Breath of the Wild 2 is coming and Nintendo’s teaser suggests the series could go in a darker direction.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 has been confirmed and, even though very little is known about it, it’s undoubtedly one of the most highly-anticipated games coming to Nintendo Switch. Since the game’s announcement during Nintendo’s E3 2019 presentation, details have remained thin on the ground but now that we’re into 2021, the year in which the franchise celebrates its 35th anniversary, we’re hoping that Nintendo will take the opportunity to make some timely announcements. Thanks to a February Nintendo Direct, we already know that some news will come later in the year, unfortunately we’re still waiting to find out exactly when. Given Nintendo is a publisher known for keeping things firmly under wraps until they’re absolutely ready, it’s perhaps not all that surprising that it’s keeping quiet around Breath of the Wild 2. It is, after all, the sequel to Breath of the Wild, which is still hailed as one of the best Switch games you can buy, meaning expectations are extremely high. Unfortunately, the number of questions we have is even higher. When will it release? What will its story involve? Is that rumored Nintendo Switch 2 going to play a part? Solid information on Breath of the Wild 2 is hard to come by at the moment but in the meantime, we’ve gathered up everything we know and suspect so far about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 for your perusal. Nintendo hasn’t shared much information on Breath of the Wild 2 other than an announcement trailer and a few sparse comments—which we’ll run through below. One thing to hold on to is that the trailer closed off with a line stating the game is « in development ». That doesn’t guarantee the game is coming anytime soon but it is coming. Last year, leaker Sabi (via wccftech) suggested that Breath of the Wild 2 is due for release in 2020, but warned that, « Zelda release dates are historically delayed, internally or publicly ». And it seems they were right, as the leaker has since claimed that Breath of the Wild 2 has been delayed, likely into 2021. While it’s always worth taking rumors with a big pinch of salt, Sabi is a pretty reliable leaker. The Twitter user leaked most of the big announcements from E3 2019 before they happened – reportedly even earning a cease and desist order from Nintendo. There have also been rumors that Nintendo is working on a Nintendo Switch Pro, a more powerful console than the original Switch. It’s been suggested that Breath of the Wild 2 would make an ideal launch title for a new console and if rumors prove to be true this could see Breath of the Wild 2 released in late 2021 or early 2022. However, this is all very much speculation at this point given the existence of such a console hasn’t been confirmed or denied by Nintendo and no update has been given on Breath of the Wild 2’s release date. We got our first glimpse of BOTW 2 at E3 2019, with this spooky trailer that shows Zelda and Link exploring an underground chamber – with some mysterious runes, glowing hands, and a brand-new haircut that has set the internet on fire. Suffice it to say we’re excited. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 trailer is just 82 seconds long and there’s no dialogue whatsoever but there are some clues to be gathered from it. It features a torch-carrying Link and Zelda traversing a dark dungeon beneath Hyrule (no big surprise there). Spirit-like tendrils creep around the musty tomb they’re exploring, with the pair riding a large elephant-like beast. Something shocks the pair, and then we cut to what appears to be the resurrection of some long-dead (and creepy looking) warrior. Could this be the return of Ganondorf? The video then cuts to a long shot of Hyrule Field, with Hyrule Castle in the distance. There’s a tremor, the castle is smothered with dust… and that’s the end. The clip finishes with a message that reads: « The sequel to Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is in development. » We wouldn’t usually expect so much animation to be done so early in development, but it probably helps that Nintendo already has the in-game engine from Breath of the Wild. More information coming in 2021 Nintendo’s Direct presentation in February 2021 didn’t bring any more details on Breath of the Wild 2 but it wasn’t completely absent. Zelda series producer, Eiji Aonuma, shared a small update during the presentation (via NintendoLife), noting that development is “proceeding smoothly” and that there’s going to be more information on the game later this year. “I’m sure a lot of you saw me and thought there might be news to the sequel to the Breath of the Wild game.” Aonuma said, “Unfortunately, we don’t have anything to share right now. Development is proceeding smoothly and we should be able to bring you some information this year. For now, we’ll have to ask you to wait just a bit longer.” In the meantime, Zelda fans can look forward to Skyward Sword HD which is coming to the Switch on July 16. A potential release window? Nintendo hasn’t given any release window for Breath of the Wild 2 but prominent leaker Emily Rogers has said on Twitter (via GamesRadar) that the sequel could arrive in the 2021 holiday season, saying there’s an “85-90% chance”. Rogers has accurately predicted Nintendo release plans before and their estimation lines up with other rumors that the game will release in late 2021, which is, coincidentally, when it’s rumored that Nintendo might also release a new and more powerful Switch console. However, at the moment this is all just speculation and we can’t be sure until Nintendo announces something official.
