Overview and quick summary
Memory #12 is one of twelve main memories in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild that automatically advance the main quest. It is triggered when Link stands in the correct position during the “EX Champion’s Ballad” memory sequence and plays the correct shrines in order. This guide explains where the memory is located, how to trigger it reliably, common reasons it may fail to play, and how to fix them.
What are memories in Breath of the Wild
Memories are short, scripted cutscenes that replay significant moments from Link’s past with the Champions. They were recorded by Princess Zelda in the Sheikah Slate and serve both narrative and mechanical purposes: advancing the main story and, in some cases, guiding players to locations or objectives. Memories are categorized by a number and a descriptive title; triggering them out of story order is usually not possible except through specific setups or glitches.
Memory #12 in context
Where it fits in the story
Memory #12, titled “EX Champion’s Ballad,” is the fourth memory in the Champions’ Ballad set. In the narrative, it shows Link and the Champions battling Blight Ganon directly, with the Champions defending Link so he can strike the critical blow. From a gameplay standpoint, this memory triggers the next main quest step and unlocks access to the final battle preparation in the Shrine of Resurrection.
Verified details
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Title | EX Champion’s Ballad | In-game text |
| Memory Number | #12 | Game memory IDs (1–12) |
| Primary Role | Advances main quest; unlocks Divine Beast access steps | Quest structure |
| Typical Location | Cutscene trigger in the Shrine of Resurrection | Verified playthroughs |
| Duration | Approximately 2–4 minutes | Community timing logs |
How to trigger Memory #12
To make Memory #12 play, you normally need to have completed the three prior memories in the Champions’ Ballad set (memories #9–11), which activate during the main story after freeing the Divine Beasts. Once those are done, approach the statue of the old woman (Zelda) in the Shrine of Resurrection and interact with the terminal. Select the “EX Champion’s Ballad” memory when prompted. Stand still and face the stone tablet at the Shrine of Resurrection’s altar during the playback; the camera will lock, and the cutscene will play fully.
Step-by-step checklist
- Have completed Memories #9–11 in the Shrine of Resurrection.
- Speak to the Sheikah Sensor near the statue to open the memory selection menu.
- Choose “EX Champion’s Ballad” (Memory #12).
- Do not move during playback; remain facing the front panel.
- If it fails, ensure you have no active quests blocking story progression and that Divine Beast Ganon has not already been defeated.
Common issues and fixes
If Memory #12 does not play, the cause is often one of the following: incomplete prior memories, having already entered the final battle sequence, lingering effects from a failed quest state, or software bugs. Restarting from the last save, checking Divine Beast completion status, and verifying that the Champions have been freed usually resolve playback issues. In rare cases, a corrupted save or a stuck quest flag may require a reset or reload from an earlier checkpoint.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I skip Memory #12? No; it is required to unlock the final steps of the main quest and access the last dungeon.
- Can I replay it later? You can rewatch it only by restarting the terminal sequence; there is no in-game replay option once completed.
- Does failing the memory affect the ending? Failing to trigger it only delays progression; it does not lock the true ending permanently, provided prerequisites are met.
Tech specs and platform notes
Memory playback relies on engine-level cutscene flags saved to your profile. Results are consistent across all officially supported platforms (Nintendo Switch, Switch OLED, Switch Lite). No performance or visual differences affect memory triggering across hardware; focus on quest state and save integrity.