The Legend of Zelda: Art & Artifacts Book Celebrates Iconic Franchise with Rare Artwork and Developer Insights

In honor of The Legend of Zelda’s 30th anniversary, Nintendo has teamed up with the renowned publisher Dark Horse Comics to deliver a must-have collectible for fans and series historians alike. The Legend of Zelda: Art & Artifacts is an expansive art book set to release on February 21, 2017, and aims to provide fans with a deeper look into the creative journey behind Nintendo’s iconic RPG franchise. This release arrives just ahead of the highly anticipated launch of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for the Wii U and the then-upcoming Nintendo NX—now widely known as the Nintendo Switch. The Legend of Zelda: Art & Artifacts assembles a rich tapestry of concept art, promotional illustrations, and behind-the-scenes content from across the franchise’s storied history. Featuring over 400 pages, the volume includes never-before-seen artwork drawn from both classic and modern Zelda titles. The book also presents in-depth developer interviews, giving readers rare insights into the artistic process and design evolution that have shaped one of gaming's most enduring universes. For longtime fans, Art & Artifacts stands as a spiritual follow-up to 2013’s Hyrule Historia—a comprehensive reference volume also published by Dark Horse Comics that chronicled the franchise’s timeline and lore. With Hyrule Historia achieving critical and commercial success, expectations for Art & Artifacts have remained high among Zelda enthusiasts. Speaking on the new collection, representatives from Dark Horse Comics emphasized its expansive scope and focus on legacy, noting that the book showcases treasured materials from both the early days of The Legend of Zelda and more recent milestones—including a preview of artwork from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which released on March 3, 2017, for both Wii U and Nintendo Switch via retail and the Nintendo eShop. Art & Artifacts is poised to serve not only as a celebration of The Legend of Zelda’s distinct visual style but also as a testament to its influence on video game art and design. Packed with artwork from decades of adventures, the book is a valuable resource for game development enthusiasts and collectors alike. As Nintendo continues to expand The Legend of Zelda’s legacy across multiple platforms, Art & Artifacts provides an in-depth look at the talent and imagination driving the series’ success. The Legend of Zelda: Art & Artifacts is available at major booksellers and online retailers, just in time to reignite fans’ anticipation for the next chapter in Nintendo’s legendary adventure saga.