The sequel to the beloved Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which for now is only known informally as Breath of the Wild 2, might not be releasing in 2022. Nothing is certain as of yet, but there are worrying signs that fans won't see it until 2023. It's still early in the year, and there's a chance that BOTW 2 will still make its current 2022 release window, but until a set date is announced, many are nervously awaiting news that will point it in one direction or the other.
Breath of the Wild 2 was announced at the 2019 E3, but Nintendo has released few details about it since. Nintendo has confirmed that BOTW 2 will release at some point in 2022, but as gaming fans are painfully aware, delays can come at any time and for any reason. It's one of 2022's most-anticipated games, with many eagerly awaiting any news on its release date, features, story, or anything at all. If all goes well, then Zelda fans should be able to play it before the year is up, but there's always the "if".
None of the reasons that have people worried are concrete evidence of a delay, and despite the consistent lack of details about the game so far, Nintendo is notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to their first-party games. More information is usually delivered closer to release, but the fact that BOTW 2 wasn't mentioned in February's Nintendo Direct is evidence enough for some that things might not be on track for 2022. That said, it's still early in the year, and there's plenty of time for Nintendo to release new information, especially with the possibility of E3, Summer Game Fest, and other shows possibly being the right time to release new information on the coming title. But there are still a number of other circumstances that have led to speculation, and without confirmation, onlookers might be starting to get restless.
Pokémon's Announcement Could Mean That BOTW 2 Is Getting Delayed
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet were announced during the recent Pokémon Presents video, which shocked many. After Legends: Arceus, the most common assumption was that Pokémon Gen 9 wasn't coming until at least 2023, but the "late 2022" release date has many Pokémon fans both excited and mystified. At the same time, however, some Zelda fans are worried due to those same words being used for BOTW 2's release date. It would seem unlikely that BOTW 2 and Scarlet and Violet will release close together, so late 2022 doesn't look like it has much room for BOTW 2's release window. The exact date for either of them isn't set in stone, but to avoid clashing, Breath of the Wild 2 needs to release at least a month or two either before or after Pokémon.
Does The Lack Of News Mean That BOTW 2 Is Delayed?
News about BOTW 2 has been sparce since its announcement. Details like new weapons Link will use in BOTW 2, among others, are still a mystery, which leaves room for concern. If Pokémon means that the release date won't be later in the year, and will instead be early or middle 2022, then time is running out for Nintendo to show trailers and gameplay. There isn't even an official name for the game yet, which doesn't bode well for it releasing any time soon. Unless the company is planning to do a surprise announcement sometime in the near future and flood the internet with news until release, then signs point to an early 2023 release date instead. It all depends on Scarlet and Violet's exact release, which could be sooner than thought - but it's still a worrying sign.
Is There Room In Nintendo's Release Schedule For BOTW 2?
One of the most concerning signs that the game might be delayed until next year is Nintendo's own schedule. Instead of needing to spend time on features like horse exploration and mounted combat for BOTW 2, it could have been delayed simply because there's not enough room for it in the year. The company typically releases only one big game per month, and other games may crowd out BOTW's sequel. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is confirmed to release in September, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will come out in November if the series follows its usual pattern, and Bayonetta 3 and Mario and Rabbids: Sparks of Hope are still releasing this year.
Since Kirby and the Forgotten Land is coming out in March, that leaves a window of April to August, along with October and December. There are also many other Nintendo games with spring and summer release dates, so BOTW 2 may not have much room in Nintendo's timetable. The lack of news or details indicates a far-off release date, so October and December might be the only options. It's possible that BOTW 2 is spending extra time improving exploration and ironing out bugs, and it will be the system's big holiday release title.
How Likely Is A BOTW 2 Delay?
Although all of the signs make for a worrying combination that BOTW 2 won't come out until 2023, it doesn't mean for sure that it's delayed. Nintendo's February promise of a 2022 release date means that the game is likely still on track unless more recent events have forced it to push its timeline back. Until it says otherwise, it would appear that the game is on track to release some time later this year. There's always the chance that something unexpected will occur, or that COVID complications will start up again, but the same could be said of any game, so those worried about BOTW 2's release may want to take a deep breath. BOTW 2's real title may be revealed at any time, and with it should come more information.
A later release date may even be a good thing. If the game hasn't received news, then that means its developers are hard at work fixing bugs, improving features, and making BOTW 2 the best title it can be. Cyberpunk 2077 and Battlefield 2042 are recent proof of good games being compromised by a rushed schedule, so it's better for Breath of the Wild 2 to release late than for it to be riddled with bugs and half-finished mechanics. When it comes to video games, and especially a big-name title with a lot to live up to, it's best to be patient. Breath of the Wild 2 will release eventually, and the time up until then will only make it a better game.