The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Game Overview

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a 2017 open-world action-adventure game developed by Nintendo EPD (with assistance from Monolith Soft) and published by Nintendo. It serves as the nineteenth mainline entry in The Legend of Zelda series and was released simultaneously for Wii U and Nintendo Switch on March 3, 2017. It is the final Nintendo-published title for the Wii U.

Players control Link, who awakens in the Shrine of Resurrection after a century-long sleep. Guided by a mysterious voice, he must regain his lost memories, free the four Divine Beasts, and ultimately confront Calamity Ganon to save Princess Zelda and the kingdom of Hyrule. Unlike traditional Zelda games, the experience is highly non-linear. Players can tackle objectives in almost any order and approach challenges through multiple creative solutions.

The game emphasizes exploration and systemic gameplay. Nearly every surface can be climbed, weather and temperature affect survival, fire and electricity interact with the environment in realistic ways, and cooking allows players to create meals and elixirs with temporary buffs. Over 120 shrines offer puzzle and combat challenges, while a vast map filled with towers, stables, villages, and hidden Korok seeds rewards curiosity. Weapons break with use, encouraging resourcefulness, and the Sheikah Slate provides essential tools such as bombs, magnetism, and stasis.

On Wii U, the game runs at 720p and 30 fps, with a physical disc requiring approximately 3 GB of free storage for installation data. Digital downloads require around 13 GB. It supports the Wii U GamePad and Wii U Pro Controller, with amiibo compatibility for additional in-game rewards.

Quick Specifications

• Title: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
  
• Platform: Wii U
  
• Release Date: March 3, 2017
  
• Developer: Nintendo EPD (with Monolith Soft)
  
• Publisher: Nintendo
  
• Genre: Action-Adventure, Open World
  
• Players: 1
  
• Rating: ESRB E10+ / PEGI 12 / CERO B
  
• Modes: Single-player
  
• Compatible Controllers: Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller
  
• Features: Amiibo support, downloadable content (Expansion Pass), offline play
  
• Storage: Physical disc requires ~3 GB free space; digital version ~13 GB
  

Key Features

• Massive seamless open world that can be freely explored from the start
  
• Highly interactive physics and chemistry systems (fire, electricity, weather, temperature)
  
• Climb almost any surface and glide with the paraglider
  
• Over 120 Shrines of Trials offering unique puzzles and combat challenges
  
• Robust cooking and survival mechanics with hundreds of ingredient combinations
  
• Weapon durability system that encourages experimentation and scavenging
  
• Sheikah Slate runes for creative problem-solving (bombs, Magnesis, Stasis, Cryonis)
  
• Memorable soundtrack, atmospheric art direction, and deep sense of discovery
  
• Amiibo compatibility for exclusive items, weapons, and materials
  
• Expansion Pass content available (The Master Trials and The Champions’ Ballad)

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Is Breath of the Wild the same on Wii U and Nintendo Switch?

Yes, the core content is identical. The Switch version runs at a higher resolution (up to 900p docked) and features slightly improved environmental audio, while the Wii U version runs at 720p. Both target 30 frames per second.

Does the Wii U version require a download or installation?

Yes. The physical disc version requires approximately 3 GB of free space on the system or a USB storage device for installation data. The full digital version is larger (around 13 GB).

Can I use a Wii U Pro Controller?

Yes. The game fully supports the Wii U Pro Controller. Some motion-based shrine puzzles still require the GamePad’s gyroscope.

Are there differences in performance between Wii U and Switch?

The Switch version is generally more stable and offers higher resolution. The Wii U version can experience more noticeable frame-rate drops in dense or action-heavy areas, though it remains playable.

Does the game support amiibo?

Yes. After unlocking the amiibo rune early in the game, compatible figures can be scanned once per day for materials, weapons, or special items (such as the Wolf Link amiibo).

Is there DLC for the Wii U version?

Yes. The Expansion Pass, which includes The Master Trials and The Champions’ Ballad, was released for both platforms and remains available for Wii U.

How long does it take to complete the game?

Main story completion typically takes 40–50 hours. A more thorough playthrough exploring side content and collecting items can easily exceed 80–100 hours.