Overview
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. The game was released on May 12, 2023. it serves as a sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
The game expands upon its predecessor by introducing new environments, including floating islands in the sky and an expansive underground area known as the Depths.
The Nintendo Switch 2 version will feature enhanced graphics and performance. It will support higher resolution and frame rates. Additionally, HDR support has been added, enhancing color and contrast. The game will also load faster.
The "Zelda Notes" feature is a new addition. This feature can be accessed though the Nintendo Switch on iOS and Android devices. The feature provides players with tips and guidance.
Story
The game is set several years after the events of Breath of the Wild. Link and Zelda are exploring a cavern beneath Hyrule Castle and discovered a poisonous substance called "gloom" affecting the inhabitants. They encounter murals depicting the founding of Hyrule and an ancient conflict known as the Imprisoning War against a being referred to as the "Demon King." Deeper within, they find a restrained mummy, which awakens and attacks them, leading to Zelda's disappearance and Link's injury. Link awakens on Great Sky Island with a new arm replacing his damaged one. Link sets out to rescue Zelda and save Hyrule.
Reception & Sales
Tears of the Kingdom received critical acclaim, with a Metacritic score of 96/100 based on 150 reviews. Critics praised its expansive world, innovative mechanics, and engaging story. The game won several awards, including Game of the Year from IGN and Game Informer, and was nominated for multiple categories at The Game Awards and the Golden Joystick Awards. The game sold over 10 million copies in its first three days and surpassed 21.55 million copies by December 2024, making it the eighth-best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch.