The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an absolutely massive game with content packed into almost every corner of its vast open world. Exploration is Breath of the Wild's heart, and it lovingly gives players complete freedom to approach the ruined post-Calamity Hyrule any way they want. Despite there being more to explore in Breath of the Wild than in any previous Zelda game, there are very few requirements to actually beat the game, and it even gives players the option to make a beeline straight for Hyrule Castle to take on Calamity Ganon.

Players who defeat the game's final boss are rewarded with a star on their save file indicating that they beat the game. The Sheikah Slate will also display the in-game completion rate as a percentage next to the time and weather, showing players how much they have left to do before the game will consider their file 100% completed.

However, with the amount of content in Breath of the Wild, even the in-game completion rate only factors certain things into its calculations. There are only five requirements to achieve a 100% completion rate in-game:

  • Defeat all four Divine Beasts.
  • Defeat Calamity Ganon.
  • Find and beat all 120 Shrines.
  • Find all 900 Korok seeds.
  • Visit every named map location.

Reaching 100% completion in Breath of the Wild is no small feat by any means, but players who aren't ready to leave Hyrule behind will find that there's plenty of content to play through even after the game is technically "complete."

Complete Breath of the Wild's 15 Main Quests

Zelda casts a spell in Breath of the Wild

Only one main quest is technically required to reach 100% completion of Breath of the Wild, which is simply the "Destroy Ganon" quest that players are tasked with at the start of the game. Aside from that, the other 14 quests in Breath of the Wild's main questline are actually optional and don't factor into the in-game completion rate. While it's likely that players completed most of these on their way to destroy Ganon and free the Divine Beasts, they can be missed or passed, so players should be sure to check back and complete all of them after achieving 100%.

Complete Breath Of The Wild's 76 Side Quests

Hyrule is a lively world full of friendly (and unfriendly) characters, and many of them need the help of a hero. There are a total of 76 side quests in Breath of the Wild, from building a home in Hateno Village to baking a monster cake for a little girl in Tarrey Town. While some of these quests are fairly simple, others are more complex and often require puzzle-solving or sharp combat skills. Not only do these quests provide an additional challenge for players after they've completed the game, but they also give players the opportunity to get to know Hyrule and its civilians a lot better.

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The Captured Memories are a crucial part of uncoveringBreath of the Wild's story, but they don't actually count towards the completion of the game, giving players the option to bypass them entirely to focus on fighting monsters and saving the world. Players who want to help Link regain his 18 lost memories and learn about Breath of the Wild's story can find these short cutscenes hidden throughout the world.

The Sheikah Slate saves unlocked memories in the Adventure Log so players can view them any time, and it specifies which ones are missing as well. Some of them are much more difficult to find than others, but thankfully the painter Pikango can be found at the game's stables to give players helpful hints about their locations.

Find And Upgrade Every Piece Of Armor In Breath Of The Wild

BOTW Cosplay Gerudo Set Link Vai

Along with the game's wide variety of weapons, shields, and bows, there are 16 different armor sets that can be found in Breath of the Wild, each one containing 3 pieces. Most of these armor sets can be found in chests or purchased with Rupees, but some require a bit of extra work and can only be obtained after completing certain quests. In addition to the armor sets, there are a number of jewelry items and masks that grant special boosts and abilities.

Most of the armor in the game can also be upgraded at any of the four Great Fairy Fountains if Link has the right materials. Collecting the necessary materials takes some serious work that's well worth the reward as upgraded armor can grant Link significant stat boosts. Some armor can be upgraded with simple things like Keese Wings and Lizalfos Tails, but other sets require as many as 12 Lynel Horns to be fully upgraded.

Get Every Horse Bridle And Saddle In Breath Of The Wild

Link and horse BOTW

Link isn't the only one who can switch up his style in Breath of the Wild as 7 different bridles and saddles can be found for his equestrian companions. Horses are a crucial part of Breath of the Wild as players often rely on them to get around and even engage in combat, so it's nice to be able to equip them with some cosmetic armor of their own.

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Players can change their horses bridles and saddles at a few of the game's many stables, but only if they have a maxed-out bond. Most of these pieces can be earned by completing horse-riding minigames near the game's stables.

Fully Upgrade Inventory In Breath Of The Wild

Hestu as seen in Breath of the WIld

While finding every Korok seed is required to reach Breath of the Wild's in-game 100% mark, bringing them back to Hestu to upgrade Link's inventory is not. Players only need to find 441 Korok seeds to max out their inventory space, which will allow Link to carry 11 weapons, 8 bows, and 16 shields once it has been fully upgraded. However, once players find all 900 Korok seeds to reach that coveted 100% completion rate, they can return to Korok Forest and claim a very special gift from Hestu.

Complete All 385 Of Breath Of The Wild's Hyrule Compendium Entries

Sheikah Slate Breath of the Wild Zelda

The Sheikah Slate's Hyrule Compendium allows players to snap pictures ofBreath of the Wild's many creatures, materials, and monsters. With 385 total entries to be discovered and documented, players will have plenty of post-game content to enjoy as they explore Hyrule with a keen eye and camera in hand. Not only is it satisfying to fill the Compendium's many blank slots, but these entries also provide useful information about their subjects, such as common locations and recoverable materials. Completed entries can also be tracked using the Sheikah Sensor, making it much easier to find specific items and creatures in Breath of the Wild's massive world.

Earn All Of Kilton's Medals Of Honor In Breath Of The Wild

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Breath of the Wild's monster hunters and combat enthusiasts can earn 3 Medals of Honor from Kilton, the monster-loving owner of Fang & Bone. This travelling shop only appears at night, and once players defeat Calamity Ganon and beat the game's main quest, Kilton will offer an additional challenge that isn't for the faint of heart. Players must track down and defeat all of the game's sub-bosses, including all 40 Taluses, 40 Hinoxes, and 4 Moldugas.

These counts are not cumulative, and players must beat each unique sub-boss in the world in order to claim these monstrous medallions. However, the Blood Moon does not reset the counter, and speaking with Kilton will inform the player of how many monsters they have left to challenge. These medallions don't grant any special effects or abilities, but players hoping to earn bragging rights as Hyrule's ultimate monster hunter will be sure to earn these as part of Breath of the Wild's post-game content.

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