60 Things We Love About Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
We love The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild here at the GameSpot office. It's packed with a plethora of small details and hidden mechanics there's just so much to enjoy across the hundreds of hours you spend exploring its world. That's why we've compiled 60 things that we love about the game. Click ahead to see them all.
Breath of the Wild is out now for both Nintendo Switch and Wii U. And even after you finish it, there'll be more to play: Nintendo has announced a $20 DLC Pass for Breath of the Wild, which includes new story content, an additional difficulty mode, and more. You can also check out our full Breath of the Wild review, our guide roundup, or our feature detailing everything you need to know about the game.
You Can Parry Guardian Laser Shots
Guardians seem like a tremendous threat early on, mostly because of their incredibly destructive laser blasts. But if you have decent reflexes, you can actually parry a Guardian's laser blast with your shield, sending it straight back at the machine. Any shield. Even a pot lid.
It's honestly one of the most fulfilling things you can do. After all, who doesn't want to see these jerks get a taste of their own medicine? -- Matt Espineli
Link's Paraglider Has Built-In Bullet Time
The paraglider is a tremendously useful traversal tool, especially since Breath of the Wild's world is so vast. But perhaps its greatest feature applies to combat: when you're gliding over enemies, equipping your bow automatically slows time, allowing you to execute some seriously cinematic shots without fussing over complicated controls. Max Payne ain't got nothin' on Link. -- Scott Butterworth
You Can Ride A Bear
As you explore Hyrule, you'll discover that it's possible to ride a deer like you would a horse, so long as you approach it carefully and with stealth bonuses activated. A lesser known fact is that this also applies to bears. Unfortunately, they're neither fast nor very cooperative, but they're fantastic at ramming unsuspecting foes. -- Matt Espineli
You Can Take Selfies
Like in The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, you can take selfies in Breath of the Wild, but this time you use your Sheikah Slate's camera. Simply open up the camera app on your Slate, get in self-portrait mode, and move the left stick in different directions to change Link's pose. Who knew Hyrule's hero could be such an adorable dork? -- Matt Espineli
You Can Build A New Town
There are a ton of side quests in Breath of the Wild, but one of the best is building Tarry Town. Throughout your adventure, you come across characters from all walks of life looking for a change in pace or scenery, and you can recommend Tarrey Town to them. As you find more citizens, the town grows and shops begin to open up. The questline to unlock it is endeaing on tis own, but it also nets you some cool rewards. -- Jake Dekker
No Bomb Arrows? No Problem!
The mountains of Hyrule hide lots of caves, some of which you can uncover by firing a Bomb Arrow at cracks in the rocks high above you. But what if you’re out of ammo? No problem. Fly by with the paraglider instead, drop a bomb, and detonate it as it drops by the crack. It’s just one more way Breath of the Wild lets you find your own solution to common Zelda problems. -- Tony Wilson
Weaponized Cuoco Swarm
Like in past Zelda games, if you use excessive force against a Cucco, it'll call upon a swarm of its friends to attack you. Fortunately, you can make this humorous attack work for you. Simply grab a Cucco and bring it with you into battle, and whichever unfortunate enemy happens to hit it will be swarmed and pecked to death. Glorious. -- Matt Espineli
You Can Plow Through Guardians With Your Horse
Have you ever spotted a Guardian in the distance while on horseback and thought: "Oh, well it looks like I'm not going that way"? Well, you'll be surprised to know that you can actually use your horse to charge straight through it. Hit the sucker in just the right spot and it'll fly over you. -- Matt Espineli
Amiibo Net You Classic Rewards | Matt
If you scan Amiibo figures of classic Zelda characters, you get special armor and weapons from past games, like Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. You can even obtain new mounts, like the iconic Epona, which you receive when you scan the Super Smash Bros. series Link Amiibo. Check out our Amiibo guide here to find out everything you can unlock. -- Matt Espineli
You Can Buy A House | Peter
I wasn't sure what to expect when a villager offered to build a house for me in Hateno Village, but I wasted no time putting the plan into action. Before I knew it, I was the proud owner of a small but impressive home; flowers blossomed outside, and the walls were lined with some of my prized possessions. It wasn't much, but it was mine. -- Peter Brown
No Clothes, No Problem!
