The Legend of Zelda isn't generally known for having a strong relationship with DLC, but The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild had a strong line of DLC nonetheless. Through downloadable expansions, fans were treated to vast new combat challenges and got opportunities to empower the Master Sword and obtain a curious new vehicle, the Master Cycle Zero. Although The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a huge hit, Nintendo made sure the game didn't overstay its welcome, eventually wrapping up the game's DLC support. Still, the circumstances of the IP make one wonder if there's hope for one last expansion.

It's no secret that Zelda fans are waiting with bated breath for Breath of the Wild 2. Fans have been dying to get their hands on the title since Nintendo confirmed a direct Breath of the Wild sequel in 2019. This kind of sequel is uncommon in Nintendo's flagship action-adventure franchise, but the first game was such a hit that it only stands to reason. Still, fans have had to wait for the game for so long that they deserve some kind of appetizer before it releases. A two-player Breath of the Wild DLC about Link and Zelda would be the perfect treat in the months ahead of launch.

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The State of Breath of the Wild

Close up of Link and Zelda standing together

The ending of Zelda: Breath of the Wild establishes a sense of safety for Hyrule. Calamity Ganon has been vanquished, and Link and Zelda are reunited. Like a surprising number of Zelda games, Link and Zelda barely actually spend any time together in Breath of the Wild, but the game's end thoroughly establishes them as a team again. Link's flashbacks to before the fall of Hyrule establish a very close relationship between him and the princess, so it only stands to reason that they're spending a lot of time together after Breath of the Wild's end, working on restoring Hyrule.

Crucially, it's not clear how much time has passed between Breath of the Wild and its unnamed sequel. The new game may take place mere days after the first game, or perhaps months or years have passed, allowing order to slowly reestablish itself in Hyrule. The latter certainly seems plausible, since the formerly exhausted Zelda seems to be in top condition once again, even sporting a new haircut. That potential passage of time leaves Nintendo with a lot of space to fill within the Breath of the Wild canon.

That's why a new prequel DLC for Breath of the Wild would be a good move. Players could take Link and Zelda on an adventure across Hyrule, clearing out Calamity Ganon's remaining forces and rebuilding connections between the last bastions of the former kingdom. Even though Link is a famously silent protagonist, Breath of the Wild's Memories provide a strong basis for a cutscene-rich, slightly more linear jaunt through Hyrule where Zelda comes to terms with the state of Hyrule, Link helps her reconnect with her subjects, and the duo reestablishes their former ability to work as a team.

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Bringing Two-Player to Breath of the Wild

Link wearing Soldier's Armor and standing in front of Princess Zelda in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

While a BotW2 prologue in Breath of the Wild would be great, it would be even better if Nintendo made such a DLC two-player. Throughout the prologue, players might switch off playing as Link and Zelda, with each character using unique skills to solve problems for Hylians and rebuild Hyrule's towns and cities. Zelda fans rarely get to see Link and Zelda work together as a team, but Breath of the Wild's ending firmly establishes that the pair will travel together to undo the ruin brought by Calamity Ganon. The best way to experience that unique circumstances would be by allowing two players to play through the adventure together.

A two-player BotW2 prologue with a playable Zelda would be perhaps the best compromise on a long-standing fan hope for the series. Fans want to play as Princess Zelda, and while there's still a chance that Breath of the Wild 2 fulfills that wish to some extent, Nintendo's history of avoiding the possibility doesn't inspire much confidence. If Nintendo doesn't want Zelda sections in Breath of the Wild 2, then it should at least use DLC to give fans a chance to step into Zelda's shoes alongside Link.

Two-player would admittedly be unorthodox in Breath of the Wild, even as a DLC, but the Switch is a great platform for it. Joy-Cons make multiplayer Switch games easy to pick up and play in any context, and a self-contained multiplayer Zelda DLC could make good use of that. What's more, while Breath of the Wild doesn't feature multiplayer, The Legend of Zelda has a history of multiplayer outings like Tri Force Heroes. A Zelda DLC specifically designed for two players would merely tap into the franchise's history of multiple playable Links and put Zelda in the spotlight instead.

The Odds of a Breath of the Wild Prologue

botw link zelda sheikah slate

Since Breath of the Wild is some five years old, it doesn't seem all that likely that Nintendo will add a new DLC to it, but then again, Nintendo has surprised fans a few times in recent history by going back to old games. Last year, Nintendo added a massive update to Super Mario Party's online multiplayer, two and a half years after the game's launch. Even more surprisingly, Nintendo recently kicked off the Booster Course Pass for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, adding a massive amount of DLC to a title that released five years ago.

These late updates certainly don't confirm anything for Breath of the Wild, but they at least keep the door open for a surprise update. Nintendo certainly has good reason to make one last DLC for Breath of the Wild too. After all, it isn't just one of the best-selling Switch titles, but it's one of the best-selling video games of all time. Hype for Breath of the Wild 2 is high, but a playable prologue could vastly increase excitement for the game while earning Nintendo a fair chunk of change. Breath of the Wild 2 is still a good nine months away, barring any further delays, so there's still plenty of time for Nintendo to come forward with a surprise. Hopefully it has something in mind.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 releases in spring 2023 for Nintendo Switch.

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