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Breath of the Wild: Mini-Games & Secrets

Table of Contents

  1. Shield Surfing (Hebra Mountains)
  2. Snow Bowling / Hebral Plunge (Hebra Mountains)
  3. Foot Races (Various Locations)
  4. Horseback Archery (Faron Grasslands / Lake Tower Region)
  5. Gambling & Games of Chance (Various Locations)
  6. Other Hidden Activities & Secrets
  7. DLC Exclusive Activities

Welcome, intrepid explorer! While saving Hyrule from Calamity Ganon is a monumental task, the sprawling world of Breath of the Wild is packed with more than just monsters and ancient shrines. Tucked away in its diverse regions are numerous mini-games, hidden challenges, and peculiar secrets waiting to be discovered. These activities offer not only a fun diversion from the high-stakes main quest but also enhance the world-building, provide moments of levity, unique rewards, valuable Rupees, and sometimes even exclusive gear. Often stumbled upon by chance, they reward diligent exploration and interaction with Hyrule’s inhabitants.

This guide delves into the details of some of the most notable and entertaining side activities Hyrule has to offer, from testing your balance while shield surfing down snowy slopes to trying your luck at games of chance. Sharpen your skills, bring plenty of Rupees, and get ready to explore the lighter, often quirkier, side of Hyrule!

1. Shield Surfing (Hebra Mountains)

Overview: Embrace the thrill of extreme sports, Hyrule-style! Test your balance, speed, and shield durability by surfing down snowy slopes. Two main NPCs offer structured courses in the treacherous Hebra region.

Location 1: Pondo’s Lodge

  • Finding it: Easily found near the base of Hebra Tower, look for the small cabin.
  • NPC: Pondo, a rather laid-back Hylian enjoying the cold.
  • Objective: Pondo offers a very basic shield surfing “course.” It’s more of an introduction or practice run. He doesn’t time you or impose rules, just encourages you to give it a try down his preferred slope.
  • Cost: 20 Rupees.
  • Reward: A Red Rupee (20 Rupees) or Blue Rupee (5 Rupees), often just giving back your entry fee or slightly more. Primarily for the experience and preparing for Selmie’s challenges.

Location 2: Selmie’s Spot

  • Finding it: Located in a remote cabin deeper in the northwestern Hebra Mountains, northwest of Hebra Peak (southeast of Shada Naw Shrine). Look for smoke from her chimney.
  • NPC: Selmie, a former shield surfing champion and enthusiast.
  • Objective: Selmie offers two timed courses: Beginner and Advanced. Your goal is to reach the finish line (marked by flags) within progressively faster time limits to earn better rewards.
  • Cost: Free to attempt, but you must provide your own shield.
  • Reward: Initial completions yield Rupees. Beating specific, increasingly difficult time thresholds on the Advanced course rewards you with valuable shields: first a Knight’s Shield, and ultimately a Royal Shield for the fastest times.

Shield Surfing Tips:

  • Shield Choice Matters: Durability is key! The Hylian Shield is virtually indestructible for surfing. The Ancient Shield is also extremely durable. Metal shields (Soldier’s, Knight’s, Royal) offer decent durability. Wooden shields (including the Kite Shield favored by Rito) break very quickly on rock or rough terrain but might offer slightly less friction on pure snow. Avoid Rusty Shields.
  • Technique: Hold ZL, Jump (X), then press A in mid-air to start surfing. You can perform a Spin Attack (Y) while surfing for minor flair or hitting objects, and Jump (X) to hop over small obstacles or gain brief air control.
  • Parry Jump: A more advanced technique involves tapping A just as you land from a jump or hitting ZL+X simultaneously. This gives a small speed boost and can help maintain momentum.
  • Learn the Courses: Especially for Selmie’s challenges, memorizing the optimal path, avoiding rocks, and knowing when to jump are crucial for good times.
  • Durability Loss: Shield surfing *always* consumes shield durability. It degrades much faster on rock, dirt, and grass than on snow or sand. Be prepared to break shields!

2. Snow Bowling / Hebral Plunge (Hebra Mountains)

Overview: A surprisingly addictive and potentially lucrative game of bowling using a giant snowball. Perfecting your aim can lead to significant Rupee gains.

