[https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-02-06-lets-take-a-look-inside-nintendos-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-wrap-party Eurogamer: "Let's Take a Look Inside Nintendo's ''Zelda: Breath of the Wild'' Wrap Party"]</ref>
   
 
A [[Sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|sequel]] to {{BotW|-}} was announced during the [[Nintendo Direct]] at [[E3 2019]].
 
A [[Sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|sequel]] to {{BotW|-}} was announced during the [[Nintendo Direct]] at [[E3 2019]].
   
 
===Release===
 
===Release===
{{BotW|-}} was released simultaneously worldwide for the [[Wii U]] and as a [[Nintendo Switch]] launch title on March 3, 2017.<ref name= "Release Date"/> The game was later released in Taiwan and South Korea on February 1, 2018, only for the Nintendo Switch.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= Nintendo of Korea|published= September 27, 2017|retrieved= October 5, 2017|url= https://www.nintendo.co.kr/PR/press_list.php?cPage1=1&cPage2=1&idx=275&press_div=P|title= 「젤다의 전설 브레스 오브 더 와일드」 한글판 2018년 초 정식 발매 결정!|site= Nintendo of Korea website|type=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= Nintendo Hong Kong|published= September 27, 2017|retrieved= October 5, 2017|url= https://www.nintendo.com.hk/pressrelease/switch_zelda_bow_20170927.html|title= 任天堂(香港)有限公司決定將於2018年初正式發售 『薩爾達傳說 曠野之息』中文版!|site= Nintendo Hong Kong website|type=}}</ref> The game is the last Nintendo-published title on the Wii U platform.
+
{{BotW|-}} was released simultaneously worldwide for the [[Wii U]] and as a [[Nintendo Switch]] launch title on March 3, 2017.<ref name="Presentation Trailer"/> The game was later released in Taiwan and South Korea on February 1, 2018, only for the Nintendo Switch.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= Nintendo of Korea|published= September 27, 2017|retrieved= October 5, 2017|url= https://www.nintendo.co.kr/PR/press_list.php?cPage1=1&cPage2=1&idx=275&press_div=P|title= 「젤다의 전설 브레스 오브 더 와일드」 한글판 2018년 초 정식 발매 결정!|site= Nintendo of Korea website|type=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= Nintendo Hong Kong|published= September 27, 2017|retrieved= October 5, 2017|url= https://www.nintendo.com.hk/pressrelease/switch_zelda_bow_20170927.html|title= 任天堂(香港)有限公司決定將於2018年初正式發售 『薩爾達傳說 曠野之息』中文版!|site= Nintendo Hong Kong website|type=}}</ref> The game is the last Nintendo-published title on the Wii U platform.
   
A version of {{BotW|-}} including the Expansion Pass will be released in Japan on October 8, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= Nintendo 公式チャンネル|published= September 23, 2021|retrieved= September 23, 2021|url= https://youtu.be/MegZz4gKSPk?t=549|title= Nintendo Direct 2021.9.24|site= YouTube|type= video}}</ref>
+
A version of {{BotW|-}} including the Expansion Pass will be released in Japan on October 8, 2021.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= Nintendo 公式チャンネル|published= September 23, 2021|retrieved= September 23, 2021|url= https://youtu.be/MegZz4gKSPk?t=549|title= Nintendo Direct 2021.9.24|site= YouTube|type= video}}</ref>
   
 
===Special Editions===
 
===Special Editions===
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*In Japan, the ''Collector's Edition'' included the game, the Link (Rider) amiibo, the soundtrack, the tapestry map, and an interchangeable alternate cover. The ''Deluxe Collector's Edition'' included the same content as well as the Master Sword statue and 20 postcards.
 
*In Japan, the ''Collector's Edition'' included the game, the Link (Rider) amiibo, the soundtrack, the tapestry map, and an interchangeable alternate cover. The ''Deluxe Collector's Edition'' included the same content as well as the Master Sword statue and 20 postcards.
   
On November 17, 2017 an Explorer's Edition of the game was released in Mexico and later on in North America and Japan on November 23. This edition featured the game, a 100-page [[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Explorer's Guide|explorer's guide]], and a two-sided map.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= The second is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Explorer’s Edition, a bundle that includes the critically acclaimed and award-winning Nintendo Switch game, a 100-page explorer’s guide and a two-sided map at a suggested retail price of $59.99.|author= Brian|published= November 1, 2017|retrieved= November 1, 2017|url= https://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-reveals-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-explorers-edition-zelda-2ds-bundle/|title= Nintendo reveals Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Explorer’s Edition, Zelda 2DS bundle|site= Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref> On September 28, 2018 a Starter Pack was released in North America also featuring the game and the explorer's guide.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= Coming Sep 28, 2018|author= |published= |retrieved= August 28, 2018|url= https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-starter-pack-switch|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: Starter Pack|site= Nintendo.com|type= }}</ref> No special edition for the Wii U version of the game was released.
+
On November 17, 2017 an Explorer's Edition of the game was released in Mexico and later on in North America and Japan on November 23. This edition featured the game, a 100-page [[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Explorer's Guide|explorer's guide]], and a two-sided map.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= The second is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Explorer’s Edition, a bundle that includes the critically acclaimed and award-winning Nintendo Switch game, a 100-page explorer’s guide and a two-sided map at a suggested retail price of $59.99.|author= Brian|published= November 1, 2017|retrieved= November 1, 2017|url= https://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-reveals-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-explorers-edition-zelda-2ds-bundle/|title= Nintendo reveals Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Explorer’s Edition, Zelda 2DS bundle|site= Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref> On September 28, 2018 a Starter Pack was released in North America also featuring the game and the explorer's guide.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Coming Sep 28, 2018|author= |published= |retrieved= August 28, 2018|url= https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-starter-pack-switch|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: Starter Pack|site= Nintendo.com|type= }}</ref> No special edition for the Wii U version of the game was released.
   
 
===Pre-Order Bonuses===
 
===Pre-Order Bonuses===
Several retailers offered bonus items for pre-ordering the game.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild marks its long-awaited release for Nintendo Switch and Wii U on 3rd March 2017! You can see the latest trailer for this epic open-air adventure below but if you've already decided to embark on Link's next journey then read on below to see what free bonus items you can get with your pre-order across UK retailers...|author= |published= January 31, 2017|retrieved= February 19, 2017|url= https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2017/January/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Breath-of-the-Wild-Pre-order-Item-Guide-1182524.html|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Pre-order Item Guide|site= Nintendo UK|type=}}</ref> These included a black t-shirt featuring the Sheikah Eye in the Nintendo Official UK Store, a Z icon keyring and a poster featuring [[:File:BotW Link Climbing Artwork.jpg|artwork]] from the game in GAME retailers, a wristband in Grainger Games, two double-sized art cards in Argos, and a pin badge in ShopTo. In GameStop retailers, a poster featuring the game's cover artwork was included.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= February 19, 2017|url= http://www.gamestop.com/games/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-nintendo-switch/141904|title= Pre-Order and Pick-up The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and receive an Exclusive Poster!|site= GameStop|type=}}</ref>
+
Several retailers offered bonus items for pre-ordering the game.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild marks its long-awaited release for Nintendo Switch and Wii U on 3rd March 2017! You can see the latest trailer for this epic open-air adventure below but if you've already decided to embark on Link's next journey then read on below to see what free bonus items you can get with your pre-order across UK retailers...|author= |published= January 31, 2017|retrieved= February 19, 2017|url= https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2017/January/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Breath-of-the-Wild-Pre-order-Item-Guide-1182524.html|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Pre-order Item Guide|site= Nintendo UK|type=}}</ref> These included a black t-shirt featuring the Sheikah Eye in the Nintendo Official UK Store, a Z icon keyring and a poster featuring [[:File:BotW Link Climbing Artwork.jpg|artwork]] from the game in GAME retailers, a wristband in Grainger Games, two double-sized art cards in Argos, and a pin badge in ShopTo. In GameStop retailers, a poster featuring the game's cover artwork was included.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= February 19, 2017|url= http://www.gamestop.com/games/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-nintendo-switch/141904|title= Pre-Order and Pick-up The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and receive an Exclusive Poster!|site= GameStop|type=}}</ref>
   
