With the sequel well underway, we thought it might be an apt time to look back once again at The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild. This game really changes the classic LoZ format, adding a ton of new lore and mechanics while also changing established mechanics that fans never thought would change. It's a unique game, with an absurdly long playtime, and it has hints of lore throughout that alludes to all of the different "timelines" in the canon. But, what are some of the weirder things it officially canonizes? We're here today to dig deep and figure it out.
10 Link Writes Down His Thoughts And Feelings
So, we'll start things off with something not many fans of the game know about. Usually, we're not ones to put localizations under a microscope and give the team flak for any mistranslated phrases. But, there was an odd choice made in BoTW, in most of the versions, the quest entries in the Sheikah Slate are written from a factual and omniscient point-of-view. But, in the Japanese and Russian versions, every single Quest entry is written by Link himself in the first person. We recommend fans check out the translated logs, as it adds a lot to Links character in the game that we wouldn't have known about previously.
9 Link Stays Mute Intentionally
Up until now, the reason why Link doesn't talk is different in every game, and that makes sense since most Links are different incarnations of the Hero of Time. Sometimes he does talk or gesture, but we as the viewer don't get to see it. Sometimes he just doesn't talk and people are fine with it. Other times still, he doesn't talk and people wonder why. For that last example, we finally have an answer. In Zelda's Journal Entries that players can find in BoTW, she mentions that Link told her he stays quiet as a way to appear strong and that his view of a knight is someone who can silently bear any burden.
8 Nintendo Makes Up The Timeline As They Go Along
The Zelda Timeline is probably one of the most over-examined and commonly debated topics in gaming history. The complex nature of the Timelines and how each game may play into one of them is both deeply interesting and totally tiresome. On one hand, we love hearing and reading about fans doing deep dives on the lore and finding things we never would've discovered on our own.
On the other, it's obvious that Nintendo mostly makes it up as they go along so fans shouldn't take it too seriously. That is even further confirmed by BoTW in the sense that it has allusions to being part of all three timelines. Nintendo obviously just wanted to include hints of fanservice for fans of any LoZ game, and we're okay with that.
7 The Rito And Zora Aren't Always Evolutionarily Linked
Another aspect of this game that we love is the relatively new appearances it gives the same old races we've seen in plenty of past LoZ games. The Gorons, Rito, Zora, and Gerudo all look different in this game, especially the fish and the birds. In Wind Waker, it was confirmed that the Rito are an evolutionary line of the Zora that evolved away from the dangers of the ocean, so, fans never expected to see them in the same game. But, because both races are in BoTW, clear as day, people had to put that theory to rest.
6 Links Laser Deflection Skill Is Canon
Link's combat potential varies from game to game, sometimes he's just a kid with a sword, and other games he's an experienced knight and master of the blade. In BoTW it's the latter. This Link went through rigorous training to become a Hyrulian Knight and it shows, his reaction time and basic combat potential are on point.
But, we never assumed that the laser deflection that players could achieve against the Guardians with perfect timing was in any way canon to the character. Mostly because this ability is stronger than any weapon in the game. Yet, we noticed that in Daruk's Training Journal that it was confirmed by the Goron Champion himself that Link's deflection skills are what got him the job as Zelda's Guard.
5 Link's Motorcycle Is The Fifth Divine Beast
Frankly, we sort of forgot Link was a champion through most of our playthrough of BoTW. The guy doesn't have his own Divine Beast, and he also sort of separates himself from the other champions by being Zelda's guard. And she does need a steadfast guard, considering how beloved she is by the fans of the series. But, thanks to the Ballad of Champions DLC, we find out that Link actually does have his own Divine Beast. Turns out that Link's horse-themed motorcycle is actually the 5th Divine Beast. That's right, the Master Cycle Zero might not have size or power, but it sure does have speed. Though it does make sense that the Champion skilled in speed and close combat would need a Divine Beast of equal measure.
4 Beedle Can Be Considered An Important Figure In The Timeline
Throughout all the Zelda games, there are a number of characters that reappear even though all the games take place at different times or in different timelines. Link, Zelda, and Ganon are good examples. But, there are others! Epona counts, Tingle counts, even Impa counts. But, a character we didn't expect to add to this list was Beedle, the shopkeep players run into frequently on their travels throughout Hyrule. Originally, we thought Beedle only showed up in Wind Waker previously, but the large-nosed lad also appeared in Minish Cap, Skyward Sword, Phantom Hourglass, and Spirit Tracks. His appearance in BoTW really only confirms that the guy will show up regardless of the timeline or state of the world.
3 Link Has His Own Champion Ability
Each champion in Breath of the Wild has a unique ability they wield why alive and also pass down to Link after their demise. Revali has Rivali's Gale, Urbosa has Urbosa's Fury, Mipha has Mipha's Grace, and Daruk has Daruk's Protection. But, what players might not have picked up on is that Link, the 5th champion, also has an ability all his own.
And, frankly, the player has been staring at it the entire way through the game. That's right, Link has the ability to slow down time briefly during key moments in battle. Or more simply, his Flurry Rush ability is what makes him a Champion.
2 The Progress Of Demise and Ganon's Relationship
Skyward Sword is a hot-topic issue for fans of the LoZ games. half the fan-base hates it, the other half loves it. Personally, we fall in the middle. A lot of the gameplay aspects are poorly implemented, but the story content and overall artistic design are top-notch. Demise was introduced in this game, and we found out that the Ganon we always fought was always his incarnation. But, with the trailers of BoTW 2 and the state of Calamity Ganon in-game, we can infer the two are interconnected no more. What will Ganondorf be like when he isn't eternally reincarnated by the personification of evil? We're still hoping Nintendo explores such a fascinating topic with BoTW 2.
1 Link Isn't Bound By Fate As A Lefty
There are a few things off about Link. The kid dressed in all green doesn't speak and fights left-handedly. That last aspect is one that has usually penetrated every new incarnation of the character, save for one or two. Whenever motion controls were part of a Zelda game, you can assume that those were the rare games were Link was right-handed. And, we understood that and assumed that would be the only reason he would ever be. But, in BoTW, he's right-handed and there are no motion combat controls! So, this confirms that the courageous hero doesn't innately need to be left-handed, and we're kind of a little bummed that's the case.