New The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Gameplay Rides Out

At today's Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom new gameplay!

[Kaii]

Let's say something controversial, lack of tech leap In Switch hardware does not justify spending £70 on something that'll probably run at 900p 30fps. (On top of Nintendo's severe lack Of price reductions on owned IP)

Now to put up this riot shield and walk away :p

[NecrumOddBoy]

Is this literally $70 Darkworld DLC? Because that is what it looks like. This looks very last gen to be honest. Doesn’t look at all different from BOTW, 5 years ago,

[-Foxtrot]

Yeah but like how reviewers would easily take a criticism like this and expand on it within one of their reviews, they'll not do this for this because it would be suicide.

[EvertonFC]

Don't most switch games look last gen ?

[roadkillers]

Let’s say something controversial, fps and resolution does not affect gameplay story.
(On top of every other company putting out less quality products at the $70 mark). There are games that people will still play that are not HD and probably didn’t hit 30fps

Our hobby is expensive, fact. Probably the cheapest in terms of content and owning the medium. You can purchase a 3hr movie (if that) for $25 bucks. Or you can purchase this 100hr game for $70. Pick your poison.

[IanTH]

Would you be OK with it if they did this when BotW released? Cuz that's kinda what this feels like.

It would be akin to Sony (et al) in the PS3 era raising their prices mid-generation to $70 for no reason. Things haven't improved, tech wise, to require more man-power. If Nintendo released a Switch 2 and this was $70 there as an enhanced version, no one would blink.

It is - even in the face of abundant profits at these massive companies - just the way things are now. But what changed between BotW & TotK? Aside from "the other guys" doing it, nothing. At least w/the new generation a case could kind of be made. This feels like Nintendo is doing it to appease shareholders more than anything else.

People will still buy it. It is one of the few games I've got to look forward to on the Switch (they haven't really appealed much to me this gen), so I'll even be one of them. But I still don't think people should be expected to take it with a smile on their face.

[roadkillers]

@Ian
Your first question isn’t apples to apples since BotW released on WiiU and Switch. If they did it for the Switch version then yes.

I understand that you want more tech to show the price jump… there is extra manpower that went into this game to create. GTA4 was priced the same as GTA5, but the difference between the two games initially was GTA4 had hundreds of people who worked on it and GTA5 had thousands. The budget was drastically different and I’m guessing the similar is for TotK (although different scale).

I’m sure there are huge changes that are being overlooked. BotW was on WiiU as well, which was technically less powerful than the Switch. So I’d like to argue that it will be more technically advanced.

I think it’s not Nintendo following shareholders, but more as Nintendo following trends. They seem to follow very few trends except ones that increase their bottom line (which yes, would appease shareholders as well). To me, it’s a horse a piece. The “original” came out 5 years ago. Do you believe that people’s wages have gone up since then? In those 5 years, wages have gone up on average $10,000 per person.

As a gamer, the only downside of Nintendo in my opinion is like what Kaii stated, the games do not drop in price. As a frugal guy who generally waits for price to drop, it sucks. Again, that’s because people who own this console just don’t wait

[jwillj2k4]

Would you pay $100 for this game? I’m honestly curious where you’d draw the line.

[Neonridr]

that's not controversial, that's simply stating facts.

[roadkillers]

Jwill - It depends how much I enjoy the game and how long. Mario Odyssey I would be okay at $100. Kirby feels more like a $40 for me. Legend of Zelda BotW I would pay around $50. I test the games before buying (willing to return ones that don’t hit right for me).

Generally tho, I won’t pay that much because there are so many games I’ve missed rn

[CDbiggen]

Saying something against Nintendo on here is not, and will never be, controversial. That said, as a Switch owner I agree, we desperately need that upgrade.

[gleepot]

So you'll only pay 70 bucks for something that is high on specs?

I'll pay 70 for this masterpieces gladly.

[Dirty_Lemons]

I loved BOTW (decades old Nintendo fan who SOMEHOW never got into Zelda until BOTW) and I'm super excited for TOTK but I still agree with you absolutely.

It doesn't bother me at all it's 1080p, we have all known Nintendo beats to their own tech drum, and £60 is better than £70 but it's still frustrating we never, ever get genuine Nintendo price drops for games. At least they hold their value better than most releases.

[SoloGamer1]

couldnt agree MORE!

[Neonridr]

I didn't know resolution dictated how fun a game was. You'd think a game like Gravity Rush was loved by all, but I guess it's garbage because it looked like a PS1 game.