Location: Pondo’s Lodge (same NPC and cabin as the basic shield surfing), near Hebra Tower.

NPC: Pondo

Objective: Push a giant snowball down a snowy slope, aiming to knock over ten large, wooden pins arranged in a triangle. You get two rolls per attempt (unless you get a strike on the first). A “Strike” (all pins down on the first roll) or a “Spare” (all pins down using both rolls) yields the best rewards.

Cost: 20 Rupees per attempt.

Reward: Rewards scale with pins knocked down. A few pins might get you 5 or 20 Rupees. A Spare usually awards a Purple Rupee (50 Rupees) or Silver Rupee (100 Rupees). A Strike guarantees a Gold Rupee (300 Rupees), making this one of the most popular Rupee farming methods in the game. Pondo might also gift a Blizzard Rod the first time you score a strike (and rarely on subsequent strikes, though not reliably).

Snow Bowling Tips:

    • Consistent Alignment: This is the most crucial factor. Find a visual cue to line Link up perfectly each time. Stand directly behind the snowball, slightly adjust left or right, and use distant landmarks (specific trees, rock formations on the far cliff) to align your throw. Standing *slightly* off-center often helps hit the “head pin” correctly for a strike.
    • Watch Pondo: He often positions himself near a good starting spot, but slight adjustments are usually needed.

* Use Stasis (Optional): Some players find it helpful to use the Stasis rune on the snowball *before* pushing it. This freezes it momentarily, allowing you to fine-tune Link’s position for a perfectly straight push without the snowball rolling slightly.
* Minor Adjustments: If you consistently miss slightly left or right, make tiny adjustments to your starting position or angle.
* Patience & Practice: While luck plays a small role in the pin physics, consistent aiming drastically increases your strike rate. It might take a few tries to find your “sweet spot.”

3. Foot Races (Various Locations)

Overview: Think you’re fast? Several NPCs across Hyrule are eager to challenge Link’s sprinting and traversal skills in a race to a designated point.

Notable Locations & NPCs:

  • Hyrule Ridge (Near Jeddo Bridge): Southwest of Tabantha Bridge Stable, find Konba pacing near the road. He challenges you to a simple race to a nearby tree.
  • Gerudo Desert (Cliffs): Find Bozai on a high cliff overlooking the path leading towards Gerudo Town (usually after completing the Divine Beast Vah Naboris). He initiates the side quest “The Eighth Heroine,” which rewards the Sand Boots. *After* obtaining the Sand Boots, talk to him again while wearing them, and he’ll challenge you to a race, rewarding the Snow Boots. This race specifically requires wearing the Sand Boots to initiate and succeed.
  • Goron City (Possibly):** A young Goron offers a climbing endurance challenge, which functions similarly to a race against time/stamina, though not a direct foot race against an NPC.

Objective: Reach the specified destination marker before your NPC opponent.

Cost: Generally free, though Bozai’s challenges require prerequisite quests and owning/wearing the Sand Boots.

Reward:

  • Konba: Offers Rupees, scaling up slightly for repeat wins.
  • Bozai: First race (part of “The Eighth Heroine”) rewards Sand Boots. The second race (initiated while wearing Sand Boots) rewards Snow Boots. These boots are crucial for efficient travel in their respective terrains.

Foot Race Tips:

  • Boost Your Speed: Consume meals or elixirs made with ingredients like Fleet-Lotus Seeds, Rushrooms, or Hightail Lizards for a temporary speed boost (stacking up to three levels). The ★★ tier Sheikah Set or Dark Link Set bonus also increases night speed.
  • Traversal Gear: The Climbing Gear set significantly speeds up climbing sections, which can bypass slower ground routes. Sand Boots and Snow Boots negate speed penalties in desert and deep snow respectively and are required for Bozai’s races.
  • Utilize Abilities: Revali’s Gale is invaluable for gaining height quickly, crossing gaps, or taking massive shortcuts by gliding over obstacles or terrain the NPC must navigate around.
  • Stamina Management: Sprint strategically using the B button, but watch your stamina wheel. Running out at a critical moment can cost you the race. Consume stamina-restoring food/elixirs if needed. Whistle Sprinting (holding down on D-pad, tapping B repeatedly) is a stamina-efficient way to run.
  • Know the Route: Look ahead for the most direct path, potential climbs, or gliding opportunities. NPCs usually follow a set path; Link doesn’t have to.

