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The biggest game coming to Nintendo's new console is gigantic and gorgeous

The biggest game coming to Nintendo's new console is gigantic and gorgeous

Let's start with the simple stuff: This is Princess Zelda. The design on her necklace is trademark of the series, echoing designs tracing back to "Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time."

The biggest game coming to Nintendo's new console is gigantic and gorgeous

Princess Zelda appears to play several roles in "Breath of the Wild" — here she is looking more warrior than princess:

Princess Zelda appears to play several roles in "Breath of the Wild" — here she is looking more warrior than princess:

And here she is in despair:

And here she is in despair:

And in a moment of calm:

And in a moment of calm:

And here she is looking upon her kingdom — her "kingdom" being Hyrule, in case you'd forgotten.

And here she is looking upon her kingdom — her "kingdom" being Hyrule, in case you

Point is: In "Breath of the Wild," Zelda's clearly taking a more active role. It's unclear if she's a playable character or not. Here's hoping!

Point is: In "Breath of the Wild," Zelda

Of note: the producer of the game, Eiji Aonuma, told GameSpot in 2016 that Zelda won't be the main character in "Breath of the Wild." Whether she'll be a playable character remains in question.

Traditionally, "Legend of Zelda" games feature Link as the hero character. But in a trailer released in late 2016, Zelda clenches a fist as Link kneels.

Traditionally, "Legend of Zelda" games feature Link as the hero character. But in a trailer released in late 2016, Zelda clenches a fist as Link kneels.

In this image released by Nintendo in early January 2017, Zelda is straight up attacking an enemy. It's not clear whether this is a playable moment or not.

In this image released by Nintendo in early January 2017, Zelda is straight up attacking an enemy. It

Every time I've played "Breath of the Wild," I've played as Link (seen below).

Every time I

As you can see here, he's got a bow. Rather than collecting permanent weapons (like in previous games), Link collects breakable weapons of varying quality.

As you can see here, he

Here's that bow in use — expect to see stuff like fire arrows, bomb arrows, and more.

Here

Horseback combat is also returning. Here, Link battles a moblin on horseback.

Horseback combat is also returning. Here, Link battles a moblin on horseback.

Don't worry about that destructible weapons bit — the Master Sword has shown up repeatedly in trailers, and appears to be in the final game.

Don

That said, you may not want to use it very often. After defeating enemies, they drop weapons. Sometimes, those weapons are especially powerful. And Link can use them!

That said, you may not want to use it very often. After defeating enemies, they drop weapons. Sometimes, those weapons are especially powerful. And Link can use them!

What's most striking about "Breath of the Wild" is its sheer size. Everything you see below is a place Link can actually go.

What

Like this gorgeous beach area:

Like this gorgeous beach area:

And this sun-drenched desert:

And this sun-drenched desert:

And this foreboding, snowy mountain pass:

And this foreboding, snowy mountain pass:

And this balmy jungle:

And this balmy jungle:

And this lovely plains region:

And this lovely plains region:

Fancy a horseback ride along a beach at sunset? So does Link, apparently.

Fancy a horseback ride along a beach at sunset? So does Link, apparently.

It's not all sweeping vistas and vast expanse, of course. There are towns like this one to explore:

It seems that Nintendo is taking the staples of previous open-world 3D "Legend of Zelda" games and blowing them out. This area, for instance, looks straight out of the Gerudo Valley in "Ocarina of Time."

It seems that Nintendo is taking the staples of previous open-world 3D "Legend of Zelda" games and blowing them out. This area, for instance, looks straight out of the Gerudo Valley in "Ocarina of Time."

There are, of course, new characters and new enemies. It's unclear who this woman is, for instance — she appears friendly.

There are, of course, new characters and new enemies. It

This...creature appears less friendly. It's unclear what role it plays in the story of "Breath of the Wild."

This...creature appears less friendly. It

There are at least a few other friendly faces that are making a return, such as this Goron.

There are at least a few other friendly faces that are making a return, such as this Goron.

And this fairy — look familiar?

And this fairy — look familiar?

Indeed, the character design of the great fairy in "Ocarina of Time" is clearly an influence on "Breath of the Wild."

Indeed, the character design of the great fairy in "Ocarina of Time" is clearly an influence on "Breath of the Wild."

There's at least one more character who appears to be friendly — this human-like bird! Maybe that's Link, but with a costume that transforms him into a bird? We'll see!

There

And who are these folks, who appear to be allied with Link? They seem friendly!

And who are these folks, who appear to be allied with Link? They seem friendly!

Now, for the bad guys. These are moblins. You can find them in the world of "Breath of the Wild," hanging out in gangs, waiting to pounce. They're the standard enemies that Nintendo has shown the most ahead of launch.

Now, for the bad guys. These are moblins. You can find them in the world of "Breath of the Wild," hanging out in gangs, waiting to pounce. They

But what's this? It appears to be a building with tentacles?

But what

Indeed, it's exactly that.

Indeed, it

This spider-like creature seems to be responsible for destroying Hyrule. Here are a handful of them rampaging through a village, setting it ablaze:

This spider-like creature seems to be responsible for destroying Hyrule. Here are a handful of them rampaging through a village, setting it ablaze:

But as we all know, extreme temperature is no deterrent for Link. He just suits up, puts up his shield, and goes in. This appears to be a fire temple, of sorts.

But as we all know, extreme temperature is no deterrent for Link. He just suits up, puts up his shield, and goes in. This appears to be a fire temple, of sorts.

What, you thought because it was open-world that it wouldn't have temples and dungeons? On the contrary, that's a standard. Here's Link doing some exploration:

What, you thought because it was open-world that it wouldn

He uses a keycard of sorts for puzzle solving that you get immediately after starting the game — it's called a Shiekah Tablet. It looks a lot like the Wii U gamepad.

He uses a keycard of sorts for puzzle solving that you get immediately after starting the game — it

This is a game of vast expanse and exploration.

This is a game of vast expanse and exploration.

And clearly also a game of overcoming tragedy.

And clearly also a game of overcoming tragedy.

The biggest game coming to Nintendo's new console is gigantic and gorgeous

The biggest game coming to Nintendo

If nothing else, it's a massive, gorgeous new Zelda game. This level of graphical detail is unusual from Nintendo.

If nothing else, it

And, frankly speaking, I can't wait to see where "Breath of the Wild" takes Link. This looks like his most incredible journey yet.

And, frankly speaking, I can

"The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" launches for both the Wii U and Nintendo Switch on March 3 — the same day that the Switch itself arrives. Check out the latest trailer for even more details right here:

"The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" launches for both the Wii U and Nintendo Switch on March 3 — the same day that the Switch itself arrives. Check out the latest trailer for even more details right here:

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