Pre-Release The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Pre-Release Discussion Thread

[lucapfstr]

Putting that aside, it’s tinfoil hat time.

I can’t find any prior mention of an ESRB rating for Breath of the Wild before Jan 13, which of course is when it got its trailer at the switch event. Given this, it may be unlikely we see anything from TotK in January as if they had an event or trailer they’d drop the rating then.

Alternatively, we have recent examples from Nintendo. On April 7 2022, Splatoon 3 got its ESRB rating. 15 days later, a ‘release date’ trailer dropped. Although this trailer came out in April likely because of E3’s cancellation and Nintendo’s decision not to hold a Direct in June, perhaps we should look out for something more from TotK in the coming weeks

 

[LukasManak22]

Putting that aside, it’s tinfoil hat time.

I can’t find any prior mention of an ESRB rating for Breath of the Wild before Jan 13, which of course is when it got its trailer at the switch event. Given this, it may be unlikely we see anything from TotK in January as if they had an event or trailer they’d drop the rating then.

Alternatively, we have recent examples from Nintendo. On April 7 2022, Splatoon 3 got its ESRB rating. 15 days later, a ‘release date’ trailer dropped. Although this trailer came out in April likely because of E3’s cancellation and Nintendo’s decision not to hold a Direct in June, perhaps we should look out for something more from TotK in the coming weeks

Splatoon 3 have been actually rated around August 6th, way after release date trailer. It was around the time when Splatoon 3 Direct was in coming days. I don't think these are indications to anything, if we see something ToTK in January it will probably be after January 20th when Fire Emblem is out, which as that point would be better to leave it to early February Direct which would feature Zelda either way.

 

[Awesomegames23]

Putting that aside, it’s tinfoil hat time.

I can’t find any prior mention of an ESRB rating for Breath of the Wild before Jan 13, which of course is when it got its trailer at the switch event. Given this, it may be unlikely we see anything from TotK in January as if they had an event or trailer they’d drop the rating then.

Alternatively, we have recent examples from Nintendo. On April 7 2022, Splatoon 3 got its ESRB rating. 15 days later, a ‘release date’ trailer dropped. Although this trailer came out in April likely because of E3’s cancellation and Nintendo’s decision not to hold a Direct in June, perhaps we should look out for something more from TotK in the coming weeks

I’m not sure if we can extrapolate anything meaningful from the ESRB rating. This game is close enough to release that Nintendo could drop any kind of news at any time. Obviously people are eyeing the February Direct, but I believe gameplay, a trailer, or whatever could be dropped whenever Nintendo pleases.

Edit: Lukas shared a similar view, but I wrote this before I saw his comment.

 

[lucapfstr]

Splatoon 3 have been actually rated around August 6th, way after release date trailer. It was around the time when Splatoon 3 Direct was in coming days. I don't think these are indications to anything, if we see something ToTK in January it will probably be after January 20th when Fire Emblem is out, which as that point would be better to leave it to early February Direct which would feature Zelda either way.

I’m just referring to the game ‘getting’ a rating on its store page or official site. Of course, the full ESRB rating + description comes later, that hasn’t happened yet for TotK either. I believe BotW got its rating on Jan 13 but the full ESRB posting and description came in late February.

 

[lucapfstr]

Clearly Splatoon 3 got the release date trailer soon after receiving its rating (meaning it was almost ready for release) because E3 wasn’t happening and Nintendo decided against a full June Direct. Since the circumstances are different, I agree we shouldn’t expect them to show anything next month unless it’s a little bit due to a hardware reveal

 

[Awesomegames23]

I’ve convinced myself that Guardians have been used between BoTW and TotK to help rebuild Hyrule. If you cut off 2 of the 6 legs a guardian has, it can still walk away. So Guardians can definitely carry large pieces of wood or stone and still walk from place to place.

 

[Pavolink]

So, we don’t have a full reveal trailer, only 3 teasers, but, we already know the exact release date announced in a teaser 8 months prior to launch.

I will call this sus. Or at least can’t remember the last time this happened for a big Nintendo game.

 

[Yavga]

There's something going on but I feel like it can only be something positive in the end, might be a thing with the timing they're aiming for.

Whether they would like to obtain certain benefits with the games' marketing during an event or wait for a semi crossgen release is up in the air but I suppose we've barely scratched the surface on this game and that is an understatement.

 

[Tbone5189]

So, we don’t have a full reveal trailer, only 3 teasers, but, we already know the exact release date announced in a teaser 8 months prior to launch.

