Can You Spend All 900 Korok Seeds in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom?
The simple answer is: no, you don’t spend all 900 Korok Seeds in Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom in the traditional sense. While you exchange them with Hestu to expand your inventory, you only need 440-441 seeds to fully maximize your weapon, bow, and shield slots. Collecting the remaining seeds is purely for completionist bragging rights and nets you a rather… unique reward. Let’s delve into the details of this quirky mechanic in these beloved Zelda titles.
The Korok Seed Economy: How it Works
In both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Korok Seeds serve as the primary currency for upgrading Link’s inventory. Scattered throughout the vast landscapes of Hyrule, these seeds are awarded to Link upon solving environmental puzzles – everything from arranging rocks in a specific pattern to chasing down shimmering sparkles.
The exchange happens with Hestu, a giant, dancing Korok who has lost his maracas. Once you help him recover them (triggering the side quest), he offers to expand your inventory slots in exchange for a certain number of seeds. The number of seeds required increases with each upgrade, making the early upgrades relatively cheap and the later ones more expensive.
The Inventory Upgrade System
Link’s inventory starts with a limited number of slots for weapons, bows, and shields. This limitation forces players to be strategic about what they carry, discarding less useful items to make room for more powerful ones. Upgrading the inventory slots alleviates this pressure, allowing players to carry a wider variety of weapons, bows, and shields.
This freedom greatly enhances the gameplay experience, especially in combat-heavy areas. With more weapon slots, you’re less likely to run out of your preferred weapon type mid-battle. With more shield slots, you can adapt to different enemy attacks. And with more bow slots, you can carry multiple elemental bows for various situations.
The 440-441 Seed Threshold
Here’s where the “spending” aspect of Korok Seeds reaches its limit. In both games, you only need around 440-441 Korok Seeds to fully max out your inventory slots. This means:
- Weapon Slots: Fully upgraded, you’ll have 19 weapon slots (plus 1 for the Master Sword)
- Bow Slots: You will have 14 bow slots (plus 1 for the Bow of Light)
- Shield Slots: You will have 20 shield slots.
Once you’ve reached this maximum, Hestu will no longer accept Korok Seeds for inventory upgrades.
The Infamous “Hestu’s Gift”
So, what happens if you stubbornly persist in collecting all 900 Korok Seeds? The answer is both hilarious and anticlimactic. Upon returning the 900th seed to Hestu, he bestows upon Link “Hestu’s Gift,” described as a “gift of friendship” that “smells pretty bad.” In reality, it’s a large, golden, poo-shaped item.
No Practical Use
Hestu’s Gift has absolutely no practical use. It cannot be used to craft items, boost stats, or affect gameplay in any way. Its only function is to exist in your inventory and serve as a reminder of your dedication (or obsession) with collecting every Korok Seed.
A Symbol of Completionism
Despite its lack of functionality, Hestu’s Gift is a sought-after item among completionists. It’s a tangible (well, virtual) symbol of having explored every nook and cranny of Hyrule and solved every Korok puzzle. It’s proof you went above and beyond the call of duty. It’s an acknowledgment that you really love the Zelda franchise.
Why Collect All 900 Seeds?
If you can’t spend all 900 Korok Seeds on inventory upgrades and the reward is essentially a joke item, why bother collecting them all?
- Personal Challenge: For many players, it’s simply a matter of personal challenge and the satisfaction of completing everything the game has to offer.
- Exploration: The process of finding all 900 seeds encourages thorough exploration of Hyrule, revealing hidden locations and appreciating the game’s intricate world design.
- Bragging Rights: Hestu’s Gift is a badge of honor that can be flaunted among other Zelda fans.
- Completionist Satisfaction: The joy of marking everything off a checklist is rewarding in itself.
Beyond the Game: Learning Through Exploration
While collecting Korok seeds may seem like a trivial pursuit, it showcases valuable skills related to problem-solving and spatial reasoning. Locating the seeds often requires players to think outside the box and analyze the environment critically. The whole process illustrates an engaging and subtle learning environment. Find out more about the intersection of games and learning at the Games Learning Society website, GamesLearningSociety.org.
FAQs: Korok Seed Spending and Rewards
Here are some frequently asked questions about Korok Seeds, their uses, and the rewards associated with them:
1. How many Korok Seeds are there in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom?
There are 900 Korok Seeds in Breath of the Wild and *1000 in Tears of the Kingdom.
2. How many Korok Seeds do I need to fully upgrade my inventory?
You need approximately 440-441 Korok Seeds to max out all of your inventory slots.
3. What happens when I collect all 900/1000 Korok Seeds?
You receive Hestu’s Gift, a golden poo-shaped item with no practical use.
4. Is Hestu’s Gift useful?
No, Hestu’s Gift is purely ornamental. It serves no gameplay purpose.
5. Can I sell Hestu’s Gift?
No, Hestu’s Gift cannot be sold.
6. Do Korok Seeds count towards 100% completion?
No. While it shows you completed the seed activity, it does not lead to 100% map completion.
7. Does the reward for finding all Korok Seeds change in Tears of the Kingdom?
No. The reward is similar and still largely considered a gag gift.
8. Where can I find Hestu?
Hestu is initially found on the road to Kakariko Village. Later, he moves to Korok Forest after you complete a specific quest. In Tears of the Kingdom, he settles near Lookout Landing.
9. Is it worth collecting all 900 Korok Seeds?
That depends on your personal preferences. If you enjoy exploration and completion, then yes. If you’re solely focused on gameplay benefits, then no.
10. Can I track which Korok Seeds I’ve already found?
Not directly in-game. You’ll need to rely on external resources like interactive maps and guides.
11. Are some Korok Seeds harder to find than others?
Yes. Some Korok Seed puzzles are more complex and require more problem-solving skills than others.
12. Does Hestu ever give any hints about Korok Seed locations?
No. Hestu only facilitates inventory upgrades and offers a dance on command.
13. What is the hardest Korok Seed to find?
Based on community sentiment, locations with metal structures or requiring precise boulder placements are generally considered the most challenging.
14. Do DLC shrines count towards 100% completion?
No, they do not.
15. Is Epona in Tears of the Kingdom?
Epona can be obtained in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but requires some out-of-game requirements to get her, such as using an Amiibo figure.