Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a video game released for the Nintendo Switch 2 on November 6, 2025. It is the third installment in the Hyrule Warriors series.
Game Information
Age of Imprisonment is available as both a physical and digital game. The digital version that is available on the Nintendo eShop requires 42.7 GB, 42.8 GB, or 44.9 GB of storage space. Save Data Cloud support to retain save data is available with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.[2] It is playable in TV mode, tabletop mode, and handheld mode.[2] Both online and local GameShare and GameChat features are supported.[2]
In addition to the Japanese version, Age of Imprisonment is localized in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Korean, and Spanish.[2]
Story
Age of Imprisonment is set in the ancient past of Hyrule during the Era of Myth, a time period so distant that the veracity of its recorded events are uncertain. It follows Zelda's journey in the past as she meets with her ancestors, Rauru and Sonia, who welcome her to the Ancient Hyrule Castle atop the Great Plateau.
While Zelda learns to control her powers over Time, the Gerudo King Ganondorf attacks, beginning the Imprisoning War documented in the ancient records of the Royal Family of Hyrule. To combat Ganondorf's army of Monsters, Rauru appoints the leaders of the various peoples of Hyrule as Sages, granting each of them a Secret Stone that amplifies their abilities.
Gameplay
As with other Warriors-style games, Age of Imprisonment is predominately centered around hack and slash gameplay. Various Warriors take on hordes of Enemy units and their leaders, known as Powerful Foes. By performing various attack combinations with the Y and X Buttons, Warriors can execute a wide range of attacks. When compatible Warriors are near each other, they may be able to perform Sync Strikes. These are special attacks where one Warrior is assisted by another to execute a devastating attack capable of dealing massive Damage especially to large groups of Enemies.
The Y Button is used for weaker, faster attacks while the X Button allows for stronger but slower attacks. In addition to attacking, Warriors can Dodge with the B Button and Guard by holding the ZL Button. By attacking, Warriors can build their Special-Attack Gauge. When this gauge is full, they can perform a devastating attack at the expense of depleting the gauge.
Powerful Foes are distinguished from more common Enemies through a number of factors including their designs, abilities, size, the ability to be Targeted, and the presence of Life Gauges and names displayed above them. Some Enemy varieties only exist as Powerful Foes, such as Hinoxes and rival Warriors. Enemies may be augmented by external forces such as Gloom and Rock Armor. Some Enemies are covered in Sludge, which protects them from physical Damage until the Sludge is washed away with Water. After performing Special Attacks, Powerful Foes may leave themselves open to attack and expose their Weak Point Gauge. When an Enemy's Weak Point Gauge is exhausted, they will receive a substantial amount of Damage.
Warriors can make use of Zonai Devices while in battlefields to augment the terrain or to affect Enemies. Zonai Devices can be thrown onto the ground, changing their use. For example, Fans normally blow in the direction that a Warrior is facing, but will instead blow upward and create an Updraft when thrown. This Updraft can be further modified with other Zonai Devices, such as Shock Emitters to create an electrified tornado that both scoops Enemies up and damages them. Zonai Devices are activated by pressing and holding the R or ZR Button when an applicable Zonai Device is selected. As in Tears of the Kingdom, Zonai Devices deplete a Warrior's Energy Cells. However, this only applies to Zonai Devices used with the R or ZR Button.
Gameplay is carried out through Battles, which have Missions that must be completed in order to advance and complete the Battle. Battles may contain several Missions, and these Missions may have different objectives such as reaching certain locations within a battlefield. Missions may have time limits or other failure conditions.
The Game Screen is laid out with most of the information displayed on the left side of the screen. From the top, the Life Gauge showing the Warrior's total Hearts is displayed, followed by the Special Attack gauge and then the available Energy Cells. The Directional Button controls are separated into two parts: the left and right Directional Buttons, which control the Map and what appears to be a favorite items system, and the up and down Directional Buttons which switch between playable Warriors. Beside the left and right Directional Button options, the selected Zonai Device also appears. An optional combo display may be set beneath the playable Warriors. This display shows which sequence of Y and X Buttons have been pressed to help memorize attack combos.