 
===Timeline Placement===
 
===Timeline Placement===
The plot of {{BotW|-}} directly refers to events that take place 10,000 years and 100 years prior to the game's setting. Before the game's release, Eiji Aonuma revealed that {{BotW|-}} takes place after {{OoT}}.<ref>{{Cite web|author= Game Informer|published= February 09, 2017|retrieved= February 11, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qApEgUxp58k|title= 51 Questions And Answers About The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild|site= YouTube}}</ref> In an interview following the game's release, Aonuma touched upon the idea that details of the history of Hyrule may have changed from previous games, similar to how real-world history books are often revised.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= Hyrule's history has changed with time, and even now there are some occasions of canon histories becoming slightly changed. Some detailed parts in the history books have been changed as well.|author= Brian|published= April 4, 2017|retrieved= |url= https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-devs-on-ganon-and-zelda-story-positioning-using-open-air-concept-in-the-future/|title= Zelda: Breath of the Wild devs on Ganon and Zelda, story positioning, using open air concept in the future|site= Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref> In an interview with the game's director, Hidemaro Fujibayashi, he stated that {{BotW|-}} takes place in the most recent age, long after the previous games.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= It takes place in an age long, long after any of the titles released to date. It is the most recent age.|name= Hidemaro Fujibayashi|url= https://gamerant.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-where-timeline/|title= Breath of the Wild Director Explains Where Game Fits in Zelda Timeline}}</ref> In an interview with Jeuxvideo, Eiji Aonuma clarified that though {{BotW|-}} does take place somewhere on the timeline, its exact placement has not been decided, as definitively placing it during development might limit their ability to further develop the story.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= Actually, those timeline-related questions are difficult because we’ve never designed any Zelda games by saying “hey, we’re going to put that game here, we need to have it fit into this period or that one, etc.” That’s not what comes first for us. But indeed, once the game is released and we’ve been able to develop our story, we can tell each other “oh yes, we can make it fit here”, but that’s not important to us. Especially since there could be contradictions in every new game if we tried to follow the timeline. If we can put a game in the timeline, that’s great, but as for Breath of the Wild, we haven’t really decided where it belongs for now. |name= Eiji Aonuma |url= https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-devs-on-why-heros-path-mode-was-added-as-dlc-timeline-more/ |title= Zelda: Breath of the Wild devs on why Hero’s Path Mode was added as DLC, timeline, more }}</ref> In a Famitsu magazine interview with Eiji Aonuma for ''The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD'', Aonuma noted that {{TPHD|-}} was the origin point for {{BotW|-}} and that while playing {{BotW|-}} players may have realizations about elements from {{TPHD|-}}.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= While making the latest title for The Legend of Zelda, when I look at this remake, I feel like this is the origin point of the new title we’re making right now. After playing this game you may have some “Oh I see!” moments when playing the [upcoming] new game, so I’ll be glad if you play Twilight Princess HD while waiting in anticipation for the latest title of Legend of Zelda.|name=Eiji Aonuma |url=https://www.zeldadungeon.net/aonuma-zelda-u-will-make-people-want-to-replay-twilight-princess-hd-titles/ |title=Aonuma: Zelda U will make people want to replay Twilight Princess HD}}</ref>
+
The plot of {{BotW|-}} directly refers to events that take place 10,000 years and 100 years prior to the game's setting. Before the game's release, Eiji Aonuma revealed that {{BotW|-}} takes place after {{OoT}}.<ref>{{Cite Web|author= Game Informer|published= February 09, 2017|retrieved= February 11, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qApEgUxp58k|title= 51 Questions And Answers About The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild|site= YouTube}}</ref> In an interview following the game's release, Aonuma touched upon the idea that details of the history of Hyrule may have changed from previous games, similar to how real-world history books are often revised.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Hyrule's history has changed with time, and even now there are some occasions of canon histories becoming slightly changed. Some detailed parts in the history books have been changed as well.|author= Brian|published= April 4, 2017|retrieved= |url= https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-devs-on-ganon-and-zelda-story-positioning-using-open-air-concept-in-the-future/|title= Zelda: Breath of the Wild devs on Ganon and Zelda, story positioning, using open air concept in the future|site= Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref> In an interview with the game's director, Hidemaro Fujibayashi, he stated that {{BotW|-}} takes place in the most recent age, long after the previous games.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= It takes place in an age long, long after any of the titles released to date. It is the most recent age.|name= Hidemaro Fujibayashi|url= https://gamerant.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-where-timeline/|title= Breath of the Wild Director Explains Where Game Fits in Zelda Timeline}}</ref> In an interview with Jeuxvideo, Eiji Aonuma clarified that though {{BotW|-}} does take place somewhere on the timeline, its exact placement has not been decided, as definitively placing it during development might limit their ability to further develop the story.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= Actually, those timeline-related questions are difficult because we’ve never designed any Zelda games by saying “hey, we’re going to put that game here, we need to have it fit into this period or that one, etc.” That’s not what comes first for us. But indeed, once the game is released and we’ve been able to develop our story, we can tell each other “oh yes, we can make it fit here”, but that’s not important to us. Especially since there could be contradictions in every new game if we tried to follow the timeline. If we can put a game in the timeline, that’s great, but as for Breath of the Wild, we haven’t really decided where it belongs for now. |name= Eiji Aonuma |url= https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-devs-on-why-heros-path-mode-was-added-as-dlc-timeline-more/ |title= Zelda: Breath of the Wild devs on why Hero’s Path Mode was added as DLC, timeline, more }}</ref> In a Famitsu magazine interview with Eiji Aonuma for ''The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD'', Aonuma noted that {{TPHD|-}} was the origin point for {{BotW|-}} and that while playing {{BotW|-}} players may have realizations about elements from {{TPHD|-}}.<ref>{{Cite person|quote= While making the latest title for The Legend of Zelda, when I look at this remake, I feel like this is the origin point of the new title we’re making right now. After playing this game you may have some “Oh I see!” moments when playing the [upcoming] new game, so I’ll be glad if you play Twilight Princess HD while waiting in anticipation for the latest title of Legend of Zelda.|name=Eiji Aonuma |url=https://www.zeldadungeon.net/aonuma-zelda-u-will-make-people-want-to-replay-twilight-princess-hd-titles/ |title=Aonuma: Zelda U will make people want to replay Twilight Princess HD}}</ref>
   
 
Many references and connections to previous games in the series can be found throughout {{BotW|-}}. These include the presence of the Rito who evolved from the Zora in the Adult timeline, the history of the Zora, which tells the tale about the [[Sage]] [[Ruto]] who aided the hero in his fight against Ganon.<ref>{{Cite|Long, long ago... In a past more distant than even the Great Calamity or the creation of the Divine Beast Vah Ruta... There was a Zora princess named Ruto. [...] Around that same time, an evil man with designs on ruling the world appeared, bringing disaster upon Zora's Domain. It is said that Ruto then awoke as a sage, facing this foe alongside the princess of Hyrule and the hero of legend.|History of the Zora, Part Five—The Sage Princess Ruto|BotW}}</ref> The "[[Subdued Ceremony]]" [[Recovered Memory]] shows a speech by Zelda which contains references to {{SS}}, {{OoT}}, and {{TP}},<ref>{{Cite|Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight...The sacred blade is forever bound to the soul of the Hero.|Zelda|BotW}}</ref> as well as to {{ALttP}} and {{TWW}} in Japanese and German.<ref>{{Cite|{{Exp|Ob der Held die Meere überquert oder eine Verbindung mit der Vergangenheit eingeht, du mögest stets an seiner Seite sein.|Whether the hero crosses the sea, or creates a link to the past, may you always be at his side.}}|Zelda|BotW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|{{Exp|海を越え 神の作れし黄金の を求めん時. そなたの姿は常に勇者と共にあり.|You cross the seas when you seek the gold made by the gods. May you be alongside the hero.}}|Zelda|BotW}}</ref> Many locations are also named after characters and landmarks, such as [[Arbiter's Grounds]], the [[Temple of Time]], and [[Darunia Lake]].
 
Many references and connections to previous games in the series can be found throughout {{BotW|-}}. These include the presence of the Rito who evolved from the Zora in the Adult timeline, the history of the Zora, which tells the tale about the [[Sage]] [[Ruto]] who aided the hero in his fight against Ganon.<ref>{{Cite|Long, long ago... In a past more distant than even the Great Calamity or the creation of the Divine Beast Vah Ruta... There was a Zora princess named Ruto. [...] Around that same time, an evil man with designs on ruling the world appeared, bringing disaster upon Zora's Domain. It is said that Ruto then awoke as a sage, facing this foe alongside the princess of Hyrule and the hero of legend.|History of the Zora, Part Five—The Sage Princess Ruto|BotW}}</ref> The "[[Subdued Ceremony]]" [[Recovered Memory]] shows a speech by Zelda which contains references to {{SS}}, {{OoT}}, and {{TP}},<ref>{{Cite|Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight...The sacred blade is forever bound to the soul of the Hero.|Zelda|BotW}}</ref> as well as to {{ALttP}} and {{TWW}} in Japanese and German.<ref>{{Cite|{{Exp|Ob der Held die Meere überquert oder eine Verbindung mit der Vergangenheit eingeht, du mögest stets an seiner Seite sein.|Whether the hero crosses the sea, or creates a link to the past, may you always be at his side.}}|Zelda|BotW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|{{Exp|海を越え 神の作れし黄金の を求めん時. そなたの姿は常に勇者と共にあり.|You cross the seas when you seek the gold made by the gods. May you be alongside the hero.}}|Zelda|BotW}}</ref> Many locations are also named after characters and landmarks, such as [[Arbiter's Grounds]], the [[Temple of Time]], and [[Darunia Lake]].
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Several free patches have been released for both the Wii U and Switch versions of {{BotW|-}}. These updates expand content and patch certain bugs. Unlike the DLC packs, these are downloaded free and automatically upon release.
 
Several free patches have been released for both the Wii U and Switch versions of {{BotW|-}}. These updates expand content and patch certain bugs. Unlike the DLC packs, these are downloaded free and automatically upon release.
   
An initial download intended for the retail Wii U version of the game containing extra game data is required to be installed in order to run the game. The update requires 3 GB worth of space to be installed.<ref>{{Cite web|quote=The page now includes an additional note specifically about the game on Wii U. For those who plan on playing the physical version, some game data will need to be installed. More than 3 GB of space is needed in the console’s storage or USB storage device. It seems that USB memory devices (memory stick) can’t be used.|author=Brian|published=January 16, 2017|retrieved=February 19, 2017|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wilds-wii-u-retail-version-comes-with-a-3-gb-install/|title=Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Wii U retail version comes with a 3 GB install|site=Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref>
+
An initial download intended for the retail Wii U version of the game containing extra game data is required to be installed in order to run the game. The update requires 3 GB worth of space to be installed.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote=The page now includes an additional note specifically about the game on Wii U. For those who plan on playing the physical version, some game data will need to be installed. More than 3 GB of space is needed in the console’s storage or USB storage device. It seems that USB memory devices (memory stick) can’t be used.|author=Brian|published=January 16, 2017|retrieved=February 19, 2017|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wilds-wii-u-retail-version-comes-with-a-3-gb-install/|title=Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Wii U retail version comes with a 3 GB install|site=Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref>
   
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width: 100%; max-width:60em"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width: 100%; max-width:60em"
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|-
 
|-
 
| Version 1.1.0
 
| Version 1.1.0
| March 2, 2017<ref>{{Cite web|quote=The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has received its first update ahead of tomorrow’s official launch. Version 1.1.0 is out now. After applying the update, you should see that a “Downloadable Content” section has been brought in to the main menu. It’s unclear if anything else has been added or changed.|author=Brian |published=March 2, 2017|retrieved=June 13, 2017|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-update-available-version-1-1-0/|title=Zelda: Breath of the Wild update available (version 1.1.0)|site=Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref>
+
| March 2, 2017<ref>{{Cite Web|quote=The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has received its first update ahead of tomorrow’s official launch. Version 1.1.0 is out now. After applying the update, you should see that a “Downloadable Content” section has been brought in to the main menu. It’s unclear if anything else has been added or changed.|author=Brian |published=March 2, 2017|retrieved=June 13, 2017|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-update-available-version-1-1-0/|title=Zelda: Breath of the Wild update available (version 1.1.0)|site=Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref>
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
*Adds Downloadable Content and eShop access to the title screen.
 
