The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom returns to Hyrule with new ways to overcome its obstacles. Build vehicles from Zonai Devices, fuse materials to weapons, pass through ceilings and reverse an object’s movement. Sky islands wait above you, while the dangerous Depths stretch beneath the surface.
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch; a separate Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is also available |
|---|---|
| Original release | May 12, 2023 |
| Genre | Open-world action-adventure |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Players | 1 |
| German age rating | USK 12 |
Three layers of Hyrule
Following the events of Breath of the Wild, another disaster changes the kingdom. Zelda disappears and Link gains a transformed right arm. His search takes him to the Zonai, Hyrule’s different peoples and the source of the new threat. Many objectives can be tackled in your own order, although preparation helps you avoid unnecessary detours.
The surface has new caves, changed settlements and additional quests. Sky islands provide compact puzzles and starting points for long glides. In the Depths, darkness and gloom make exploration dangerous. Discoveries on one layer can help you find your way on another.
Ultrahand, Fuse, Ascend and Recall
Ultrahand lets you move and attach objects. Planks, wheels and Zonai Devices can become a bridge, boat or vehicle. Fuse attaches materials to weapons, shields and arrows, giving familiar equipment new effects against enemies or environmental obstacles.
Ascend opens shortcuts through suitable surfaces above Link. Recall sends an object back along its previous path. Combine these abilities to find your own answer to a puzzle.
Shrines, temples and collectibles
Tears of the Kingdom has 152 shrines. Their rewards let you increase your hearts or stamina, while their puzzles teach practical uses for Link’s abilities. The main regional quests lead to distinct temples. Between them, you will find Side Adventures, Side Quests, equipment and many smaller discoveries.
Our Tears of the Kingdom walkthrough brings together the main route and regional guides, with separate sections for shrines, quests and collectibles.
Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
The original Nintendo Switch release arrived in 2023. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, released on June 5, 2025, adds higher resolution, improved frame rates, faster loading, HDR support and compatibility with ZELDA NOTES in the Nintendo Switch App. It also offers a second save slot. The world and core puzzle solutions remain part of the same adventure.
If you already own the Switch game, an upgrade pack provides access to the Switch 2 Edition. Check which edition you are playing when comparing technical features.
For a different style of battle with Link, Zelda and the Champions, visit Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.
Our review
Our review explores the freedom of building, the return to familiar places and the vast Depths, including where the adventure’s tasks begin to repeat. Read our Tears of the Kingdom review (German).