Nintendo has announced that they are delaying the as-yet-untitled sequel to 2017’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild from this year to Spring 2023.
Eiji Aonuma, The Legend of Zelda series producer, made the announcement in a short video posted on Nintendo’s YouTube channel and Twitter account. He explained that they made this decision in order to allow the game more development time. Aonuma apologised to those who were looking forward to a 2022 release, but also stated that the team is working “diligently” to ensure that the result is “something special”.
The video included footage from the E3 2021 teaser, along with a brand new clip of Link holding a very beat-up and damaged Master Sword.
“…Please wait a while longer.”
While we do not know much about the sequel to Breath of the Wild yet, Nintendo has released limited information via some short trailers.
What we know so far
Nintendo’s E3 2019 showcase had a teaser simply stating that the game is now in development. We see Link and Zelda exploring underground and happening across the viscous substance associated with Calamity Ganon’s corruptive influence. A rotting corpse is reanimated, glowing green runes appear throughout, and Hyrule Castle seems to rise up out of the ground.
The trailer released during E3 2021 reveals a little more. Concerningly, Zelda’s fate seems to be largely uncertain here: her only appearance in the trailer is when we see her fall after the ground seemingly crumbles away. Link’s right arm now has new, Sheikah Slate-like capabilities after experiencing some sort of transformation, and as well as his blue Champion’s Tunic, we see him wearing a more ragged green and brown outfit at points too. He also has some markings, or possibly even tattoos, on his upper right arm.
Notably, the E3 2021 trailer shows off action taking place both in the sky as well as on land, as we see Link explore the air using his Paraglider alongside clips of more ground-based gameplay. Interestingly, this was further addressed by Aonuma in the video announcing the delay, adding that the “expanded world goes beyond that”.
The announcement might not be a welcome one for Zelda fans eager to play the sequel to one of the Switch’s most beloved titles. However, we can be hopeful that the delay, considering the reasons given for it, will help make sure the game is worth the wait.
Words by Mia Chitty