The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom vs The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild
The short answer
Play Breath of the Wild first. Tears of the Kingdom is the bigger and more inventive game, but it reuses the same map, so playing it first robs the original of its best trick — the moment you realise you can go anywhere. If you only have time for one, play Tears of the Kingdom.
What they have in common
The same Hyrule and the same physics engine, with the same refusal to tell you where to go.
Pick Tears of the Kingdom for the toolset.
Ultrahand and Fuse turn the game into a construction kit, and the sky and depths give the familiar map two new layers. It is the more generous game in every measurable way.
Pick Breath of the Wild for the discovery.
Cleaner, calmer and more coherent. The world is new, the silence works, and nothing gets in the way of just walking towards something on the horizon.
Frequently asked questions
Should I play The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom or The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild?
Play Breath of the Wild first. Tears of the Kingdom is the bigger and more inventive game, but it reuses the same map, so playing it first robs the original of its best trick — the moment you realise you can go anywhere. If you only have time for one, play Tears of the Kingdom.
What do The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom and The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild have in common?
The same Hyrule and the same physics engine, with the same refusal to tell you where to go.
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Buy This Game
* Affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
More head-to-heads are on the comparisons page.
