
And what’s even more amazing is the incredible way she made it.
At some point in the history of video games, hardware become powerful enough, and gamers passionate enough, that developers could start creating worlds that were too vast to be memorized. Because of that, it’s become pretty common for modern games to include in-game maps, especially if they’re designed as exploration-heavy, open-world experiences.
Sure enough, Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has an in-game map that you can bring up at any time. Just press the minus button on the Switch controller and you can pan and zoom all over it, helping plot your course across the biggest, most ambitiously lifelike version of Hyrule in the 33-year history of the franchise.
Or, if you happen to be Japanese Twitter user @itika89, just ask your mom if you can borrow her amazingly detailed, painstakingly accurate, 100-percent hand-drawn map of Breath of the Wild’s game world.
何が起きてるのかさっぱりだと思うんだけど、母が作ってたゼルダの伝説BoWの地図(手書き)です。
— はじめるめる🐷 (@itika89) October 18, 2019
コログと、ヒノックス、イワロック、ライネル、鍋、祠、アイテムその他諸々書き込まれた悪魔の産物。
全部徒歩で見つけてるんだぜ。
伊能忠敬もびっくりだわ。 pic.twitter.com/CWCjL28wSL
This isn’t some vague sketch depicting Hyrule in only the broadest of strokes, either. Each and every road, river, and ridge is present and accounted for, with topographical lines representing the height of the game’s countless peaks and valleys. In addition, @itika89’s mom has also marked the location of every hidden Korok Seed she’s uncovered (a total of 900 are scattered across the realm), as well as the game’s 120 shrines. Also listed are the locations of periodically respawning mini-bosses like the giant Hinox, Stone Talus, and Lynel monsters, and she’s even marked where certain cooking pots and replenishing items can be found.
▼ Oh, and Mom’s map is massive.
この大きさです。
— はじめるめる🐷 (@itika89) October 20, 2019
置いてあるのは、皆さんお馴染みのパッケージです。 pic.twitter.com/6CrBdbjChl
Looking at the labor of love, “Wow,” is the first word that comes to mind, quickly followed by its Y-word brethren “Wait…why?!?”As mentioned above, Breath of the Wild gives you an in-game map right from the get-go that automatically marks the location of shrines and seeds, and, in a very user-friendly move by Nintendo, also lets you place stamps on the digital map. However, the number of stamps you can have on your in-game map at any time tops out at 100, and you have to choose from a handful of pre-set designs (like a sword, gemstone, or skull mark). You can’t add text, and even if you could, Breath of the Wild has way more than 100 places of interest in its game world, and Mom wanted a complete, proper annotated visual guide to Hyrule, so she had no choice but to make her own.
Twitter commenters were deeply reverent, reacting with “A legendary hero has appeared,” and “Your mom is way more hardcore than I am,” but we haven’t got to what might be the most impressive part of the whole thing. Because of how huge Breath of the Wild’s world is, pretty early on the player encounters wild horses which you can catch and ride, to speed up the process of getting from Point A to Point B. But @itika89 mom? She skipped all the horsey action and made the entire map by adventuring only on foot.
So yeah, your parents may tell you about how they used to walk to school in the snow when they think you’re too pampered and lazy, but @itika89’s mom can tell him “When I saved the world, I walked to Hyrule Castle in whatever weather the game threw at me.”
Source: Twitter/@itika89 via Otakomu
Top image ©SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he still remembers when the original Legend of Zelda’s map felt unbelievably huge.

Zelda fan’s Sheikah Slate turns charging his phone into a scene from Breath of the Wild【Video】
The trailer for Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is finally here, and it’s absolutely breathtaking!
Awesome “Zelda: Breath of the NES” fangame remakes Breath of the Wild NES-style【Video】
Turn your iPhone into a Sheikah Slate with official Nintendo Zelda: Breath of the Wild phone case
Cosplayer makes impressive replica of a remote bomb from Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Why is Starbucks Japan’s Christmas stollen so good?
Tokyo Station’s ultra-rare cakes look, and taste, like a cup of coffee
Entry to Tokyo’s Pokémon theme park zone has physical fitness requirement, will cost a lot
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Bear attack shelters going on sale in Japan as country experiences record-high number of incidents
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
Tokyo National Museum seeking donations to pave over pond, create space for beer and music events
Shocking discovery: Japan’s expensive Shine Muscat grapes can pair amazingly with cheap Pringles
Top 30 tourist sites in Japan: the most popular sightseeing spots for overseas visitors
Unique Starbucks in historic building is one of the most beautiful in Japan
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
One of the busiest stations in Tokyo is changing the name on its signs, but not necessarily to make it easier for people to find their way around.
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Never forget that Mister Donut’s super-simple ramen is actually very hard to beat
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Tokyo police found our lost wallet, but the story of how they did made us feel empty
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Ghibli Museum clock is now yours to take home with you
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Zelda hacker arrested by police in Japan for selling modified Breath of the Wild save data
Legend of Zelda-flavor fried chicken coming to convenience stores in Japan, other Hyrule chow too
Japan’s Hardcore Gamer General Election generates different results from casuals survey…sort of
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】
Light-up Master Sword, Rupee dishes, and heart notebook all part of new Legend of Zelda merch line
Zelda’s Master Cycle comes into the real world as amazing ridable cardboard art【Video】
The Legend of Zelda’s Link is here to help you navigate Google Maps’ dungeons today!
VR Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey modes coming, for free, from Nintendo
Japanese mom’s beautiful Legend of Zelda character bento brings tears (of the Kingdom) to our eyes
Japan’s Zelda: Hyrule Lifestyle merch includes Master Sword umbrella, “secret” music sound sensor
Downloadable content announced for new Legend of Zelda game before the game’s release
Zelda isn’t the Nintendo anime adaptation Japanese fans want to see most, survey says
Foreigners welcomed to apply for jobs as designers on Nintendo’s new Legend of Zelda game
Leave a Reply