So you’ve got a Switch 2 (or an original Switch), everyone keeps gushing about Zelda, and now you’re staring at two giant games wondering where to start. Honestly? That’s a great problem to have.
Here’s the thing, though. Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, set in the same Hyrule, and that changes the math a little. Let’s walk through this together, no pressure, and find the right starting point for you.
The Short Answer
If you have the time, start with Breath of the Wild. It’s my pick, and I’ll explain why below. But you absolutely don’t have to. Tears of the Kingdom explains what you need, and plenty of people have a wonderful time starting there.
- The Vibe: Breath of the Wild (March 2017) is the open world adventure that started this era of Zelda. Tears of the Kingdom (May 2023) builds on it with new powers, sky islands and a vast underground called the Depths.
- Story Link: Tears of the Kingdom picks up after the first game. Link, Zelda, Purah, Sidon, Riju and Yunobo all carry their histories forward.
- Same Map, New Twists: the surface of Hyrule returns, changed. Knowing the original map makes those changes land much harder.
- No Stress: skipping the first game won’t stop you following the main plot. You’ll just miss the little “oh, I remember this place” moments.
Breath of the Wild vs Tears of the Kingdom at a Glance
| Feature | Breath of the Wild | Tears of the Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Original release | March 3, 2017 | May 12, 2023 |
| World | Hyrule’s surface | Surface, sky islands and the Depths |
| Core abilities | Magnesis, Stasis, Cryonis, Remote Bombs | Ultrahand, Fuse, Ascend, Recall |
| Shrines | 120 (plus 16 in The Champions’ Ballad DLC) | 152 |
| Korok seeds | 900 | 1,000 |
| Switch 2 Edition (US launch price) | $69.99 | $79.99 |
| Upgrade Pack from Switch version | $9.99 | $9.99 |
Both Switch 2 Editions launched on June 5, 2025, with higher resolution, smoother frame rates, HDR, faster loading and the Zelda Notes companion app. If you have Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack and own the base games, the upgrades are included at no extra cost. Our Zelda Switch 2 updates guide covers the current patch versions.
How to Pick Your Starting Point
Not sure which way to lean? Walk through these steps and see where you land. Take your time with this one.
- Step 1, Check Your Story Appetite: if you love knowing who everyone is and why they matter, start with Breath of the Wild. Zelda’s journey in the sequel means so much more when you know where she started.
- Step 2, Think About Your Timing: playing the two back to back can make the sequel feel a bit like a huge expansion at first. Your hands are so used to the old toolkit that the new one takes longer to click.
- Step 3, Consider the Fresh Eyes Route: most people played these in release order. Starting with Tears of the Kingdom gives you a rarer first look at Hyrule, sky islands and all.
- Step 4, Weigh the Learning Curve: Breath of the Wild is the simpler of the two. Fewer systems, no vehicle building, same big world. It’s a gentler on ramp.
- Step 5, Make the Call: neither choice is wrong. If you’re torn, go with the one that makes you most excited to press start tonight.
The Payoff of Starting with Breath of the Wild
Okay but, this part is so good. Playing the original first turns the sequel into a reunion. You’ll recognise villages, stables and people that newcomers just walk past.
- The Payoff: seeing how Hyrule changed between games hits harder when you remember what used to be there.
- Character Moments: Sidon, Riju and the rest feel richer when you’ve already fought beside them.
- Skill Building: you learn climbing, gliding, cooking and combat in a simpler toolkit, so the sequel’s building powers feel like a real upgrade.
- Honestly? Even on its own, Breath of the Wild is one of the most influential open world games ever made. It’s worth the effort, I promise.
Why Starting with Tears of the Kingdom Also Works
If you only have time for one, or you want the biggest, newest adventure, Tears of the Kingdom is a totally fair first pick.
- More to Do: three layers of map, more shrines and a much deeper building system.
- Better Tools: Ultrahand and Fuse let you solve problems your own way, and that freedom is a joy from the very first island.
- The Catch: going back to Breath of the Wild afterwards can feel limiting. You’ll miss Ascend constantly. Trust me on this.
Pro Tips for Either Path
- Take a Breather: if you finish Breath of the Wild, play something else for a few weeks before the sequel. The new abilities feel fresher that way.
- Grab the Switch 2 Edition If You Can: faster loading makes fast travel and shrine hopping far less tedious, and the second save slot lets you start fresh without losing a finished file.
- Don’t stress if a fight goes badly. Just retry. Nobody is grading you.
- Follow Your Curiosity: see a strange glow on a far hill? Go look. The best discoveries in both games happen by accident.
- Dodge Spoilers: avoid story discussions for whichever game you haven’t played yet. The sequel’s surprises land best fresh.
Which Zelda to Play First FAQ
Do I need to play Breath of the Wild before Tears of the Kingdom?
No. Tears of the Kingdom stands on its own, but it’s a direct sequel, so playing Breath of the Wild first adds a lot of context and emotional payoff.
Is Tears of the Kingdom harder than Breath of the Wild?
Not much harder in combat, but it has more systems to learn. Breath of the Wild is the easier introduction for brand new players.
Which Zelda is better on Switch 2?
Both get the same kind of upgrade: higher resolution, smoother frame rates, HDR, faster loading and Zelda Notes. Tears of the Kingdom gains a bit more because its world is busier.
Can I play both Zelda games for free with Nintendo Switch Online?
No. You still need to own the games. Expansion Pack members get the Switch 2 Edition upgrades for games they own at no extra cost.
Does my save from Breath of the Wild carry over to Tears of the Kingdom?
No. Each game has its own saves, and Tears of the Kingdom starts Link fresh. Your progress in the first game doesn’t unlock anything in the sequel.
The Chill Take: the best answer is the one that gets you playing. If you want the full story and every callback, start with Breath of the Wild and our Breath of the Wild guides. If you want to dive straight into the newest adventure, Tears of the Kingdom will welcome you, and our Ultrahand guide will get you building fast. You’ve got this, and you’ll probably end up playing the other one too.