I can't tell you the number of times I've tried to strip down and freak out NPCs in video games over the years, but I can say that the only game to properly handle a half-naked hero is Breath of the Wild. Why yes, citizens of Hyrule, I am trying to take down a powerful demon king in nothing but my underwear. Thanks for noticing! (It's about time.) -- Peter Brown
Link Hums As He Cooks
Cooking encompasses multiple steps, a lot of it precise or repetitive work. But, when the ingredients are cut and everything is in the pan or pot, cooking proper, it's only natural to fall into a trance as you watch your hard work transform into a wonderful dish. As evidenced by his humming in Breath of the Wild, Link gets it. Who knew a hardened hero could be so moved by the joy of cooking? -- Peter Brown
Lightning Is Attracted To Metal
The fact that wearing metal during a lightning storm in Breath of the Wild puts you at risk of being electrocuted is a nice, if scary, touch. I mean, it sucks to die for fashion, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.
More importantly, you can use lightning to rain death upon Link's unfashionable enemies. Toss a metal sword into a group of Bokoblins during a storm, sit back, and watch the light show commence! -- Peter Brown
Horses Eat Food Out Of Your Hands
Epona? You don't need no stinkin' Epona when Hyrule is so overrun with free-range horses in Breath of the Wild. While not every bronco warms up to you immediately, that's where handfuls of fruits and veggies come in handy. When ol' Buck Rogers is giving you a hard time, hand-feed him a few apples and carrots, and he'll be tame in no time. -- Peter Brown
Shield Surfing: The Great Hyrulian Pastime
While playing Breath of the Wild, you will spend more time hiking than anything else. All of this exploration would start to wear thin if not for the game's surprisingly viable traversal mechanic: shield surfing. Yes, you have to climb and trudge up inclines on foot. But when you cross a peak, you're bound to go downhill, and there's no better way to the bottom than on the back of your shield. -- Peter Brown
There's A Glow-In-The-Dark Skeleton Outfit
There's no shortage of rad armor in Breath of the Wild, but there may be none radder than the Radiant gear set. First, you have to belong to a secret club to purchase it--it's deemed illegal in its town of origin. More importantly: the complete set makes you look like a luchador, with glow-in-the-dark bone decals and a gold-plated championship belt with a skull for a buckle, no less. -- Peter Brown
You Can Pretty Much Climb Everything
There's nothing more liberating than looking at a landform in the distance and declaring: "I'm gonna climb that." In Breath of the Wild, you're free to ascend nearly anything you want. Old ruins? No problem! Giant mountains? You bet! As long as you have the proper stamina to clamber to the top, the world is your oyster. -- Matt Espineli
The Yiga Clan Absolutely LOVE Bananas
Members of the Yiga Clan may be agile and dangerous, but as with any bad guy in a video game, they have a weakness: bananas. They drop bananas when you defeat them. Their hideout is filled with them. They’ll leave whatever post they’re currently defending in order to pick up a bunch. Their obsession with the fruit is equal parts adorable and unsettling, as it makes me wonder how they build muscle with the lack of protein in their diet. -- Joey Yee
Those Subtle, Fleeting Piano Flourishes...Less Is More!
It's difficult to not get lost in the sounds of Hyrule. The soft winds that pass through the foliage bring peace to the veiled darkness that looms over the land. But it's the subtle, fleeting piano flourishes that bring it all together. The game's music is far more subdued than its predecessors, evoking faint melodies that change and adapt to your actions and discoveries. But it teases you, ending before you have the chance to imprint them into your memory; it's as if the wind carries them away. -- Matt Espineli
Everyone Has A Crush On Link
One of the most delightful (and seemingly arbitrary) details in Breath of the Wild is that Link is a hunk. People from all reaches of Hyrule--and of all ages and genders--flirt with him shamelessly, from the extremely shy Paya to the very forward Great Fairies. One of them even asks him to move in with her. It’s wild.
