The products discussed here were independently chosen by our editors. GameSpot may get a share of the revenue if you buy anything featured on our site.
Nintendo today announced more details about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's expansion packs. The first is called The Master Trials, and it launches this summer, containing new items but no new story content. The second, which contains a new story chapter, is coming out during holiday 2017, but it does not have a name yet.
You can get the two expansions together for $20 on Nintendo Switch and Wii U. As announced previously, they won't be sold on their own.
Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?
Sign up or Sign in now!
Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Now Playing: GS News Update - Zelda: Breath Of The Wild First DLC Details
The Master Trials comes with a new Trial of the Sword challenge (previously referred to as the Cave of Trials) that begins with Link having no armor or weapons. There are 45 total rooms in Trial of the Sword, and if you beat them all, then the "true power of the Master Sword will awaken and always be in its glowing powered-up state."
The expansion also adds Hard Mode, which increases the "rank" of enemies, making them more difficult to take down. Additionally, especially challenging enemies will show up in some places where they might not otherwise have. Additionally, enemies spot Link more easily in Hard mode.
The Master Trials also adds something called Hero's Path Mode, which is a journal of sorts it sounds like that documents "every step players take," with progress marked in green on the map.
"The route taken will be tracked for the player's last 200 hours of play time, with an included slider to track footsteps on a timeline," Nintendo said. "This even works retroactively, so players that have already put many hours into the game will be able to see where they have traveled. This feature will help in identifying the locations they haven't visited in this vast world, and may help players find those Shrines they haven't encountered yet."
What's more, The Master Trials introduces a new chest "somewhere in the game world" that includes an item called the Travel Medallion. Using this, players can make a temporary travel point on the map where they are standing. "Link can then transport himself to that point at any time. Only one travel point can be registered on the map at a time," Nintendo said.
There are also new masks, including a Korosk mask. The mask shakes when you're close to a hidden Korok seed. There are 900 in the game and collecting them all earns you a pile of poop. Lastly, the Master Trials adds eight new pieces of equipment inspired by characters from past games in the series, including Tingle, of course.
No release date beyond summer was announced for The Master Trials. Details on the next Breath of the Wild expansion coming this holiday will be announced later.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the first Zelda game to include downloadable content (DLC).
advertisement
Zelda: Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass
The DLC will come in three separate packs, and is available ONLY in one season pass bundle for $19.99. This content includes both minor things, like supplies, to brand new modes and even additional story content and dungeons.
advertisement
The DLC packs contain the following features - some of which have not been elaborated on yet:
Zelda: Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass Bonus (Available March 3rd):
- Deluxe Treasure Chests with premium items
Zelda: Breath of the Wild Expansion - DLC Pack 1 - The Master Trials
- A new Trial Mode, Hard Mode, as well as DLC Armor and Equipment.
- View the Trial of the Sword Walkthrough
- View DLC Side Quests
Zelda: Breath of the Wild Expansion - DLC Pack 2 - The Champions' Ballad
advertisement
Released on December 7, 2017 to coincide with the final launch trailer shown at The Game Awards, the Champion's Ballad provides the closure to 100 lost years of since the fall of the champions prior to the beginning of the main quest. New weapons, armor and other gear feature throughout, from the "Master Cycle Zero" that serves as the extended storyline's completion bonus, to additional series throwbacks on top of the Master Trials drops (up to and including the the fan-favorite "lobster tunic" from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker). Additional challenges and trials have been introduced as well. Most importantly, the extended story provides us with a full and complete look at the final moments of the fallen champions as introduced during the main quest.