At the bottom left of the Game Screen, there is a KO counter that measures the number of Enemies defeated and beneath it is an Experience Gauge. By defeating Enemies, Warriors can gain Experience, which contributes toward their current Level. While not gaining Experience, the KO counter and Experience Gauge will disappear from the Game Screen.
At the bottom right of the Game Screen, the Mini-Map for the Battle is displayed. If there is an active Mission, it will appear above the Mini-Map. Destinations related to Missions will also appear on the Mini-Map with a special icon.
Within battlefields, there are Outposts that may be held by either allied or Enemy forces. These are designated by diamond-shape symbols with shields on the Mini-Map, colored either red or blue to denote Enemy or ally factions. Each Outpost has a central guardian who will cause the Outpost to fall to the opposing side if they are defeated. Outposts also have a collective health bar that will diminish if Enemies are slain while inside them. Groups of Enemies are indicated by red dots on the Mini-Map and Powerful Foes are indicated by red dots that have outlines.
Age of Imprisonment supports up to two players, either through split-screen co-op or through the GameShare feature. GameShare can transmit footage of the second player's screen to a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 console. Only one copy of Age of Imprisonment is needed for two people to play together.
Timeline Placement
Following its reveal, the official press release for Age of Imprisonment stated that it is canonical, indicating that it has an official placement on the Zelda Timeline. It is the first spinoff game to be included alongside the main series titles in this way. Its events take place during the Era of Foundation long predating the 10,000-Year-Old Calamity, in an age where the truth of any surviving written records cannot be distinguished from legend.
Development
After finishing development for Tears of the Kingdom, the game's director, Hidemaro Fujibayashi, proposed producer Eiji Aonuma to have Koei Tecmo make a game set during the Imprisoning War, but waited for them to contact Nintendo first. After playing Tears of the Kingdom themselves, producer Yosuke Hayashi and director Ryota Matsushita also felt the need to create a Hyrule Warriors game set during the Imprisoning War.[3]
Age of Imprisonment was announced on April 2, 2025 as part of a Nintendo Direct dedicated to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.[4]
During an interview regarding the game, series' producer Eiji Aonuma mentioned that Age of Imprisonment "may be reflected in the (next) Zelda we create."[5]
amiibo Support
Age of Imprisonment is compatible with The Legend of Zelda series amiibo figures, which can be scanned to receive various Items and crafting materials.[2]
Post-launch Content
Two free updates are planned for Age of Imprisonment.
Updates
The following table is incomplete. You can help Zelda Wiki by editing the page and filling in the empty cells.
