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Entertainment • Video Games

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a 2017 action-adventure game developed by Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo for the Wii U and Nintendo Switch.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a 2017 action-adventure game developed by Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo for the Wii U and Nintendo Switch. Set in the kingdom of Hyrule, the game follows Link as he awakens from a long sleep and explores an open world to defeat Calamity Ganon. It became the best-selling The Legend of Zelda game of all time.

Gameplay

Breath of the Wild uses an open-world structure that gives players significant freedom to explore Hyrule in nearly any order. The game encourages experimentation and allows the main story to be completed nonlinearly.

Story

The narrative follows Link after he wakes from a long slumber with little memory of his past. He must recover strength and prevent Calamity Ganon from destroying Hyrule.

Development

Nintendo staff aimed to make a Zelda game that differed sharply from earlier entries in the series. Early ideas included unconventional concepts, reflecting the goal of challenging series traditions.

Reception and legacy

The game was widely successful and became the best-selling title in the Zelda series. Its open-world design is frequently described as influential within the video game industry.

Key facts

  • The game was designed to break conventions of earlier Zelda titles and emphasize exploration and experimentation.
  • It features a large open world with nonlinear progression and many optional activities, including shrines, side quests, and puzzle-solving.
  • The story centers on Link’s effort to stop Calamity Ganon from destroying Hyrule.
  • The game was released for both Wii U and Nintendo Switch on March 3, 2017.
  • It became the best-selling The Legend of Zelda game of all time.
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Canadian context

The game was released in Canada alongside other North American markets and has been widely discussed by Canadian games media and players; it is part of the internationally recognized The Legend of Zelda franchise.

Frequently asked questions

What type of game is Breath of the Wild?
It is an action-adventure game with open-world exploration and nonlinear progression.
When was it released?
It was released on March 3, 2017.
Which platforms did it launch on?
It launched on Wii U and Nintendo Switch.
Who is the main character?
The main character is Link.
What is the setting?
The game is set in the kingdom of Hyrule.
Is it part of a series?
Yes. It is part of The Legend of Zelda series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Breath_of_the_Wild
    Supports: Release year, platforms, genre, setting, and high-level gameplay and story description.
  2. IGN — https://www.ign.com/articles/zelda-breath-of-the-wild-development-five-year-anniversary-fascinating-facts
    Supports: Development goal to break series conventions.
  3. TheGamer — https://www.thegamer.com/legend-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-things-didnt-know/
    Supports: Claim that it became the best-selling Zelda game and general sales/legacy context.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3253986/
    Supports: Story synopsis involving Link, Hyrule, and Calamity Ganon.