If the upcoming game is set in the Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom era of Hyrule, play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild first. Add Tears of the Kingdom if you want the continuing story; Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is optional historical context, not required homework. The future game is not named here, so this is a recommendation for that era—not a confirmed prerequisite list for a specific release.
Which Zelda game is the best starting point?
Breath of the Wild is the one game to prioritize. Nintendo’s Explorer’s Guide introduces this version of Hyrule and Link’s central conflict, describing Link awakening after 100 years of slumber to find the kingdom near ruin. It provides the foundation for understanding the setting without requiring a prequel.
If you only want the most useful context for a game in this era, stop there. The recommendation is based on the games’ story relationship, not on a stated Nintendo requirement.
How do the three relevant games fit together?
| Game | Why play it | Place in the suggested order |
|---|---|---|
| Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity | Optional look at the Great Calamity period before Breath of the Wild. Nintendo describes it as set 100 years before that game in a September 9, 2026 announcement: announcement. | Play first only if that earlier conflict interests you; it is not necessary setup. |
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Introduces this Hyrule and Link’s conflict. | First choice and the minimum recommendation. |
| The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | Nintendo presents it as Link’s latest adventure in its official news index; it follows Breath of the Wild as the natural next story. | Play after Breath of the Wild if you want the continuation. |
Age of Calamity has the Hyrule Warriors identity and a different style from the two mainline adventures. Its earlier setting makes it relevant to the history, but does not make it a required main-story entry.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Become the Hero of Time and save Hyrule from darkness
- Venture into dungeons, solve puzzles, and travel across time in two different eras to restore balance to the land
- A classic tale, reborn for the Nintendo Switch 2 system, featuring voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue, symphonic orchestral music, visuals built from the ground up for Nintendo Switch 2, and more
- Play Link’s in-game ocarina by humming or singing into the Nintendo Switch 2 system microphone
Choose an order that matches what you want
For the shortest useful preparation
- Play Breath of the Wild.
For the main story sequence
- Play Breath of the Wild.
- Continue with Tears of the Kingdom.
For extra historical context
- Play Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity if the Great Calamity period appeals to you.
- Play Breath of the Wild.
- Play Tears of the Kingdom if you want the continuation.
These are editorially useful sequences inferred from Nintendo’s descriptions of the games and their chronology; Nintendo’s cited materials do not say that players must complete one before starting another. They also do not establish comparative completion times, so there is no reliable time-based ranking here.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What if you mean a specific upcoming Zelda game?
The phrase “new Wilds-era game” does not identify a particular release, and the cited Nintendo material does not confirm which future game is meant or whether it shares this continuity. Treat the order above as conditional advice for a game in the Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom era. Once the title and its connection to those games are confirmed, the recommendation can be made specific; until then, no older game can be called an officially required prerequisite.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Enhanced performance and visuals exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore the skies, caves, and vast lands of Hyrule in a massive open-world adventure.
- Wield new and returning abilities to craft solutions, vehicles, and weapons.
- Discover the mystery behind the spreading gloom threatening the kingdom.
- Use the ZELDA NOTES app to share, compare, and earn daily bonuses.
Rank #4
- As Link, explore a reimagined Koholint Island and collect instruments to awaken the Wind Fish to find a way home
- Explore numerous dungeons, riddled with tricks, traps, and enemies, including some from the Super Mario series
- Meet and interact with unique locals to get help on your adventure
- Listen to a reawakened soundtrack that helps bring life to Koholint Island
- Earn Chambers (Dungeon Rooms) and arrange them to complete objectives in the all new Chamber Dungeon
Rank #3
- The Legend of Zelda - Tears of the Kingdom
Rank #2
- Discover Hyrule as never before: by making your own path, choices, and consequences
- Ingenuity is the key to survival: find multiple solutions to tons of dynamic puzzles
- Surprises hide around every corner: scavenge weapons, armor, plants, animals, and more
- Live off the land: find weapons and armor, cook food, and brew elixirs
- Utilize special technology: the in-game Sheikah Slate controls, objects and enemies in fun ways
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