If you spent a hundred hours exploring every corner of Breath of the Wild, the idea of starting fresh in Hyrule might feel like saying goodbye to an old friend. Tears of the Kingdom invites you back anyway — and almost immediately, it makes you glad you came.

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Platform: Nintendo Switch · Release Date: May 12, 2023 · Developer: Nintendo EPD · Predecessor: Breath of the Wild · Official Site: nintendo.com

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Switch exclusive with no PC version confirmed (ZTGD review)
  • Direct sequel to Breath of the Wild (ZTGD review)
  • 199 total optional quests — 139 side quests and 60 side adventures (YouTube analysis)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether an official PC port will ever surface remains unconfirmed
  • Future Nintendo Switch 2 release dates for enhanced editions
  • Canonical status of Link and Zelda’s relationship in series lore
3Timeline signal
  • Breath of the Wild launched in 2017
  • Development began around 2017, taking six years
  • Reviews surfaced in May 2023 upon release
4What’s next
Attribute Value
Developer Nintendo EPD
Platform Nintendo Switch
Release Date May 12, 2023
Genre Action-adventure
Predecessor Breath of the Wild

Is Zelda Tears of the Kingdom only on Switch?

Availability on other platforms

Tears of the Kingdom launched exclusively on Nintendo Switch with a $69.99 MSRP (ZTGD review). Nintendo has not announced any PC or Steam version as of this writing. The game remains a Nintendo-published title, which means platform exclusivity is built into its licensing structure.

PC and Steam rumors

Community speculation about Tears of the Kingdom appearing on PC surfaces regularly in forums and social media, but no credible source has confirmed development of a PC port. Emulation projects exist for Nintendo titles, though discussing specific emulation tools falls outside what verified sources confirm.

Bottom line: Switch owners have the official option today. Nintendo has not announced a PC version of Tears of the Kingdom.

Is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom worth playing?

Pros and cons overview

Critics frequently describe Tears of the Kingdom as the superior game in terms of gameplay, size, and creative mechanics compared to Breath of the Wild (TheGamer comparison). The game introduces new powers like Ascend that transform vertical exploration, making Hyrule feel genuinely redesigned rather than recycled.

The upshot

For players who found Breath of the Wild’s world feeling sparse in places, Tears of the Kingdom delivers a Hyrule packed with more landmarks, activities, and reasons to linger — three times more exploring and activities, according to some analyses.

Review scores and player feedback

Digitally Downloaded praised the game’s impeccable moment-to-moment gameplay, noting creative exploration and puzzles that reward curiosity (Digitally Downloaded review). GameRant specifically highlights better enemy variety, making battles more engaging than its predecessor (GameRant analysis).

Why this matters

The trade-off: Breath of the Wild succeeded at delivering a faster pace and more absorbing story, something critics note Tears of the Kingdom partially traded for sheer content volume.

Should I start with Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom?

Sequel vs predecessor differences

Tears of the Kingdom is a direct sequel starting after Breath of the Wild’s events, resetting Link’s abilities and hearts as part of its narrative setup (ZTGD review). The story expects familiarity with what came before, making the narrative experience richer if you know the original world and its characters.

Recommended play order

Most critics recommend playing Breath of the Wild first for full narrative context. That said, Tears of the Kingdom functions as a standalone experience — you won’t be completely lost if you jump in, but certain emotional beats and callbacks land harder with the predecessor under your belt.

What is the hardest Zelda game?

Tears of the Kingdom difficulty ranking

Difficulty varies significantly based on playstyle and experience with open-world games. Tears of the Kingdom offers more tools and creative solutions than its predecessor, which can make encounters more manageable despite potentially tougher enemies. GameRant notes improved enemy variety makes battles more strategically demanding (GameRant analysis).

Series comparisons

Traditional 2D Zelda titles often present tighter, more constrained challenge structures compared to the open-ended nature of Tears of the Kingdom. Players who mastered Breath of the Wild’s mechanics may find early Tears content easier due to transferred skill, while late-game content and Master Mode-style challenges push further.

Bottom line: Veterans with accumulated knowledge have more tools to handle Tears of the Kingdom than newcomers face.

Who is Link’s girlfriend?