[cooperdnizzle]

Gravity rush did not look like a ps1 game…

[Neonridr]

@cooperdnizzle - it also wasn't 4K @ 120fps either. People are so worried about whether a game is 4k, 1080p or even 900p and ignore whether or not the game is any good.

[-Foxtrot]

I'm more curious to see how they are handling the map

Will it be the same map or a new area

If it's the same map, sure you've got the Sky areas and obviously stuff that have most likely fell / risen below on the ground to make it look sort of different but if they just reuse a map, with five years of development, I'll just be curious to see if they get away with it because if ANY big AAA game had this much development for a sequel and featured roughly the same graphics, frame rate, resolution and the same map with changes here and there they would be rippled apart.

[GoodGuy09]

Confirmed to be $70 for standard....on terribly old hardware. Nintendo being sneaky sneaky lol.

I have to buy it though, we've waited 6 years for a new 3D zelda. It'll still sell like hotcakes and Nintendo knows. They'll do the same as well with new Mario, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing etc. Nintendo fans are the most dedicated to first party.

[RpgSama]

Sony and then MS + other publishers used the jump to a new generation and how games need to be bigger for the increase in price, I guess Nintendo just likes free extra money, because there is really no excuse for them to do this on 15 years old hardware.

[Asplundh]

"Sony and then MS + other publishers used the jump to a new generation and how games need to be bigger for the increase in price"

*looks at the $70 TLOU & Demon Souls remake*
*Rolls eyes*

[RpgSama]

@Asplundh

You can make the case they were cash grabs (specially TLOU part I) but at least they are current gen remakes, Metroid Prime, Nintendo is releasing in 2023 PS3 / early PS4 games for $70

[Neonridr]

TLOU on PS5 says hello..

[shammgod]

Hype!

[XxINFERNUSxX]

Well where is the collector's edition to preorder? 😑 No links up anywhere just the standard edition.

[AzubuFrost]

Don't get your hopes up. Scalpers and their bots will autopurchase the collectors edition while leaving nothing for the normal consumers.

[XxINFERNUSxX]

Well shit, oh well. 😕 The fault is mostly on Nintendo, where they don't make enough. They should make 2-3x the amount because they know it will sell.

[-Foxtrot]

If it makes you feel better you have a better chance getting it as it won't be a Nintendo Store exclusive.

[IanTH]

FWIW, it's gonna be $130. When I saw it in the Direct, I assumed it would be $99.99 like FE: Engage CE was. It's gonna be $130, which is honestly more than I'm willing to pay for it. Include some kind of season pass, perhaps, but $130 for the few trinkets in there? No shade for those that do find it worthwhile, but I was at least personally put off by it.

[XxINFERNUSxX]

On second thought after seeing the listing on best buy, I'm not spending $130🤣 The game is $70 and the other crap actually adds up to $60 for a book and some pins that are made in China, nah I'm good.

[-Foxtrot]

The sad thing is Nintendo could make some amazing, high quality collectors editions packed with goodies but they just put the lowest amount of effort into them.

The badges / pin seem like something Nintendo would have just put on their store generally after the games release.

You could have had a statue of Link/Zelda and a really cool replica from the game of something ON TOP of what's being offered, even throw in a soundtrack.

Nintendo have made some really nice things for Club Nintendo over the years, I wish the same could be said for their "collectors" edition. To me this is more like a Limited Edition if anything.

[ocelot07]

Silly question am no Zelda fan but did enjoy botw. Is this a sequel to botw?

[Brazz]

yes

[badz149]

LOL forget the PS4, this looks like something that can run on the PS3!

[Elda]

I just saw on the Gamestop site that the game is $70 which will run at resolutions no higher than 720p/900p @30fps on the Switch. Nintendo is being fierce & greedy knowing the game is not running on current tech in UHD resolutions or 60fps, but I know the fans are going to buy it regardless.

[Imalwaysright]

No more greedy than any other publisher charging €70 for a game. BoTW not running on current tech doesn't change the fact that it puts most open world games to absolute shame in terms attention to detail, interactivity and physics and I have no doubt that this one won't be any different so I'm wondering why and how is it that games that are released on far more powerful hardware can't accomplish what Nintendo accomplished with BoTW? BTW it took 5 years and more than 300 people to make BoTW + 100 people from other studios to help in the final stages of the development so that was a bona fide AAA game and this one will be as well so even if the €70 price tag is greedy for this game, the same is true for any other game with a €70 price tag.

