Breath of the Wild 2, also known as BOTW 2, the sequel to Nintendo's 2017 action-adventure video game “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” is under development. The sequel to “Breath of the Wild” will be released at some point in 2022.
The sequel to the original Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch will be the latest installment of The Legend of Zelda series.
BOTW 2 is one of the most anticipated games of the year, but we don't know its actual title yet. Nintendo first announced the game at E3 2019, where a short trailer showed off the events following Link's climactic battle with Calamity Ganon.
The trailer provided an unsettling and creepy first look at a new Hyrule under a more significant threat than ever before.
Read also: Nintendo Switch OLED.
Breath of the Wild 2 Trailer – E3 2019 Teaser
Fans have been talking about BOTW's darker tone and disturbing tease of what appears to be a zombie Ganondorf, but Nintendo has kept mum about its most sought-after title. Despite this, we've seen no shortage of exciting speculation on everything from how BOTW 2 will play to when it launches.
The tone of BOTW 2's first trailer is decidedly darker than anything you might remember from its predecessor.
This sequel features Link and Zelda traversing the dark dungeons beneath Hyrule (nothing surprising there). The pair are riding a sizeable elephant-like beast while spirit-like tendrils creep around the musty tomb they are exploring.
The two are shocked by something, and then we see what appears to be the resurrection of some long-dead (and creepy-looking) warrior. Throughout, the unnerving tune sets the mood and builds to a climax with the return of Ganondorf.
It's fitting to close on the image of Hyrule Castle lifting from the earth, with the message, “The sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is in development.”
Breath of the Wild 2 Trailer – E3 2021 Teaser
In the Nintendo Direct E3 2021 presentation, we got a new trailer and a release date for 2022, so the game won't be released this year. The trailer has provided a few more glimpses into the highly anticipated game.
Despite the more dungeon-crawling flavor of the original teaser, the trailer showed off a vast, expansive world of Hyrule – expanded even further with navigation into the sky.
The video shows some paragliding in the sky, a freefall mechanic that seems ripped right out of Skyward Sword, and a new glove that looks to replace Sheikah's slate for Breath of the Wild 2.
BOTW development delays
Producing director Eiji Aonuma said, “The team is working hard to make the vast world you enjoyed exploring in the original game even more impressive, so we'll have to wait a little longer before we can provide more information.”
In honor of the Zelda series' 35th anniversary, Nintendo should consider releasing a remaster of Link's earlier adventures or even BotW 2.
A leak revealed last year that BotW 2 was scheduled for a 2020 release, but Nintendo shared that development was taking longer than anticipated, resulting in the game being delayed beyond even 2021.
Bloomberg reports that Nintendo plans to release an upgraded Switch console and a line-up of new games next year. Nintendo could launch the Switch Pro with Breath of the Wild 2, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
Breath of the Wild sequel actual title
Nintendo told IGN that it wouldn't reveal the official full title of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 because it could give away some information about the game.
“As for why we're holding back on the name, you'll just have to stay tuned because Zelda names are kind of important,” Nintendo Treehouse's Bill Trinen explained. “Those subtitles… they start to give little bits of hints about maybe what's going to happen.”
Trinen did not mention when Nintendo plans to reveal the full title, but the announcement will likely be closer to the game's release.
BOTW 2, Majora's Mask, and Ocarina of Time comparisons
Whenever you're looking for new information on upcoming Nintendo games, Nintendo's Treehouse is the place to check, and Breath of the Wild 2 isn't an exception.
In a broadcast with IGN, Bill Trinen, Nintendo of America's Senior Product Marketing Manager, discussed BOTW 2 and its relationship with the N64's Ocarina of Time and its sequel, Majora's Mask.
“I would say it's an easy comparison or conclusion to jump to at this point, just given what's been shown so far and given the nature of it being a direct sequel. So I understand people making that conclusion, but at the same time ? and I don't want to delve too much into it ? but this is its own game”.
As opposed to Majora's Mask, Trinen wanted to clarify that this is indeed a sequel.
“I think as we start to show a bit more of the game over the coming months to the next year or so, it'll probably start to be a bit more apparent where this game stands on its own and what makes it so unique.”
“The way that [BOTW 2] builds on Breath of the Wild, which already was such an expansive game with so many layers of Link's abilities and layers to the gameplay… I think this is going to layer quite a bit more into that”.
Ganondorf as a playable character fan theory for BOTW 2
According to a new Breath of the Wild 2 fan theory, Ganondorf could appear in specific game segments. According to Barrett Courtney of Kinda Funny (via GameSpot), the Link we saw in the new E3 2021 trailer is Ganondorf, and part of the game includes exploring Ganondorf's fall.
“In this game, you will learn about Ganondorf's fall and then save him from the evil that has been ravaging him for generations.” By breaking the cycle started by Demise, we will end the cycle.”
According to Courtney, the full name of Breath of the Wild 2 (still under wraps by Nintendo) could be something like “Demise of the Wild,” referencing Breath of the Wild and the corruption caused by Demise.
Demise is one of the main antagonists of Skyward Sword, which will be re-released this year on Switch. Courtney suggests that the decision to port Skyward Sword to Switch was deliberate, “Fujibayashi wants to connect all 3 of his major games, and bringing Skyward to Switch will give first-timers the back story before BOTW2.”
However, there is some evidence against this theory, and until Nintendo reveals more about Breath of the Wild 2, we cannot be sure of what story the game will tell.