Which Zelda Game Truly Reigns Supreme in Map Size?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The Legend of Zelda franchise is beloved for its captivating worlds, intricate dungeons, and memorable characters. A key element that contributes to the immersion is the sheer scale of Hyrule, or the various lands Link explores. So, which Zelda game boasts the biggest map? Based on available data and comparisons, Tears of the Kingdom (TOTK) has the largest explorable map in the Legend of Zelda series. This isn’t just because it reuses and alters Breath of the Wild’s (BOTW) already massive Hyrule, but because it adds substantial new layers in the form of the Sky Islands and the Depths, effectively tripling the accessible landscape.
Delving Deeper: Tears of the Kingdom’s Expansive World
While Breath of the Wild set a new standard for open-world exploration in Zelda games, Tears of the Kingdom significantly expands on that foundation. The game reuses Breath of the Wild’s Hyrule map but introduces alterations to the existing landscape. The core difference lies in the verticality and the sheer volume of new areas. Here’s a breakdown:
-
Surface Hyrule: Similar to BOTW, but with noticeable geographical changes due to the Upheaval. New structures, altered landscapes, and different enemy placements make it a fresh experience.
-
Sky Islands: Floating landmasses scattered across the sky, offering unique gameplay mechanics, puzzles, and resources. These islands vary in size and complexity, adding a new dimension to exploration.
-
The Depths: An expansive underworld beneath Hyrule, mirroring the surface map in layout but filled with a dark and dangerous atmosphere. This area is vast and offers a distinct gameplay experience with limited visibility and unique challenges.
The combination of these three distinct layers makes Tears of the Kingdom significantly larger in terms of explorable content than Breath of the Wild or any previous Zelda title.
Comparison to Other Zelda Games and Open-World Titles
While exact square mileage figures are often estimates, it’s clear that TOTK overshadows other Zelda games and many other open-world titles in sheer scope:
-
Breath of the Wild: Estimated at around 32.5 square miles (84 sq km). While already huge, it lacks the verticality and multi-layered structure of TOTK.
-
Twilight Princess: Has an expansive Hyrule Field, one of the largest single overworld maps in the series, estimated around 1.7 square miles.
-
Ocarina of Time: While iconic, its Hyrule Field is significantly smaller than those of later games.
-
Elden Ring: While Elden Ring has a bigger map than BotW, the accessible and meaningful content in Tears of the Kingdom suggests a greater overall scale.
-
GTA V: Los Santos, the primary area in GTA V, is approximately 49 square miles. Although sizeable, it’s smaller than Breath of the Wild’s Hyrule and significantly smaller than the combined areas of Tears of the Kingdom.
-
The Witcher 3: The Witcher 3’s maps, when combined, are bigger than BotW, but are not a single, contiguous map.
-
Skyrim: Breath of the Wild’s map is significantly larger than Skyrim’s.
-
Minecraft: While Minecraft’s theoretical map size is astronomically larger than any other game, its procedural generation and vastly empty spaces make it a different kind of open-world experience than the hand-crafted environments of Zelda.
Why Map Size Matters in Zelda Games
The size of the map in a Zelda game isn’t just about bragging rights. It directly impacts several crucial aspects of the player experience:
-
Exploration: A larger map encourages exploration and discovery, rewarding players who venture off the beaten path with secrets, resources, and unique encounters.
-
Immersion: A vast and detailed world enhances the feeling of immersion, making players feel like they are truly inhabiting the land of Hyrule.
-
Gameplay Variety: Larger maps allow for a greater diversity of environments, challenges, and gameplay mechanics.
-
Sense of Adventure: A large, unexplored world fuels the sense of adventure and encourages players to push their boundaries.
Honorable Mentions: Large Zelda Maps of the Past
While Tears of the Kingdom currently holds the crown, it’s worth acknowledging the expansive worlds of previous Zelda titles:
-
Breath of the Wild: Set a new standard for open-world Zelda games.
-
Twilight Princess: Impressed players with its vast Hyrule Field and sprawling provinces.
-
The Wind Waker: The Great Sea, while mostly water, was immense and filled with islands to discover.
The Future of Zelda Maps
With the success of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, it’s likely that future Zelda games will continue to prioritize open-world exploration and large, detailed maps. The challenge for Nintendo will be to innovate and find new ways to make these worlds feel fresh and engaging. What’s more, research from the Games Learning Society could give Nintendo insight into how to make future installments more engaging through learning theory and design. Check out more on their mission at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Tears of the Kingdom map bigger than Breath of the Wild?
Yes, the Tears of the Kingdom map is significantly bigger than Breath of the Wild due to the addition of the Sky Islands and the Depths, alongside modifications to the surface Hyrule.
2. Do all Zelda games have the same map?
No, most Zelda games feature completely different maps, even when set in Hyrule. Only direct sequels might share similar geographical layouts with variations.
3. How big is the map in the original Legend of Zelda?
The overworld in the original Legend of Zelda is relatively small compared to modern open-world games, consisting of a grid of interconnected screens.
4. Is the old map in Tears of the Kingdom?
Yes, “Old Maps” are a key item found in Tears of the Kingdom, leading players to treasure chests on the Sky Islands.
5. Is Elden Ring’s map bigger than Tears of the Kingdom’s?
Elden Ring has a bigger map (by area) compared to Breath of the Wild, however, Tears of the Kingdom has 3 layers of Hyrule to explore as opposed to Elden Ring’s primarily singular landmass.
6. Is GTA 5’s map bigger than Breath of the Wild’s?
Los Santos from GTA V is smaller than the Hyrule map of Breath of the Wild.
7. What is the biggest open-world map in gaming history?
Minecraft’s map is theoretically the largest land-based open-world, followed by games like Elite Dangerous.
8. Is Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom considered better?
It’s subjective. Breath of the Wild offers a more streamlined and simpler experience, while Tears of the Kingdom builds upon that foundation with increased complexity and new mechanics.
9. Is Tears of the Kingdom harder than Breath of the Wild?
Generally, yes. Tears of the Kingdom features stronger enemies and a less forgiving learning curve compared to Breath of the Wild.
10. Which Zelda game is considered the hardest?
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is widely regarded as one of the most challenging Zelda games.
11. What is the smallest Zelda game?
The original Legend of Zelda (NES) is among the shortest in terms of main storyline length and map size.
12. Which Zelda game is the most liked?
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is consistently ranked among the most beloved Zelda titles.
13. How big is the Witcher 3’s map compared to Breath of the Wild’s?
The Witcher 3’s combined maps are larger than Breath of the Wild’s, but not a single contiguous map.
14. Is the Hyrule map the same in Tears of the Kingdom as Breath of the Wild?
No, Tears of the Kingdom reuses the Hyrule map from Breath of the Wild but significantly alters the existing landscape and adds two new areas: the Sky Islands and the Depths.
15. Will there be DLC for Tears of the Kingdom?
Nintendo has stated that there are no plans for DLC for Tears of the Kingdom, as they felt they implemented everything they wanted in the game.