Link and Zelda relationship

Link and Princess Zelda share a deep bond across the Zelda series, but the relationship is not officially designated as romantic in canonical storytelling. Nintendo has not portrayed them as a couple in the traditional sense, and no kiss exists in series canon (ScreenRant analysis).

Canon partners in series

The Zelda series has never confirmed an official romantic partner for Link. Community discussions around LGBTQ representation in the franchise remain active, but Nintendo’s official narrative treats Link and Zelda’s connection as partnership and destiny rather than romance.

What to watch

Nintendo’s storytelling has evolved across titles, and fan interpretations often exceed what official lore confirms. Whether the studio ever addresses relationships directly remains uncertain.

Tears of the Kingdom vs Breath of the Wild: Side-by-side comparison

Three comparisons stand out when measuring these two titles against each other: content volume, performance on newer hardware, and design philosophy.

Aspect Tears of the Kingdom Breath of the Wild
Optional quests 199 total (139 side quests + 60 side adventures) 90 side quests
Switch 2 performance 60 FPS at 4K docked, 1080p portable 60 FPS at 4K docked
Development time Six years Five years
World scope Hyrule plus skies and depths Hyrule surface only
Enemy variety Significantly improved More limited roster

The implication: Tears of the Kingdom packs significantly more content into the same world structure, though the original game delivers tighter pacing narratively.

The catch

Breath of the Wild succeeds at delivering a faster pace and more absorbing story — something critics note Tears of the Kingdom traded for sheer content volume and mechanical depth. If you’re interested in learning more about the technical aspects of these games, you can find a detailed comparison at ${sonderfokus.de}. sonderfokus.de

Technical specifications

Two hardware tiers now run both games, with notable performance differences on Switch 2 hardware.

Specification Original Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Frame rate (docked) Varies, typically below 30 FPS in demanding areas 60 FPS at 4K
Resolution (portable) 720p or lower 1080p
Draw distance Standard for original Switch Improved draw distance and fluidity
Save file slots Single slot per game Supports second save file slot

What this means: Switch 2 owners get a markedly smoother experience, with Tears of the Kingdom benefiting more from the hardware jump due to its expanded world scope.

Upsides

  • 199 optional quests compared to Breath of the Wild’s 90
  • Improved vertical exploration via Ascend ability
  • More landmarks and activities per square mile of Hyrule
  • Better enemy variety keeping combat fresh
  • Dense content packing versus predecessor’s simpler experience

Downsides

  • Slower narrative pace than Breath of the Wild
  • Narrative progression sometimes disconnects from open gameplay
  • Original Switch hardware struggles with frame rate consistency
  • Switch exclusivity limits potential player base

To put it simply, this sequel is the better game in terms of gameplay, size, and creative mechanics.

— TheGamer reviewer on comparing the two titles

Skydiving at 60fps and 4K is a jaw-dropping experience.

— Niche Gamer reviewer on Switch 2 performance

For Switch owners on the fence, the verdict leans clearly toward picking up Tears of the Kingdom if you enjoyed the first game. The Nintendo EPD team built a sequel that refines nearly everything its predecessor started, adding enough content to justify the adventure even for veterans who thought they’d seen everything Breath of the Wild had to offer.

Related reading: Honkai Star Rail Characters – Complete List and Tier List · Marvel Rivals Patch Notes – Latest Changes and History

Additional sources

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When weighing Tears of the Kingdom against Breath of the Wild on Switch, the shrines Koroks completion guide provides key strategies for mastering shrines and Koroks.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom release date?

Tears of the Kingdom launched on May 12, 2023, exclusively for Nintendo Switch.

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom system requirements?

The only official platform is Nintendo Switch. For PC speculation, no confirmed system requirements exist since no PC version has been announced.

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom price?

MSRP for the Switch version is $69.99.

Is there any LGBTQ representation in Zelda?

Nintendo has not officially addressed LGBTQ representation in the Zelda series. Fan discussions exist, but no canonical confirmation exists from the developer.

What is the most sad Zelda game?

Some players consider Breath of the Wild more emotionally resonant for its melancholy tone and peaceful adventure atmosphere, though subjective interpretation varies widely.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom PC?

No PC version of Tears of the Kingdom has been officially announced by Nintendo. Community speculation continues, but verified sources confirm only Switch availability.