If by “new Wilds-era game” you mean another adventure set in the Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom version of Hyrule, play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild first. Add Tears of the Kingdom if you want the continuing story, and consider Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity only if you’re curious about the earlier Great Calamity. The future game isn’t named here, so no specific preparation can be called officially required.
Which Zelda game is the essential starting point?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the one to play for useful context. Nintendo’s Explorer’s Guide introduces Link awakening after a 100-year slumber to find Hyrule near ruin. The game establishes this Hyrule and its central conflict, making it the clearest foundation for a further adventure in this era.
If you want the shortest route, play Breath of the Wild and stop there. The recommendation is based on the setting and story context, not on a stated Nintendo requirement.
Should you play Tears of the Kingdom too?
Play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom after Breath of the Wild if you want to follow Link’s next adventure and continue from the same version of Hyrule. Nintendo’s official news index describes Link setting out on an epic journey in its announcement summary.
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
Tears of the Kingdom is a natural follow-up, not a prerequisite for understanding the basic setup of Breath of the Wild. If your goal is to get context for a later Wilds-era game rather than play the continuing story, start with Breath of the Wild and add Tears of the Kingdom if you want more.
Is Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity necessary?
No. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is an optional companion for players interested in the Great Calamity period. Nintendo’s September 9, 2026 announcement for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity – Definitive Edition says it is set 100 years before Breath of the Wild. That makes it useful historical context, but not required setup for the main story sequence.
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
It is also a Hyrule Warriors game rather than another entry in the main Zelda adventure sequence. Choose it for interest in that earlier conflict, not because you need to complete every related game first.
What order should you play them in?
| Your goal | Suggested order | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Get the key context | Breath of the Wild | It introduces this Hyrule and Link’s central conflict. |
| Follow the continuing story | Breath of the Wild → Tears of the Kingdom | Tears of the Kingdom is the next Link adventure in Nintendo’s framing. |
| Explore the earlier Great Calamity period too | Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity → Breath of the Wild → Tears of the Kingdom | The first game is an optional historical companion set 100 years before Breath of the Wild. |
These are editorially suggested orders based on Nintendo’s descriptions of the games and their chronology; Nintendo’s cited materials do not say players must complete one before starting another.
Rank #3
- The Legend of Zelda - Tears of the Kingdom
What if you mean a specific future Zelda game?
The phrase “new Wilds-era game” does not identify a particular release, and the official Nintendo material cited here does not establish which future game it means or what continuity it will follow. The recommendations above assume a game connected to the Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom era. Once the title is known, its own story and setting may change what is useful to play first.
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
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
