You remember the first time you stepped out of the Shrine of Resurrection? That blinding light hitting the Great Plateau, the swell of the music, and the realization that Link was basically wandering around in his underwear? Most of us spent the next forty hours hunting down the Hylian Tunic or the Soldier’s Armor. But there’s one specific piece of gear that feels like a total fever dream if you haven't seen it: the Nintendo Switch shirt botw players discovered tucked away in the game's first DLC pack. It’s a bright red t-shirt with the Switch logo slapped right on the chest. It looks ridiculous. It completely breaks the immersion of a high-fantasy world. And honestly? That is exactly why people love it.
Finding it isn't just about the defense stats—which, let's be real, are pretty terrible. It’s a piece of meta-commentary you can actually wear while fighting Guardians.
Where the Nintendo Switch Shirt BOTW Actually Hides
If you’re looking for this thing in the base game, you’re gonna be searching forever. It doesn't exist there. The shirt was added as part of the Expansion Pass bonus content. Specifically, it was a "thank you" from Nintendo for buying the DLC early on. You don't find it in a sprawling dungeon or after a 10-stretch of shrines. It’s just sitting there on the Great Plateau.
I’ve seen a lot of people get frustrated because they can’t find the chest. Look, it’s not near the Temple of Time. Instead, you need to head over to the Eastern Abbey. Specifically, look for the Ja Baij Shrine. It’s the one where you get the Remote Bombs. If you climb up onto the ruins of the walls surrounding that area, you’ll spot a purple chest with the letters "EX" on it. That’s your prize.
Inside, you get the Nintendo Switch Shirt.
Link looks like he just walked out of a 2017 launch party at a Best Buy. It’s weird. It’s iconic. It provides a whopping 1 point of defense. You can't upgrade it at a Great Fairy Fountain, either. If a Bokoblin breathes on you while you're wearing it, you’re basically cooked. But that’s not really the point of owning it, is it?
Why Does a Modern T-Shirt Exist in Hyrule?
Hyrule is a land of ancient technology, sure. We have the Sheikah Slate, which is basically a prehistoric iPad, and the Divine Beasts, which are giant mechanical laser-camels. But a cotton t-shirt with a corporate logo? That feels like a bridge too far for some lore purists.
Actually, Nintendo has a long history of doing this. Remember the Famicom disk system in Animal Crossing? Or the 8-bit Link hidden in Link’s Awakening? The Nintendo Switch shirt botw is a celebratory "breaking of the fourth wall." When Breath of the Wild launched, it was the flagship title for a console that many people thought would fail after the Wii U era. This shirt was a victory lap. It’s Nintendo saying, "Yeah, we’re back."
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The Rarity Factor
Interestingly, because this was tied to the DLC, it became a bit of a status symbol in the early days of the game's life cycle. You couldn't just "find" it. You had to have invested in the future of the game. Nowadays, most people buy the "Definitive" or "Complete" editions that include the DLC anyway, so the shirt has lost a bit of that "exclusive club" feel. But for those of us who were there on day one? Seeing Link run around in a red tee felt like a secret handshake.
It also serves a mechanical purpose for "Challenge Runners." If you’re trying to beat the game with the lowest possible defense without being totally naked, the Switch shirt is a popular choice. It's essentially a "hard mode" fashion statement.
Comparing the Switch Shirt to Other DLC Armor
Most of the DLC armor in Breath of the Wild is actually useful. The Majora’s Mask makes enemies ignore you. Midna’s Helmet gives you Guardian resistance. The Phantom Armor gives you a massive attack boost early in the game.
Then there’s the Nintendo Switch shirt botw.
- Defense: 1 (Non-upgradable)
- Bonus Effects: Absolutely none
- Aesthetic: "I forgot my gym clothes and had to wear a promo shirt"
- Vibe: 10/10
It is objectively the worst piece of armor in the game from a statistical standpoint. Even the "Old Shirt" you find in the opening minutes is arguably better because it blends into the environment. The Switch shirt is bright, loud, and offers zero protection. Yet, in the community, it remains a favorite for photography. Taking a screenshot of Link standing in front of a terrifying Lynel while wearing a gaming console's merch is a specific kind of humor that only Zelda fans really get.
The Practical Value of "Useless" Items
You might be wondering why you should even bother picking it up. Well, Breath of the Wild is a game about personal expression. By the time you reach the late game, you are an unstoppable god. You have 28 hearts, full stamina, and weapons that can shatter mountains. At that point, defense doesn't matter. Fashion matters.
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The "fashion-souls" (or "fashion-wild") community uses the Nintendo Switch shirt botw to create some of the most surreal clips on the internet. There is something deeply satisfying about parrying a laser from a multi-story death machine while dressed like a casual gamer.
Also, it's worth noting that you can't get this shirt back easily if you sell it. You’d have to track down Granté in Tarrey Town to buy it back, and he charges a premium for "rare" items. My advice? Just keep it in your inventory. It doesn't take up much space, and you never know when you'll want to take a goofy selfie at the top of Hyrule Castle.
A Note on Compatibility
A common question is whether this shirt appears in the sequel, Tears of the Kingdom. Without spoiling too much, the armor system in the sequel changed quite a bit. While many classic outfits returned, the specific Nintendo Switch shirt botw edition stayed behind in the first game as a relic of that specific launch era. It makes the item feel even more like a time capsule now. It belongs to 2017. It belongs to the era where we were all discovering the chemistry engine for the first time.
How to Make the Most of Your Red T-Shirt
If you're going to wear it, lean into the bit. Don't try to pair it with the Ancient Greaves; you'll look like a mess.
- Go Full Casual: Wear the shirt with the Well-Worn Trousers. It makes Link look like he’s just a guy who got lost on his way to a convention.
- The Master Sword Paradox: Pulling the Sword that Glows in the Dark out of the stone while wearing a red t-shirt is the peak comedic experience of the game.
- Photo Mode: Head to the snowy regions. The bright red of the shirt pops beautifully against the white snow of the Hebra Mountains. It makes for great high-contrast photography.
Honestly, the Nintendo Switch shirt botw is a reminder that video games are allowed to be silly. Amidst the tragedy of a fallen kingdom and the weight of a century-long sleep, Link can still find time to represent his favorite console manufacturer. It’s a small, dumb, wonderful detail that makes the world of Hyrule feel a little more human.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
If you haven't grabbed it yet, fire up your Switch and fast-travel to the Great Plateau. Head east to the ruins of the Eastern Abbey. Climb the walls near the Ja Baij Shrine and look for that purple "EX" chest. Once you have it, try taking on a Minor Test of Strength while wearing it. It’ll force you to get better at your flurry rushes since you can't rely on your armor to soak up damage. It’s a fun way to inject some fresh challenge into a world you’ve already explored a hundred times. After you've mastered the combat in the shirt, head over to Tarrey Town to see what other "useless" but rare items you might have missed from the DLC—Granté usually has a few surprises if you’ve completed the right quests. Inventory management is key here, so make sure you've expanded your armor slots with Hestu if you're planning on becoming a true Hylian completionist.