The Legend of Zeldafans won’t come back to Hyrule this year, as Nintendo just pushed the release date for the sequel toBreath of the Wildto Spring 2023. The game was still on track for a 2022 release onNintendo’s last financial report, but in a new video published today,Breath of the Wild 2producerEiji Aonumaapologizes to fans while revealing the highly-anticipated sequel is getting delayed.
In the video, Aonuma reveals theBreath of the Wild 2team decided to extend the game’s development, pushing its release date to 2023. While Aonuma doesn’t explain why the game was delayed, several factors could affect the sequel’s development. First, the pandemic changed the workflow in game studios in the last couple of years. Then, the popularity of open-world games leads developers to push the boundaries of the genre, which in turn demands more time to complete a game. Also, sinceBreath of the Wildwas so revolutionary toThe Legend of Zeldafranchise, it’s no wonder Nintendo is being extra careful to make sure the sequel will blow fans’ minds once it’s finally released.
The announcement video also underlines how the sequel doubled down on the sense of freedomBreath of the Wildwas able to create by adding new mechanics that’ll allow the player to wander around however they like. In the sequel, besides exploring the lands of Hyrule, players will also wander through a shattered kingdom in the skies.
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The sequel toBreath of the Wildwas first announced in 2019. After that, Nintendo kept silent about the project until 2021’s E3, when the companyreleased a trailer filled with secrets. While we still don’t know details about the sequel, the trailer confirms that Ganon’s evil influence threatens Hyrule once again, and this time his dark energy will literally shatter the land. However, the destroyed world brings new possibilities, as Link is seen gliding in the wind to reach distant locations, and even reversing gravity to explore this new version of Hyrule.
After the Nintendo Switch was released in 2017, Nintendo pushed newThe Legend of Zeldatitles every year. AfterBreath of the Wild, the system also sawSkyward SwordandLink’s Awakeningremakes, a new title in the Hyrule Warriors franchise, emulation of classics such asA Link to the PastandOcarina of Time, and even a crossover with indie hitCrypt of the Necrodancer. Now thatBreath of the Wild 2was officially delayed, Nintendo will likely release otherZelda-related titles for the Switch in 2022, such as the ports of the Wii U version ofTwilight PrincessandThe Wind Waker.
The sequel toBreath of the Wildwill hit the Nintendo Switch sometime between March and June of 2023. Check out Aonuma’s announcement video below:
