Hyrule’s Wild West: Players Uncover Bizarre Autobuild Sharing Exploit in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The boundless creativity of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom players has once again shattered expectations, but this time, it’s not just about ingenious contraptions. A newly discovered exploit involving the game’s Autobuild Sharing feature is allowing players to summon an astounding array of in-game items and even characters that were never intended to be accessible, transforming Hyrule into a truly bizarre and unpredictable playground. This glitch, primarily impacting the recently released Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Tears of the Kingdom, has the gaming community abuzz with its seemingly limitless potential for chaos and hilarious experimentation.

While Tears of the Kingdom has a history of player-discovered glitches that have led to incredible moments and streamlined gameplay (like early duplication exploits), this Autobuild Sharing phenomenon takes it to an entirely new level. It leverages the game’s official companion app, Zelda Notes, which facilitates the sharing of custom Autobuild blueprints via QR codes.

The Mechanism of Mayhem: How the Exploit Works

At its core, this bizarre exploit hinges on a fascinating, albeit unintended, interaction between modded Nintendo Switch 1 consoles and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Tears of the Kingdom. Here’s a breakdown of the process, as detailed by intrepid players on platforms like Reddit and Discord:

1. Modded Save File Creation: Players with access to a modded Nintendo Switch 1 can utilize external tools or “Autobuild editing websites” to manipulate their Tears of the Kingdom save files. This allows them to alter the components within an Autobuild blueprint, effectively substituting eligible in-game “actors” (objects, enemies, characters) with normally inaccessible ones.
2. Local Save Transfer: The manipulated save file from the modded Switch 1 is then locally transferred to an unmodded Nintendo Switch 1. This step is crucial, as it “cleans” the save file of direct modding traces while retaining the altered Autobuild data.
3. Transfer to Switch 2 Edition: Finally, this “cleaned” save file is transferred to a Nintendo Switch 2 console running the Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition.
4. QR Code Generation via Zelda Notes: With the modded Autobuild blueprint now present in the Switch 2 Edition save data, players can use the Zelda Notes app’s Autobuild Sharing feature to generate a QR code for this manipulated blueprint.
5. Unrestricted Sharing: This generated QR code can then be shared online (e.g., on Reddit, Discord, or social media). When other players (even those with unmodded Switch 2 consoles) scan this QR code via the Zelda Notes app and import it into their game, they gain access to the “illegal” Autobuild blueprint.

The exploit’s success lies in Nintendo’s apparent lack of “legitimacy verification” within the Autobuild sharing system, allowing these modified blueprints to pass through without being flagged.

Unintended Consequences: From Epona Herds to Ganon Armies

The results of this exploit are as hilarious as they are game-breaking. Players have been quick to showcase their wild discoveries:

• Herds of Epona: Instead of just one loyal steed, players have managed to summon dozens, if not hundreds, of Epona mounts, creating bizarre horse stampedes across Hyrule.
• Armies of Antagonists: Perhaps the most shocking discovery is the ability to summon multiple instances of powerful characters, including the Demon King Ganondorf himself! These summoned Ganondorfs possess health bars and can even attack Link, although they often behave erratically outside of intended combat scenarios (e.g., being docile in safe zones).
• Forbidden Objects: The exploit allows players to bring forth items normally locked to specific areas (like shrine objects) or even seemingly innocuous elements like bubbles or food items in massive quantities.
• The “Good Boys” Brigade: For those seeking a less threatening companion, players have also managed to summon swarms of dogs, transforming Hyrule into a canine paradise.

The sheer absurdity of these creations highlights the extent of the exploit and the potential for players to drastically alter their gameplay experience in unprecedented ways.

Nintendo’s Move: A Patch on the Horizon?

Given Nintendo’s historical stance on game exploits and modifications, it’s highly probable that this Autobuild Sharing glitch will be addressed in a future patch for Tears of the Kingdom. While the company has previously allowed some minor glitches to persist, game-breaking exploits that allow players to access content outside of intended parameters are typically prioritized for fixes.

It’s worth noting that Tears of the Kingdom has seen various duplication glitches and other exploits patched out in previous updates since its original 2023 release. The Switch 2 Edition itself only launched recently in June 2025, bringing with it improved visual fidelity, 60 frames-per-second gameplay, and the Zelda Notes app.

Players interested in experimenting with these bizarre creations should be aware that such exploits often carry risks, including potential game instability or, in extreme cases, actions from Nintendo if they deem it necessary. However, for now, the Hyrule Engineering community and other fan groups are enjoying the wild ride, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible within Link’s latest adventure.

The Future of Hyrule: Innovation or Control?

This Autobuild Sharing exploit highlights an ongoing tension between player freedom and developer control in open-world games. While glitches can sometimes lead to unexpected fun and community engagement, they can also disrupt game balance and the intended experience. Nintendo faces the challenge of maintaining the integrity of Tears of the Kingdom while acknowledging the remarkable creativity of its player base.

Will Nintendo implement stricter verification for Autobuild sharing, or will they find a way to embrace player-generated content in a more controlled environment? Only time will tell, but for now, the bizarre Autobuild creations continue to make waves across Hyrule, proving that even in a meticulously crafted world, players will always find new ways to surprise and delight.