The best part is, Link mostly just blushes in response. The boy doesn’t know his own charms. -- Kallie Plagge
You Can Ride A Skeleton Horse
You can ride a lot of non-horse things in Breath of the Wild, but there’s only one undead thing you can ride: the Stalhorse. There’s just something really special about killing a Stalkoblin and riding its demon steed into the dark, cold night only to have it expire come sunrise. The only flaw here is that you can’t register the beast at a stable. -- Kallie Plagge
You Can Use Skeleton Arms As Weapons
Link, having conquered his foes in both life and death, equips the severed limbs of his enemies to rain further death upon their friends. Who knew Zelda could get so morbid? -- Scott Butterworth
Link Flexes When Shirtless
If you go idle while Link isn’t wearing a shirt, he’ll eventually start flexing. It’s very dorky and charming and perfectly in line with how much of a big nerd Link is across all his incarnations. It’s a very small, easy-to-miss bit of personality, but one that helps flesh out the silent hero. -- Kallie Plagge
The Frightened Baby Korok On A Trial By Itself
To get to one of the shrines in Korok Forest, you have to secretly follow a young Korok named Oaki through a spooky forest as it completes its own trial. Whether or not you care for this kind of stealth quest, the Korok is undeniably the cutest. It talks to itself the entire time to keep from getting too scared, saying things like, “Everything is A-OK!” and insisting it isn’t scared. It’s nothing less than heartwarming. -- Kallie Plagge
Zelda References Are Everywhere...But They're Subtle
Breath of the Wild is filled with nods to previous Zelda games, and the great thing about them is that they’re not in your face. Mountain ranges and rivers are named after old characters, and the familiar refrains of Zelda’s Lullaby and Epona’s Song are weaved into the music, but it doesn’t feel like Breath of the Wild is pandering to Zelda fans--rather, the love letter to what came before is only a footnote at the end of a game that stands very much on its own. -- Kallie Plagge
There’s Always A Reward For Aimless Exploration
There are a lot of places in Hyrule that you’ll never need to go to--caves and beaches and mountains and fields off the beaten path with no obvious draw. But even if you aren’t actively looking for anything, stumbling upon a Korok or a secret hidden deep underground when you’re just wandering with no destination in mind makes every trek feel worthwhile and every inch of Hyrule worth seeing. -- Kallie Plagge
Sometimes You Solve Korok Puzzles On Accident
"Hey, why are there weird cubes jutting out from that cliff face? Huh, there's another cube over here. I wondering what would happen if I place that cube...oh hey, a Korok!" Moments like these crop up frequently in Breath of the Wild. Just as the game rewards aimless exploration, so too does it reward inquisitiveness and experimentation. It's a wonderful example of understated, fullfilling game design. -- Scott Butterworth
Eventide Island Is The Best Shrine
One of the best shrine quests in the game is Eventide Island, where you have to survive without all the equipment and items you had upon your arrival. Having to scavenge and rely on what you’ve learned rather than what you have is a refreshing challenge, and it serves as a reminder of how far you’ve traveled just to make it to the island in the first place. -- Kallie Plagge
You Can Hang Out With Dogs
Breath of the Wild is absolutely littered with canines, and while there's no button prompt to actually pet all these good boys, you can win their affection by kneeling next to them or dropping snacks close by. It's adorable. -- Scott Butterworth
Dogs Chase Their Own Tails
THEY CHASE THEIR OWN TAILS, GUYS! THIS IS THE BEST! Seriously, someone tell We Rate Dogs about this game. -- Scott Butterworth
Dogs Lead You To Treasure!
If you find a dog in any of the towns or stables, don't just crouch down and nuzzle it. Feed the pup three pieces of meat or fruit and it'll lead you to a treasure chest hidden in the surrounding area. Always shower a doggo with unconditional love and kindness; it'll get you far. -- Matt Espineli
That Line About Donkeypower
There is a lot of silly chatter in Breath of the Wild. In the early stages of the game, you come across a fellow who reminds you that it's not all about horsepower. "Don't forget about donkeypower," he says. What's this? It's "the power to stay chill and be good buds." Very nice. -- Eddie Makuch
Bokoblins Talk To Each Other
There's an abundance of quirky dialogue and side quests, but it's those goofy Bokoblins that provide the most enjoyment. Whether you're observing the way they occasionally break out into tribal dance or how they communicate amongst each other, it's always delightful to watch them from afar. The best is when two Bokoblins appear to be discussing a concept; seeing a Bokoblin's expression shift from skeptical to understanding is hilarious. -- Matt Espineli
Getting a 5-Shot Savage Bow from a Lynel
After every knock-down, drag-out encounter with a high-tier Lynel, you claim their prized weapons. This can include the one-off powerful sword or shield, but none of these prizes compare to the five-shot Savage Bow. With the right arrows, this bow can make short work of your foes at an embarrassingly fast rate. -- Richie Bracamonte
Link’s Passive Aggressive Responses | Richie
Link is not the type to mince words, so when he’s prompted to speak to anyone, his options are pretty polarizing. One answer is a simple "yes man" response, but the other is often curt or downright mean. That can generate some comically negative responses, some of which don’t let you progress your quest! -- Richie Bracamonte
You Can Blend In With Enemies Using Monster Masks
There's something so alluring about the concept of blending in with a pack of monsters. Fortunately, Kilton's monster masks offer you that pleasure. From the way that Link's stance changes to mirror the monster he's disguising himself as to the way the monsters react to you and accept you as their own, blending in is one of the most satisfying and comedic activities you can do. Just purchase one and let the antics ensue. -- Matt Espineli
Prince Sidon Is An Absolute Dork
With all the talk you hear about the Zora prince on the way to Zora's Domain, it's hard to avoid assuming he's arrogant and stuck-up. But Prince Sidon is anything but a regal jerk; he's actually the most endearing, high-spirited dork you'll find in Hyrule. Just look at that bicep pose and twinkling smile. It's no wonder the internet has fallen in love with him. -- Matt Espineli
Koroks In Korok Forest Are SO Excited To See You
If you had to patiently wait 100 years for someone to return, how would you feel when they finally came back? You'd likely be passive-aggressive from all the waiting. But the Koroks of the Korok Forest are far more forgiving. These little buddies greet Link with such care and enthusiasm. Heck, they even went out of their way to build a bed for him to sleep in and open up a shop for him to purchase goods. -- Matt Espineli
The Sounds Koroks Make When You Drop A Rock On Their Heads
Breath of the Wild's enduring charm is in its little details, and while you'd expect Koroks to react when they come in harm's way, the unexpected element comes from how they respond. Instead of a standard sound, the Korok's have unique, quirky reactions. It feels mean, but it's worth roughing them up a little bit. -- Justin Haywald
Giving Me A Use For All My Regular Amiibo
The Zelda-specific Amiibo figures present one of the most useful applications to date of Nintendo's toys-to-life creations, but even thematically unrelated Amiibo are useful in Breath of the Wild. If you just need a quick hit of cooking ingredients, literally every Amiibo (from Animal Crossing cards to the Super Smash Bros. Amiibo lineup) drops a random assortment of helpful items. And even if you don't need the materials for cooking, you can sell your extras for a tidy profit. -- Justin Haywald
Elemental Weapons Let You Survive Extreme Temps
Breath of the Wild puts a large emphasis on managing both your outfits and your ability buffs in order to survive the game's harsh environments. But the little element of surprise that's added to this system is that even your weapons and items can affect your body temperature. If you're holding a torch or a magical fiery wand, it can keep you from getting cold just as effectively as a warm coat. And conversely, ice weapons provide cool relief from the desert heat. -- Justin Haywald
If It's Made Of Wood, It'll Burn
Early on, Breath of the Wild teaches you how grass can catch fire and that the wind can blow wildfires around. But one of the small details that's easier to miss is that ropes can burn as well. Practically speaking, this means that when enemies like the Hinox tie armor around their legs, you can use a fire weapon or torch to set its armor on fire, giving you an opening for attack and damaging the gigantic foe in the process. -- Justin Haywald
Recipes Are Hidden All Over The World
Cooking is very important in Breath of the Wild, and experimentation plays an important part in finding what recipes work best for you. But it's the way the game encourages experimentation that's truly clever--some characters will talk to you about helpful item combinations, but you can also find unique dishes hanging on walls somewhere in almost every town. -- Justin Haywald
The Game Over Text Changes Depending On How You Die
Though it's a bit morbid, you might've noticed that the color of the text on the Game Over screen sometimes changes--this is all dependent on how you die. A regular death in battle is red, freezing attacks (or getting stuck in a cold environment) result in blue text, succumbing to electric attacks gives you a yellow screen, and dying in a blaze of fire gives you an orange "Game Over." -- Justin Haywald
An Aurora Shines In The Northern Sky
Breath of the Wild is littered with minor details that are easy to miss, but if you venture to the game's colder northern climes on a clear night, you've likely noticed the brilliant, beautiful aurora glowing in the sky. -- Justin Haywald
People Go Inside When It's Raining
Video game characters can sometimes be a rather unresponsive bunch, which is why the way Breath of the Wild's NPCs are programmed to react to the world around them is so captivating. Instead of going about their normal, daily routines when it starts to rain, characters in the game will run for shelter and actively try to avoid getting wet! -- Justin Haywald
You Can Combine Flint And Wood To Make A Fire
Breath of the Wild's inventory system makes it seem like you can only combine items when cooking, but some of your supplies have uses when you toss them on the ground as well. If you throw some wood next to a piece of flint and then strike them with a metal weapon, the sparks will automatically turn the kindling into a warm fire. -- Justin Haywald
Kass Is Just Wonderful
Breath of the Wild's haunting, understated melodies are one of the game's highlights, which makes the contrast with the boisterous, accordion-playing Kass all the more sonorous. He's a character you hear long before you see him, and the variation he plays on the game's main theme serves to highlight just how multifaceted the soundtrack can be. -- Justin Haywald
Pikango Is The Worst Painter
Pikango is a helpful character for finding memories in the game. And you might imagine, given that he travels the world with an easel and set of paints, that he's a skilled artisan. But take a closer look at his canvas for...an interesting take on the world of Breath of the Wild. -- Justin Haywald
No Zelda Experience Necessary
Even if this is your first Zelda game, you don't need an ounce of knowledge of the series' gameplay or lore. Sure, many of the visual elements and game mechanics will be familiar to fans, but newcomers won't feel like they're missing out on any huge inside jokes or substantial references. It's a fitting gateway entry to the franchise. -- Miguel Concepcion
The Sense Of Detachment To Weapons
Weapon durability is a huge part of Breath of the Wild's combat. You're constantly picking up new melee weapons as others in your possession wear down with use. It's a bittersweet cycle of loss and gain, where you say goodbye to sticks and clubs that served you well and say hello to fresh swords primed for monster-slaying. -- Miguel Concepcion
It's The Closest We Have To A Hayao Miyazaki Game
Yes, Studio Ghibli had a hand in Ni No Kuni, but even that superb JRPG doesn't capture the specific style of nature depicted in many of Hayao Miyazaki's works. Complementing the diverse natural environments are the ruins of Hyrule, making the land feel as if it's existed for eons, like the world of Nausicaa. Much of the terrain is so inviting that it's easy to ignore the fast travel option, which is the biggest compliment you can bestow on an open-world game. -- Miguel Concepcion
Know The World Without Boring And Time-Consuming Tutorials
Within the first hour, you will already have learned how to use bombs and manipulate objects while clearing two shrines in the process. These sections strike a balance in being informative and concise. This also preserves the game's sense of discovery as players discover how to use these abilities beyond their basic functions. -- Miguel Concepcion
Hyrule Is Expansive But Never Overwhelming
As you first gaze at the vastness of Hyrule, objects in the horizon tease you with myriad destinations that are just waiting to be explored. It's a challenge trying to decide where to go first, and it's a nice problem to have. Thanks to the map and pins, it's easy to manage your various goals and destinations without wishing you could be in multiple places at once. -- Miguel Concepcion
Even Enemies Have To Equip Weapons
Breath of the Wild excels in the little things, like the first time you sneak up on a Bokoblin campfire and you realize those creatures aren't quite battle-ready. Even in an encounter involving life and death, it's endearing to watch Bokoblins run for their sticks. For such a brief sequence, it does a lot to immerse you. -- Miguel Concepcion
You Can Save (Almost) Anywhere
Breath of the Wild encourages experimentation, but things don't always go as you hope. That's part of what makes the ability to save virtually anywhere so welcome--you aren't penalized for trying things out. If you reach the top of a mountain and want to see how long it would take to return to lower ground, you can save, try it, and then reload.
Being able to save anywhere is also immensely useful when playing on Switch, letting you easily jump into other games and back without sacrificing any progress. -- Chris Pereira
You Can Play Dress-Up With Your Horse
Sure, Link himself can don different outfits, but nothing makes an impression like rolling into town on a decked-out horse. Certain stables allow you to customize the look of your ride, adorning them with different saddles and mane styles. The latter provides options like mohawks, French braids, and flowers. Naming a horse is nice and all, but your horse isn't truly yours until you've made him your own fancy flower boy. -- Chris Pereira
Climbing Sheikah Towers Is Always A Rush
Climbing towers isn't a mechanic unique to Breath of the Wild, but whereas other games can make it feel like a chore, there's a real exhilaration when ascending a Sheikah Tower. That's best exemplified with the first one, when you get your best sense yet of how vast the world is. But every subsequent climb also brings with it a similar sense of wonder--and the inevitable mental checklist of cool-looking places in the distance to check out later. -- Chris Pereira
Farosh, The Intimidator
I distinctly remember the first time I saw Farosh in the distance. I immediately pulled out my camera and zoomed in for a better look, thinking I was lucky to be so far away and vowing to avoid it at all costs. Much later, I was swimming in a seemingly safe area, only to suffer electric damage. I turned around to discover I was mere feet away from this utterly massive creature emerging from the water. And oh how I ran for my life, both terrified and laughing about the typical Breath of the Wild detour-of-a-detour-of-a-detour that led me to this encounter.
I haven't been back since, but one day I will return, Farosh. One day. -- Chris Pereira
Non-Traditional Fishing Methods
Before I discovered that you don't need a fishing pole to catch fish, I decided to take an alternate approach: I used Cryonis to create ice blocks underneath nearby fish, raising them out of the water and allowing me to easily pluck them up while they helplessly flopped on top. It turned out to be an unnecessary step in the process, but it stands as yet another example of how Breath of the Wild allows you to use its myriad tools to tackle any given problem. -- Chris Pereira
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