Are you dreaming of playing Zelda Breath of the Wild on your computer and wondering if it's possible? You are in the right place ! We'll explain everything you need to know about it. Follow the leader !
Zelda breath of the wild
Zelda Breath of the Wild is an open-world adventure video game Nintendo and released in 2017 for the Wii U and Switch consoles . Legend of Zelda series , which features the hero Link in a fantastic universe inspired by Japanese mythology and culture.
The PC version
The first thing to know is that there is no official PC version of Zelda Breath of the Wild . The game was designed exclusively for the Wii U and Switch consoles, which are the only ones that can run the game's graphics engine, called Decaf .
However, that hasn't stopped some fans from finding ways to play Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC, through emulators and mods. Likewise, it is also possible to play Nintendo DS games on your smartphone .
We'll see how this works in the following sections.
Emulation: play Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC with Cemu
Emulation consists of using software that reproduces the operation of a console on a computer. Provided that the emulator is sufficiently efficient and compatible with the game.
To play Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC, you must use the Cemu emulator , which is the only one capable of emulating the Wii U. Cemu is a project developed by an independent team since 2015, which managed to run the game with higher graphic quality than the original console.
Please note that Cemu is not official software nor authorized by Nintendo, which considers emulation to be a form of piracy. Indeed, to play Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC with Cemu, you must have a copy of the game in digital format, which can be obtained by illegally downloading the game's ROM file legally dumping the game disc. with a modified Wii U.
The system requirements to play Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC with Cemu
To play Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC with Cemu, you must have a PC that meets the following minimum and recommended configurations:
- Minimum configuration:
- Operating system: Windows 7 (x64) or higher
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4460 / AMD FX-6300 or equivalent
- RAM: 8 GB of RAM
- Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 / AMD Radeon R7 260X or equivalent
- Disk space: 15 GB of available space
- Recommended configuration:
- Operating system: Windows 10 (x64)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X or higher
- RAM: 16 GB of RAM
- Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 580 or higher
- Disk space: 15 GB of available space
You also need to have a stable internet connection to download Cemu and game updates, as well as a controller compatible with the emulator, such as an Xbox controller or Wiimote .
How to get and install Zelda breath of the wild on PC with Cemu
To play Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC with Cemu, you must follow the following steps:
- Download and install Cemu on your PC , following the instructions on the official website.
- Download and install Cemu updates , using the emulator’s “Help > Check for updates” menu.
- Download and install game updates , using the emulator’s “File > Install game update or DLC” menu.
- Download and install graphics packs , which are files that improve the visual quality of the game, using the emulator's “Options > Graphic packs” menu.
- Download and install shader caches , which are files that speed up the loading of game textures, using the emulator's “Options > Transferable shader cache” menu.
- Configure emulator settings , adjusting resolution, full screen mode, sound, controller, etc., using the emulator's “Options” menu.
- Launch the game , using the “File > Load” menu of the emulator, and selecting the game ROM file.
Mods: customize Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC with Cemu
Mods are modifications made to the game by fans, which allow you to change its appearance, gameplay, content, etc. There are hundreds of mods for Zelda Breath of the Wild, which can be downloaded from specialized sites like Gamebanana or Nexus Mods .
To install a mod on Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC with Cemu, you must follow the following steps:
- Download the mod from the site of your choice, checking that it is compatible with the version of the game and the emulator.
- Extract the contents of the mod to a folder , using software like WinRAR or 7-Zip.
- Copy the contents of the folder into the game directory , respecting the structure of the subfolders. For example, if the mod contains a “content\Actor\Pack\Linkle.pack” file, you must copy it to the “Cemu\mlc01\usr\title\00050000\101C9400\content\Actor\Pack” folder.
- Launch the game with Cemu , and enjoy the mod.
It is possible to install several mods at once, but you must be careful of possible conflicts or incompatibilities between them. It is advisable to make a backup of the game before installing a mod, in case it causes problems.
FAQs
What are the advantages of playing Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC?