4. Horseback Archery (Faron Grasslands / Lake Tower Region)

Overview: Showcase your equestrian and archery prowess simultaneously in this challenging mini-game. Aim true while galloping against the clock!

Location: Mounted Archery Camp. Look for a collection of tents and targets south of Highland Stable in the Faron Grasslands, near the Lake Tower and Ka’o Makagh Shrine.

NPC: Jini, an enthusiastic archer running the camp.

Objective: While riding your *own registered horse*, gallop along a predefined course and shoot as many balloon targets as possible within the 1-minute time limit.

Cost: 20 Rupees per attempt.

Reward:

  • Hitting 1-19 targets yields minor Rupee rewards.
  • Scoring 20-22 targets for the first time awards the Knight’s Bridle. Subsequent completions give Rupees.
  • Scoring 23 or more targets for the first time awards the Knight’s Saddle. Subsequent completions give Rupees.

Horseback Archery Tips:

  • Choose Your Steed Wisely: A horse with a good balance of speed and gentle temperament (easy handling) is ideal. You need to make turns while aiming. Ensure the horse is registered and you are bonded with it.
  • Bow Selection is Crucial:
    * Multi-Shot Bows: The Savage Lynel Bow (x3 or x5) or Great Eagle Bow (x3) are game-changers, vastly increasing your chances of hitting targets per arrow loosed.
    * Quick Shot Bows: Bows like the Falcon Bow or Swallow Bow allow for faster drawing and firing, helpful if you lack multi-shot options.
    * Ancient Bow: Its near-perfect trajectory minimizes arrow drop, making long-distance shots easier.
  • Arrow Choice: Standard arrows are perfectly sufficient and economical. Bomb Arrows can hit clustered targets but risk spooking your horse or self-damage; use with caution. Elemental arrows offer no advantage.
  • Aiming Strategy: Lead your shots slightly, especially on distant or moving targets. Learn the target patterns; some pop up sequentially. Prioritize clusters if using multi-shot bows.
  • Horse Control: Gently guide your horse along the path; don’t overuse spurs if it makes aiming difficult. Practice maneuvering while drawing your bow (holding ZR).

5. Gambling & Games of Chance (Various Locations)

Overview: Feeling lucky, punk? Several NPCs offer classic games of chance where you can wager your hard-earned Rupees for a potential payout… or a swift loss.

Location 1: Lurelin Village (Treasure Chest Game)

  • Atmosphere: Found in one of the houses in the idyllic coastal Lurelin Village.
  • NPC: Mubs
  • Game: A simple game of “pick a chest.” You pay a wager, and choose one of three chests. One contains triple your bet; the others contain only 1 Rupee.
  • Cost: You can choose to wager 10, 50, or 100 Rupees.
  • Reward: If you pick the correct chest, you win 3x your wager (e.g., bet 100, win 300). Pick wrong, and you get 1 Rupee back. It’s purely based on luck (roughly a 1-in-3 chance).

Location 2: Various Stables & Roadsides (Shell Game)

  • Finding Him: Cloyne is a travelling gambler often found near stables (e.g., Dueling Peaks Stable, Highland Stable) or sometimes along roads.
  • NPC: Cloyne
  • Game: The classic Shell Game. Cloyne places a Rupee under one of three skulls (or sometimes actual shells), shuffles them quickly, and you bet on which one hides the prize.
  • Cost: Starts at 10 Rupees. If you win, the next bet doubles (20, then 50, then maxing at 100 Rupees). If you lose, the bet resets to 10 Rupees.
  • Reward: Doubles your wager if you guess correctly.

