Zelda's Wilds Era Ends With Final 2026 Release
A final art book, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom-Secrets of the Zonai, will release in October 2026, closing the series' 'Wilds era' that began with 2017's Breath of the Wild.
A final release for The Legend of Zelda's 'Wilds era' is scheduled for October 2026. The hardcover art book The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom-Secrets of the Zonai will serve as the capstone for the game design period that started nearly a decade ago.
This era began with the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on March 3, 2017. The game's specific version of Link has since appeared in titles like the Super Smash Bros. series and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and the setting was expanded through spinoffs and the 2023 sequel, Tears of the Kingdom.
Book Details and Contents
The upcoming book contains 424 pages of material related to Tears of the Kingdom. This includes official art, sketches, designer notes, storyboards, and concept art.
A significant 80-page section is dedicated to 'Hyrule History,' outlining the lore of the world established in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Veteran developers Eiji Aonuma, Hidemaro Fujibayashi, and Satoru Takizawa have contributed to the project.
The official product description invites readers to 'start your journey.' It highlights '50 pages of beautiful illustrations, character art, and promotional images' followed by 'nearly 300 pages of behind-the-scenes sketches, notes, rough designs, concept art, and recollections.' The historical section promises insights 'into the mysterious past of the Zonai all the way up to the events of the game.'
The Broader Series Shift
The report frames this release as a deliberate endpoint as the franchise pivots. It notes the series is embracing a more realistic style, influenced by an upcoming live-action movie and a planned remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
While acknowledging the popularity of the Wilds-era games, the source expresses a desire for change. It argues that Zelda has never been defined by one era for so long and that the series 'stands to lose just a little bit of its magic if we don't get a new take on the character soon.'
*Breath of the Wild* Critical Data
Key details for the game that started the era are listed in the source. The information is presented below.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Top Critic Average Score | 96/100 |
| Critics Recommendation | 96% |
| Release Date | March 3, 2017 |
| ESRB Rating | E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes |
| Developer | Nintendo EPD |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Engine | Havok |
| Cross-Platform Play | No |
| Cross Save | No |
| Franchise | The Legend of Zelda |
| Steam Deck Compatibility | Yes |
The era concludes with the art book's release in 2026.
