How Nintendo reinvented open-world exploration and won Game of the Year 2017. Systemic chemistry engine, 120 Shrines, and comprehensive analysis.
After a 100-year slumber in the Shrine of Resurrection, Link awakens with no memories to find the kingdom of Hyrule in ruins, devastated by Calamity Ganon. With Princess Zelda barely holding Ganon trapped within Hyrule Castle, Link must journey across a vast, untamed landscape to liberate the four mechanical Divine Beasts (Vah Ruta, Vah Rudania, Vah Medoh, Vah Naboris) and claim the legendary Master Sword.
Breath of the Wild dismantled decades of rigid open-world conventions. There are no minimap towers cluttering your screen with checklists; instead, the world is governed by a brilliant **chemistry and physics engine**. Fire creates updrafts for paragliding; metallic weapons attract lightning strikes; wood floats; electricity conducts through water; and you can climb literally any surface you see.
Nintendo built Breath of the Wild to launch the Nintendo Switch hardware:
Runs at 900p 30 FPS docked with vibrant cel-shaded art direction that looks timeless across modern 4K TV displays.
Runs at native 720p 30 FPS handheld with exceptional battery life (3.5 to 5.5 hours) and gorgeous contrast on Switch OLED screens.
120 puzzle-filled Shrines replace linear dungeon rooms, rewarding players with Spirit Orbs to upgrade Health and Stamina vessels.
The DLC ($19.99) adds the 50-floor Master Sword trial, Master Mode difficulty, Hero's Path map tracker, and the Master Cycle Zero motorcycle.
Priced at $59.99 USD standard Nintendo MSRP:
Recommendation: Start with the Base Game, then pick up the Expansion Pass once you've conquered the main storyline.
Calculated from IGN 10/10 & 97/100 Metacritic (one of the highest-rated games in video game history).
| Game Title | Exploration Style | Physics Engine | MSRP / Sale Price | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zelda: BOTW | Open-Air / Climbing / Gliding | Systemic Chemistry Engine | $59.99 (Sale: $39.99) | 50 - 150+ Hours |
| Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | Sky, Surface & Depths / Ultrahand | Vehicle Construction Physics | $69.99 (Sale: $49.99) | 70 - 200+ Hours |
| Elden Ring | Open-World Dark Fantasy RPG | Soulslike Combat Physics | $59.99 (Sale: $39.99) | 60 - 120 Hours |
| Genshin Impact | Elemental Reaction Gacha RPG | Elemental Magic Combinations | Free-to-Play | 100+ Hours |
Breath of the Wild is a landmark masterpiece that revolutionized the entire open-world genre. It is the definitive reason to own a Nintendo Switch and one of the finest interactive adventures ever conceived.
Every single Nintendo Switch owner, fans of exploration and physics experimentation, and players who value emergent player-driven discovery.
Players who strictly dislike weapon durability degradation or prefer linear story missions with heavy cutscenes.
First-party Nintendo games hold their value, but BOTW regularly goes on sale for 30% off ($39.99) during Black Friday and Nintendo eShop Cyber Sales.