: Tears of the Kingdom is bound to be on the wishlist of most Switch owners. In development since 2017, the open-world adventure takes place after the events of the critically lauded The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Players will once again assume the role of Link, an elf tasked with protecting Hyrule and its imperiled princess Zelda from evil forces. With an official release date locked in, and a slew of gameplay previews and cinematic trailers offering up a taste of the game’s aerial theme, it’s time to get hyped. Here, we break down everything you need to know about Link’s epic new adventure. Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the latest mainline instalment in Nintendo’s long-running Zelda series, which began on the Nintendo Entertainment System console in 1986. SPONSORED The new entry features a mixture of new and familiar elements from 2017’s Zelda: Breath of the Wild, itself a massive leap forward for the game. They include an open world that you’re free to explore from the get-go — though your skill level (including stamina) may limit how far you can journey at the start — and a unique combat system with weapons that take damage and eventually break. You can also expect to terrorise and take on a range of new and returning enemies, including the previous game’s big boss Calamity Ganon. This time, however, you’ll be able to take to the skies high above the kingdom of Hyrule to explore floating islands, home to new threats and oddball allies. Arguably the best thing showcased in previews so far is the ability to skydive from the heavens to the ground below. And, to use your paraglider to sail between the airborne archipelagoes. The latest video preview offered the best look yet at Zelda’s gameplay, with 10 minutes of breathtaking open-world action, both on the ground and in the skies. On display were special elevator stones to shuttle you to floating islands, new fusion weapons and even fusion vehicles, such as boats and hovercraft, not to mention the already teased drone-style aircraft. A hinted that Link might be getting a robotic arm — and, in a new steampunk twist to the franchise, he’s shown riding a car, hot-air balloon, and flying machine around Hyrule. Though the new Zelda was initially slated for launch in 2022, Nintendo later pushed it back to the second quarter of this year. It revealed the official release date at the Nintendo Direct presentation last September. You’ll finally be able to play the new Zelda on May 12, 2023. It’s doubtful there will be any more delays as Nintendo recently announced that development on the game was now complete. The game can currently be pre-ordered from Nintendo and costs £59.99. Those who purchase it in advance of its release date will receive a bonus collector’s Coin and Luggage Tag. Can’t get enough Zelda? Nintendo is also releasing bundles with a collector’s medal for £67.99 and a notebook for £64.49 — or you can grab both for £72.49. All bundles are available on the My Nintendo Store. A collector’s edition of the game will also launch on May 12 and will include a physical copy of the game and artbook, SteelBook, Iconart steel poster and a set of four pins. An amiibo of Link will also be released. Fans interested in the collector’s edition had to register their interest on Nintendo’s website, but the option no longer appears to be available. Nintendo has also revealed that a Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom edition of the will be available on April 28. This will be the pricier OLED model of the console, with gold and green colouring and custom patterns from the game. A Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and Carrying Case will also launch alongside the game on May 12.