Lengthy-time Zelda followers who need to discover Hyrule on the web page do not have practically as many choices as some would anticipate for a online game franchise as previous and beloved as The Legend of Zelda. Not like many main sport studios, Nintendo does not collaborate with guide publishers all that always. However the excellent news is that the official reference and artwork books that do exist are very good companions that may enrich your expertise with the video games. With The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Knowledge including yet one more sensible journey to the storied franchise, we determined to round-up the finest Zelda books you should buy in 2024.
Most notably, Darkish Horse and Nintendo collaborated on a sequence of books all through the 2010s, and it can save you on each forward of Amazon’s Prime Large Deal Days sale. Two of the books are marked as Prime Early Offers: The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia for $20.60 (was $40) and The Legend of Zelda: Arts & Artifacts for $19.19 (was $50). These attractive hardcovers are not often on sale for costs this low. Zelda Encyclopedia is an indispensable reference guide masking 30 years of Zelda historical past, whereas Arts & Artifacts presents a captivating have a look at the evolution of the franchise from a visible perspective. The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia can be accessible in a shocking Deluxe Version that is designed to resemble the unique NES sport’s cartridge and protecting sleeve.
Although it is not fairly as low-cost as these. two, The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia is on sale for $23.60 (was $40). Hyrule Historia is the oldest within the Darkish Horse sequence, but it surely stays essential tome loaded with Hyrule lore. If Zelda books wanted to be related to finish the Triforce, Hyrule Historia, Zelda Encyclopedia, and Arts & Artifacts can be these books.
Darkish Horse’s sequence additionally contains two totally different editions of The Legend of Zelda: Making a Champion, an attractive guide in regards to the making of Breath of the Wild.
A lot of Hyperlink’s memorable adventures have been tailored into family-friendly manga, and now you can get each quantity by selecting up two field units. The unique Legend of Zelda manga is accessible in a 10-book paperback field set and as a 5-book Legendary Version Field Set with a treasure chest case. In the meantime, the 11-book Twilight Princess Full Field Set launched in September 2024.
If you wish to be taught extra about any of the above, we’ve detailed breakdowns of the entire formally licensed Legend of Zelda books beneath. With the vacation season fast-approaching, the books on this listing can be nice present concepts for the Zelda followers in your life.
Extra Prime Large Deal Days Nintendo Gross sales
- Nintendo Change Sport & Accent Offers
- Retro Nintendo Hoodies (Formally Licensed)
- The Legend of Zelda & Tremendous Mario T-Shirts
- Animal Crossing Lego Units
- Lego Tremendous Mario – Bowser Units
- Lego Tremendous Mario Piranha Plant
- Lego Nintendo Leisure System
- Lego Tremendous Mario Playsets
The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia
$23.60 ($40)
The primary guide in Darkish Horse’s Zelda guide sequence, Hyrule Historia was revealed in 2013. Regardless of being a decade previous, it is nonetheless an unbelievable learn with a bounty of details about the event of the sequence. It has a treasure trove of illuminating idea artwork and nuggets of lore for each sport within the sequence by way of Skyward Sword. Hyrule Historia is a necessary guide for Zelda followers.
Hyrule Historia clocks in. at 280 pages and is accessible in hardcover and Kindle codecs within the US. A paperback version with authentic cowl artwork that includes Hyperlink was revealed in Europe. Collectors might want each, however the hardcover version matches the remainder of Darkish Horse’s sequence.
The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia
$20.60 ($40)
The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia is a stunning reference guide that serves as a fantastic companion to Hyrule Historia and the broader sequence normally. Printed in 2018 to commemorate the franchise’s thirtieth anniversary, the 328-page hardcover guide takes a detailed have a look at the characters, enemies, gadgets, and locations featured within the sequence from The Legend of Zelda (1986) by way of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD (2016).
The guide, which can be accessible for Kindle, accommodates an enormous database of enemies and gadgets in addition to an official timeline detailing when every sport takes place compared to the remaining. It additionally contains improvement sketches, quite a few maps, and a bunch of lore–the extra lore is a giant motive why it is a fantastic companion to Hyrule Historia. Zelda franchise producer Eiji Aonuma was interviewed for this guide.
The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia is nice for each long-time followers and newcomers. For Zelda veterans, it is fairly cool to revisit 30 years of recollections; in case you’re a more recent fan, this guide will assist fill in some information gaps and even perhaps encourage you to discover older variations of Hyrule for the primary time.
The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia: Deluxe Version
$48 ($90)
The Legend of Zelda: Encyclopedia: Deluxe Version and has a nostalgic design and basically acts because the collector’s model. All the content material contained in the guide matches the usual version, however you are getting an alternate cowl, distinctive slipcase, and really cool bonus.