[cthulhucultist]

While I do criticise Nintendo for their pricing policy (rare sales, not all first party discounted at one, only 30% percent discount etc), I do believe that you are absolutely right.

I have been gaming since gameboy and I can say that Nintendo Games have a standard of quality, much more so with Zelda.

Zelda games are very well thought off. The design, the details, the encounter mechanics are all top notch.

BoTW (as was already mentioned by others) was a huge project that took many years to develop and it enlisted the help of Monolith.

The attention to detail is evident throughout your playthrough.

Just watch this video to appreciate the fine details behind this masterpiece.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

I remember an N4G article about the inclusion of ants on trees in horizon zero dawn which grabbed the attention of players, praising the attention to detail.

Zelda is really on another level altogether and this attention to detail does not come cheap.

Naturally I dont support the price increase. But to say that the game is cheaper to develop because of its graphics, its an understatement.

[Destiny1080]

we all know its going to be the greatest game ever made, but that 70 dollar price tag makes it a hard pass from me

[Doge]

After all that capping you did for TLOU Part 1? Now a $70 price tag makes it a hard pass? Lmfao nah son 💀💀💀

[jznrpg]

Looks just like the first game

[XxINFERNUSxX]

Collector's Edition on Best Buy's page still says coming soon.

[CrimsonWing69]

I find it hilarious that now all of a sudden people have an issue with $70 games. Hello, Modern Warfare 2 did this on PS4. This whole next-gen tax is a huge fu**ing joke! Funny how PC games don’t get the $70 price. Don’t believe me? Look up Last of Us Part 1 on Steam or Dead Space Remake.

[Elda]

MW2 on PS4 is $70 due to the fact that there are 2 versions of the game. Which are the PS4 & the PS5 versions.

[CrimsonWing69]

That makes 0 sense. What of all the other $60 versions of last-gen cross-gen titles?

Hell, how do you explain the Steam prices of next-Gen only games?

[stupidusername]

I’m sure some have a problem with the price. But there’s also a ton of people who were really bothered by the praise Botw got. So whenever Zelda is mentioned here on N4G the same commenters shows up to criticize it. If they are really bothered by the 70 price tag knowing that many of them buy PS exclusives at the same price I’m not sure of. Many just want to criticize Zelda.

[CrimsonWing69]

I personally think what rubs people the wrong way is the principle of unnecessary price hike.

[Elda]

It makes sense knowing it includes a current-gen version, AAA current-gen games are $70. Again...PS4 MW2 has 2 versions...last-gen & current-gen versions for $70.

[CrimsonWing69]

No it doesn’t.

No other game that gave you the next-gen version upgrade was $10 more.

How do you explain Horizon Forbidden West? Tiny Tina’s Wonderland? And any of the others.

It’s even more baffling now because we were told it was so necessary for development cost of current-gen games but now you have Nintendo cherry picking who gets a price hike?

[kainslayer]

hopefully will run like a dream on pc after a month from its release....what i saw doesent equate to 70$ nintendo shut up

[Junkrad2022]

FK this shit, this game has no business being sold for 70$ with 10 year old tech, will pirate it day 0

[Good-Smurf]

I don't want to sound a bit negative but man this looks just like the last game.
Really shows that even Nintendo themselves are struggling to get much out of Switch.
They desperately needs an upgrade.

[gold_drake]

i mean sure but it feel like dlc more than anything right?

it looks the same as all these years before with breath of the wild. im not sure that a 70 quid price tag justifies a purches for me personally.

but i know it will sell millions, because fans of Nintendo never or rarely criticise them for their games. and how it looks

[TheTony316]

$70 for a Switch game.

[badz149]

Nintendo execs are already drooling at the HQ

[SoloGamer1]

is it just me, or does it look extremely the same as BOTW except for the sky sections...? like it couldve been DLC....and for $70?! Why?! just sayin...

[Flawlessmic]

Meh I'll wait for it's launch on the inevitable switch 2.

I'm so done with my switch, and it's outdated technology, refuse to give Nintendo so any.ore of my money until they stop milking the switch and nintendo fans

[Jinjojuice49]

I can remember paying £65 for conkers bad fur day on n64 when it first released.. Import.. But game prices have been about the same for years, eventually they're going to increase it's inevitable.. Plus games and gaming is a luxury not an essential purchase..

[darksky]

That looks the same as the first game. All they seem to have done is create a new story but used the exact same game code and assets.

[anast]

Looks like a reuse job, but it will sell millions.