The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom launches on Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo has released The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch, opening the next chapter in Link’s adventure and expanding the world first introduced in Breath of the Wild. The game invites players to chart their own course across Hyrule’s familiar landscapes and a new layer of floating islands in the sky, blending open ended exploration with puzzles, shrines, and large scale battles.

What is Tears of the Kingdom?

Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel to 2017’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It retains the series’ signature freedom but adds new tools and traversal options, encouraging experimentation and creative problem solving. Whether you prefer methodical exploration, combat focused builds, or speedier objective driven play, the game is designed to support multiple approaches.

Key new gameplay features

At launch, the biggest headline is Link’s set of new abilities, which dramatically changes how you move through the world and how you tackle obstacles.

• Ultrahand: Grab, rotate, and connect objects to build contraptions, bridges, vehicles, and more.
• Fuse: Combine weapons and materials to create new gear with unique properties and stronger durability.
• Ascend: Swim upward through solid surfaces to reach higher areas and quickly escape danger.
• Recall: Rewind an object’s movement, opening puzzle solutions and tactical options in combat.

Together, these mechanics turn exploration into a sandbox where improvisation is rewarded. Simple materials can become a solution, and even a failed experiment often teaches you a faster or more effective route.

Platforms, availability, and pricing

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now and is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch family of systems. Players can purchase the game digitally via Nintendo eShop or pick up a physical copy from major retailers. In the United States, Nintendo listed the standard edition at a suggested retail price of $69.99 at launch.

Quick tips for new players

• Spend time on the opening sky area to learn the new abilities, they are the foundation for most puzzles.
• Fuse early and often, many common materials can significantly improve damage, reach, or utility.
• Use Ultrahand to experiment with simple builds first, then iterate into more complex vehicles and devices.
• Mark points of interest on your map, the world is dense, and revisiting places later can pay off.

Why this launch matters

Tears of the Kingdom is one of Nintendo’s most anticipated releases of the generation, and it continues the company’s push toward larger, systems driven adventures on Switch. Shortly after release, Nintendo reported that the game sold more than 10 million copies worldwide in its first three days, making it the fastest selling title in the Zelda series at the time.

If you enjoyed Breath of the Wild, this sequel offers a familiar world with a fresh layer of vertical exploration and deeper player driven creativity. For newcomers, it is a vast, approachable entry point with a clear opening path and the freedom to explore at your own pace.