| Update | Version 1.0.0 |
|---|---|
| Release Date | —Not Applicable |
| Content |
|
| Update | Version 1.0.1 |
| Release Date | November 5, 2025 |
| Content | |
| Update | Version 1.0.2 |
| Release Date | November 26, 2025 |
| Content | |
| Update | Version 1.0.2 |
| Release Date | December 17, 2025 |
| Content |
| Update | Release Date | Content |
|---|---|---|
Version 1.0.0 | —Not Applicable |
|
Version 1.0.1 | November 5, 2025 | |
Version 1.0.2 | November 26, 2025 | |
Version 1.0.2 | December 17, 2025 |
Trailers and Marketing
Bundles
The My Nintendo Store in the United Kingdom and Ireland is providing bundles of Age of Imprisonment with the Tears of the Kingdom-themed Ganondorf and Link amiibo figures. This applies to both physical and digital purchases.[6][7][8][9]
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Physical game bundled with Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf amiibo
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Digital game bundled with Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf amiibo
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Physical game bundled with Tears of the Kingdom Link amiibo
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Digital game bundled with Tears of the Kingdom Link amiibo
Pre-Order Bonuses
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the My Nintendo Store is offering a themed notebook with artwork of Zelda and Ganondorf on its covers.[10]
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My Nintendo Store pre-order bonus
Audience Reception
Awards
| Event | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Game Show | Future Division | Won[11] |
Listings
Characters
Enemies
Items
Objects
Nomenclature
 Names in Other Regions  | ||
|---|---|---|
| Language | Names | Meanings |
 JapanJapanese | ゼルダ無双 封印戦記 (Zeruda Musō: Fūin Senki)[12] | Zelda Unrivaled: Imprisoning War Chronicles |
 The Republic of China The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China The Macao Special Administrative Region of ChinaChineseTRTraditional | ZELDA無雙 封印戰記 (ZELDA Wúshuāng: Fēngyìn Zhànjì)[13] | |
 The Kingdom of the NetherlandsDutch | Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment[14] | |
 The French RepublicFrenchEUEuropean | Hyrule Warriors: Les Chroniques du Sceau[15] | |
 The Federal Republic of GermanyGerman | Hyrule Warriors: Chronik der Versiegelung[16] | |
 The Italian RepublicItalian | Hyrule Warriors: L'era dell'esilio[17] | |
 The Portuguese RepublicPortugueseEUEuropean | Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment[18] | |
 The Kingdom of SpainSpanishEUEuropean | Hyrule Warriors: La era del destierro[19] | |
| This table was generated from Zelda Wiki's translation data. | ||
Gallery
References
- ↑ "Available November 6, 2025" — Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment – Nintendo Direct 9.12.2025, @NintendoAmerica on YouTube, Uploaded September 12, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "
Battle hordes of enemies in the untold story of the Imprisoning War
Fight the war for Ancient Hyrule! Step on to the battlefield as Princess Zelda, King Rauru, and other legendary heroes as you fight to reclaim your homeland—and live the story of Demon King Ganondorf’s invasion that was only briefly alluded to in The Legend of Zelda™: Tears of the Kingdom game.
Fight alongside new and familiar heroes to defend Hyrule from the Demon King
Princess Zelda is not alone in this war! Join Mineru, the Sages, and even some brand-new heroes in battles against Ganondorf’s forces. Combine powerful Zonai Devices with your heroes’ signature abilities to take down powerful bosses and their legions of minions.
Team up with a friend in two-player local co-op via split screen or GameShare
Join up with a friend for two-player local co-op, and you can spread out to cover more ground as the war unfolds—or stick together and combine your powers to smash the opposition. Play split-screen on a single system, or on two separate systems via GameShare*—either way, only one person needs to have the game.
Tap any The Legend of Zelda series amiibo™ for extra items
Scan any The Legend of Zelda series amiibo figure** to get in-game rewards including crafting materials and other items that you might find helpful in your quest to defeat the Demon King!
Use save data from Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to get additional weapons
If you have save data from the Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity game on your system when you play, you’ll receive a High Guard’s Claymore. If you have save data from the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game, you receive a High Guard’s Sword. These weapons can be redeemed after returning to the Hyrule map upon completion of The Howling Tempests mission.
" — n.a., Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment for Nintendo Switch 2 - Nintendo Official Site , Nintendo.com, published September 12, 2025, retrieved September 23, 2025. - ↑ Brian, Nintendo and Koei Tecmo explain how Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment came to be , Nintendo Everything, published January 4, 2026, retrieved January 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Coming this Winter" — Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment – Nintendo Direct, @NintendoAmerica on YouTube, Uploaded April 2, 2025
- ↑ "The inspiration we received from this collaboration with Koei Tecmo may be reflected in the (next) Zelda we create. Please picture this while playing Age of Imprisonment, and look forward to our Zelda." —Eiji Aonuma (Eiji Aonuma Hints That Next Zelda Game Will Be Inspired by Elements of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, published December 19, 2025, retrieved December 19, 2025.)
