There’s no required order for Breath of the Wild’s four Divine Beasts: after the Great Plateau, follow the main quest to Kakariko and Hateno, then explore Hyrule and tackle the Beasts, memories, and optional activities at your own pace. Save The Champions’ Ballad until after you free all four Divine Beasts; Nintendo makes that a prerequisite.
What to do first
- Complete the Great Plateau. Follow the opening quests to learn the basics and leave the plateau with the tools the game provides.
- Continue toward Kakariko and Hateno. These are the next main-quest destinations. If you lose track of your objective, open the Adventure Log, select the Main Quest, and follow its map destination, as Nintendo’s Adventure Log guidance explains.
- Use the Camera Rune to pursue memories. After obtaining it at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, compare Zelda’s stored photographs with locations around Hyrule. Nintendo’s Explorer’s Guide describes how the photographs point to the memories.
From there, the game is built for exploration rather than a fixed checklist. Nintendo describes Hyrule as a place to explore in any direction, and its official materials do not require a particular order for the Divine Beasts. Treat the route below as a way to pace your adventure, not a rule.
How to choose your middle-game route
Once you have reached the early settlements, choose what to prioritize based on how you want the story and challenge to unfold. The main quest can guide you toward the Beasts, while exploration can provide more opportunities to find equipment, complete shrines, and uncover memories along the way.
| If you want… | Try this approach |
|---|---|
| A clear story path | Keep selecting Main Quest objectives in the Adventure Log and follow their map destinations. Fit exploration in when you want a break from the marked objectives. |
| More preparation before a major challenge | Explore, complete shrines, and look for equipment before taking on a Divine Beast or the final confrontation. |
| More story context as you travel | Work on memories alongside the main quests, using the Camera Rune photographs as clues. |
| Maximum freedom | Choose whichever regions and activities interest you. There is no official required order for the four Beasts. |
Nintendo’s story recap describes Link meeting allies, recovering the Master Sword, and piecing together memories, but it does not prescribe an order for those activities or for the Divine Beasts. Any suggested Beast sequence is therefore a matter of preference and readiness—not the one correct route.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
When to fight Calamity Ganon
Calamity Ganon is the main story’s culmination, but you do not have to finish every optional activity first. Go when you feel ready for the final confrontation. Nintendo’s story recap frames the battle as the end point of Link’s journey, after he has grown stronger and freed Hyrule’s champions; it does not say that every shrine, memory, or other optional task must be completed beforehand.
When to play the DLC
The Champions’ Ballad
Play this after freeing all four Divine Beasts. Nintendo states: “To play The Champions’ Ballad, you must first complete the Main Quest to free the four Divine Beasts.” The DLC adds story about Zelda and the Champions, as well as new challenges, shrines, and a dungeon. See Nintendo’s DLC Pack 2 page for the prerequisite and content details.
Rank #2
- Step into a world of adventure—now enhanced for the Nintendo Switch 2 system!
- Use your ingenuity to survive and thrive in Hyrule
- Support your journey with ZELDA NOTES on the Nintendo Switch app
The Master Trials
The Master Trials is separate challenge content included in the Expansion Pass. Nintendo’s reviewed descriptions do not state the same four-Beast prerequisite for it, so you can treat it as an optional diversion rather than part of the required story sequence. Nintendo outlines the Expansion Pass alongside the game.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does your game edition affect the order?
No: the recommended story progression is the same. Edition matters if you expect to move a save between platforms. Nintendo lists the Breath of the Wild Nintendo Switch 2 Edition as released June 5, 2025, and says a second save file created in that edition cannot be transferred to the original Nintendo Switch version. Check Nintendo’s Switch 2 Edition page and your platform’s listing before choosing which version to play.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
Rank #4
![The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xVZUUZ1hL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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
Rank #3
- Enhanced resolution, framerates, and load times optimized for Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore a massive open-air version of Hyrule with complete freedom.
- Solve physics-based puzzles, survive dynamic weather, and uncover hidden secrets.
- Customize your adventure with weapons, gear, and food you craft yourself.
- Use the ZELDA NOTES app for bonuses, item sharing, and social features.
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