Nintendo doesn’t mess around with post-launch support for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Just over a month after the Switch 2 exclusive launched in November 2025, the game has received two substantial free updates packed with new content. The latest patch, version 1.0.3, dropped on December 18 and introduces Phantom Mode, a new Forbidden difficulty setting, additional weapons, and quality-of-life improvements that extend the experience for players who’ve already conquered the main campaign.
What the First Update Brought
The initial free update arrived on November 27, 2025, barely three weeks after launch. This first content drop added new Vicious enemy types including tougher Bokoblins and Flux Constructs that hit harder and require better strategies to defeat. Players got access to two new weapons: the Longsword of Light and High Guard’s Spear, both equippable by the Mysterious Construct and warriors of various races.
The update also introduced a brand new Sync Strike pairing Zelda with Calamo, the fan-favorite Korok character. This team attack sees Calamo throw a boomerang that Zelda recalls using the power of time, creating devastating combos. Another Sync Strike with the Flux Construct Block Golem was added, featuring a powerful spinning attack that knocks down weaker enemies like bowling pins. Pure Zonaite Steel, a new high-tier crafting material, became available for weapon upgrades.
The December Update Gets Serious
Version 1.0.3 takes things to another level entirely. The marquee addition is Phantom Mode, a randomized modifier that can activate when replaying previously cleared battles. During Phantom Mode, some standard enemies get replaced with Dangerous Species variants or Gloom-infused enemies that deal damage over time. Most significantly, Phantom Ganon himself can now appear after defeating powerful enemies, creating unexpected boss encounters that force you to stay alert even in familiar territories.
The new Forbidden difficulty sits above the existing Very Hard setting, offering the toughest challenge the game has presented yet. This isn’t just enemies with more health and damage output. Forbidden mode demands mastery of the game’s mechanics, perfect dodging, strategic Sync Strike usage, and smart positioning. Completing battles on Forbidden difficulty rewards players with Pure Zonaite Steel and increases the maximum number of Special Rations you can carry, giving hardcore players meaningful reasons to test themselves.
New Post-Game Content
Both updates added multiple Battle Challenges and Hyrule Challenges to the post-game map, specifically designed for players who’ve finished the main story. These challenges include focused warrior battles that test your mastery of individual characters, alongside what the patch notes cryptically describe as a life-or-death struggle with a certain powerful enemy. One battle is apparently titled “A serious battle with Rauru,” suggesting some intense encounters await.
New enemy types join the roster with Lizalfos and Chuchu appearing as Dangerous Species variants. These aren’t just palette swaps. Dangerous Species enemies have unique attack patterns, higher aggression, and drop better materials. The Training Hall on Sky Island unlocks after clearing the main campaign, allowing players to practice Sync Strikes with different character combinations without jumping into full battles.
The Forbidden Blade Arrives
Version 1.0.3 introduces the Forbidden Blade, a one-handed weapon touched by Gloom that transformed into something ominous and powerful. The Mysterious Construct and warriors of various races can equip it, making it available to multiple characters in your roster. Acquiring the Forbidden Blade requires completing specific battles added in the update, giving completionists another goal to chase.
The weapon’s Gloom influence likely means it carries unique properties, possibly dealing Gloom damage to enemies or featuring special attack animations that reflect its corrupted nature. Given that it’s locked behind challenging new content, expect it to be among the strongest weapons in the game once fully upgraded.
Quality of Life Improvements
Beyond the headline features, version 1.0.3 includes several welcome quality-of-life tweaks. Gossip Challenge conditions involving Sync Strikes now count even when performed by characters you’re not directly controlling, making these objectives less tedious. You can now exit bonus conversations in the Gallery by pressing the B button instead of sitting through dialogue you’ve already heard.
The tutorial system received adjustments to display conditions and frequency for dodge and guard prompts, addressing feedback that these tips appeared too often once players understood the mechanics. Perhaps most importantly for endgame players, when your Zonaite Steel hits maximum capacity, you can now perform weapon enhancements at the end of combat, including raising weapon level limits and removing seals without having to visit the blacksmith first.
How Age of Imprisonment Performs on Switch 2
As the first Hyrule Warriors title built exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2, Age of Imprisonment showcases what the new hardware can handle. The game runs at 1080p in handheld mode and 4K when docked, maintaining a stable 60 frames per second even during the most chaotic battles with dozens of enemies on screen. Load times are impressively quick, taking around 23-25 seconds from dashboard to title screen and only 13-15 seconds to load into battles.
