There's something special about the Zelda series, a momentous occasion in the video game calendar. With new entries happening far less frequently as time has gone on, it's fantastic to see The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom pre-orders now live, as it means the game is closer than ever to launch.
Following in the footsteps of the titan that was Breath of the Wild, a game that changed the open-world recipe, Tears of the Kingdom launches on May 12, 2023. Little is truly known about the plot of the game, but as we speculate in our early guide, it seems that the desiccated corpse of Ganon has arisen from under Hyrule Castle, and the tendrils of Malice are starting to spread again... but this time to sky too! The game even received its own dedicated Zelda Nintendo Direct ahead of launch, showing off the new powers that Link will be wielding throughout.
With only trailers, glimpses, and a brief gameplay demo to actually work with – including a new Tears of the Kingdom trailer released as part of the February Nintendo Direct – the community is still deep in investigation mode, trying to work out what might actually be going on. What's happened to Link's arm? Is Zelda playable? What is Ganon's plan? Is Nintendo hinting at DLC? So many questions!
Pre-order in the US: Check SuperShop
Pre-order in the UK: Check Hit
What we do know is that Tears of the Kingdom pre-orders are going to be the only way to ensure you're experiencing the game as soon as possible. We also know that Nintendo has decided to raise the standard Switch game price (*shakes fist in anger*) – specifically for Tears of the Kingdom. At the very least, there's a very cool Tears of the Kingdom Collector's Edition that is up for grabs. Additionally, we've got all the information on where to pre-order the Legend of Zelda Nintendo Switch OLED if you fancy picking that up too,
In the meantime, we have all the latest pre-order game information below, including the cheapest place to make a pre-order, why purchasing the game via Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers could save you big, and where you can find the highly sought-after Collector's Edition.
For all of the above and more, head below for the latest The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom pre-order information:
Where to pre-order Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in the US
Where to pre-order Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in the UK
Nintendo has now put live its own Tears of the Kingdom pre-orders via the My Nintendo Store in the UK. There are a variety of options available, including the standalone game as well as bundles that feature a notebook and/or a collector's medal. Do note that a lot of them have sold out now. The pricing for each can be found below:
Where to pre-order Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Collector's Edition in the US
Where to pre-order Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Collector's Edition in the UK
Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the first game for Nintendo Switch that has been given an increased price point of $69.99 / £59.99. That's the bad news. The good news is that the game is eligible as part of the Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers system. So, how does it work?
Basically, anyone that possesses a Nintendo Switch Online membership can purchase a pair of the Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers for $99.98 / £84.00, which then can be redeemed for one game apiece via the Nintendo eShop. Tears of the Kingdom is included in this deal, alongside the likes of upcoming titles like Pikmin 4 and the recently released Advance Wars 1 + 2 Reboot Camp, both of which are priced at $59.99 / £49.99. There are also the likes of Fire Emblem Engage, Pokemon Scarlet / Violet, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, and more.
The point is that by purchasing Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers, you are essentially purchasing Tears of the Kingdom and another game for $50 / £42 each. That's a decent saving, especially with the increased price point taken into consideration.
Is there a pre-order bonus for Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom?
Most retailers are not offering any pre-order bonuses for Tears of the Kingdom, however, we have seen the likes of ShopTo in the UK giving away a free poster at one point. Nintendo add-ons are available as part of pre-order packages with Tears of the Kingdom, including a notebook and/or medal.
Why is Tears of the Kingdom $70?
Like many other game publishers, Nintendo has decided to raise the price of certain first-party releases beginning with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Speaking about the decision, Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser stated: “We're looking at what the game has to offer. I think fans will find it to be a legendarily packed, deeply immersive experience. The price point reflects the type of experience fans can expect when it comes to playing this particular game. It's not a price point we'll necessarily have on all of our games".
More of today's best Zelda deals
Tempted to make the upgrade to a Switch OLED in time for Tears of the Kingdom? Here are all the best cheap Nintendo Switch bundle deals, alongside where to find the best Nintendo Switch accessories and the latest cheap Nintendo Switch game sales, including Mario, Pokemon, Splatoon 3, and of course, Zelda.
