You wake up. You have nothing. No pants, no sword, and definitely no idea why a giant ghost-pig is circling a castle in the distance. This is the core loop of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but the real gut punch isn't the difficulty. It’s the realization that you’ve already lost. Usually, in a Zelda game, you’re trying to prevent the apocalypse. Here? The apocalypse happened a century ago, and you slept through it.
Honestly, the Breath of the Wild memories system is one of the most polarizing ways Nintendo has ever told a story. Some players find it annoying to hunt down specific patches of grass based on a blurry 100-year-old photo. Others think it’s a stroke of genius. It forces you to look at the landscape not just as a playground for physics puzzles, but as a graveyard of a civilization you failed to protect. It turns Link from a generic hero into a guy with a massive case of survivor's guilt.
What People Get Wrong About Link’s Amnesia
Most people think the memories are just optional collectibles for a "true" ending. Technically, that’s true. You only need the 12 main photos from Zelda’s Sheikah Slate (plus the final 13th memory) to get the extra cutscene. But if you skip them, you’re playing a different game. Without those snippets of the past, Zelda is just a voice in your head telling you to hurry up. You don't see her breakdown at Lanayru Promenade. You don't see her frustration with Link’s silence.
The game doesn't hand you a linear narrative. It’s a jigsaw puzzle scattered across Hyrule’s massive map. You might find Memory #9 before Memory #1, and suddenly the context of Zelda’s research changes. It’s messy. It’s non-linear. It’s exactly how trauma works. You don't remember your past in a clean 1-to-10 sequence; you remember it in flashes triggered by a smell, a sight, or a specific location.
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The Struggles of a Princess
Zelda in this game isn't a damsel. She’s a scholar who’s failing at her "destined" job. We see her screaming at Link. We see her crying in the rain. We see her trying to force a connection with ancient tech because she can't pray hard enough to unlock her sealing power. It’s heavy stuff for a Nintendo game.
If you head over to the Sacred Ground Ruins—that’s the circle of pillars right in front of Hyrule Castle—you find the "Subdued Ceremony" memory. It’s awkward. The Champions are watching Link get knighted, and Zelda looks like she’d rather be anywhere else. She’s jealous. Link has his "gift" figured out, and she’s still stuck in the mud. That’s the kind of character depth you miss if you just rush to beat Ganon.
Finding the Breath of the Wild Memories Without Going Insane
Finding these spots is hard. Even with the Sheikah Slate photos, Hyrule is big. Really big. You’re looking for a tiny glowing flicker on the ground.
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- Pikango is your best friend. Seriously. This traveling painter hangs out at different stables. If you show him a photo, he’ll give you a massive hint. For example, at the Outskirt Stable, he’ll tell you exactly where to find the memory near the Sanidin Park Ruins.
- Look for the landmarks. Most memories are framed by recognizable geography. The "Blades of the Yiga" memory isn't just in the desert; it’s specifically at the Kara Kara Bazaar because of the distinct rock formations and water.
- The Final Memory. Once you get the first 12, Impa shows you a painting of the 13th. It’s in Ash Swamp, between the Dueling Peaks and Hateno. It’s a field of dead Guardians. It’s bleak.
Actually, the "Return of Calamity Ganon" memory at Lanayru Road - East Gate is probably the most cinematic. You see the mountain, you see the red smoke, and you realize that's the exact moment everything went to hell. It’s a long trek to get there, but the view of Mount Lanayru makes it worth the climb.
Why This System Works Better Than Traditional Cutscenes
In most open-world games, the story happens to you. A character walks up and talks for five minutes. In Breath of the Wild, you have to earn the story. You have to climb the mountain. You have to dodge the Guardians. When you finally stand in the spot where Zelda collapsed 100 years ago, it feels personal. You’re standing where she stood.
It creates a strange sense of "historical tourism." You’re visiting the ruins of your own life. When you find the memory at the Spring of Power, you aren't just looking at a fountain. You’re looking at the site of Zelda's desperate, failed prayer.
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The Missing Pieces
There are also the "Champion Memories" added in the Champions' Ballad DLC. These are even more intimate. They show Mipha’s quiet love, Revali’s hidden insecurity (he practiced that Gale move until his wings bled), and Urbosa’s maternal streak. These add layers to the four pilots who died inside the Divine Beasts. Without them, the Champions are just ghosts in machines. With them, they’re friends you let down.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Playthrough
Don't just use a map from the internet. It ruins the vibe.
- Use the Pro HUD. Turn off the mini-map. It forces you to actually look at the mountains and trees to match the photos.
- Visit Pikango first. Every time you see him at a stable, talk to him. It’s the "intended" way to find the spots.
- Read the journals. The memories tell the "what," but the journals in Hyrule Castle and the various homes tell the "why." Zelda’s diary in the castle is essential reading for understanding her relationship with Link.
- Save the "Silent Princess" memory for last. It’s Memory #12, located near Hyrule Castle. It’s the perfect narrative bridge before you go in for the final fight.
The Breath of the Wild memories aren't just a checklist. They are the emotional spine of a game that otherwise feels very empty and lonely. If you take the time to find them, the final fight with Ganon isn't just a boss battle—it’s a hundred years of bottled-up frustration and hope finally being released. Go find them. Even if you’ve already beaten the game, seeing the world through those 100-year-old eyes changes everything about how you see the ruins of Hyrule today.
Key Insights for Completionists:
- Finding all 13 memories unlocks a secret post-credits scene that changes the tone of the ending.
- The "Master Sword" memory (Memory #18 in the full list) can only be accessed by obtaining the sword in the Korok Forest.
- The chronology of the memories is listed in the Adventure Log; reading them in order provides a much clearer picture of Zelda’s character arc from resentment to acceptance.