Tears of the Kingdom’s gigantic open world has Link exploring the land, sky, and depths beneath the ground, discovering its many secrets. As such, it’s unsurprising that a game of this magnitude is full of lots to discover, including Side Quests and Side Adventures.
Each of these Side Quests and Side Adventures helps to make Hyrule feel alive, giving personalities to the towns and citizens of the world. Whether they’re character-driven or just fun to do, seeking out and completing each quest is worthwhile if you want to see all this game has to offer. Zelda can wait while you complete these quests, right?
This article includes spoilers for the ending of these side quests.
10 Teach Me A Lesson 1
There are some differences between Breath of the Wild’s Hateno Village and the one you explore in Tears of the Kingdom. Princess Zelda had a school built for the village’s children, with an NPC called Symin teaching them about Hyrule’s history, specifically the Great Calamity.
Unfortunately, the children are struggling to believe Symin’s lessons, so Symin asks Link to take a picture of the mural in Paya’s Hall, which depicts the events of 10,000 years ago. It’s somewhat ironic that the children don’t believe in the events, considering the legendary Hero is standing in the classroom with them…
9 The Hunt For Bubbul Gems!
In Tears of the Kingdom, the monster aficionado Kilton is back, this time with his brother, Koltin, in tow. Rather than monsters, Koltin has an interest in Satori, and wants to become one himself. He believes he can make the transformation by consuming Bubbul Gems.
To get Bubbul Gems, you must hit a Bubbulfrog, causing it to drop one. If you give Koltin one Bubbul Gem, he’ll reward you with the Bokoblin Mask in return. After completing this initial Side Adventure, you can search for Koltin across Hyrule. Keep giving him Bubbul Gems, and he’ll give you the Mystic armor set, which is reminiscent of Satori.
8 Gloom-Borne Illness
When visiting Kakariko Village, you’ll notice that the clothing shop’s prices have been heavily inflated. The shopkeeper, Claree, explains that she’s beside herself with worry because of her grandmother’s condition after encountering the Gloom, and that they’re using all their funds to care for her.
If you speak to Lasli, Claree’s sister, she mentions that there is supposed to be a special type of porridge that can heal the Gloom illness, but she can’t find the necessary ingredients. To help their grandmother, Link has to make Sunny Veggie Porridge and offer it to Lasli, who immediately gives it to her grandmother. After Nanna makes a miraculous recovery, Claree encourages Lasli to go to Hateno Village to follow her dreams of being a fashion designer, saying that, one day, they’ll fill Enchanted with Lasli’s designs.
7 The All-Clucking Cucco
The All-Clucking Cucco is part of a longer series of quests that involves visiting different stables, but this is one of the weirder ones you’ll come across. Near South Akkala Stable is a Cucco that supposedly has the power of prophecy. The talking Cucco will ask Link to perform two trials under a time limit: climbing to the top of the stable and bringing it three logs.
Once you successfully complete these tasks, the Cucco will mock Link and reveal its true identity - the Yiga. The Yiga’s methods to take down Link are certainly unorthodox - just how long has the Yiga Footsoldier been pretending to be a chicken?
6 Seeking The Pirate Hideout
When you speak with Sesami on Eventide Island, he will mention that there are three monster camps stationed around the island, preventing him from scouting the area. This begins a thrilling escapade where Link has to kill each and every monster in the camps.
However, it doesn’t end there, as Sesami says that he spotted a pirate ship go around the back of the island and disappear. Taking on this pirate ship can prove difficult if you’re not prepared, as it’s riddled with Bokoblins and a Black Boss Bokoblin. Fighting the monsters aboard a pirate ship creates an adventurous atmosphere as Link goes toe-to-toe with the pirate ruffians.
5 Goddess Statue Of Wisdom, Power, And Courage
If you visit any of the three springs, the Goddess Hylia Statue will tell you that something has happened to the Mother Goddess Statue in the Forgotten Temple and ask you to investigate. After traveling to the Forgotten Temple, you’ll see that the Mother Goddess Statue has toppled over, having lost some of its power.
In order to restore the Mother Goddess Statue, you have to offer up the claws of the three dragons, Naydra, Dinraal, and Farosh, to the corresponding Goddess Hylia Statues at their springs. To thank Link for his efforts, the Mother Goddess Statue rewards you with the White Sword of the Sky, said to have belonged to a “hero from the sky.”
4 Zelda’s Golden Horse
When visiting Snowfield Stable to search for information regarding Princess Zelda’s disappearance, an NPC called Harlow will inform you that Zelda’s golden horse has gone missing somewhere in the snowy plains.
It’s a dangerous path to retrieve the horse, as there’s a Frost Gleeok on the way, but if you successfully take it back to the stable, Harlow will thank Link and insist that you keep the golden horse yourself. Not only does the horse have one-of-a-kind golden coloring, but it also has respectable base stats and a gentle temperament, making it a useful companion. Zelda even kept a photo of the horse in her and Link’s house in Hateno Village, showing just how important it was to her.
3 Master Kohga Of The Yiga Clan
The eccentric leader of the Yiga Clan, Master Kohga, is back in Tears of the Kingdom, having survived falling down a gaping hole in the Yiga Clan Hideout and landing in the Depths. After Link learns the Autobuild ability, Master Kohga and the Yiga reveal themselves, with Master Kohga controlling a Zonai-built vehicle to run you down.
What follows is a series of vehicle-based boss fights, where Master Kohga uses increasingly advanced vehicles to fight you. Similar to Breath of the Wild, Master Kohga’s humorous antics are a highlight, and it’s worth exploring the mysterious Depths to find him.
2 Lurelin Village Restoration Project
Lurelin Village Restoration Project is the follow-up to the Ruffian-Infested Village quest. After helping to rid Lurelin Village of the monsters that have taken over it, Bolson will ask Link to help him with rebuilding to fix the damage caused by the monsters. You need to bring him tree trunks and Hylian Rice to begin, and then use Ultrahand to help rebuild.
Helping to rebuild Lurelin Village will net you various rewards, but the real prize is seeing it back on its feet. Freeing the village of the monsters and assisting with the restoration efforts makes you feel like you’re making a difference in Hyrule, despite the imminent threat of the Demon King.
1 Mattison’s Independence
If you played Breath of the Wild, you might recognize Mattison’s parents, Rhondson and Hudson. After building Tarrey Town, they started a family, and now Mattison is getting ready for her journey to her mother’s hometown, Gerudo Town, where she will learn more about Gerudo culture as she grows up.
This Side Adventure involves helping Mattison do something nice for her parents before she leaves, eventually helping Hudson to do something special for his daughter too. He makes her a hot air balloon, and asks you to help him dye it yellow. The Side Adventure culminates in a heartwarming scene aboard the hot air balloon, where Rhondson tells Mattison, “your mama will always be beside you.” It’s a sweet scene that showcases their family dynamics and how they’ll always care for one another, no matter where they are.