I will call this sus. Or at least can’t remember the last time this happened for a big Nintendo game.

Nsw life cycle doesn't follow patterns.

 

[karmitt]

So, we don’t have a full reveal trailer, only 3 teasers, but, we already know the exact release date announced in a teaser 8 months prior to launch.

I will call this sus. Or at least can’t remember the last time this happened for a big Nintendo game.

I can only say it’s causing irrational excitement and expectations on my part. We’re so close to the sequel of my favorite game of all time releasing with no choice but to be largely in the dark on it.

 

[Meelow]

Well, that title isn't clickbait...

 

[Awesomegames23]

Well, that title isn't clickbait...

It's the extended E3 footage Lucas shared over a week ago that people are just starting to discover it, the footage was threadmarked in this thread.

Not directed at you Meelow, but in case anyone was wondering, this is actually kind of relatively old footage, search my username (Awesomegames23) and then type in "extended footage" in the FamiBoards search icon, scroll down to the bottom comment and people can see that we knew about this extra ~5 seconds of footage at least 1 year ago, and Lukas or someone else mightve shared this footage sooner.

His video title is definitely pure clickbait. Nobody dug through code to get the extended footage like he said either. Also, the footage is a nothing burger, just something we noticed and jotted down.

In other news, I don't think the sky islands are sections of the underground and overworld that have risen up. In the TotK cover art there's an island made of light grey stones (look a bit to the left of Link, the islands is a bit in the background). The island itself has lots of 90° angles, so the island itself was carved/made out of stone. It also has an open stretch/patch that's in the shape of a rectangle. Maybe the stone eagle has a runway or something.

 

[BY2K]

Those "extended" footage show absolutely nothing new. It's just a 1 second or 2 of Link either running or falling.

 

[LukasManak22]

Those "extended" footage show absolutely nothing new. It's just a 1 second or 2 of Link either running or falling.

of course it isn't but it's kinda funny to me that someone made the video out of it lol

 

[manfromthedam]

I'm wondering if the communication around this game will make sense in the end (i.e. tied to a Drake reveal), or if it's a Splatoon 3 situation: snippets here and there, long periods of silence, delays, an underwhelming game-specific Direct just before launch... and the game selling gangbusters and reviewing fine on release anyway.

Makes me think that creators with Nintendo's profile aren't beholden to standard video game marketing practice =P .

 

[mazi]

i think nintendo's marketing has been effective so far. they've created an insane amount of hype already (which to be fair, they didn't have to try that hard for). all they need is one big proper trailer in feb/march and the game is ready for release.

 

[switchum]

I predict a TotK-dedicated Direct in January. I’d be surprised if they save it until February’s Direct because then it will share the limelight with other titles. I feel as though Nintendo will want a full blowout focused specifically on TotK, so all eyes are on that game.

 

[LukasManak22]

I predict a TotK-dedicated Direct in January. I’d be surprised if they save it until February’s Direct because then it will share the limelight with other titles. I feel as though Nintendo will want a full blowout focused specifically on TotK, so all eyes are on that game.

They will not do it before FE is out, so maybe in late January which at that point is already the same in early February. Also I don't think we are getting a Direct for this game ever, Treehouse gameplay is much more fitting.

 

[hk-rara]

I predict a TotK-dedicated Direct in January. I’d be surprised if they save it until February’s Direct because then it will share the limelight with other titles. I feel as though Nintendo will want a full blowout focused specifically on TotK, so all eyes are on that game.

I think if that is truly the case (that they don't want it in the February Direct to not overshadow other titles), I would assume that they actually do a zelda direct some time afterwards and announce that they will have one during the direct. Think of how that Animal Crossing direct that ended up having the Happy Home designer dlc announced was noted in the September direct as something upcoming and to stay tuned. I could see a similar message play and have the zelda direct maybe about a month or so after the February Direct. If the zelda trailer isn't in the February Direct, I would assume this would be the course of action rather than have it earlier. If a zelda direct comes before, there will be way less eyes on the February Direct and I don't think Nintendo likes that idea lol

Edit: I also don't necessarily believe we will get a specific direct either, but you never know.

 

[Soralink91]

Hopefully after Fire Emblem comes out Tears of the Kingdom starts getting the focus. When do we think the press will be able to play and get impressions? Not having an E3 makes this marketing cycle much weirder.

