"The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom": New gameplay and new Nintendo Switch design unveiled

Domagoj Belancic

28.3.2023

Translation: machine translated

Nintendo finally shows new gameplay footage of "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom". It's quite something. A Nintendo Switch in the "Tears of the Kingdom" design was also announced.

So far, Nintendo has held back with information on "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom". Since the official announcement at E3 2019, there have only been two teasers and two trailers with short gameplay snippets.

Nearly six weeks before launch, Nintendo is serving hungry fans a tasty morsel. "Zelda" producer Eiji Aonuma presents numerous new features and gameplay elements from the game in a ten-minute video. He also confirms that development of the game is complete. So nothing stands in the way of the launch on 12 May.

Video games

CHF56.–

Nintendo The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED, DE, IT, FR, EN

1061

This is particularly striking

In contrast to the previously released trailers, the video with Eiji Aonuma shows real, uncut gameplay. Many previously hinted at gameplay elements and new features are presented in detail in the video

Five points stand out to me in particular.

"Tears of the Kingdom" is huge

Hyrule has changed a lot since Link's adventures in "Breath of the Wild". Even if you know the predecessor well, you will find many surprises and changes on the updated map, according to Aonuma.

New are the "Sky Islands", which float above the kingdom of Hyrule. The flying rocks expand the map and offer completely new locations and enemies. The flora and fauna of the islands also differ significantly from Hyrule.

You can jump down from the floating islands at any time. There are no loading times. Jumping down gives you a sense of how huge the world in Tears of the Kingdom really is. I hope that the aging Switch hardware can cope with such a huge game world. In any case, there are no frame rate drops or stutters to be seen in the video.

Turning back time made easy

Link can reach the "Sky Islands" with his new "Recall" ability. He uses this power to turn back the time of certain game objects. Huge boulders keep falling from the sky. In the video, Link climbs onto one of these boulders and activates the "Recall" ability. The rock is transported back to the sky together with Link.

It is not yet known whether other objects can also be manipulated with the new ability. However, past trailers have already hinted that Link will also use the ability in battle.

The "Fuse" ability is a real game changer

In "Tears of the Kingdom", Link is no longer reliant on ready-made weapons. With the new "Fuse" ability, he combines various objects to create new weapons. In the video, Link uses a tree branch and a rock to make a hammer.

Not only objects, but also weapons can be fused together. In the video, Link makes a long weapon from a pitchfork and a baton.

Arrows can also be combined with various objects. Link combines a monster eyeball with an arrow. The result: He only shoots approximately in the direction of the target and the arrow automatically follows it.

The "Fuse" ability is also useful in defence. Link combines an exploding mushroom with his shield. If an opponent attacks him, the mushroom explodes and a thick cloud of smoke is created. Link can reposition himself, sneak up and defeat the enemy in one fell swoop.

The new ability is a real game changer and a perfect complement to the physics-based sandbox gameplay of its predecessor. As I watch, dozens of crazy combinations spontaneously pop into my head.

Can I combine a sword with a red Chuchu-Jelly and make a flaming sword? What happens if I stick a bomb to my weapon? Can I fly if I cross monster wings with my shield? The possible combinations are almost endless.

And yes, the weapons in "Tears of the Kingdom" also break with increasing use. Thanks to the new combination options, this limitation will restrict you less than in its predecessor. Your hammer is broken? No problem, make yourself a new one. Or invent a completely new weapon.

Build your own vehicle

With the "Ultrahand", Link can also build vehicles. In the video, he puts together a boat. It consists of three tree trunks and two fans. Link will also build cars and aeroplanes in the course of his adventure. The numerous vehicles have already been hinted at in previous trailers.

Clever players have already put together crazy vehicles in "Breath of the Wild" using the available objects and abilities, even though this was not officially possible. I can't wait to see what wacky vehicles the "Zelda" community will create with the new tools.

By the way, Link no longer controls the Ultra Hand ability and other powers with the Sheika Stone. Instead, he uses his right hand. Why Link has these abilities and why his arm is completely black is still unknown.

Link can jump through the ceiling

Another new ability is "Ascend". This allows Link to jump through ceilings and roofs. The ability can be used on almost all ceilings. In the video, Link jumps through a metre-high cave ceiling and emerges unscathed at the top of a hill. This ability has also been hinted at in previous trailers. Link no longer has to climb up walls to get to the top of mountains or high buildings.

"Ascend" is a nice addition to Link's repertoire of moves. It makes the blonde hero more agile and flexible than ever before. With such a huge open world, I'm glad for every new transport ability.

New and familiar creatures

The gameplay presentation also featured some new enemies. On the "Sky Islands", Link fights against so-called "Constructs". They are visually reminiscent of the Guardians from "Breath of the Wild".

A giant dragon can be seen in the distance at two points in the video. It is not yet known whether these are the snake-like creatures from "Breath of the Wild".

Also new is a bat-like figure that appears to be transporting a Bokoblin. The flying creature can be seen in the sky above Hyrule.

Surprise before the launch

Somewhat surprisingly, Nintendo announces a new Switch OLED model in the "Tears of the Kingdom" design at the end of the video. The console should be available before the launch of the game on 28 April.

Game consoles

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Used

CHF699.– currently CHF938.– new

Nintendo Switch - OLED Model The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition - ML

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In addition, there is also a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and a Switch carrying case, which will be available at the launch of the game.

Additional gaming accessories

Used

CHF119.–

Nintendo Carrying Case + Screen Protector - Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition

Switch

27

Are you looking forward to the new "Zelda" game? Which ability from the video impressed you the most?

To tide you over until the release, you can watch the old teasers and trailers again here.

Domagoj Belancic

Senior Editor

Domagoj.Belancic@digitecgalaxus.ch

My love of video games was unleashed at the tender age of five by the original Gameboy. Over the years, it's grown in leaps and bounds.

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