The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Won Game Of The Year At 2017 Game Awards

So, you remember 2017, right? It was the year of fidget spinners, the solar eclipse, and the launch of the Nintendo Switch. But more importantly—much more importantly—it was the year The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild absolutely dominated the Game Awards.

I remember watching the stream, holding my breath. When they announced the winner, I practically jumped off my couch. And honestly? There was no surprise. Breath of the Wild wasn’t just a game; it was a masterpiece. It was like someone tossed every old Zelda rule out the window and said, “Let’s just make something that feels like pure magic.”

Why It Won the Big Prize

Let’s be real—2017 was a stacked year for gaming. We had Super Mario Odyssey, Horizon Zero Dawn, Persona 5, and PUBG (yes, that was a nominee). But Breath of the Wild did something those games didn’t: it redefined an entire genre literally overnight.

Imagine climbing a mountain, seeing a tree in the distance, and actually being able to go to that tree. That was the moment we all realized this wasn’t just a Zelda game. It was a playable poem about exploration. The game didn’t hold your hand. It just whispered, “Go find your own adventure, buddy.”

The First 10 Minutes (That Sold Everyone)

You wake up. You’re Link. You can hear piano chimes. You walk out of a cave, and BAM—the entire world of Hyrule stretches before you. It’s not just a view; it’s a promise. And then the game says, “Hey, you can literally go anywhere.” I audibly gasped. I’m not exaggerating. My cat looked at me like I was crazy.

That moment alone probably won the Game of the Year award right there. But oh, there was so much more. You could cook dubious food, fight a giant stone Talus, or just spend twenty minutes chasing a wild horse. The game encouraged you to be sidetracked. And it felt glorious.

The Little Things That Made It Legendary

Let’s talk about the stamina wheel. You start with a tiny circle that depletes faster than my willpower at a dessert buffet. But as you grow, so does your wheel. It’s a perfect metaphor for gaining confidence through failure. You fall off a cliff? Fine. You climb back up. You cook a meal that gives you extra hearts? You feel like a culinary god.

TGA games of Year 2019-2014 – Intehill

And the physics engine! You could set a pile of leaves on fire with an arrow, and the wind would carry the fire across the grass. That’s not just programming—that’s art with a brain. I once accidentally blew up a Bokoblin camp by dropping a metal crate on a lightning rod during a storm. I didn’t even mean to. The game rewarded my stupidity.

The Soundtrack (Wait, What Soundtrack?)

Okay, funny part: the music in Breath of the Wild is super minimal. Instead of an epic orchestral score, you mostly hear wind, footsteps, and the occasional piano note. Critics actually worried about this before launch. But you know what? That silence made every discovery feel louder. When a guardian spotted you and the piano went dun dun DUN DUN, your heart dropped into your stomach. Pure genius.

Also, Kass’s accordion. Enough said.

The Moment It Won the Award (Cue Tears)

Fast forward to the 2017 Game Awards. The presenter says, “And the winner is…” and the crowd roars. Nintendo takes the stage. Eiji Aonuma, the producer, looks genuinely emotional. He thanks the fans, the team, and reminds us all that “making a game is like going on an adventure.” I got a little misty. Don’t tell anyone.

TGA 17 | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild vince il Game of The

And let’s be honest—Breath of the Wild winning wasn’t just a win for Zelda fans. It was a win for everyone who believed that games could be more than just button-mashing. It proved that a single-player, open-world game with a horse named Epona could compete with online shooters and giant RPGs. And win.

The Aftermath: A Love Letter to Hyrule

After the awards, Breath of the Wild sales skyrocketed. Suddenly, everyone was cooking dubious meals, shouting at thunderstorms, and breaking their weapons. It became a cultural touchstone. You couldn’t scroll through Twitter without seeing someone’s photo of Link paragliding over the Great Plateau.

And the strangest part? The game is still talked about today. People still find new secrets, like a hidden Korok seed under a rock that’s been there since 2017. That’s longevity, baby.

Why It Still Matters (Even in 2024)

Look, I know it’s a few years later. We have Tears of the Kingdom now, which is basically “Breath of the Wild on steroids.” But the original 2017 game set a standard. It taught game developers everywhere that trusting the player is more powerful than guiding them. It made walking through a field feel like an epic quest.

Zelda: Breath of the Wild winning Game of the Year at The Game Awards

Also, it gave us the best meme: “I was in the middle of fighting a Lynel, but then I saw a shooting star, so I chased it and fell into a river.” Relatable.

A Final Toast to Link’s Silent Glory

So here’s to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild—the game that won Game of the Year in 2017 and stole all our hearts. It proved that the best adventures aren’t the ones you plan, but the ones you stumble into. Whether you’re climbing a tower, fighting a Guardian, or just boiling some mushrooms, you’re living the dream.

And remember: You don’t need to be the hero everyone expects. You just need to be the hero who tries, falls, and gets back up with a rusty sword and a full stomach. That’s the spirit of Hyrule. That’s the spirit of us. Now go play it again. I know you want to.

Game on, champions. 🏆✨