Gambling Tips:

  • Pure Luck: Despite any animations, the outcomes for both games are determined by random chance (RNG). Don’t expect to find a reliable ‘tell’ or strategy.
  • Rupee Sink: Gambling is generally *not* an efficient way to make Rupees compared to farming ore, hunting, or playing Snow Bowling. It’s more for occasional fun or flavor.
  • Save/Reload Tactic: Players wanting guaranteed results sometimes save their game immediately before placing a bet and simply reload their save file if they lose. This removes the risk but also the thrill for some.
  • Know Your Limits: Don’t wager more Rupees than you’re willing to lose!

6. Other Hidden Activities & Secrets

Hyrule is brimming with smaller diversions, unique interactions, and secrets beyond the main mini-games:

  • Flight Range (Rito Village): After initial story progression involving Teba, you can return here. Kaneli may offer Rupee rewards for expertly hitting multiple targets in a single glide session. Great practice for aerial combat and using the slow-motion aiming mechanic. Aim for the center for max points if applicable.
  • Deer Hunting Challenge (Hateno Village): Near the Hateno Pasture, Dantz laments the deer overpopulation. He’ll pay 50 Rupees for each deer you hunt (specifically the Mountain Buck or Doe found nearby). Use Stealth Armor or elixirs, approach carefully, and aim for headshots for clean kills (though Dantz doesn’t care about the meat quality, just the hunt).
  • Bird-Man Research Study (Ridgeland Tower): At the very top of Ridgeland Tower, Branli challenges you to see how far you can glide. Jump off and deploy your paraglider. Use Revali’s Gale for maximum starting height and watch the wind direction. He gives Rupee rewards based on the distance markers you pass (50 Rupees for crossing the first marker, 100 for the second, potentially more).
  • Mounted Obstacle Course (Highland Stable): Speak to Blynne near the horses at Highland Stable. He challenges you to navigate his hurdle course on horseback within set time limits. Requires a fast horse with good handling and precise jumping over fences. Beating his records rewards Rupees and, for the fastest times, the unique Extravagant Bridle and Extravagant Saddle.
  • Kilton & The Fang and Bone Shop: A truly unique merchant obsessed with monsters!
    • Finding Him: First encounter is at Skull Lake in Akkala (on the left ‘eye’ island, *at night only*).
    • Afterward: He appears *outside* major settlements (Kakariko, Hateno, Lurelin, Rito Village, Zora’s Domain, Gerudo Town, Tarrey Town) exclusively at night. Look for his colorful, patchwork balloon shop.
    • Currency – Mon: Kilton doesn’t accept Rupees. You sell him monster parts (horns, guts, fangs, etc.) to earn his special currency, Mon.
    • Wares: He sells Monster Extract (for cooking), unique Monster Masks (Bokoblin, Moblin, Lizalfos, Lynel – useful for stealth), the Dark Link armor set (after defeating all Divine Beasts), and eventually the Monster Bridle and Saddle.
  • Lord of the Mountain (Satori Mountain): A mystical secret.
    • Location: Satori Mountain (west of Central Hyrule, near Mogg Latan Shrine).
    • Appearance: On certain nights (check from a distance), the mountaintop will glow with a vibrant blue-green light.
    • The Creature: At the summit near the cherry blossom tree, you’ll find the Lord of the Mountain (also called Satori), a luminous, four-eyed, horse-like spirit, often surrounded by Blupees.
    • Taming: It can be tamed like a wild horse but requires a very large amount of stamina (multiple wheels or lots of stamina-restoring food).
    • Riding: Once tamed, it has infinite stamina, making it incredibly fast. However, it *cannot* be registered at stables and will vanish if you dismount and leave it for too long, or sometimes just after a while.
    • Quests: Taking a picture of it is required for the “Legendary Rabbit Trial” side quest given by Peeks in the Korok Forest.
  • Tarrey Town Construction (“From the Ground Up” Quest): One of the game’s most involved and rewarding side quests.
      • Starting: Talk to Bolson and Karson at your house in Hateno Village after purchasing it. Then find Hudson in the Akkala region, on the island in the middle of Lake Akkala.
      • The Quest: Help Hudson build Tarrey Town by gathering large amounts of wood and recruiting specific people (a Goron, Gerudo, Rito, and Zora) from across Hyrule, each fulfilling a specific role in the town.