- ↑ "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (Physical version)
Fight the war for ancient Hyrule! Step on to the battlefield as Princess Zelda, King Rauru, and other legendary heroes as you fight to reclaim your homeland – and live the story of the Demon King Ganondorf’s invasion.
This bundle includes a copy of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment for Nintendo Switch 2 and a Ganondorf amiibo (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom). The contents of this bundle will be delivered together as a complete set on the game’s release date." — Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment + Ganondorf amiibo (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom) , My Nintendo Store, retrieved October 22, 2025. - ↑ "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (Digital version)
Fight the war for ancient Hyrule! Step on to the battlefield as Princess Zelda, King Rauru, and other legendary heroes as you fight to reclaim your homeland – and live the story of the Demon King Ganondorf’s invasion.
This bundle includes a copy of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment for Nintendo Switch 2 (download code) and a Ganondorf amiibo (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom). The contents of this bundle will be delivered together as a complete set on the game’s release date." — Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment + Ganondorf amiibo (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom) , My Nintendo Store, retrieved October 22, 2025. - ↑ "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (Physical version)
Fight the war for ancient Hyrule! Step on to the battlefield as Princess Zelda, King Rauru, and other legendary heroes as you fight to reclaim your homeland – and live the story of the Demon King Ganondorf’s invasion.
This bundle includes a copy of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment for Nintendo Switch 2 and a Link (Tears of the Kingdom) amiibo (The Legend of Zelda Collection). The contents of this bundle will be delivered together as a complete set on the game’s release date." — Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment + Link (Tears of the Kingdom) amiibo (The Legend of Zelda Collection) , My Nintendo Store, retrieved October 22, 2025. - ↑ "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (Digital version)
Fight the war for ancient Hyrule! Step on to the battlefield as Princess Zelda, King Rauru, and other legendary heroes as you fight to reclaim your homeland – and live the story of the Demon King Ganondorf’s invasion.
This bundle includes a copy of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment for Nintendo Switch 2 (download code) and a Link (Tears of the Kingdom) amiibo (The Legend of Zelda Collection). The contents of this bundle will be delivered together as a complete set on the game’s release date." — Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment + Link (Tears of the Kingdom) amiibo (The Legend of Zelda Collection) , My Nintendo Store, retrieved October 22, 2025. - ↑ "Catalogue all your findings as you explore ancient Hyrule with this Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment notebook!
Already pre-ordered? Your order will automatically be upgraded!" — @NintendoStoreUK on Twitter, October 8, 2025 - ↑ Japan Game Awards 2025 Future Division Winners Revealed (web archive), GoNintendo.com, published September 28, 2025, retrieved September 29, 2025.
- ↑ "『ゼルダ無双 封印戦記』" — @ZeldaOfficialJP on Twitter, April 2, 2025
- ↑ Nintendo Switch 2 遊戲軟體｜Nintendo Switch 2｜任天堂 , www.nintendo.com, retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ↑ Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment | Nintendo Switch 2-games | Games | Nintendo NL , www.nintendo.com, retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ↑ Hyrule Warriors : Les Chroniques du Sceau | Jeux Nintendo Switch 2 | Jeux | Nintendo FR , www.nintendo.com, retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ↑ Hyrule Warriors: Chronik der Versiegelung | Nintendo Switch 2-Spiele | Spiele | Nintendo DE , www.nintendo.com, retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ↑ Hyrule Warriors: L'era dell'esilio | Giochi per Nintendo Switch 2 | Giochi | Nintendo IT , www.nintendo.com, retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ↑ Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment | Jogos para a Nintendo Switch 2 | Jogos | Nintendo PT , www.nintendo.com, retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ↑ Hyrule Warriors: La era del destierro | Juegos de Nintendo Switch 2 | Juegos | Nintendo ES , www.nintendo.com, retrieved April 3, 2025.
