If you want it, you’ll have to move quick, before Nintendo banishes it to the Twilight Realm.
I have a confession to make. While the 2-D Zelda games like the original Legend of Zelda for the NES and A Link to the Past on the SNES are some of my favorite games of all time, I’ve never been able to get into any of the 3-D Zelda games. I can’t deny that Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess are good games — they have millions of fans after all — but I personally never got more than a dungeon or two into either of them.
With the recent release of Breath of the Wild, I’ve found myself wishing for a new, hugely expansive 2-D Zelda game…and thanks to one fan-created game, myself and other gamers like me might just get that chance.
Say hello to Breath of the NES, a Zelda fangame by WinterDrakeDev. It transforms Breath of the Wild into, well, a different dimension. Watch the trailer video here:
To be fair, the game is currently only officially a demo, but there’s quite a lot packed in. I only tested it out for about half an hour before writing this, but after discovering secrets, exploring unmapped territory, and dying approximately a billion times, it really felt like I was playing a near-perfect hybrid between the oldest and newest Zelda games.
Of course, the game has its flaws. No background music is a little strange (though I just played my own Zelda tunes to compensate), and not being able to change the controls to your liking was a little annoying. The lack of a save feature also makes dying quite brutal, though all of these issues are things that the developer says will be fixed in upcoming releases.
If you want to give Breath of the NES a try for yourself, then head over to the developer’s website to download it… while you still can! It’s only a matter of time before Nintendo gets wind of this, shuts it down, and it goes the way of Pokémon Uranium and Super Mario 64 Last Impact.
Source: Winterdrake via My Game News Flash, Game Spark
Images: YouTube/Micropig Gaming

The trailer for Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is finally here, and it’s absolutely breathtaking!
Cosplayer makes impressive replica of a remote bomb from Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Zelda hacker arrested by police in Japan for selling modified Breath of the Wild save data
Zelda fan’s Sheikah Slate turns charging his phone into a scene from Breath of the Wild【Video】
Turn your iPhone into a Sheikah Slate with official Nintendo Zelda: Breath of the Wild phone case
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Nonstop flights from U.S. to Okinawa return after 54 years, making travel faster than before
Starbucks Japan adds a gooey sweet potato Frappuccino to its menu this autumn
Starting this fall, you’ll be able to take a Pokémon Jet flight to Japan
Godiva Japan hops into tsukimi season with bunny and moon-themed chocolate assortments
McDonald’s Japan reveals exclusive new Tsukimi moon viewing collection for 2026
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japanese mom/hardcore Zelda fan makes huge hand-drawn map of Breath of the Wild’s world【Photos】
Birth of new kusoge legend — Zelda wannabe has copied Zelda music, all-original crazy bugs【Vids】
Beautiful Legend of Zelda Lego set is series’ first buildable block crossover【Photos】
VR Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey modes coming, for free, from Nintendo
Light-up Master Sword, Rupee dishes, and heart notebook all part of new Legend of Zelda merch line
Legend of Zelda-flavor fried chicken coming to convenience stores in Japan, other Hyrule chow too
Downloadable content announced for new Legend of Zelda game before the game’s release
Zelda’s Master Cycle comes into the real world as amazing ridable cardboard art【Video】
Live-action Legend of Zelda movie releases first on-set, in-costume images【Photos】
Zelda gamers get it: real-life secret, bomb-able entrance to dungeon found in Japan
The Legend of Zelda’s Link is here to help you navigate Google Maps’ dungeons today!
Zelda isn’t the Nintendo anime adaptation Japanese fans want to see most, survey says
Zelda: Twilight Princess manga creators tease overseas release
Live-action Legend of Zelda movie reveals cast for roles of Link and Zelda
The Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake we’re still waiting for【Video】
Nintendo’s new Zelda game has a female version of Link named Linkle 【Video】