Nintendo has always been protective of its musical legacy, which makes it all the more remarkable that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has finally received the deluxe vinyl treatment in the West. Nintendo Life recently got their hands on this impressive 8LP boxset, and their verdict suggests it was well worth the wait for both audiophiles and Hyrule devotees alike.
A Landmark Release for Nintendo Music Fans
The most significant detail about this collection isn’t just what’s inside the box — it’s what it represents. This set is billed as “the first time a Nintendo soundtrack has been commercially released on vinyl outside of Japan.” For decades, collectors have had to import pricey Japanese pressings or hunt down long out-of-print releases to get Nintendo’s finest soundtracks on wax. That barrier finally falling is a genuine milestone for video game music as a medium.
It also arrives at a moment when vinyl records are enjoying a full-blown renaissance. Physical media collectors, casual listeners, and a new generation of record enthusiasts have turned video game soundtracks into one of the fastest-growing niches in the vinyl market. Nintendo stepping into that space with one of its most beloved franchises feels like a natural — if overdue — move.
Presentation Worthy of the Wild
The Blue and Gold Box
First impressions matter with premium boxsets, and this one apparently delivers. Housed in a classy blue-and-gold box, the packaging draws directly from Breath of the Wild’s unmistakable visual identity. Anyone who has spent hours gazing at the game’s painted landscapes and minimalist UI will recognize the aesthetic immediately.
Key Art Galore
According to the review, the set is loaded with the game’s incredible key art, making it as much a visual celebration as an auditory one. For a game whose art direction carried so much of its emotional weight — think of those sweeping vistas of Hyrule Field or the quiet melancholy of the ruined castle — surrounding the records with that artwork feels entirely appropriate.
The Music: Why Breath of the Wild Deserves This
Composer Manaka Kataoka, along with Yasuaki Iwata and Hajime Wakai, took a bold approach with Breath of the Wild’s score. Rather than bombarding players with constant melodies, the soundtrack breathes. Sparse piano notes drift over open fields, ambient textures underscore exploration, and bursts of grand orchestration punctuate key moments. It’s a score that rewards active listening — which is exactly what vinyl encourages.
Spinning these tracks at home, free from the distractions of Bokoblins and Blood Moons, lets you appreciate the quiet genius of pieces that might have slipped past during a 100-hour playthrough. That transformation from background score to foreground listening experience is arguably the whole point of a release like this.
Is It Worth the Investment?
Deluxe vinyl boxsets are never cheap, and an 8LP collection sits firmly at the premium end of the spectrum. But Nintendo Life’s review suggests this is a “suitably epic” celebration — high praise for a set carrying the weight of being Nintendo’s first Western vinyl soundtrack. If you’re a dedicated Zelda fan, a soundtrack collector, or someone who simply wants to own a piece of Nintendo history, this qualifies as a grail-tier item.
Casual fans may balk at the price and shelf space required, and fair enough — eight records is a serious commitment. But for those who fell in love with Hyrule in 2017 (and again in 2023 with Tears of the Kingdom), this is about as fitting a tribute as Nintendo has ever produced.
Keep the Adventure Going
While the vinyl boxset itself is sold through music retailers, if listening to these tracks has you itching to return to Hyrule, you can grab Nintendo eShop gift cards and game codes at TURGAME.com — a quick and easy way to top up your balance and dive back into Breath of the Wild or its sequel.
Final Thoughts
The Breath of the Wild Deluxe 8LP Boxset is more than a collector’s curio — it’s a statement that video game music has earned its place on the turntable. Here’s hoping it’s the first of many Nintendo soundtracks to make the leap.
Source: Nintendo Life