Playing Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC has several advantages, such as:
- Enjoy better graphics quality , by increasing resolution, framerate, lighting effects, textures, etc.
- Customize the game , using mods that change the appearance of characters, weapons, environments, etc.
- Play with the controller of your choice , using an Xbox controller, Wiimote, keyboard and mouse, etc.
- Play the Japanese version of the game , changing the language and region of the emulator.
What are the disadvantages of playing Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC?
Playing Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC also has some disadvantages, such as:
- Risking legal problems , by using an emulator and copy of the game not authorized by Nintendo.
- Encountering bugs , slowdowns or incompatibilities, using an emulator that is not perfect or stable.
- Losing some game features , such as the gyroscope or touchscreen of the Wii U and Switch.
- Losing the charm of the original game , by modifying its appearance or gameplay too much.
How to save your progress in Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC?
To save your progress in Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC , you must use the game's automatic save function, which creates a save file each time you exit the game or change area. It is possible to consult your backup files in the “File > Load” menu of Cemu.
Save state function , which allows you to create a restore point at any point in the game. Simply use the “Ctrl + S” shortcut. to save and “Ctrl + L” to load. It is possible to manage manual backups in the “Debug > Save states” menu of Cemu.
How to play Zelda Breath of the Wild online on PC?
To play Zelda Breath of the Wild online on PC, you must use a service called Cemu Online , which allows you to connect to official Nintendo servers and take advantage of the game's online features, such as updates, DLC or amiibo .
However, you should know that Cemu Online is not an official service nor authorized by Nintendo, which may ban accounts or consoles that use this tool. So you have to be careful and use a secondary account or a guest account to log in.
To use Cemu Online, you must follow the following steps:
- Download and install Cemu Online on your PC , following the instructions on the official website.
- Create or use a Nintendo Network ID (NNID) account, which is the account used to sign in to Nintendo online services.
- Launch Cemu Online and log in with your NNID.
- Launch Cemu and configure the network settings in the “Options > General settings > Online” menu.
- Launch the game and enjoy online mode.
What are the best mods for Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC?
There are hundreds of mods for Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC, which can be classified into several categories:
- Graphics mods , which improve the visual appearance of the game, such as the Clarity GFX mod, which adds more realistic lighting and color effects.
- Aesthetic mods , which change the appearance of characters, weapons, clothing, etc., such as the Linkle mod, which replaces Link with a young girl.
- Gameplay mods , which change how the game works, such as the Relics of the Past mod, which increases the difficulty and adds new enemies and weapons.
- Content mods , which add new quests, new areas, new items, etc., such as the Second Wind mod, which offers a sequel to the game with new adventures.
It is difficult to choose the best mods, because it depends on everyone's tastes and desires. We must therefore test the mods that interest us and see what they bring to the game.
How to resolve technical issues with Zelda Breath of the Wild emulation on PC?
It is possible to encounter technical problems related to the emulation of Zelda Breath of the Wild on PC, such as bugs, slowdowns, black screens, distorted sounds, etc. To resolve them, you must try the following solutions:
- Check that you have the latest version of Cemu and the game , as well as the corresponding updates and graphics packs.
- Check that you meet the configurations required to run the game, and adjust the emulator parameters according to your system.
- Check that you are not using too many mods or mods that are incompatible with each other, and deactivate those that cause problems.
- Check that you do not have software or devices that interfere with the emulator, such as antiviruses, VPNs, unrecognized controllers, etc.
- Check online forums or tutorials that address specific issues with the game or emulator.
If none of these tips work, you will have to resign yourself to waiting for a new version of Cemu or the game that fixes the problems.
Conclusion
Zelda Breath of the Wild is an exceptional game, which can be played on PC thanks to emulation and mods. However, you should be aware of the legal and technical risks associated with this practice, which is not approved by Nintendo. You also need to have a high-performance and well-configured PC to fully enjoy the game. If you are a Zelda fan and want to discover or rediscover this masterpiece on PC, you now know how to do it.