*Adds Downloadable Content and eShop access to the title screen.
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Version 1.1.1
 
| Version 1.1.1
| March 30, 2017<ref>{{Cite web|quote=The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild players now have access to a new patch. Previously, the game was at version 1.1.0. After applying the update, it will be at 1.1.1. |author=Brian|published=March 30, 2017|retrieved=June 13, 2017|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-update-out-now-version-1-1-1/|title=Zelda: Breath of the Wild update out now (version 1.1.1)|site=Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref>
+
| March 30, 2017<ref>{{Cite Web|quote=The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild players now have access to a new patch. Previously, the game was at version 1.1.0. After applying the update, it will be at 1.1.1. |author=Brian|published=March 30, 2017|retrieved=June 13, 2017|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-update-out-now-version-1-1-1/|title=Zelda: Breath of the Wild update out now (version 1.1.1)|site=Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref>
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
*Bug fixes.
 
*Bug fixes.
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Version 1.1.2
 
| Version 1.1.2
| April 11, 2017<ref>{{Cite web|quote=Following the new update released at the end of March, another new patch has just been distributed for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Players can download version 1.1.2 right now.|author=Brian|published=April 11, 2017 |retrieved=June 13, 2017|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-update-out-now-version-1-1-2/|title=Zelda: Breath of the Wild update out now (version 1.1.2)|site=Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref>
+
| April 11, 2017<ref>{{Cite Web|quote=Following the new update released at the end of March, another new patch has just been distributed for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Players can download version 1.1.2 right now.|author=Brian|published=April 11, 2017 |retrieved=June 13, 2017|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-update-out-now-version-1-1-2/|title=Zelda: Breath of the Wild update out now (version 1.1.2)|site=Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref>
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
*Bug fixes.
 
*Bug fixes.
**Adjustments to [[Master Kohga]]'s AI.<ref name="Version 1.1.2">{{Cite web|author=Brian |published=April 12, 2017|retrieved=June 13, 2017|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wilds-1-1-2-update-appears-to-fix-a-glitch-with-a-boss/|title=Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s 1.1.2 update appears to fix a glitches with a boss, infinite arrows|site=Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref>
+
**Adjustments to [[Master Kohga]]'s AI.<ref name="Version 1.1.2">{{Cite Web|author=Brian |published=April 12, 2017|retrieved=June 13, 2017|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wilds-1-1-2-update-appears-to-fix-a-glitch-with-a-boss/|title=Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s 1.1.2 update appears to fix a glitches with a boss, infinite arrows|site=Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref>
 
**"Infinite Arrow Glitch" fixed.<ref name="Version 1.1.2"/>
 
**"Infinite Arrow Glitch" fixed.<ref name="Version 1.1.2"/>
 
**Bug with [[Wolf Link]] fixed.<ref name="Version 1.1.2"/>
 
**Bug with [[Wolf Link]] fixed.<ref name="Version 1.1.2"/>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Version 1.2.0
 
| Version 1.2.0
| May 1, 2017<ref name="Version 1.2.0">{{Cite web|quote=The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has received a new update. Version 1.2.0 is out now on both Switch and Wii U. As detailed in today’s announcement covering Breath of the Wild’s first DLC pack, players can experience the game in one of nine audio languages: Japanese, English, French (France), French (Canada), German, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Latin America), Italian, and Russian, with a different language used for on-screen text. Note that on Wii U, you’ll need to download the Voice Pack from the eShop.|author=Brian|published=May 1, 2017|retrieved=June 13, 2017|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-update-out-now-version-1-2-0/|title=Zelda: Breath of the Wild update out now (version 1.2.0)|site=Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref>
+
| May 1, 2017<ref name="Version 1.2.0">{{Cite Web|quote=The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has received a new update. Version 1.2.0 is out now on both Switch and Wii U. As detailed in today’s announcement covering Breath of the Wild’s first DLC pack, players can experience the game in one of nine audio languages: Japanese, English, French (France), French (Canada), German, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Latin America), Italian, and Russian, with a different language used for on-screen text. Note that on Wii U, you’ll need to download the Voice Pack from the eShop.|author=Brian|published=May 1, 2017|retrieved=June 13, 2017|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-update-out-now-version-1-2-0/|title=Zelda: Breath of the Wild update out now (version 1.2.0)|site=Nintendo Everything|type=}}</ref>
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
*Allows voice language to be changed in the title screen's Options menu between nine languages.<ref name="Version 1.2.0"/>
 
*Allows voice language to be changed in the title screen's Options menu between nine languages.<ref name="Version 1.2.0"/>
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|-
 
|-
 
| Version 1.3.0
 
| Version 1.3.0
| June 29, 2017<ref name= "Version 1.3.0">{{Cite web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= August 7, 2017|url= https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25568|title= How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)|site= Nintendo.com|type=}}</ref>
+
| June 29, 2017<ref name= "Version 1.3.0">{{Cite Web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= August 7, 2017|url= https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25568|title= How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)|site= Nintendo.com|type=}}</ref>
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
*Adds The Master Trials DLC Pack.<ref name= "Version 1.3.0"/>
 
*Adds The Master Trials DLC Pack.<ref name= "Version 1.3.0"/>
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|-
 
|-
 
| Version 1.3.1
 
| Version 1.3.1
| August 7, 2017<ref name= "Version 1.3.1">{{Cite web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= August 7, 2017|url= https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25568|title= How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)|site= Nintendo.com|type=}}</ref>
+
| August 7, 2017<ref name= "Version 1.3.1">{{Cite Web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= August 7, 2017|url= https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25568|title= How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)|site= Nintendo.com|type=}}</ref>
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
*Adds the "Tips from the Wild" news channel to the Nintendo Switch version of the game. Set to be opened on August 9, 2017.<ref name= "Version 1.3.1"/>
 
*Adds the "Tips from the Wild" news channel to the Nintendo Switch version of the game. Set to be opened on August 9, 2017.<ref name= "Version 1.3.1"/>
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|-
 
|-
 
| Version 1.3.3
 
| Version 1.3.3
| November 9, 2017<ref name= "Version 1.3.3">{{Cite web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= November 9, 2017|url= https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25568|title= How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)|site= Nintendo.com|type=}}</ref>
+
| November 9, 2017<ref name= "Version 1.3.3">{{Cite Web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= November 9, 2017|url= https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25568|title= How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)|site= Nintendo.com|type=}}</ref>
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
*Adds compatibility with the four Champion amiibo.<ref name= "Version 1.3.3"/>
 
*Adds compatibility with the four Champion amiibo.<ref name= "Version 1.3.3"/>
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|-
 
|-
 
| Version 1.3.4
 
| Version 1.3.4
| November 21, 2017<ref name= "Version 1.4.0">{{Cite web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= December 14, 2017|url= https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25568|title= How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)|site= Nintendo.com|type=}}</ref>
+
| November 21, 2017<ref name= "Version 1.4.0">{{Cite Web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= December 14, 2017|url= https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25568|title= How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)|site= Nintendo.com|type=}}</ref>
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
*Bug fixes.<ref name= "Version 1.4.0"/>
 
*Bug fixes.<ref name= "Version 1.4.0"/>
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|-
 
|-
 
| Version 1.5.0
 
| Version 1.5.0
| January 31, 2018<ref name= "Version 1.5.0">{{Cite web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= February 1, 2018|url= https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25568|title= How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)|site= Nintendo.com|type=}}</ref>
+
| January 31, 2018<ref name= "Version 1.5.0">{{Cite Web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= February 1, 2018|url= https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25568|title= How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)|site= Nintendo.com|type=}}</ref>
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
*Adds support for Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), and Korean text to the Nintendo Switch version of the game.<ref name= "Version 1.5.0"/>
 
*Adds support for Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), and Korean text to the Nintendo Switch version of the game.<ref name= "Version 1.5.0"/>
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|-
 
|-
 
| Version 1.6.0
 
| Version 1.6.0
| April 25, 2019<ref name= "Version 1.6.0">{{Cite web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= April 27, 2019|url= https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25568|title= How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)|site= Nintendo.com|type=}}</ref>
+
| April 25, 2019<ref name= "Version 1.6.0">{{Cite Web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= April 27, 2019|url= https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25568|title= How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch)|site= Nintendo.com|type=}}</ref>
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
*Adds support for the VR Goggles from Nintendo Labo Toy-Con.<ref name= "Version 1.6.0"/>
 
*Adds support for the VR Goggles from Nintendo Labo Toy-Con.<ref name= "Version 1.6.0"/>
*Reduces loading times.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= GameXplain|published= April 27, 2019|retrieved= April 27, 2019|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6SjeUa993Y|title= Zelda BotW's 1.6.0 Update Makes Load Times Way Faster! Time Difference Compared!|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref>
+
*Reduces loading times.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= GameXplain|published= April 27, 2019|retrieved= April 27, 2019|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6SjeUa993Y|title= Zelda BotW's 1.6.0 Update Makes Load Times Way Faster! Time Difference Compared!|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref>
 
|}
 
|}
   
 
===Expansion Packs===
 
===Expansion Packs===
 
[[File:BotW Expansion Pass NA Logo.png|right|140px]]
 
