The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Official Strategy Guide Was Released in Three Editions
Piggyback's official strategy guide for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched in three versions: Standard, Collector's, and a premium Deluxe Edition.
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Coinciding with the game’s launch on Nintendo Switch and Wii U, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: The Complete Official Strategy Guide was released in North America on March 3, 2017. Published by Piggyback, the book was made available in three distinct editions to cater to different types of players and collectors.
The guide was created to help players navigate the immense, open-world version of Hyrule presented in the game. Its primary feature was a comprehensive walkthrough covering all main quests, boss fights, and puzzles. For a game of this scale, such a resource provides a structured path for those who might feel overwhelmed by the freedom of exploration. The publisher also took care to design the guide to be spoiler-free, allowing players to look up solutions to specific shrines or challenges without inadvertently revealing major story developments.
Guide Contents and Features
Beyond the main story path, the official guide detailed the locations and solutions for every Shrine of Trials. It also included thorough coverage of optional content, from mini-games and side quests to unlockables and Easter eggs. An exhaustive bestiary and item catalog provided players with critical information on enemies and resources found throughout the world.
Each version of the guide came with a large, two-sided map poster of Hyrule. This physical map served as a valuable companion for planning journeys and marking points of interest, complementing the in-game map system. The standard edition of the guide was a softcover book containing all the essential gameplay information and the poster, aimed at players primarily seeking practical assistance.
Collector’s Edition
For fans looking for a more premium product, a Collector’s Edition was also offered. This version upgraded the book to a premium hardcover, making it a more durable and display-worthy volume. The included map poster was described as being even larger than the one in the standard edition, providing greater detail of the game world.
A key addition to the Collector’s Edition was a 16-page art section. This gallery showcased official artwork from the game’s development, giving readers a closer look at the character designs and landscapes of Breath of the Wild. This edition was positioned as a middle ground, combining the full guide with collectible elements for dedicated fans of the series.
Deluxe Edition
The most premium version available at launch was the Deluxe Edition. This book was produced in an oversized 11-by-15-inch format, giving its content a more expansive presentation. It featured a premium vintage-style hardcover, designed to stand out on a bookshelf. For added convenience, it included two ribbon bookmarks for easily marking multiple pages.
The Deluxe Edition contained the same 16-page art section as the Collector’s Edition but added another exclusive feature: a 16-page retrospective on the entire Legend of Zelda series. This section celebrated the franchise’s history, making this edition particularly appealing to long-time enthusiasts. The combination of its large format, high-quality construction, and exclusive historical content established the Deluxe Edition as the definitive collectible version of the guide.
Frequently asked questions
What was in the Breath of the Wild strategy guide?
The official strategy guide for Breath of the Wild contained a complete walkthrough for all main quests, shrines, and puzzles. It also covered optional content like mini-games and unlockables, and included an atlas of Hyrule and a bestiary with information on all enemies. The book was designed to be spoiler-free.
How many versions of the Breath of the Wild guide were there?
At launch, there were three versions of the official guide. These were the Standard Edition (softcover), the Collector's Edition (hardcover with an art section), and the Deluxe Edition (oversized premium hardcover with an art section and a series retrospective).
Did the Breath of the Wild official guide have spoilers?
The guide was specifically designed to minimize story spoilers. Its layout allowed players to find solutions to specific puzzles or quests without accidentally revealing major plot points or twists that occurred later in the game's narrative, preserving the experience of discovery.
What was special about the Deluxe Edition of the Zelda guide?
The Deluxe Edition was a premium collectible. It featured an oversized 11x15 inch format, a vintage-style hardcover, and two ribbon bookmarks. In addition to the 16-page art section found in the Collector's Edition, it exclusively contained a 16-page retrospective on the history of the Zelda series.