The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom best side quests could be a list much longer than 12 entries. Many TotK side quests are fun, intriguing, and engaging — but we have to focus on a few that really stand out. These we’ve listed here take you to all corners of the world, where you’ll get to make new discoveries and new friends. With that said, let’s dive into the 12 best side quests in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Note: this article contains spoilers!
12 Best Side Quests in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Listed
Our 12 best Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom side quests come from personal preference, and you might think others deserve to be on the list — or some should be removed! And that’s OK! One of the best parts of TotK is that there’s so much content to explore, and most of it is good.
I’ve spent over 140 hours in the game, exploring, battling, and puzzle-solving. To be honest, there are so many quests I could list that this article could be thousands of words long. Instead, I’ve narrowed it down to a select few that are fun and helpful. Naturally, I didn’t include ones like Dragon’s Tears/Geoglyphs, Messages From an Ancient Era, or one that requires you to find a fifth “someone” later on.
Best TotK Side Quests Mission Chain: Getting the Purah Pad Upgrades
Out of all the optional objectives in the game, there’s probably nothing more important than the mission chain that nets you the Purah Pad upgrades. From Lookout Landing, you’ll have to assist Robbie the Researcher, and soon thereafter, you’ll obtain the Purah Pad Camera, allowing you to take photos.
Later, you can acquire the Sensor, which is absolutely integral when you’re looking for Shrines, and the Sensor+, so you can track creatures, plants, materials, and even treasure chests. Other upgrades include the Travel Medallions, which act as instant fast travel points, and the Hero’s Mode function for your map, which shows your previous steps/locations.
Becoming a Lucky Clover Gazette Reporter
After tagging the Lookout Landing fast travel point, you’ll meet a Rito by the name of Penn. He’ll ask you to visit him in the Lucky Clover Gazette, which is fairly close to Rito Village. This leads to one of the best Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom side quests. The entire chain has you visiting various stables, and it’s a great way to start your exploration journey. Alternatively, if you’re only doing this later in the game, then you can speed up the process once you know where all the stables are located.
Taking Pictures for Stables
Let’s say you already have the Purah Pad Camera, and you’re roaming around with Penn to discover stables. What could be your next best TotK side quest? I suggest interacting with the blank canvas in each stable for some fun. Doing so makes the stable owner notice you and unlocks the Picture for Stable Side Quest chain. In it, you’re tasked with taking a photo of a specific location, object, or bit of scenery for a specific stable owner. Each one you complete nets you that stable’s special recipe, as well as one additional Pony Point.
Hunt Bubbul Frogs and Give Bubbul Gems to Kilton
As you’re delving into caves and tunnels, you’re likely to see Bubbul Frogs that drop Bubbul Gems. You’ll be able to trade these with Kilton in the Woodland Stable in Eldin. He’ll head over to Tarrey Town after that, where you can give him more gems. Each time you provide a few, he’ll reward you with unique armor pieces, including the Mystic Armor Set.
Become a Yiga Ninja
Speaking of unique armor sets, the Yiga Armor Set yields bonuses to your stealth capabilities. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to trick would-be assassins into thinking that you’re one of them. This leads to a couple of secret side quests, including one with a Shrine after you become a Blademaster. Naturally, this is an easy call for the best TotK side quests considering what you get.
Take on Master Kohga and Acquire the Autobuild ability
Among the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom best side quests, few could compare to the Depths quest chain. In it, you’ll follow a path laid out by statues, which eventually leads you to the secret Autobuild ability. As the name implies, it lets you create items based on Ultrahand designs — or even from scratch.
As you progress further, you’ll battle Master Kohga. This battle has some of the most hilarious moments and is one of the most unique boss encounters because of his bumbling antics.
Cleanse the Great Deku Tree
There’s hardly an indicator that this is a quest in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but I’ll include it nonetheless due to how important it is. Basically, the Great Hyrule Forest is shrouded in mists. In the center, you’ll find the Deku Tree, who’s been having a terrible stomach ache. That’s because there’s a Chasm growing within it. You’ll have to fight some nasty foes to cleanse this ancient being. Not only is it helpful to get rid of the mists, but this is also one of the best Tears of the Kingdom side quests because of what it means to series fans.
Ride Dragons to Help Out Goddess Statues
From one ancient being to several others, you’ll stumble upon some Goddess Statues that need your aid. Compared to those that upgrade your hearts and stamina or Sage’s Will boost, these ones require a claw from the dragons in the sky. Yes, you can fly, glide, or skydive to reach them. And, yes, you can ride them as well. How awesome is that? Pretty damn awesome.
Find the Four Eyes to Awaken… Something
In the Great Plateau south of Hyrule Field, a Great Goddess Statue asks for a favor: find its four eyes and drop them into the chasms. That makes no sense, right? Still, you can continue onward with the task for this quest: A Call From the Depths. You’ll look for the eyes on the Surface realm, then drop them into the Depths, all so you could bring them to a massive Bargainer Statue.
Awaken the Great Fairies… and Malanya
The four Great Fairies and Malanya don’t want to be bothered at the start of the TotK campaign. Still, you’ll learn of various tasks that you can do that involve them. They’ll either require specific items or certain people to play music for them. Once awakened, the four Great Fairies will boost your various armor ratings. Malanya, meanwhile, upgrades the stats of your horses or revives them.
Tasks After Finishing the Main Regional Quests — and the Zora Armor Set
The campaign requires you to tackle the Regional Phenomena in Hebra, Eldin, Gerudo, and Lanayru. Once you’re done with those, you might be tempted to the next location. However, we suggest sticking around to talk to NPCs in the capitals. There are those that have new quests for you to undertake, and some even reward you with unique items, like the Zora Armor Set.
Explore the Labyrinths
Once you’ve revealed the world map via Skyview Towers, you’ll notice peculiar things along the edges of the map. These are the Labyrinths, three gargantuan statues with their own areas in the Surface, Sky, and Depths realms. Venture forth and find the terminals so you can discover their secrets. You might even get a really cool armor set.
These are just some of the best side quests in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. I did say that personal preference applies, so you might have other picks. For other opinions on weapons, tips, and walkthroughs, you can visit our Zelda TotK guides hub.