[[File:BotW Expansion Pass NA Logo.png|right|140px]]
An ''Expansion Pass'', offering paid downloadable content for {{BotW|-}}, was made available upon launch for both the [[Wii U]] and [[Nintendo Switch]] versions. The ''Expansion Pass'' includes two content packs which are not available to purchase individually, as well as additional chests with an exclusive item as a bonus for purchasing the pass. The regular price for the entire DLC is $19.99 USD (¥2500, $28.19 CDN, €19.99, £17.99, $30.00 AUD, $33.00 NZD).<ref>{{Cite web|quote= Starting when The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launches on March 3, players will be able to purchase an Expansion Pass for $19.99, granting access to two new sets of downloadable content for the game when they become available later this year.|author= Nintendo|published= February 14, 2017|retrieved=February 14, 2017|url= https://zelda.com/breath-of-the-wild/news/special-announcement-from-eiji-aonuma/|title= A Special Announcement from Eiji Aonuma|site= The Legend of Zelda official site|type=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|quote= The Expansion Pass will be available for both the Nintendo Switch and Wii U versions of the game and are identical. Content packs cannot be purchased individually.|author= Nintendo|published= February 14, 2017|retrieved=February 14, 2017|url= https://zelda.com/breath-of-the-wild/news/special-announcement-from-eiji-aonuma/|title= A Special Announcement from Eiji Aonuma|site= The Legend of Zelda official site|type=}}</ref>
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An ''Expansion Pass'', offering paid downloadable content for {{BotW|-}}, was made available upon launch for both the [[Wii U]] and [[Nintendo Switch]] versions. The ''Expansion Pass'' includes two content packs which are not available to purchase individually, as well as additional chests with an exclusive item as a bonus for purchasing the pass. The regular price for the entire DLC is $19.99 USD (¥2500, $28.19 CDN, €19.99, £17.99, $30.00 AUD, $33.00 NZD).<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Starting when The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launches on March 3, players will be able to purchase an Expansion Pass for $19.99, granting access to two new sets of downloadable content for the game when they become available later this year.|author= Nintendo|published= February 14, 2017|retrieved=February 14, 2017|url= https://zelda.com/breath-of-the-wild/news/special-announcement-from-eiji-aonuma/|title= A Special Announcement from Eiji Aonuma|site= The Legend of Zelda official site|type=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Web|quote= The Expansion Pass will be available for both the Nintendo Switch and Wii U versions of the game and are identical. Content packs cannot be purchased individually.|author= Nintendo|published= February 14, 2017|retrieved=February 14, 2017|url= https://zelda.com/breath-of-the-wild/news/special-announcement-from-eiji-aonuma/|title= A Special Announcement from Eiji Aonuma|site= The Legend of Zelda official site|type=}}</ref>
   
 
The ''Expansion Pass'' content is divided as follows:
 
The ''Expansion Pass'' content is divided as follows:
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| '''Expansion Pass Bonus'''
 
| '''Expansion Pass Bonus'''
 
| March 3, 2017
 
| March 3, 2017
|style="text-align:left"| Three Treasure Chests on the [[Great Plateau]] containing [[Bomb Arrow]]s, a [[Ruby]], and an exclusive [[Armor|shirt]] with the Nintendo Switch logo.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= Immediately upon pre-purchase or purchase of the Expansion Pass, three new treasure chests will appear in the game's Great Plateau area. One of these treasure chests will contain a shirt with a Nintendo Switch logo that Link can wear during his adventure, exclusive to the Expansion Pass. The other two will deliver useful items.|author= Nintendo|published= February 14, 2017|retrieved=February 14, 2017|url= https://zelda.com/breath-of-the-wild/news/special-announcement-from-eiji-aonuma/|title= A Special Announcement from Eiji Aonuma|site= The Legend of Zelda official site|type=}}</ref>
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|style="text-align:left"| Three Treasure Chests on the [[Great Plateau]] containing [[Bomb Arrow]]s, a [[Ruby]], and an exclusive [[Armor|shirt]] with the Nintendo Switch logo.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Immediately upon pre-purchase or purchase of the Expansion Pass, three new treasure chests will appear in the game's Great Plateau area. One of these treasure chests will contain a shirt with a Nintendo Switch logo that Link can wear during his adventure, exclusive to the Expansion Pass. The other two will deliver useful items.|author= Nintendo|published= February 14, 2017|retrieved=February 14, 2017|url= https://zelda.com/breath-of-the-wild/news/special-announcement-from-eiji-aonuma/|title= A Special Announcement from Eiji Aonuma|site= The Legend of Zelda official site|type=}}</ref>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''''[[The Master Trials]]''<br/>~ DLC Pack 1 ~'''<br/><br/>[[File:BotW The Master Trials Promo Artwork.png|200px]]
 
| '''''[[The Master Trials]]''<br/>~ DLC Pack 1 ~'''<br/><br/>[[File:BotW The Master Trials Promo Artwork.png|200px]]
| June 30, 2017<ref>{{Cite web|quote=The Master Trials, DLC Pack 1 for The Legend of #Zelda: Breath of the Wild arrives June 30!|author=Nintendo of America|published=June 13, 2017|retrieved=June 13, 2017|url=https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/874662151419420672|title= |site=Twitter|type=}}</ref>
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| June 30, 2017<ref>{{Cite Web|quote=The Master Trials, DLC Pack 1 for The Legend of #Zelda: Breath of the Wild arrives June 30!|author=Nintendo of America|published=June 13, 2017|retrieved=June 13, 2017|url=https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/874662151419420672|title= |site=Twitter|type=}}</ref>
 
| style="text-align:left"|
 
| style="text-align:left"|
 
* [[Trial of the Sword]] — a multi-level gauntlet against many enemies
 
* [[Trial of the Sword]] — a multi-level gauntlet against many enemies
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|-
 
|-
 
| '''''[[The Champions' Ballad]]''<br/>~ DLC Pack 2 ~'''<br/><br/>[[File:BotW The Champions' Ballad Promo Artwork.jpg|200px]]
 
| '''''[[The Champions' Ballad]]''<br/>~ DLC Pack 2 ~'''<br/><br/>[[File:BotW The Champions' Ballad Promo Artwork.jpg|200px]]
| December 7, 2017<ref>{{Cite web|quote= The second content pack will launch in Holiday 2017, and adds new challenges that will let players enjoy a new dungeon and a new original story.|author= Nintendo|published= February 14, 2017|retrieved=February 14, 2017|url= https://zelda.com/breath-of-the-wild/news/special-announcement-from-eiji-aonuma/|title= A Special Announcement from Eiji Aonuma|site= The Legend of Zelda official site|type=}}</ref>
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| December 7, 2017<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= The second content pack will launch in Holiday 2017, and adds new challenges that will let players enjoy a new dungeon and a new original story.|author= Nintendo|published= February 14, 2017|retrieved=February 14, 2017|url= https://zelda.com/breath-of-the-wild/news/special-announcement-from-eiji-aonuma/|title= A Special Announcement from Eiji Aonuma|site= The Legend of Zelda official site|type=}}</ref>
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
|style="text-align:left"|
 
* A new [[EX The Champions' Ballad|main quest]] giving additional backstory to the [[Champion]]s, plus upgrades to their abilities upon completion
 
* A new [[EX The Champions' Ballad|main quest]] giving additional backstory to the [[Champion]]s, plus upgrades to their abilities upon completion
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===Sales===
 
===Sales===
 
[[File:BotW TGA 2017 GotY Award.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Eiji Aonuma and Hidemaro Fujibayashi accepting the "Game of the Year" award for {{BotW|-}} at The Game Awards 2017]]
 
[[File:BotW TGA 2017 GotY Award.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Eiji Aonuma and Hidemaro Fujibayashi accepting the "Game of the Year" award for {{BotW|-}} at The Game Awards 2017]]
{{BotW|-}} was estimated to have sold approximately 1.3 million copies in its first three weeks and around 89% of Switch owners were estimated to have also purchased the game.<ref>[https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/22/15010540/video-game-exclusives-ps4-xbox-one-switch-zelda-horizon-scorpio-first-party The Verge: Video-Game Exclusives Still Matter]</ref> Sales of the game have remained strong and as of December 31, 2021, the Switch version has sold 25.8 million copies worldwide while the Wii U version has sold 1.08 million copies worldwide as of March 31, 2017,<ref>{{Cite web|quote= 25.80 million pcs.|author= Nintendo|published= February 3, 2022|retrieved= February 11, 2022|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220204034949/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html|title= Top Selling Title Sales Units|site= Nintendo IR Information|type= Archive}}</ref><ref name="Wii U Sales">{{Cite web|quote= For Wii U, while ''The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild'' was released worldwide in March and reached sales of 1.08 million units, the Wii U software sales volume during this period was 14.8 million units (46% decrease on a year-on-year basis) and hardware sales were in alignment with our expectations at the start of the fiscal year, decreasing to a sales volume of 0.76 million units (77% decrease on a year-on-year basis).|author= Nintendo|published= July 14,2017|retrieved= December 11,2017|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180224185843/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2017/annual1703e.pdf|title= Annual Report 2017 {{Small|for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017}}|site= Nintendo IR Information|type= Archive}}</ref> giving {{BotW|-}} a cumulative total of 26.88 million copies sold.
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{{BotW|-}} was estimated to have sold approximately 1.3 million copies in its first three weeks and around 89% of Switch owners were estimated to have also purchased the game.<ref>[https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/22/15010540/video-game-exclusives-ps4-xbox-one-switch-zelda-horizon-scorpio-first-party The Verge: Video-Game Exclusives Still Matter]</ref> Sales of the game have remained strong and as of December 31, 2021, the Switch version has sold 25.8 million copies worldwide while the Wii U version has sold 1.08 million copies worldwide as of March 31, 2017,<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= 25.80 million pcs.|author= Nintendo|published= February 3, 2022|retrieved= February 11, 2022|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220204034949/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html|title= Top Selling Title Sales Units|site= Nintendo IR Information|type= Archive}}</ref><ref name="Wii U Sales">{{Cite Web|quote= For Wii U, while ''The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild'' was released worldwide in March and reached sales of 1.08 million units, the Wii U software sales volume during this period was 14.8 million units (46% decrease on a year-on-year basis) and hardware sales were in alignment with our expectations at the start of the fiscal year, decreasing to a sales volume of 0.76 million units (77% decrease on a year-on-year basis).|author= Nintendo|published= July 14,2017|retrieved= December 11,2017|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180224185843/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2017/annual1703e.pdf|title= Annual Report 2017 {{Small|for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017}}|site= Nintendo IR Information|type= Archive}}</ref> giving {{BotW|-}} a cumulative total of 26.88 million copies sold.
   