The Deluxe Version’s cowl artwork is designed to appear to be the gold cartridge of The Legend of Zelda (1987) for the unique Nintendo Leisure System. To imitate the cartridge’s end, Darkish Horse added shiny laminate and polish to foil paper to create the embossed cowl. The polypropylene slipcase resembles NES cart sleeves. To maintain the quilt in nice form when eradicating the guide from its case, the inside of the sleeve is lined with velvet. It additionally comes with an old-school instruction booklet that is as huge because the “cartridge.”
Out of the entire books on this listing, The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia: Deluxe Version is essentially the most lavish from a design perspective. You must undoubtedly learn it, however the guide doubles as an attractive piece of Zelda decor.
The Legend of Zelda: Artwork & Artifacts
$19 ($50)
The Legend of Zelda: Artwork & Artifacts is a 427-page hardcover guide that includes a large assortment of paintings created throughout 30-plus years by the group of artists at Nintendo. Not like the opposite two reference books masking the sequence at massive, Arts & Artifacts does include paintings made for Breath of the Wild.
Online game artwork books are fairly frequent as of late. If a online game is the main target of just one guide, there is a good likelihood it will be an artwork guide. Arts & Artifacts is among the finest online game artwork books you should buy; it showcases all kinds of paintings throughout every console and handheld era. Arts & Artifacts might aptly be described as an encyclopedia of Zelda artwork, as you will discover a ton of character idea artwork, sprite work, field and instruction booklet artwork, and promotional photographs, amongst different classes. To enhance the visible feast, the guide accommodates commentary from the artists who made the items featured on these pages.
All of Darkish Horse’s Zelda books thrive in hardcover format, however Arts & Artifacts, particularly, is one we might undoubtedly suggest in bodily format. Trying on the illustrations on an iPad merely is not the identical as flipping by way of high-end artwork paper.
Breath of the Wild – Making a Champion
$35
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild proved to be a significant evolution for the franchise. In comparison with earlier video games, its scope was completely staggering. For a lot of, Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, grew to become the brand new benchmarks to match future iterations–and open-world video games in general–against going ahead. If you wish to have a look behind the scenes to see how the brand new period of the sequence got here to be, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Making a Champion is the definitive method to do exactly that.
Making a Champion is a 424-page doorstopper of a hardcover–though it is accessible as an book, too–published by Darkish Horse in 2018. Maybe most notably, the guide presents dozens of pages of artwork by Takumi Wada, the lead artist for Breath of the Wild. It additionally has roughly 300 pages of idea and manufacturing artwork from different members of the group.
To accompany and contextualize the illustrations, Breath of the Wild’s lead builders element the philosophy behind and evolution of the artwork. As you learn by way of the commentary and admire the pictures, you can begin to see how the biggest model of Hyrule got here to life.
The historical past and lore of this Hyrule is roofed extensively, and it additionally accommodates interviews with a number of key creators, together with franchise lead Eiji Aonuma, Nintendo artwork director Satoru Takizawa, sport director Hidemaro Fujibayashi, and lead artist Takumi Wada.
Breath of the Wild – Making a Champion (Hero’s Version)
$64 ($110)
Making a Champion additionally has a premium version that comes bundled with some further goodies. If Breath of the Wild is your favourite Zelda sport, you are unlikely to remorse treating splurging for the Hero’s Version. A minimalistic but gorgeous assortment, the Hero Version swaps paintings of Hyperlink and his allies for a white emblem in opposition to an attention grabbing blue backdrop. Not simply any blue, though–this distinct shade of royal blue completely matches the Champion’s Tunic worn by Hyperlink in Breath of the Wild. The signature armor is offered to Hyperlink by Impa in Kakariko Village and triggers a reminiscence of the royal blue-clad Champions throughout Hyrule banding collectively to defeat Calamity Ganon.
The Hero’s Version might be saved and displayed in a royal blue slipcase with a silhouette of Hyperlink dressed within the Champion’s Tunic along with his bow drawn. Contained in the slipcase you will additionally discover a field with a fold-out map and an artwork print. What’s particularly cool in regards to the print is that it is a real-life model of the image Hyperlink shows in his house. To spherical out this lovely set, there’s somewhat compartment on the aspect of the case containing a duplicate glass Spirit Orb.
If you should purchase a present for a Breath of the Wild fan, you may’t go fallacious with Making a Champion’s Hero’s Version–unless they’ve it already, after all, during which case no less than they will return it to Amazon totally free and swap it out for one or two different books on this listing.
