Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment update out this week, adds new mode, difficulty level, more

Posted on December 16, 2025 by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch 2

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment has revealed details about its next free content update, which is coming this week. Players should be able to download it on December 18, 2025.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is getting another round of content and features. This includes the Phantom Mode, “Taboo” difficulty level, new challenges, new skills, and a new weapon.

Here’s the full rundown (all English names TBA):

Phantom Mode

“Phantom Mode” is a new feature that randomly occurs in battles that have already been cleared. In battles where “Phantom Mode” occurs, some of the enemies that appear will change into “Dangerous Species” or “Miasma Enemies,” and there is a chance that “Phantom Ganon” will appear when a strong enemy is defeated. Compared to normal battles, you can obtain more “High-Purity Zonanium Steel.”
Difficulty level “Taboo”
In the new difficulty level, you can experience high-difficulty battles that are even more tense than “Very Hard.” By clearing a certain number of battles in “Taboo,” you will receive special rewards such as “High-Purity Zonanium Steel” and “Increased Carry Limit for Special Food.”
Adding new challenges

Following the first free update, the second update will also add multiple “Battle Challenges” and “Hyrule Challenges” to the Hyrule map after clearing the main story. Lizalfos and Chuchu will appear as new “dangerous species.” Additionally, the “Training Hall” on Sky Island will be unlocked, allowing players to activate Sync Strikes by entering the “Training Hall” with two other players.
New unique skills added

New unique skills will be added to the Mysterious Golem for the One-Handed Sword, Two-Handed Sword, and Spear. The One-Handed Sword’s unique skill, “Shield Charge,” allows you to step forward with your shield ready to ward off dangerous attacks from charging enemies. Additionally, by timing this skill with an enemy attack, you can unleash a powerful spinning slash. You can learn it by completing the “Battle Challenge” and “Hyrule Challenge” that will be added in this update.
New weapon added

The Forbidden Sword, a one-handed sword whose blade has been tainted by miasma and transformed into a sinister blade, has been added. It can be equipped by Mysterious Golems and warriors of all races. You can obtain it by clearing the battles added in this update.
In addition to the above, the following new battles will be added:
“Battles focused on warriors”
“A deadly battle with a certain formidable enemy”

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is out now on Nintendo Switch 2. You can find information about the previous update that came out last month here.