Compared to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity on the original Switch, which suffered from significant frame rate drops and longer load times, Age of Imprisonment demonstrates massive technical improvements. The visual fidelity is substantially better with more detailed character models, improved environmental textures, and enhanced particle effects during special attacks. These free updates take advantage of the Switch 2’s capabilities without compromising performance.
The Story Connection to Tears of the Kingdom
Age of Imprisonment serves as a direct prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, depicting the Imprisoning War that was only referenced in the main game. Players control Princess Zelda after she travels back in time, fighting alongside King Rauru, Queen Sonia, and other legendary heroes to repel Ganondorf’s invasion. The game explores ancient truths and backstory that Tears of the Kingdom only hinted at.
The roughly 18-hour campaign takes place across dozens of recognizable battlefields from the ancient version of Hyrule. Combat combines traditional musou hack-and-slash gameplay with Tears of the Kingdom mechanics like Zonai Devices that grant elemental effects. The Sync Strike system allows players to pair warriors for devastating team attacks, with each combination offering unique tactical advantages.
Worth the $70 Price Tag
At $69.99, Age of Imprisonment carries the standard Nintendo Switch 2 first-party pricing. The game received generally positive reviews, with IGN awarding it a 7/10, praising the combat and roster while noting that hardcore Zelda fans might find the story less satisfying than expected. GameSpot echoed similar sentiments, calling it a high point for the spinoff series despite some narrative shortcomings.
What makes the purchase more appealing is Nintendo’s commitment to free post-launch content. Both updates arrived within the first two months after release with substantial additions rather than minor patches. If you own Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity or Tears of the Kingdom save data, you’ll receive bonus weapons in Age of Imprisonment, adding another incentive for existing Zelda fans.
FAQs
When did Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment get free updates?
The first free update released on November 27, 2025, and the second update (version 1.0.3) launched on December 18, 2025. Both updates are available now to all players at no additional cost.
What is Phantom Mode in Age of Imprisonment?
Phantom Mode is a randomized modifier that can activate when replaying previously cleared battles. It replaces some enemies with Dangerous Species or Gloom enemies and adds a chance for Phantom Ganon to appear after defeating powerful foes, creating unpredictable boss encounters.
What is Forbidden difficulty?
Forbidden difficulty is a new setting that sits above Very Hard, offering the toughest challenge in the game. Completing battles on Forbidden difficulty rewards players with Pure Zonaite Steel and increases the maximum number of Special Rations you can carry.
Is Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment only on Switch 2?
Yes, Age of Imprisonment is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. It’s built specifically for the new hardware and takes advantage of improved processing power, making it unavailable on the original Nintendo Switch.
Can I play Age of Imprisonment in co-op?
Yes, the game supports two-player split-screen local co-op. It also features GameShare functionality on Switch 2, allowing you and a friend to play together over local wireless with only one copy of the game.
Do I need to play Tears of the Kingdom first?
While Age of Imprisonment serves as a prequel and can be enjoyed on its own, you’ll get significantly more out of the story if you’ve played Tears of the Kingdom. The game assumes familiarity with characters and events referenced in the main Zelda title.
What weapons were added in the free updates?
The first update added the Longsword of Light and High Guard’s Spear. The second update introduced the Forbidden Blade, a Gloom-touched one-handed weapon. All three are equippable by the Mysterious Construct and warriors of various races.
How big is the Age of Imprisonment file size?
The game is 44.9GB according to the Nintendo eShop. If you purchase the physical edition, the full game is stored on the Switch 2 Game Card, so you won’t need to use internal storage for the base game.
Conclusion
Nintendo and Omega Force are treating Age of Imprisonment with the respect it deserves. Two substantial free updates within the first two months shows genuine commitment to supporting the game beyond launch week hype. Phantom Mode adds replayability by making previously cleared content unpredictable and dangerous again. Forbidden difficulty gives skilled players the brutal challenge they’ve been requesting. New weapons, Sync Strikes, and post-game challenges extend the experience for completionists. For a genre that often gets criticized for repetitive gameplay, these updates address that concern head-on by introducing variety and unexpected encounters. Even players who’ve finished the main campaign have reasons to return, whether chasing the Forbidden Blade, testing themselves against Phantom Ganon appearances, or simply enjoying the improved quality-of-life features. The fact that all of this comes free rather than locked behind paid DLC makes it even better. Nintendo could have easily packaged this content as a $20 expansion pass, but instead chose to reward everyone who bought the game at launch. That goodwill matters, especially at the $70 price point. If you picked up Age of Imprisonment at launch and shelved it after finishing the story, now’s the perfect time to jump back in. The Imprisoning War just got a lot more interesting, and Phantom Ganon is waiting to test whether you’ve really mastered this prequel to one of the best Zelda games ever made.