Nintendo has shared our longest look at The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom thus far, and we’re sure to be dissecting it for months. Along with the new footage, Nintendo showed off a collector’s edition and amiibo figure releasing alongside the game.
Revealed in today’s Nintendo Direct, the new footage showed a very dark time for the world of Hyrule. Lightning strikes, rainfall, and Blood Moons set the stage for what’s looking like a grim adventure for Link. An unknown narrator says, “Rise, rise my servants. Sweep over Hyrule, eliminate this Kingdom and her allies, leave no survivors!” Zelda later tells Link she’s not sure he can beat this unknown foe. Time will tell if this is Ganondorf or some other unknown enemy.
We also got a look at some new enemy types and features not seen in 2017’s Breath of the Wild. New Wyvern-like creatures are shown carrying Moblins into battle, while Link faces off against a giant mechanical enemy made out of blocks.
Plenty of sky gameplay is also seen, which has been a big theme so far in Tears of the Kingdom’s pre-release coverage. We see Link gliding around on some new form of technology, while also driving it on the ground like a car. The trailer ends with Zelda asking someone, “Please, lend him your power,” as we’re left with a shot of Link reaching for Zelda as she falls into a chasm. Don’t forget to breathe while you watch the brand new trailer below.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is launching on May 12, 2023 for $69.99. This confirms the rumored $10 price increase from previous Nintendo Switch first-party titles. Nintendo also showed off a look at Tears of the Kingdom’s Collector’s Edition and brand new amiibo figure.
The Collector’s Edition will retail for $129.99 and include a physical version of the game, an artbook, a Steelbook case, a steel poster, and four pin badges. An amiibo featuring Link in his new Tears of the Kingdom look will grant access to materials, weapons, and a special fabric for Link’s paraglider when scanned. Scanning other amiibo from The Legend of Zelda series will unlock different designs for your glider, including one that looks like Majora’s Mask.
Scanning amiibo from The Legend of Zelda series will also give you helpful materials and weapons. You can receive helpful materials, weapons or a paraglider fabric based on the amiibo you scanned. pic.twitter.com/DrWcOEPLkE
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 8, 2023
Tears of the Kingdom was first revealed at E3 2019, and while it was given a 2022 release window at E3 2021, it was delayed to a release date of May 12, 2023. Supposedly created because the Breath of the Wild team had “too many ideas” for DLC, we’ve since seen a handful of other teases, though nothing as lengthy as what we got today.
It’s no surprise that people are hyped for it — we gave Breath of the Wild a rare 10/10 score at launch, calling it “a masterclass in open-world design and a watershed game that reinvents a 30-year-old franchise.” May can’t come soon enough.
Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN covering video game and entertainment news. He has over six years of experience in the gaming industry with bylines at IGN, Nintendo Wire, Switch Player Magazine, and Lifewire. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.