Koei Tecmo and Nintendo have announced the release of update 1.0.3 for the acclaimed action game Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, arriving on Nintendo Switch via the eShop on December 18, 2025.
As the latest installment in the beloved Hyrule Warriors series, Age of Imprisonment has captured fans with its fast-paced hack-and-slash gameplay and deep integration of The Legend of Zelda universe.
This major update, unveiled shortly before the festive season, brings a host of new features and expanded post-game content, further solidifying the title's reputation as a must-play on Nintendo's hybrid console. The centerpiece of update 1.0.3 is the introduction of "Phantom Mode." In this newly added feature, battles that players have already completed may now randomly trigger Phantom Mode events.
During these encounters, selected enemies will morph into more powerful "Dangerous Species" or "Miasma Enemies." Moreover, there is a chance that the formidable Phantom Ganon will emerge when a strong foe is defeated, evoking memories of similar surprises from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Players are also rewarded for their efforts with increased drops of High-Purity Zonanium Steel, a valuable in-game resource. Alongside Phantom Mode, the new "Taboo" difficulty level offers an even greater challenge for seasoned players.
Exceeding the intensity of the prior "Very Hard" mode, Taboo mode delivers more demanding battles and promises exclusive rewards.
Successfully clearing a set number of battles on this difficulty grants unique items such as High-Purity Zonanium Steel and boosts the carry limit for special food items. To keep combat fresh, update 1.0.3 introduces additional "Battle Challenges" and "Hyrule Challenges" available on the Hyrule map following completion of the main story.
Enemies like Lizalfos and Chuchu are now classified as new "dangerous species," presenting new threats.
Furthermore, the "Training Hall" on Sky Island is unlocked in this update.
This new facility allows players to perform powerful Sync Strikes when teaming up with two other companions, encouraging cooperative play. The update also provides new gameplay possibilities for the Mysterious Golem character.
Unique skills have been added for various weapon types, such as the One-Handed Sword’s "Shield Charge," enabling players to defend against dangerous assaults and counterattack with a spinning slash if timed correctly.
These new abilities can be acquired by completing the newly added Battle and Hyrule Challenges. A new weapon, the Forbidden Sword, makes its debut in update 1.0.3.
This sinister, miasma-tainted one-handed blade can be equipped by Mysterious Golems and warriors from all playable races, offering new strategies for combat enthusiasts.
The update rounds out its content with new battles, including those focused on warrior-centric skirmishes and showdowns against particularly formidable opponents. For those who last played during the previous update (1.0.2), which introduced its own suite of challenges, weapons, and the innovative Sync Strikes, version 1.0.3 brings even more reasons to return to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.
With consistently strong support from Koei Tecmo and Nintendo, the game continues to expand its content and gameplay features, maintaining its popularity on the Nintendo Switch since launch. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment version 1.0.3 will be available for download on December 18, 2025, via the Nintendo eShop.
Players eager for in-depth patch notes and further details are encouraged to check Nintendo’s official channels and Koei Tecmo’s updates around the release date.
As the latest installment in the beloved Hyrule Warriors series, Age of Imprisonment has captured fans with its fast-paced hack-and-slash gameplay and deep integration of The Legend of Zelda universe.
This major update, unveiled shortly before the festive season, brings a host of new features and expanded post-game content, further solidifying the title's reputation as a must-play on Nintendo's hybrid console. The centerpiece of update 1.0.3 is the introduction of "Phantom Mode." In this newly added feature, battles that players have already completed may now randomly trigger Phantom Mode events.
During these encounters, selected enemies will morph into more powerful "Dangerous Species" or "Miasma Enemies." Moreover, there is a chance that the formidable Phantom Ganon will emerge when a strong foe is defeated, evoking memories of similar surprises from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Players are also rewarded for their efforts with increased drops of High-Purity Zonanium Steel, a valuable in-game resource. Alongside Phantom Mode, the new "Taboo" difficulty level offers an even greater challenge for seasoned players.
Exceeding the intensity of the prior "Very Hard" mode, Taboo mode delivers more demanding battles and promises exclusive rewards.
Successfully clearing a set number of battles on this difficulty grants unique items such as High-Purity Zonanium Steel and boosts the carry limit for special food items. To keep combat fresh, update 1.0.3 introduces additional "Battle Challenges" and "Hyrule Challenges" available on the Hyrule map following completion of the main story.
Enemies like Lizalfos and Chuchu are now classified as new "dangerous species," presenting new threats.
Furthermore, the "Training Hall" on Sky Island is unlocked in this update.
This new facility allows players to perform powerful Sync Strikes when teaming up with two other companions, encouraging cooperative play. The update also provides new gameplay possibilities for the Mysterious Golem character.
Unique skills have been added for various weapon types, such as the One-Handed Sword’s "Shield Charge," enabling players to defend against dangerous assaults and counterattack with a spinning slash if timed correctly.
These new abilities can be acquired by completing the newly added Battle and Hyrule Challenges. A new weapon, the Forbidden Sword, makes its debut in update 1.0.3.
This sinister, miasma-tainted one-handed blade can be equipped by Mysterious Golems and warriors from all playable races, offering new strategies for combat enthusiasts.
The update rounds out its content with new battles, including those focused on warrior-centric skirmishes and showdowns against particularly formidable opponents. For those who last played during the previous update (1.0.2), which introduced its own suite of challenges, weapons, and the innovative Sync Strikes, version 1.0.3 brings even more reasons to return to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment.
With consistently strong support from Koei Tecmo and Nintendo, the game continues to expand its content and gameplay features, maintaining its popularity on the Nintendo Switch since launch. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment version 1.0.3 will be available for download on December 18, 2025, via the Nintendo eShop.
Players eager for in-depth patch notes and further details are encouraged to check Nintendo’s official channels and Koei Tecmo’s updates around the release date.