By March 31, 2018, just thirteen months after its launch, {{BotW|-}}, with a cumulative total of 9.56 million copies sold,<ref>{{Cite web|quote= 8.48 million pcs.|author= Nintendo|published= April 26, 2018|retrieved= April 26, 2018|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180426193642/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html|title= Top Selling Software Sales Units|site= Nintendo IR Information|type= Archive}}</ref><ref name="Wii U Sales"/> had become the best-selling game in {{TLoZ|-}} series, excluding remakes, surpassing {{TP|-}}{{'}}s cumulative total of 8.58 million copies sold as of September 30, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= {{Romanize|『ゼルダの伝説』シリーズ最多の、世界累計販売本数885万本(※)を誇る『ゼルダの伝説 トワイライトプリンセス』が、フルHDとなってWii Uで甦ります。<br/><br/>※2015年9月30日時点のWii版とゲームキューブ版の合算値。自社調べ。|“Zeruda no Densetsu” shirīzu saita no, sekai ruikei hanbai hon sū 885 man-pon ( ※ ) o hokoru “Zeruda no Densetsu Towairaito Purinsesu” ga, furueichidī to natte Wii U de yomigaerimasu. ※ 2015-Nen 9 tsuki 30-nichi jiten no Wii-ban to GēmuKyūbu-ban no gassan-chi. Jisha shirabe.||3}} |author= Nintendo |published= n.d. |retrieved= September 2, 2017 |url= https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000019307 |title= ゼルダの伝説 トワイライトプリンセス HD {{!}} Wii U {{!}} 任天堂 |site= Nintendo.co.jp |type=}}</ref>
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By March 31, 2018, just thirteen months after its launch, {{BotW|-}}, with a cumulative total of 9.56 million copies sold,<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= 8.48 million pcs.|author= Nintendo|published= April 26, 2018|retrieved= April 26, 2018|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180426193642/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html|title= Top Selling Software Sales Units|site= Nintendo IR Information|type= Archive}}</ref><ref name="Wii U Sales"/> had become the best-selling game in {{TLoZ|-}} series, excluding remakes, surpassing {{TP|-}}{{'}}s cumulative total of 8.58 million copies sold as of September 30, 2015.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= {{Romanize|『ゼルダの伝説』シリーズ最多の、世界累計販売本数885万本(※)を誇る『ゼルダの伝説 トワイライトプリンセス』が、フルHDとなってWii Uで甦ります。<br/><br/>※2015年9月30日時点のWii版とゲームキューブ版の合算値。自社調べ。|“Zeruda no Densetsu” shirīzu saita no, sekai ruikei hanbai hon sū 885 man-pon ( ※ ) o hokoru “Zeruda no Densetsu Towairaito Purinsesu” ga, furueichidī to natte Wii U de yomigaerimasu. ※ 2015-Nen 9 tsuki 30-nichi jiten no Wii-ban to GēmuKyūbu-ban no gassan-chi. Jisha shirabe.||3}} |author= Nintendo |published= n.d. |retrieved= September 2, 2017 |url= https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/20010000019307 |title= ゼルダの伝説 トワイライトプリンセス HD {{!}} Wii U {{!}} 任天堂 |site= Nintendo.co.jp |type=}}</ref>
   
 
===Reviews===
 
===Reviews===
Upon release, {{BotW|-}} was met with critical acclaim by many game reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= Nintendo|published= April 14, 2017|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJnnn0BBj_c|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch Accolades Trailer|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref> It also earned a Metacritic score of 97 from more than 100 critics, placing it among the highest-rated games of all time.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild|title= THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD|site= Metacritic|type=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/all/all/filtered?sort=desc|title= Best Video Games of All Time|site= Metacritic|type=}}</ref> Notably, the game received the most perfect review scores for any game listed on Metacritic up to that point.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= Redditor koolcandy noticed this development, with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's 43 perfect review scores overtaking previous record holders Super Mario Galaxy 2 and The Last of Us, each of which has 42 perfect scores.|author= Brenna Hillier|published= March 8, 2017|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.vg247.com/2017/03/08/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-has-the-most-perfect-review-scores-in-metacritics-history/|title= Zelda: Breath of the Wild has the most perfect review scores in Metacritic's history|site= VG247|type=}}</ref>
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Upon release, {{BotW|-}} was met with critical acclaim by many game reviews.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= Nintendo|published= April 14, 2017|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJnnn0BBj_c|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch Accolades Trailer|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref> It also earned a Metacritic score of 97 from more than 100 critics, placing it among the highest-rated games of all time.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild|title= THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD|site= Metacritic|type=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/all/all/filtered?sort=desc|title= Best Video Games of All Time|site= Metacritic|type=}}</ref> Notably, the game received the most perfect review scores for any game listed on Metacritic up to that point.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Redditor koolcandy noticed this development, with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's 43 perfect review scores overtaking previous record holders Super Mario Galaxy 2 and The Last of Us, each of which has 42 perfect scores.|author= Brenna Hillier|published= March 8, 2017|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.vg247.com/2017/03/08/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-has-the-most-perfect-review-scores-in-metacritics-history/|title= Zelda: Breath of the Wild has the most perfect review scores in Metacritic's history|site= VG247|type=}}</ref>
   
