'Zelda: Breath of the Wild' features an alternate ending

By Gabe Gurwin January 23, 2017

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017 Trailer

The Legend of Zelda franchise is no stranger to split timelines and narrative paradoxes that can make even its most dedicated fans’ heads spin, and it appears that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will make things even more complex. The game features an alternate ending, provided you’re willing to put in a little extra effort.

In an interview with IGN Portugal, longtime Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma revealed that the game will sport more than one ending, though he’s tight-lipped on exactly what changes.

“There is an alternate ending if you meet certain criteria. If you do a few things, you may see a different ending,” he said.

In the same interview, Aonuma also confirmed that Link’s trusty steed will also be making an appearance — though this is a very different Zelda game than games like Twilight Princess and Ocarina of Time, some things are best kept the same.

The most famous “alternate ending” in the Zelda series thus far occurs after Ocarina of Time. Link’s “child” timeline sees him returning to his younger self after defeating Ganondorf as an adult, eventually setting in motion the events of Majora’s Mask and Twilight Princess. However, in the “adult” timeline, which Link was no longer a part of after being sent back to his childhood, Ganondorf eventually returns and Hyrule is flooded — this sets the stage for The Wind Waker as well as the DS games Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.

It’s speculated that Breath of the Wild takes place in a third timeline called “Fallen Hero,” which sees Ganondorf — or Ganon — conquering Hyrule with no one to stop him. This timeline also includes A Link to the Past.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is nothing short of the most ambitious game in the entire series. We’re looking forward to getting our hands on it on March 3, when it will be available for both Nintendo Switch as well as the Wii U.

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Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…

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