Breath of the Wild – Full Official Information, Expanded Version
$22 ($40)
Have you considered returning to Breath of the Wild to see and do every thing the open world of Hyrule has to supply? The official technique information is a particularly helpful companion on your journey again into the wild.
Breath of the Wild – The Full Official Information, Expanded Version is a 512-page hardcover guide leaves no stone unturned. Actually. It supplies the places of all 1,000 Korok Seeds–those hide-and-seek execs love residing below rocks. Something and every thing you’d must know to 100% Breath of the Wild, together with its pair of expansions, is on this information: all shrine places, all puzzle options, all treasure chests, and so on. It additionally presents suggestions and methods for fight, an summary of the primary quest line with really useful routes, and an in depth evaluation of the monsters and gadgets scattered all through Hyrule.
The guidebook comes with a helpful double-sided map of Hyrule with full annotations. As a bonus, the guide options 32 pages of idea artwork, cut up evenly between the bottom sport and pair of expansions. That is the one Zelda guide on this listing with paintings for The Grasp Trials and The Champions’ Ballad, the superb pair of post-launch expansions.
Even in case you do not want assist in Breath of the Wild, the official information is a cool guide to have in your assortment. Bodily guidebooks for brand spanking new video games are very uncommon as of late. In the course of the Change’s lifecycle, Nintendo has partnered with a publishing home to create guides for under two video games.
The hardcover Expanded Version is the one model nonetheless in print right now. A Deluxe Version of the unique information is just accessible from resellers as of late. The Sheikah Slate cowl artwork is attractive, however the guide is over 100 pages shorter.
Tears of the Kingdom – Full Official Information, Collector’s Version
$27 ($45) for Hardcover Collector’s Version | $19 ($30) for Paperback
It is most likely not very shocking that the opposite Nintendo sport that acquired an official technique information is Tears of the Kingdom, the 2023 sequel to Breath of the Wild. Nintendo as soon as once more partnered with sport information writer Piggyback to create Tears of the Kingdom’s information. It hit cabinets two months after the sport’s launch, giving gamers loads of time to get misplaced on their very own in Hyrule earlier than consulting a information.
The official Tears of the Kingdom guidebook is 496 pages and covers every thing you should know to 100% the sport, together with particulars on each important quest and aspect mission, shrine, cave, minigame, and so on. It has an entire catalog of drugs, from weapons and armor to crafting supplies and Zonai Gadgets. Each enemy is detailed alongside superior methods for enhancing your fight expertise. An superior atlas masking all three main maps–Hyrule, Sky Islands, The Depths–can simply be referenced whereas trying to find collectibles.
Tears of the Kingdom has extra advanced gameplay techniques than its predecessor, together with its heavy emphasis on piecing collectively objects to unravel puzzles and traverse the world with Hyperlink’s Ultrahand capability. The official information presents an in-depth have a look at this and all different new mechanics and options.
The Breath of the Wild information is implausible, however this one is arguably extra spectacular as a result of its sheer scope and the way effectively the data is laid out.
Tears of the Kingdom’s information is available in hardcover and paperback editions. The hardcover Collector’s Version is of course the extra premium and sturdy of the 2. It additionally occurs to have attractive cowl artwork that includes the Decayed Grasp Sword. It is value noting you may usually save 5 to 10 bucks by choosing the paperback. You are getting a discount with both version.
The Legend of Zelda: A Hyperlink to the Previous Graphic Novel
$17 ($20)
The Legend of Zelda: A Hyperlink to the Previous followers ought to undoubtedly try this charming full-color graphic novel adaptation of the Tremendous Nintendo sport. Initially revealed as a serialized comedian guide in Nintendo Energy journal, Viz Media collected the total run for this 196-page paperback. In the intervening time, A Hyperlink to the Previous is the one Zelda graphic novel in print. It is really useful for teenagers ages eight and up, so it will make for a enjoyable present for youthful followers, too.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Full Manga Field Set
$98 ($130)
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Full Field Set is the latest launch on this listing. Printed in September 2024, this assortment brings collectively all 11 volumes of Akira Himekawa’s very good manga adaptation of the 2006 GameCube and Wii journey (remastered for Wii U in 2016). Every guide is roughly 200 pages, with the total sequence coming in at 2,040 pages. The brand new field set comes with an illustrated show case to maintain your paperbacks organized and an unique double-sided poster.
If you happen to like manga and you are a fan of the one Zelda sport the place Hyperlink can flip right into a wolf, the Twilight Princess manga undoubtedly ought to be in your listing. Take into account that The Legend of Zelda manga will not be a 1:1 retelling of the video games; as an alternative, consider this as extra of a reinterpretation with the identical basis.
