20 Games Nobody Thought Could Live Up To The Hype

Due to The Legend of Zelda's remarkable consistency, it's safe to assume any upcoming entry should fulfil expectations.

But the hype for Breath of the Wild was on another level. This entry offered a drastically different experience, due to its minimal narrative, non-linear structure, weapon durability system, and of course, huge open world.

Though it was nice how LoZ wasn't being shackled by its formula, there were concerns Breath of the Wild was taking too much of a departure. (Link doesn't even have a hat!) BOTW was also a launch title for the Switch, so there was a lot riding on Nintendo, especially after their previous system, the Wii U, bombed big-time.

Fortunately, BOTW redefined pretty much everything, including The Legend of Zelda franchise, Nintendo, hybrid consoles, sandbox titles, and gaming as a whole. While experiencing the cel-shaded graphics, jaw-dropping level of freedom, or intricate mechanics, there are times where you just have to sit back and admire it all. There's little to no hand-holding either, making combat and puzzles all the more satisfying.

Although Ocarina of Time was the gold standard for The Legend of Zelda for the longest time, Breath of the Wild may have usurped that mantle.