The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an open-world action-adventure video game developed by Nintendo EPD and released on March 3, 2017, for the Nintendo Switch and Wii U. The nineteenth main entry in the long-running Zelda series, it redefined the franchise with a vast, physics-driven world emphasizing exploration, experimentation, and player freedom. It received universal acclaim and numerous Game of the Year honors.
Key facts
- Developer / Publisher: Nintendo EPD / Nintendo
- Director / Producer: Hidemaro Fujibayashi / Eiji Aonuma
- Release date: March 3, 2017
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii U
- Global sales: Over 33 million copies (as of 2024)
Setting and story
Set a century after the fall of the Kingdom of Hyrule, the game follows Link, who awakens from a 100-year slumber to defeat Calamity Ganon and rescue Princess Zelda. Guided by remnants of memory and ancient technology, players uncover the land’s history while reclaiming the Divine Beasts—massive mechanical titans that once protected Hyrule .
Gameplay innovations
Breath of the Wild introduced true open-world design to the series. Players can climb nearly any surface, paraglide, cook, and manipulate a dynamic weather-based environment through elemental interactions. Combat and survival rely on scavenging weapons and materials, which degrade with use, encouraging improvisation and exploration .
Development and design
Developed over five years, the project drew on support from Monolith Soft for large-scale world building. Director Fujibayashi and producer Aonuma sought to “rethink the conventions” of Zelda by giving players freedom to approach objectives in any order. The art style blends cel-shaded animation with painterly realism, inspired by Japanese natural landscapes .