As the one mainline entry within the sequence with an ESRB ranking of T for Teen, the Twilight Princess manga was understandably written for a barely older viewers than the graphic novel above and the manga you will examine subsequent. It is really useful for teenagers ages 11 and up. Adults who need to learn Zelda manga will most likely benefit from the prolonged Twilight Princess arc greater than the opposite variations, however it’s possible you’ll need to begin with Quantity 1 earlier than shopping for the entire set.
- Twilight Princess Vol. 1
- Twilight Princess Vol. 2
- Twilight Princess Vol. 3
- Twilight Princess Vol. 4
- Twilight Princess Vol. 5
- Twilight Princess Vol. 6
- Twilight Princess Vol. 7
- Twilight Princess Vol. 8
- Twilight Princess Vol. 9
- Twilight Princess Vol. 10
- Twilight Princess Vol. 11
The Legend of Zelda Full Manga Field Set
$57 ($105)
Earlier than writing and illustrating the prolonged Twilight Princess sequence, Akira Himekawa–the pen title for artistic companions A. Honda and S. Nagano–adapted seven earlier video games within the sequence. These tales are extra appropriate for youthful readers and are really useful for teenagers ages eight and up.
If you happen to grew up enjoying The Legend of Zelda, the manga variations of Ocarina of Time, A Hyperlink to the Previous, Oracle of Ages and Seasons, and Majora’s Masks supply a enjoyable method to introduce your youngsters to among the classics. Majora’s Masks is usually a bit unsettling, so it’s possible you’ll not need to present that one to children in case you suppose the creepy masks, Cranium Child, and the indignant moon will frighten them.
All 10 volumes of The Legend of Zelda manga can be found individually for round $10 every or collectively in a paperback field set. The latter tends to avoid wasting you some huge cash general, plus you get a double-sided poster. This is the total listing, however before you purchase any of them, be certain to check out the premium Legendary Version Field Set beneath.
- Ocarina of Time Vol. 1
- Ocarina of Time Vol. 2
- Majora’s Masks Vol. 3
- Oracle of Seasons Vol. 4
- Oracle of Ages Vol. 5
- 4 Swords Vol. 6
- 4 Swords Half 2 Vol. 7
- A Hyperlink to the Previous Vol 9
- Phantom Hourglass Vol. 10
The Legend of Zelda Manga Legendary Version Field Set
$86 ($125)
The Legendary Version of Zelda’s authentic manga sequence has a decidedly extra mature presentation. Simply have a look at Ocarina of Time’s Legendary Version in comparison with the usual paperback model. Legendary variations of the manga are printed on higher-quality paper and have thicker covers, which implies they need to maintain up higher over time.
The principle distinction in format right here is that the Legendary Version condenses the sequence into 5 books. If you happen to’re choosing particular person volumes as an alternative of the field set, it is sensible to get one in all these, as you will not want to purchase two books to learn each elements of Ocarina of Time, 4 Swords, or Oracle of Seasons and Ages.
The Legendary Version Field Set is fairly superior, although. The books come bundled inside a treasure chest storage field. It is one of many coolest spins on the slipcase we have seen with a manga or graphic novel assortment. It additionally comes with a double-sided poster. Particular person Legendary volumes retail for $20, however you may generally get them for steep 5 or extra bucks off.
- Ocarina of Time Legendary Version — $12 ($
20) - Oracle of Seasons + Ages Legendary Version — $15 ($
20) - Majora’s Masks + A Hyperlink to the Previous Legendary Version — $18 (
$20) - The Minish Cap + Phantom Hourglass Legendary Version — $18 (
$20) - 4 Swords Legendary Version — $18 (
$20)
The Legend of Zelda: Official Sticker Guide
$8 ($13)
For the younger Zelda followers, this official sticker guide has over 800 stickers. With that many stickers, dad and mom are sure to begin discovering Zelda stickers all around the home. Printed by Random Home in 2018, this guide has loads of Breath of the Wild stickers in addition to ones celebrating older Zelda video games, too. Although the massive draw right here is stickers, it is also an exercise guide.
The Legend of Zelda: Hyperlink’s Guide of Journey
Paperback – $8 ($10) | Hardcover – $11 ($13)
The Legend of Zelda: Hyperlink’s Guide of Journey is the second exercise guide for teenagers revealed by Random Home. Initially revealed in hardcover in 2018, this exercise guide launched in paperback earlier this 12 months. Whereas it does include stickers, Hyperlink’s Guide of Journey is a extra conventional exercise guide, that includes a pleasant stability of phrase searches, mazes, puzzles, reminiscence video games, and different actions. It additionally has full-color illustrations, and the general high quality is sort of good for the value.