    * Rewards: Witnessing the town grow is a reward itself. Upon completion, Tarrey Town becomes a full service hub with an inn, general store, ore merchant, arrow shop, armor shop (selling pieces Link already found), and the unique merchant Grante (son of Robbie and Jerrin), who appears on one of the balconies. Grante sells rare armor items (like the Climbing Gear or Barbarian Set if you missed them) and, crucially, can sell you a *replacement* Hylian Shield if (and only if) yours has broken and is not currently in your inventory or house display.

  • Test of Strength Shrines: Combat-focused challenges against Guardian Scouts.
    • Types: Come in Minor, Modest, and Major variations, corresponding to Guardian Scout levels I-IV, with increasing difficulty and health pools.
    • Location: Found throughout Hyrule, often requiring a puzzle or challenge to access.
    • Objective: Defeat the Guardian Scout inside. The first completion awards a Spirit Orb.
    • Repeatability: After a Blood Moon, the Scout respawns. You can re-enter and defeat it again to farm valuable Ancient Materials and powerful Guardian Weapons/Shields (++ variants from Major tests).
    • Strategy: Exploit elemental weaknesses (Shock Arrows stun them briefly), use Ancient Arrows for high damage (expensive!), practice Flurry Rush (dodging attacks) and Perfect Parry (reflecting lasers, stunning melee attacks). Guardian/Ancient weapons deal bonus damage. Destroying their legs can impede movement in later phases.
  • Korok Leaf “Golf”: While not a formal mini-game, some shrine puzzles and Korok seed puzzles involve using a Korok Leaf to blow wind, often combined with Stasis, to propel a large rock or sphere into a hole, mimicking golf.
  • Blupee Hunting: These glowing blue rabbit-like creatures appear randomly in forests, near stables, and especially on Satori Mountain. They drop Rupees when hit with arrows (more rupees for more hits before they vanish). Use stealth or slow-motion aiming to maximize hits.

7. DLC Exclusive Activities (Expansion Pass Required)

If you own the Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass, several additional challenging activities become available:

  • Master Sword Trials (DLC Pack 1: The Master Trials):
    • Location: Accessed by placing the Master Sword back in its pedestal in Korok Forest (requires the sword first).
    • Challenge: A multi-stage survival gauntlet where Link is stripped of all armor, weapons, and food. He must scavenge resources and defeat enemies on floor after floor using only his wits and acquired items within the trial. Broken into Beginner, Middle, and Final Trials.
    • Reward: Completing each stage permanently increases the Master Sword’s base attack power (eventually reaching 60) and durability, keeping it “awakened” at all times.
    • Difficulty: Considered some of the toughest content in the game, requiring resource management, stealth, and combat mastery.
  • The Champion’s Ballad (DLC Pack 2: The Champions’ Ballad):
    • Location: Starts automatically upon leaving the Great Plateau after taming all four Divine Beasts.
    • Challenge: A series of complex quests focusing on the four Champions. Involves tackling new shrine puzzles activated by defeating enemy camps with the one-hit Obliterator weapon, revisiting Divine Beast areas for new challenges, fighting enhanced Blight Ganon bosses in the Illusory Realm, and uncovering new lore and memories.
    • Reward: Completing the main questline unlocks the Master Cycle Zero, a versatile motorcycle-like rune for faster land traversal, fueled by materials. Also rewards new armor pieces associated with the champions.
  • Trial of the Sword Caveats & Other DLC Items:** The DLC also adds numerous side quests for finding new armor pieces (like Majora’s Mask, Midna’s Helmet, Phantom Armor, etc.), the Travel Medallion (lets you set a custom fast travel point), and Hero’s Path Mode (tracks where you’ve walked on the map).

Conclusion

These mini-games, hidden activities, and secrets truly showcase the incredible depth and player freedom baked into the core of Breath of the Wild. They provide valuable rewards, test diverse skills beyond combat, and offer delightful surprises that enrich the journey through Hyrule. So next time you need a break from the weight of destiny, try hitting a strike with a snowball, racing down a mountain on a shield, or building a town from scratch. Finding joy in the small details and unexpected challenges is part of what makes exploring this version of Hyrule so endlessly captivating. Happy adventuring!