Zelda: Breath of the Wild guide - dungeon walkthrough, master sword, upgrades, memories and more

Guide by Alex Donaldson Assistant Editor

Published on May 2, 2017

Tame some of the wild's hidden secrets without handy guide.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is here, and it's amazing. In fact, we think it gives iconic and all-important series favourites Ocarina of Time and A Link to the Past a run for their money. Seriously.

Other critics seem to agree too, with the game managing to garner near perfect scores right across the board.

The point is, Breath of the Wild is damn good. Part of what makes it so good is how it throws certain Zelda conventions out and makes for a more broad, open game with lots to do and discover in any order you want.

To help you out with some of the more difficult and obtuse sections of that, we've compiled some help below. Non-story spoilers are in these pages, obviously.

Tips, tricks and must-know information

This is a big game. Let's get you started.

Beginner’s tips – quests, best gear, resource gathering, elixirs and more

Before you enter the world of Hyrule, you should consider preparing yourself for its vastness - and one way to do that is our series of tips for beginners which goes over some of the most important things you need to know for your quest.

Combat Tips and Tricks to Help you keep Link alive

Breath of the Wild is actually pretty damn difficult, especially early on. Here are some tips specifically around combat, including a guide to some advanced techniques.

Cooking recipes and how to guarantee Blood Moon bonuses

Cooking isn't just about boosting health. Learn about all the buffs and how to increase your chances of a special bonus.

Collectables and other Essential Gear

No more wandering around lost - here are all the essentials you need.

Recovered Memories - Locked Mementos Main Quest

Much of Breath of the Wild's story context is hidden away in flashbacks. Impa will give you a clue as to how to begin the process of remembering with the Locked Memories quest, but actually completing this quest is a bit of a challenge in itself. Here, we explain.

Great Fairies, Fairy Fountains & Armor Upgrades

In Breath of the Wild the iconic great fairies are in hiding, and it's up to you to track them down and awaken them. If you do, they'll upgrade your gear in exchange...

How to get The Master Sword - The Hero's Sword Main Quest

The Legend of Zelda's most iconic weapon is actually an optional extra in Breath of the Wild, but if you grab it you do get a sword with no durability that's incredibly powerful against bosses and other Ganon-corrupted or connected types. Here's how to get it.

How to tame horses and get Epona from Ocarina of Time

There are plenty of horse to tame, but none come close to the legendary nag Epona!

How to use amiibo, and what each amiibo does

Nintendo's cute little figurines are quite useful in Breath of the Wild - here's what they all do, plus how to use them.

Korok Seeds locations video guide - Great Plateau

The first episode of a series tracking down every single Korok Seed in Breath of the Wild, region by region.

Armor Sets and other Gear

Breath of the Wild is the most RPG-like Zelda ever, and as part and parcel of that the game comes with a much more full set of equipment Link can find, much of it optional. Here, we detail some gear you might want to consider picking up.

How to get the Hylian Shield

Once you've got the Master Sword, the other major thing you need to complete that classic, iconic Link ensemble is the Hylian Shield. It too is optional, and hidden - but we've got you covered.

How to get the climbing gear armor set

Climbing mountains is a major part of Breath of the Wild, but we'll admit that it can be pretty slow. One armor set has the bonuses to make the process a lot quicker - so here's how to track all three pieces down.

How to get the Ancient Armor set

Ancient technology is a bit of a major theme in Breath of the Wild, and the Ancient Armor that's been left behind is actually one of the most powerful gear sets in the game - but it isn't easy to get. Here's how to get it.

How to get the Ocarina of Time Dark Link armour set

Epona isn't the only thing from Ocarina of Time that pops up in Breath of the Wild.

Dungeons & Divine Beasts

While there are plenty of smaller dungeon-like challenges in the hundred-plus shrines in the game, the core 'dungeons' of Breath of the Wild in the traditional Zelda sense come in the form of the Divine Beasts, enormous mechanical creatures that must be tamed to assist in your battle against Ganon.

Divine Beast Vah Medoh of the Rito

Visiting Rito Village and Boarding Vah Medoh
Vah Medoh is pretty high in the sky, and has taken to circling the one city in Hyrule where everybody can fly, terrorising them. Sounds like potential allies to me - it's time to head to visit the Rito.

Dungeon: Divine Beast Vah Medoh
The Rito have helped you to make it on board the enormous flying bird, but now it's time to take this Divine Beast back from Ganon's control. Here we help you to puzzle that out.

Divine Beast Vah Ruta of the Zora

Reaching Zora's Domain (Inogo Bridge)
To even get close to Vah Ruta you'll need to meets its custodians, the Zora. They're in trouble, with the beast threatening their very existence. Here's how to make the treacherous journey upriver.

Boarding Vah Ruta
Zora Prince Sidon has a plan, and though it's pretty crazy it's your only real shot - it's time to make an attempt to board the hostile Divine Beast.

Dungeon: Divine Beast Vah Ruta
After the exhilarating experience of attempting to board the beast, you've made it - and now it's time to puzzle out this beast from within - dungeon style.

Divine Beast Vah Rudania of the Gorons

Death Mountain and the Abandoned Mine
In order to get access to the beast that was once controlled by the Gorons you're going to need to go to the home of the Gorons. Just one problem... it's rather hot. Here's how to get up Death Mountain without meeting its namesake.

Boarding Vah Rudania
It's time to scale Death Mountain with a Goron friend in tow - and for better or worse that actually means a little stealth segment. Try not to scream.

Divine Beast Vah Rudania Dungeon
You've made it to Vah Rudania, but what awaits is a divine beast with a unique mechanic that will require some different thinking... plus continually searing heat to deal with. We'll walk you through.

Divine Beast Vah Naboris of the Gerudo

Gerudo Town and the Yiga Clan Hideout
In order to board Naboris and take it back from Ganon, you're going to need to befriend the people that were the carers of it. One small problem... men are banned from their town. Here's how to get in.

Boarding Vah Naboris
Gerudo leader Riju might be young, but she has guts. She has a plan to take down Naboris - it involves surfing, seals, bomb arrows and dodging deadly lightning strikes.

Divine Beast Vah Naboris Dungeon
You're aboard a gigantic camel in the middle of the desert, but there's no water in those humps... just puzzles and, strangely, electricity. Here's how to make it through Naboris alive.