 
===Awards===
 
===Awards===
Throughout 2016, {{BotW|-}} won several awards as a highly anticipated game, including IGN's and Destructoid's Best of E3,<ref>{{Cite web|quote= WINNER - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|author= IGN's E3 Crew|published= June 14, 2017|retrieved= December 11, 2016|url= https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/14/best-of-e3-2016-awards|title= BEST OF E3 2016 AWARDS|site= IGN|type=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= Jordan Devore|published= June 22, 2016|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.destructoid.com/and-destructoid-s-e3-2016-game-of-the-show-was--370461.phtml|title= And Destructoid's E3 2016 Game of the Show was...|site= Destructoid|type=}}</ref> at the Game Critic Awards 2016,<ref>{{Cite web|quote= Although Battlefield 1 led the way with the most nominations, it's The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild that's walked away with the top prize from the E3 2016 Game Critics Awards.|author= Chris Pereira|published= July 5, 2016|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.gamespot.com/articles/here-are-e3-2016s-game-critics-award-winners/1100-6441502/|title= Here Are E3 2016's Game Critics Award Winners|site= GameSpot|type=}}</ref> and at The Game Awards 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://thegameawards.com/history/year-2016|title= 2016 WINNERS|site= The Game Awards|type=}}</ref> Following its release, {{BotW|-}} received the title of "Game of the Year" from the Japan Game Awards 2017,<ref>{{Cite web|quote= The Japan Game Awards 2017 (organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association CESA; Chairman: Hideki Okamura) has announced the award winners for the "Games of the Year Division". "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" of Nintendo Co., Ltd. received the most prestigious Grand Award. Nintendo has won the Grand Award for the second consecutive years.|author= |published= September 21, 2017|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= http://awards.cesa.or.jp/en/release/pdf/170921_3.pdf|title= The Grand Award goes to "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild"|site= Japan Game Awards|type= PDF}}</ref> the Golden Joystick Awards 2017,<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= Golden Joysticks|published= November 17, 2017|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://twitter.com/GoldenJoysticks/status/931586537359364096|title= Our final award is for the Ultimate Game of the Year. And the winner is...|site= Twitter|type= Video}}</ref> The Game Awards 2017,<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= thegameawards|published= December 7, 2017|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZrupMmjDi0|title= Game of the Year: Orchestra Performance and Zelda Win (The Game Awards 2017)|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref> IGN,<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= December 22, 2017|url= https://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Game_of_the_Year|title= Game of the Year|site= IGN|type=}}</ref>, GameSpot,<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= Peter Brown|published= December 20, 2017|retrieved= December 22, 2017|url= https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamespots-game-of-the-year-2017-the-legend-of-zeld/1100-6455766/|title= GameSpot's Game Of the Year 2017 - The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild|site= GameSpot|type=}}</ref> and the 18th Game Developers Choice Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= Nintendo’s groundbreaking open-world role-playing game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, was honored with the prize for Game of the Year at tonight’s 18th annual Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA) ceremony during the 2018 Game Developers Conference (GDC) at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. |author= rawmeatcowboy|published= March 22, 2018|retrieved= April 7, 2018|url= https://gonintendo.com/stories/305097-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-wins-game-of-the-year-at-the-18th-annua|title= ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD WINS GAME OF THE YEAR AT THE 18TH ANNUAL GAME DEVELOPERS CHOICE AWARDS (FULL LIST OF WINNERS)|site= GoNintendo|type= }}</ref> The win at The Game Awards was notable as Nintendo's first "Game of the Year" award at this ceremony. {{BotW|-}} also won in the categories "Best Game Direction" and "Best Action/Adventure Game". Video Game Canon ranks {{BotW|-}} as one of the best video games of all time.<ref>{{Cite web|author= John Scalzo|published= 2021 October 1|retrieved= 2021 November 24|url= https://www.videogamecanon.com/|title= Video Game Canon|site= Video Game Canon}}</ref> Metacritic ranked {{BotW|-}} as the single best game of the 2010s.<ref>{{Cite web|author= Jason Dietz|published= 2020 February 10|retrieved= 2021 November 24|url= https://www.metacritic.com/feature/best-videogames-of-the-decade-2010s|title= Part 2: Best-of-the-decade top ten lists|site= Metacritic}}</ref>
+
Throughout 2016, {{BotW|-}} won several awards as a highly anticipated game, including IGN's and Destructoid's Best of E3,<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= WINNER - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|author= IGN's E3 Crew|published= June 14, 2017|retrieved= December 11, 2016|url= https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/14/best-of-e3-2016-awards|title= BEST OF E3 2016 AWARDS|site= IGN|type=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= Jordan Devore|published= June 22, 2016|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.destructoid.com/and-destructoid-s-e3-2016-game-of-the-show-was--370461.phtml|title= And Destructoid's E3 2016 Game of the Show was...|site= Destructoid|type=}}</ref> at the Game Critic Awards 2016,<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Although Battlefield 1 led the way with the most nominations, it's The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild that's walked away with the top prize from the E3 2016 Game Critics Awards.|author= Chris Pereira|published= July 5, 2016|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.gamespot.com/articles/here-are-e3-2016s-game-critics-award-winners/1100-6441502/|title= Here Are E3 2016's Game Critics Award Winners|site= GameSpot|type=}}</ref> and at The Game Awards 2016.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://thegameawards.com/history/year-2016|title= 2016 WINNERS|site= The Game Awards|type=}}</ref> Following its release, {{BotW|-}} received the title of "Game of the Year" from the Japan Game Awards 2017,<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= The Japan Game Awards 2017 (organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association CESA; Chairman: Hideki Okamura) has announced the award winners for the "Games of the Year Division". "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" of Nintendo Co., Ltd. received the most prestigious Grand Award. Nintendo has won the Grand Award for the second consecutive years.|author= |published= September 21, 2017|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= http://awards.cesa.or.jp/en/release/pdf/170921_3.pdf|title= The Grand Award goes to "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild"|site= Japan Game Awards|type= PDF}}</ref> the Golden Joystick Awards 2017,<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= Golden Joysticks|published= November 17, 2017|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://twitter.com/GoldenJoysticks/status/931586537359364096|title= Our final award is for the Ultimate Game of the Year. And the winner is...|site= Twitter|type= Video}}</ref> The Game Awards 2017,<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= thegameawards|published= December 7, 2017|retrieved= December 11, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZrupMmjDi0|title= Game of the Year: Orchestra Performance and Zelda Win (The Game Awards 2017)|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref> IGN,<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= |published= |retrieved= December 22, 2017|url= https://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Game_of_the_Year|title= Game of the Year|site= IGN|type=}}</ref>, GameSpot,<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= Peter Brown|published= December 20, 2017|retrieved= December 22, 2017|url= https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamespots-game-of-the-year-2017-the-legend-of-zeld/1100-6455766/|title= GameSpot's Game Of the Year 2017 - The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild|site= GameSpot|type=}}</ref> and the 18th Game Developers Choice Awards.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Nintendo’s groundbreaking open-world role-playing game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, was honored with the prize for Game of the Year at tonight’s 18th annual Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA) ceremony during the 2018 Game Developers Conference (GDC) at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. |author= rawmeatcowboy|published= March 22, 2018|retrieved= April 7, 2018|url= https://gonintendo.com/stories/305097-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-wins-game-of-the-year-at-the-18th-annua|title= ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD WINS GAME OF THE YEAR AT THE 18TH ANNUAL GAME DEVELOPERS CHOICE AWARDS (FULL LIST OF WINNERS)|site= GoNintendo|type= }}</ref> The win at The Game Awards was notable as Nintendo's first "Game of the Year" award at this ceremony. {{BotW|-}} also won in the categories "Best Game Direction" and "Best Action/Adventure Game". Video Game Canon ranks {{BotW|-}} as one of the best video games of all time.<ref>{{Cite Web|author= John Scalzo|published= 2021 October 1|retrieved= 2021 November 24|url= https://www.videogamecanon.com/|title= Video Game Canon|site= Video Game Canon}}</ref> Metacritic ranked {{BotW|-}} as the single best game of the 2010s.<ref>{{Cite Web|author= Jason Dietz|published= 2020 February 10|retrieved= 2021 November 24|url= https://www.metacritic.com/feature/best-videogames-of-the-decade-2010s|title= Part 2: Best-of-the-decade top ten lists|site= Metacritic}}</ref>
   
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
*{{BotW|-}} is the first main game in the series to be localized into Russian and Dutch. Eiji Aonuma himself appeared in the Russian and Dutch Nintendo Switch presentations to introduce the game to Russian, Dutch, and Flemish players.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= Nintendo Russia|published= January 13, 2017|retrieved= January 19, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDdfWY6UtWg|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — Трейлер Презентация Nintendo Switch|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= NintendoNederland|published= February 18, 2017|retrieved= February 18, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mTXAsBvX8U|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Aankondiging Nederlandse versie door Eiji Aonuma|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref> Although the Dutch localization is text only whilst retaining the English voice-overs, the Russian localization covers both text and voice acting.
+
*{{BotW|-}} is the first main game in the series to be localized into Russian and Dutch. Eiji Aonuma himself appeared in the Russian and Dutch Nintendo Switch presentations to introduce the game to Russian, Dutch, and Flemish players.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= Nintendo Russia|published= January 13, 2017|retrieved= January 19, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDdfWY6UtWg|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — Трейлер Презентация Nintendo Switch|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Web|quote= |author= NintendoNederland|published= February 18, 2017|retrieved= February 18, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mTXAsBvX8U|title= The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Aankondiging Nederlandse versie door Eiji Aonuma|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref> Although the Dutch localization is text only whilst retaining the English voice-overs, the Russian localization covers both text and voice acting.
*During development of {{BotW|-}}, various designs for Link were drafted, including him riding a bike in a tracksuit and a musician Link wielding a guitar.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= Link himself went through some trial and error. Meet Biker Link, Tracksuit Link and Musician Link.|author= Nintendo of America|published= March 1, 2017|retrieved= March 1, 2017|url= https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/837031975839936512|title= GDC 2017|site= Twitter|type=}}</ref> Other concepts for the game included ''Hyrule Wars'' and ''The Legend of Zelda Invasion'', the latter featuring an alien attack.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= Before there was #Zelda: Breath of the Wild there was.. Hyrule Wars? And an alien attack!? The early concepts were definitely wild.|author= Nintendo of America|published= March 1, 2017|retrieved= March 1, 2017|url= https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/837031535152771072|title= GDC 2017|site= Twitter|type=}}</ref>
+
*During development of {{BotW|-}}, various designs for Link were drafted, including him riding a bike in a tracksuit and a musician Link wielding a guitar.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Link himself went through some trial and error. Meet Biker Link, Tracksuit Link and Musician Link.|author= Nintendo of America|published= March 1, 2017|retrieved= March 1, 2017|url= https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/837031975839936512|title= GDC 2017|site= Twitter|type=}}</ref> Other concepts for the game included ''Hyrule Wars'' and ''The Legend of Zelda Invasion'', the latter featuring an alien attack.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Before there was #Zelda: Breath of the Wild there was.. Hyrule Wars? And an alien attack!? The early concepts were definitely wild.|author= Nintendo of America|published= March 1, 2017|retrieved= March 1, 2017|url= https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/837031535152771072|title= GDC 2017|site= Twitter|type=}}</ref>
 
*{{BotW|-}} is the first game in the series since the infamous [[Philips CD-i]] ''Zelda'' titles to feature voice acting with dialogue.
 
*{{BotW|-}} is the first game in the series since the infamous [[Philips CD-i]] ''Zelda'' titles to feature voice acting with dialogue.
 
*{{BotW|-}} is the first game to have {{Term|BotW|Link|link}} wear the [[Champion's Tunic]] instead of the [[Green Clothes|Green Tunic]].
 
*{{BotW|-}} is the first game to have {{Term|BotW|Link|link}} wear the [[Champion's Tunic]] instead of the [[Green Clothes|Green Tunic]].

Revision as of 23:31, 27 April 2022

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"BotW" redirects here. For the Dungeon, see Bottom of the Well.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the nineteenth main installment of The Legend of Zelda series. It was released simultaneously worldwide for the Wii U and Nintendo Switch on March 3, 2017.[1]

Story

Link awakens from a deep slumber and a mysterious voice guides him to discover what has become of the ruined Kingdom of Hyrule Kingdom.[8] Link leaves the Shrine of Resurrection, runs up to the ledge and looks out at the ruins of the kingdom Hyrule. Link then meets an Old Man, who will give him the Paraglider, which is the only way to get to Hyrule. The Old Man wants the Spirit Orbs, in the Shrines, respectively the Oman Au Shrine, Ja Baij Shrine, Owa Daim Shrine, and the Keh Namut Shrine. After Link gets the spirit orbs, the Old Man appears, then mysteriously disappears, telling Link to meet him in the Temple of Time. The Old Man reveals himself as the spirit of the deceased King of Hyrule, King Rhoam. Link learns from King Rhoam that 100 years prior, a great evil known as the Calamity Ganon rose up and laid waste to the kingdom and its people.[9] Unable to be defeated, it was sealed within Hyrule Castle, while the ruins of the land were ravaged by nature over time. Although trapped, the Calamity Ganon has grown in power, and Link must defeat it before it breaks free once more and destroys the world. The mysterious voice turns out to be Zelda, whom who is the daughter of King Rhoam. After escaping the confines of the Great Plateau, Link is directed to meet the wise Sheikah elder Impa, and learn about the Guardians and Divine Beast: 10,000 years prior these machines were created and successfully used by another Hero and another Princess to defeat the Calamity Ganon. But throughout the ages, knowledge about the ancient technology was lost until excavations in Hyrule Kingdom brought them to light once more, coinciding with the expected return of Calamity Ganon a hundred years ago. The Guardians were reactivated and four Champions were chosen to control the Divine Beast: The Zora princess Mipha, the Goron warrior Daruk, the Gerudo chief Urbosa, and the Rito archer Revali. All the while, Zelda was unsuccessfully trying to gain access to her own prophesied powers, accompanied on her quests by her knight, the Hylian Champion Link. When the Calamity Ganon ultimately attacked, it devastated the Kingdom of Hyrule Kingdom by taking control of the ancient machines and turning them against the Hyruleans. As a last resort, Zelda was able to place the gravely wounded Link in the Shrine of Resurrection and use her awoken sealing powers to trap herself with Calamity Ganon in Hyrule Castle.

As Link sets off on his quest to defeat Calamity Ganon, he is asked to investigate the fate of the Divine Beast and their former Champions. His ultimate goal, however, remains to reach the Calamity Ganon and free the trapped Zelda before the whole world is laid to waste. But with the entire Kingdom of Hyrule Kingdom before him to explore, it is up to Link himself to decide how he wishes to fulfill his foretold role as the Hylian Champion, and to save Hyrule Kingdom.

Gameplay

BotW Link Climbing Artwork

Climbing is a central new ability for Link, allowing for the exploration of the game's vast version of Hyrule

Open World

Breath of the Wild features a vast open world for Link to explore. Most of Hyrule Kingdom's scenery is accessible by walking, paragliding or climbing. While the game still includes barriers (such as weather effects, inhospitable environments or strong enemies), many of these can be overcome by using Food, effective weapons and armor or finding alternate routes. The world also includes an elaborate physics system which allows for creative interactions (e.g., cutting down a tree and using its trunk as a raft on a river, or setting grass ablaze and spreading the fire with wind gusts).

Unlike many previous Zelda games, Breath of the Wild does not enforce a specific order in which quests or dungeons have to be solved, with the exception of completing the starting tasks on the Great Plateau. It is possible to challenge Ganon right after leaving the starting area, though the game does encourage exploration in order to solve Ancient Shrines (and thus gaining additional Hearts or Stamina), find useful and powerful equipment, and defeat the game's own version of dungeons, the Divine Beast. Additionally, many of the game's puzzles can also be solved in various different ways, often rewarding Link for creative solutions.

Controls

Link's controls in Breath of the Wild are reminiscent of previous 3D Zelda games. However, the game is the first to require manual jumps as opposed to auto-jumping over small gaps which was introduced with Ocarina of Time and a long-time staple of The Legend of Zelda series. Holding the Y button, will allow you to spin. Pressing X and then Y will result in a jump attack.

Cooking

A new feature introduced with Breath of the Wild is Cooking, which enables the creation of Food that recovers Hearts and bestows various effects on Link. Meals are cooked by broiling up to five edible Materials at cooking pots, such as meat, berries, fruits or herbs. Elixirs can be mixed by including monster parts in various recipes. Depending on chosen ingredients, Link's health will be replenished and/or he will receive effects such as Elemental Resistance, additional Stamina or Hearts, or buffs to his Defense or Attack.

Equipment & Durability

Link can equip a vast variety of different Equipment in Breath of the Wild, including Weapons, Bows and Arrows, Shields, and Armor, allowing for adaptation to the ever-changing environment of Hyrule and tactics used by different enemies. Notably, almost all Weapons, Bows, and Shields found in the game will break after a certain amount of hits. This new Durability system often forces Link to use Equipment salvaged from enemies, even weak ones, instead of just wielding the best Sword available in the game. Equipment that has not been used at all, and thus has sustained no damage, is indicated by a sparkle on the top-right corner of its icon in the Inventory screen. An Equipment that is close to breaking will have a flashing red icon, and a brief notification will appear whenever it is taken out.

Rune Abilities

Main article: Rune

Completing the initial four Ancient Shrines on the Great Plateau bestows Link with four Rune abilities: Magnesis, Stasis, Cryonis and Remote Bombs. These abilities allow Link to manipulate the environment by lifting magnetic objects, freezing objects (and later enemies) in time, creating blocks of ice on water surfaces, and summoning bombs. Other Runes, such as the Camera Rune, can also be found. Together with climbing and paragliding, these abilities are used throughout the rest of the game and (for the very most part) sufficient to solve puzzles and access most of Hyrule. As a consequence, the game does not feature traditional dungeon items that grant abilities to Link.

Game Information

Development

BotW Guardian Firing

During E3 2014, a video introduced various gameplay elements of Breath of the Wild

The Zelda HD Experience, a The Legend of Zelda tech demo of the Wii U, was shown at E3 2011. In June 2011, Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that Nintendo is planning on creating an HD The Legend of Zelda title.[10] Development of Breath of the Wild started immediately after the development of Skyward Sword ended.[11]

Breath of the Wild was officially announced in a Wii U Direct presentation on January 23, 2013. Eiji Aonuma stated that the game intended to challenge what was expected of The Legend of Zelda franchise, such as having to complete dungeons in a specific order. The game was already expected to have a long development time, so Nintendo released The Wind Waker HD for the Wii U to decrease the gap between releases.[12] During E3 2014, the first video of the game was shown, revealing Link riding a horse, in addition to a Guardian and Hyrule Field. During the Game Awards 2014, Miyamoto and Aonuma showcased another gameplay video. It demonstrated the scale of Hyrule, which was designed with the open world concept of the original The Legend of Zelda in mind.[13] It also showed the first use of the Paraglider, map features, as well as additional riding and fighting mechanics. Features to be used on the Wii U gamepad were also shown during these videos, which were later removed during development, when the game was ported to Nintendo Switch.

BotW Happy New Year Artwork

Leading up to the game's release, promotional images were released by Nintendo's various social media outlets

The game's original release was intended for 2015, but as new ideas were implemented during development, the release date was pushed forward several times.[14] The final release window of the game was first revealed in financial documents released in March 2016, and later confirmed by Nintendo via Twitter.[15]

During E3 2016, the game's first playable demo was made available for visitors. It featured the Great Plateau area and showed many new elements of the game, such as Perfect Dodging, the creation of Food by collecting Materials, the use of enemy Weapons, the return of the Stamina Gauge, new mini-Dungeons called Ancient Shrines and the Sheikah Slate.

Nintendo revealed the final March release date of Breath of the Wild during the Nintendo Switch presentation in January 2017.[1] Shortly afterwards, on February 9, 2017, the game was completed after more than five years of development.[16]

A sequel to Breath of the Wild was announced during the Nintendo Direct at E3 2019.

Release

Breath of the Wild was released simultaneously worldwide for the Wii U and as a Nintendo Switch launch title on March 3, 2017.[1] The game was later released in Taiwan and South Korea on February 1, 2018, only for the Nintendo Switch.[17][18] The game is the last Nintendo-published title on the Wii U platform.

A version of Breath of the Wild including the Expansion Pass will be released in Japan on October 8, 2021.[19]

Special Editions

BotW Master Edition Contents

The North American Master Edition

Various special and limited editions for the Switch version of Breath of the Wild were released worldwide.

  • In North America, the Special Edition included the game, a tapestry map, a Sheikah Slate carrying case, a soundtrack with 24 songs, and a Sheikah Eye coin. The Master Edition included the same content as well as a Master Sword statue.
  • In Europe, the Limited Edition included the game, the soundtrack, and the Master Sword statue.
  • In Australia, the Limited Edition included the game, the tapestry map, the soundtrack, the Sheikah Eye coin, and the Master Sword statue.
  • In Japan, the Collector's Edition included the game, the Link (Rider) amiibo, the soundtrack, the tapestry map, and an interchangeable alternate cover. The Deluxe Collector's Edition included the same content as well as the Master Sword statue and 20 postcards.

On November 17, 2017 an Explorer's Edition of the game was released in Mexico and later on in North America and Japan on November 23. This edition featured the game, a 100-page explorer's guide, and a two-sided map.[20] On September 28, 2018 a Starter Pack was released in North America also featuring the game and the explorer's guide.[21] No special edition for the Wii U version of the game was released.

Pre-Order Bonuses

Several retailers offered bonus items for pre-ordering the game.[22] These included a black t-shirt featuring the Sheikah Eye in the Nintendo Official UK Store, a Z icon keyring and a poster featuring artwork from the game in GAME retailers, a wristband in Grainger Games, two double-sized art cards in Argos, and a pin badge in ShopTo. In GameStop retailers, a poster featuring the game's cover artwork was included.[23]

Timeline Placement

The plot of Breath of the Wild directly refers to events that take place 10,000 years and 100 years prior to the game's setting. Before the game's release, Eiji Aonuma revealed that Breath of the Wild takes place after Ocarina of Time.[24] In an interview following the game's release, Aonuma touched upon the idea that details of the history of Hyrule may have changed from previous games, similar to how real-world history books are often revised.[25] In an interview with the game's director, Hidemaro Fujibayashi, he stated that Breath of the Wild takes place in the most recent age, long after the previous games.[26] In an interview with Jeuxvideo, Eiji Aonuma clarified that though Breath of the Wild does take place somewhere on the timeline, its exact placement has not been decided, as definitively placing it during development might limit their ability to further develop the story.[27] In a Famitsu magazine interview with Eiji Aonuma for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, Aonuma noted that Twilight Princess HD was the origin point for Breath of the Wild and that while playing Breath of the Wild players may have realizations about elements from Twilight Princess HD.[28]

Many references and connections to previous games in the series can be found throughout Breath of the Wild. These include the presence of the Rito who evolved from the Zora in the Adult timeline, the history of the Zora, which tells the tale about the Sage Ruto who aided the hero in his fight against Ganon.[29] The "Subdued Ceremony" Recovered Memory shows a speech by Zelda which contains references to Skyward Sword, Ocarina of Time, and Twilight Princess,[30] as well as to A Link to the Past and The Wind Waker in Japanese and German.[31][32] Many locations are also named after characters and landmarks, such as Arbiter's Grounds, the Temple of Time, and Darunia Lake.

