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If you mean a game set in the Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom era, start with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Add The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom if you want the direct continuation, and treat Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity as optional background. The new game is not identified in the title, so this is a recommendation for that Hyrule era—not a claim that Nintendo has named required preparation.
Which Zelda game is the minimum to play?
Play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Nintendo’s Explorer’s Guide presents this version of Hyrule and Link’s central conflict. It describes Link awakening after 100 years of slumber to find Hyrule on the verge of ruin. That makes the game the most useful starting point for understanding this setting.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - World Edition | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom | $64.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening - Nintendo Switch | $58.39 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - For Nintendo Switch 2 | $76.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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If you only want one game for context, choose Breath of the Wild. The recommendation is editorial guidance based on the games’ setting and descriptions; Nintendo’s cited materials do not say that completing it is a formal requirement for an unnamed future release.
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Yes, if you want to follow Link’s next adventure in this Hyrule. Nintendo’s official announcement summary describes Link setting out on an epic journey, and frames Tears of the Kingdom as his latest adventure. The natural story sequence is Breath of the Wild first, then Tears of the Kingdom.
#1 Best Overall
- Discover Hyrule as never before: by making your own path, choices, and consequences
- Ingenuity is the key to survival: find multiple solutions to tons of dynamic puzzles
- Surprises hide around every corner: scavenge weapons, armor, plants, animals, and more
- Live off the land: find weapons and armor, cook food, and brew elixirs
- Utilize special technology: the in-game Sheikah Slate controls, objects and enemies in fun ways
Tears of the Kingdom is the continuation, not a prerequisite for starting Breath of the Wild. If the new game you have in mind follows this era, playing both gives you the fullest context among these recommendations; the available official descriptions do not establish that either must be completed before that unnamed game.
Where does Age of Calamity fit?
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is an optional companion for players curious about the Great Calamity period before Breath of the Wild. Nintendo’s September 9, 2026 announcement for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity – Definitive Edition says it is set 100 years before Breath of the Wild. That gives it historical relevance, but it is a Hyrule Warriors game rather than required mainline Zelda setup.
Rank #2
- The Legend of Zelda - Tears of the Kingdom
Play it if you specifically want to explore that earlier conflict. Skip it if your goal is simply to understand the Wilds-era Hyrule or continue Link’s story through the two main adventures.
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Choose an order based on how much context you want
| Goal | Suggested order | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Get the essential setting context | Breath of the Wild | Nintendo’s guide introduces this Hyrule and Link’s conflict. |
| Follow the main story sequence | Breath of the Wild → Tears of the Kingdom | Tears of the Kingdom is the natural next adventure in Nintendo’s framing. |
| Add earlier-period context | Age of Calamity → Breath of the Wild → Tears of the Kingdom | Age of Calamity is set before Breath of the Wild; it is optional rather than required setup. |
These are suggested orders based on setting and chronology, not a Nintendo-mandated play order. Nintendo’s cited materials do not provide comparable completion-time figures, so there is no supported time-based ranking here.
Rank #3
- As Link, explore a reimagined Koholint Island and collect instruments to awaken the Wind Fish to find a way home
- Explore numerous dungeons, riddled with tricks, traps, and enemies, including some from the Super Mario series
- Meet and interact with unique locals to get help on your adventure
- Listen to a reawakened soundtrack that helps bring life to Koholint Island
- Earn Chambers (Dungeon Rooms) and arrange them to complete objectives in the all new Chamber Dungeon
What if you mean a specific new Zelda game?
The title does not name the future game, and the cited official Nintendo material does not identify it. The recommendations above assume you mean a game connected to the Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom Hyrule era. Once the intended title and its continuity are clear, the useful preparation list may change; until then, avoid treating any of these games as officially required.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Enhanced performance and visuals exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore the skies, caves, and vast lands of Hyrule in a massive open-world adventure.
- Wield new and returning abilities to craft solutions, vehicles, and weapons.
- Discover the mystery behind the spreading gloom threatening the kingdom.
- Use the ZELDA NOTES app to share, compare, and earn daily bonuses.
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