Amiibo Support

File:BotW Series Guardian amiibo NA Box
The Guardian amiibo
Main article: amiibo (Rune)

Breath of the Wild is compatible with all lines of amiibo figures, scannable by using the amiibo Rune ability, which can be activated via the game's options menu. All regular amiibo will grant random items and Materials, while most of The Legend of Zelda-related amiibo will summon treasure chests, containing rarer and sometimes exclusive items (like costumes or special weapons related to the respective games). Additionally, Epona and Wolf Link may be summoned into the game, using the Super Smash Bros. Link and the Wolf Link amiibo, respectively.

A line of Breath of the Wild amiibo figures was also released on the same date as the game, making it the second mainline Zelda game (following Twilight Princess HD) with its own line of amiibo. The figures include two versions of Link, Zelda, a Bokoblin and a Guardian, all featuring their in-game design. This line continued with four amiibo released for The Champions' Ballad DLC; Mipha, Revali, Urbosa, and Daruk. Each amiibo is based on the character's artwork and unlocks a helm based on each Divine Beast.

Speedrun Records

Main article: Speedrun Records
Category Runner Time Date
Any% Player5 23m 51s January 2, 2023
Any% (No amiibo) Player5 24m 41s October 21, 2022
100% Ikurapan 15h 27m 24s February 17, 2023
100% (Extended) PancakeTurtle 18h 11m 14s November 14, 2022
All Divine Beast Player5 1h 26m 41s November 3, 2022
All Divine Beast (Extended) keikou_yellow 2h 55m 33s September 10, 2022
All Ancient Shrines iTNTPiston 4h 16m 45s February 16, 2023
All Ancient Shrines (Restricted) orcrist_gc 6h 07m 51s April 12, 2022
All Ancient Shrines (Extended) XiaoXiaMi 5h 30m 58s July 29, 2022
All Ancient Shrines (Extended, Restricted) no submitted runs botw?h=All_Shrines-Extended-Restricted&x=wkpqmw8d-ql6gegv8.zqoy8ox1-onv7j3wn.4lxr334l N/A N/A
All Main Quests Player5 2h 09m 42s November 25, 2022
All Main Quests (Restricted) Zdi 2h 33m 33s July 1, 2022
All Main Quests (Extended) Limcube 4h 33m 00s July 25, 2021
All Main Quests (Extended, Restricted) bggdimm 4h 40m 22s August 3, 2021

Downloadable Content

Updates

Several free patches have been released for both the Wii U and Switch versions of Breath of the Wild. These updates expand content and patch certain bugs. Unlike the DLC packs, these are downloaded free and automatically upon release.

An initial download intended for the retail Wii U version of the game containing extra game data is required to be installed in order to run the game. The update requires 3 GB worth of space to be installed.[33]

Update Release Date Content
Version 1.1.0 March 2, 2017[34]
  • Adds Downloadable Content and eShop access to the title screen.
Version 1.1.1 March 30, 2017[35]
  • Bug fixes.
Version 1.1.2 April 11, 2017[36]
Version 1.2.0 May 1, 2017[38]
Version 1.3.0 June 29, 2017[39]
  • Adds The Master Trials DLC Pack.[39]
  • Bug fixes.[39]
Version 1.3.1 August 7, 2017[40]
  • Adds the "Tips from the Wild" news channel to the Nintendo Switch version of the game. Set to be opened on August 9, 2017.[40]
  • Bug fixes.
Version 1.3.3 November 9, 2017[41]
Version 1.3.4 November 21, 2017[42]
Version 1.4.0 December 7, 2017[42]
  • Adds The Champions' Ballad DLC Pack.[42]
  • Bug fixes.[42]
Version 1.5.0 January 31, 2018[43]
  • Adds support for Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), and Korean text to the Nintendo Switch version of the game.[43]
    • While using these languages, selecting "Match System Settings" for the Voice Language Option will use the Japanese voice data.[43]
  • Bug fixes.[43]
Version 1.6.0 April 25, 2019[44]
  • Adds support for the VR Goggles from Nintendo Labo Toy-Con.[44]
  • Reduces loading times.[45]

Expansion Packs

An Expansion Pass, offering paid downloadable content for Breath of the Wild, was made available upon launch for both the Wii U and Nintendo Switch versions. The Expansion Pass includes two content packs which are not available to purchase individually, as well as additional chests with an exclusive item as a bonus for purchasing the pass. The regular price for the entire DLC is $19.99 USD (¥2500, $28.19 CDN, €19.99, £17.99, $30.00 AUD, $33.00 NZD).[46][47]

The Expansion Pass content is divided as follows:

Pack Release Date Content
Expansion Pass Bonus March 3, 2017 Three Treasure Chests on the Great Plateau containing Bomb Arrows, a Ruby, and an exclusive shirt with the Nintendo Switch logo.[48]
The Master Trials
~ DLC Pack 1 ~


BotW The Master Trials Promo Artwork
June 30, 2017[49]
The Champions' Ballad
~ DLC Pack 2 ~


BotW The Champions' Ballad Promo Artwork
December 7, 2017[50]

Listings

Characters

Bosses

Enemies

Dungeons

Locations

Items

Translations

Credits

Reception

Sales

BotW TGA 2017 GotY Award

Eiji Aonuma and Hidemaro Fujibayashi accepting the "Game of the Year" award for Breath of the Wild at The Game Awards 2017

Breath of the Wild was estimated to have sold approximately 1.3 million copies in its first three weeks and around 89% of Switch owners were estimated to have also purchased the game.[51] Sales of the game have remained strong and as of December 31, 2021, the Switch version has sold 25.8 million copies worldwide while the Wii U version has sold 1.08 million copies worldwide as of March 31, 2017,[52][53] giving Breath of the Wild a cumulative total of 26.88 million copies sold.

By March 31, 2018, just thirteen months after its launch, Breath of the Wild, with a cumulative total of 9.56 million copies sold,[54][53] had become the best-selling game in The Legend of Zelda series, excluding remakes, surpassing Twilight Princess's cumulative total of 8.58 million copies sold as of September 30, 2015.[55]

Reviews

Upon release, Breath of the Wild was met with critical acclaim by many game reviews.[56] It also earned a Metacritic score of 97 from more than 100 critics, placing it among the highest-rated games of all time.[57][58] Notably, the game received the most perfect review scores for any game listed on Metacritic up to that point.[59]

Awards

Throughout 2016, Breath of the Wild won several awards as a highly anticipated game, including IGN's and Destructoid's Best of E3,[60][61] at the Game Critic Awards 2016,[62] and at The Game Awards 2016.[63] Following its release, Breath of the Wild received the title of "Game of the Year" from the Japan Game Awards 2017,[64] the Golden Joystick Awards 2017,[65] The Game Awards 2017,[66] IGN,[67], GameSpot,[68] and the 18th Game Developers Choice Awards.[69] The win at The Game Awards was notable as Nintendo's first "Game of the Year" award at this ceremony. Breath of the Wild also won in the categories "Best Game Direction" and "Best Action/Adventure Game". Video Game Canon ranks Breath of the Wild as one of the best video games of all time.[70] Metacritic ranked Breath of the Wild as the single best game of the 2010s.[71]

Trivia

  • Breath of the Wild is the first main game in the series to be localized into Russian and Dutch. Eiji Aonuma himself appeared in the Russian and Dutch Nintendo Switch presentations to introduce the game to Russian, Dutch, and Flemish players.[72][73] Although the Dutch localization is text only whilst retaining the English voice-overs, the Russian localization covers both text and voice acting.
  • During development of Breath of the Wild, various designs for Link were drafted, including him riding a bike in a tracksuit and a musician Link wielding a guitar.[74] Other concepts for the game included Hyrule Wars and The Legend of Zelda Invasion, the latter featuring an alien attack.[75]
  • Breath of the Wild is the first game in the series since the infamous Philips CD-i Zelda titles to feature voice acting with dialogue.
  • Breath of the Wild is the first game to have Link wear the Champion's Tunic instead of the Green Tunic.

Nomenclature

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in Other Regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
Language Name Meaning
Japan Japanese ゼルダの伝説 ブレス オブ ザ ワイルド (Zeruda no Densetsu Buresu obu za Wairudo) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
People's Republic of China ChineseSI 塞尔达传说 旷野之息 (Sàiěrdá Chuánshuō Kuàngyě zhī Xī) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
ERROR: You must enter a country code. ChineseTR 薩爾達傳說 曠野之息 (Sàěrdá Chuánshuō Kuàngyě zhī Xī) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
French Republic FrenchEU The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Federal Republic of Germany German The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
ERROR: You must enter a country code. Korean 젤다의 전설 브레스 오브 더 와일드 (Jelda-ui Jeonseol Beuleseu obeu deo Waildeu) The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Gallery

External Links

References

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    ※2015年9月30日時点のWii版とゲームキューブ版の合算値。自社調べ。
    "
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