 

[kimbo99]

I predict a TotK-dedicated Direct in January. I’d be surprised if they save it until February’s Direct because then it will share the limelight with other titles. I feel as though Nintendo will want a full blowout focused specifically on TotK, so all eyes are on that game.

FE needs room to breathe my brother!

 

[Suswave]

I will call this sus. Or at least can’t remember the last time this happened for a big Nintendo game.

can I recommend you do so three times in front of a mirror at night?

no reason, don’t worry about it

 

[DrDave]

FE needs room to breathe my brother!

Exactly. I think we’ll see a direct at least 2 weeks after FE and 2-3 weeks before Kirby. Also, it’s not impossible that they hold on to Zelda info until a later event, in March for example. I don’t see a possibility where we go into April without substantial info on TotK however.

 

[SirShorse]

Exactly. I think we’ll see a direct at least 2 weeks after FE and 2-3 weeks before Kirby. Also, it’s not impossible that they hold on to Zelda info until a later event, in March for example. I don’t see a possibility where we go into April without substantial info on TotK however.

If there's a February Direct (which there probably will) I can't see any scenario where they skip out on more Zelda info in said Direct, unless they announce a separate event, like the Animal Crossing Direct or Sora Smash Presentation in the September 2021 Direct.

 

[Vash]

the one thing im very excited for in this game is to see how the NPCs have adapted to the new world. I hope there are NPCs on the sky islands. I would assume there are.

 

[Serif]

I want to see the Zoooonaiiiiii

 

[Meelow]

It's the extended E3 footage Lucas shared over a week ago that people are just starting to discover it, the footage was threadmarked in this thread.

Not directed at you Meelow, but in case anyone was wondering, this is actually kind of relatively old footage, search my username (Awesomegames23) and then type in "extended footage" in the FamiBoards search icon, scroll down to the bottom comment and people can see that we knew about this extra ~5 seconds of footage at least 1 year ago, and Lukas or someone else mightve shared this footage sooner.

His video title is definitely pure clickbait. Nobody dug through code to get the extended footage like he said either. Also, the footage is a nothing burger, just something we noticed and jotted down.

In other news, I don't think the sky islands are sections of the underground and overworld that have risen up. In the TotK cover art there's an island made of light grey stones (look a bit to the left of Link, the islands is a bit in the background). The island itself has lots of 90° angles, so the island itself was carved/made out of stone. It also has an open stretch/patch that's in the shape of a rectangle. Maybe the stone eagle has a runway or something.

Lmao, anyone that video edits would understand that doesn't make any sense haha.

 

[Yavga]

I want to see the Zoooonaiiiiii

I love Zelda and its convoluted timeline as much as the next person draining Youtube dry of fan-theories thanks to Zeltik and the rest of the gang but somehow to me the Zonai feel like the lamest thing the game can offer me in terms of what else could happen

 

[Awesomegames23]

Anyone else notice that the Zonai warriors/people depicted in the last trailer are holding their swords up like Toon Link in the WW prophecy? Not suggesting anything, my brain just notices weird stuff.

 

[Meelow]

Anyone else notice that the Zonai warriors/people depicted in the last trailer are holding their swords up like Toon Link in the WW prophecy? Not suggesting anything, my brain just notices weird stuff.

Fan theory...Toon Link is the original zonai, in fact the whole crew from Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass formed into the zonai.

 

[TreIII]

I love Zelda and its convoluted timeline as much as the next person draining Youtube dry of fan-theories thanks to Zeltik and the rest of the gang but somehow to me the Zonai feel like the lamest thing the game can offer me in terms of what else could happen

For me, it's basically just the idea of seeing what they could do with another possible tribe of people that are another part of Hyrule's legacy.

After all, once you go through the trouble of establishing another tribe, and whatever their contributions are/were to Hyrule...what then? Are some remnants of them still living? Do you bother finding a way to keep them around in some way, to join the series' proper like the Zora, Gorons, Kokiri/Koroks, Rito and Sheikah did, ages prior? Do you bother explaining where the hell they were at other points in Hyrule's History?

Answer that, along with what it means for Link/me in the here and now, and maybe I'll be satisfied~!

 

[Awesomegames23]

Nintendo must've just chucked "most anticipated game" banner on the TotK cover art.

These are prime, drip TotK developments.

EDIT: Nintendo updated the page a little over 3 hours ago, and they attached banners to all their games that won a Game Award.

The Legend of Zelda™: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site

Buy The Legend of Zelda™: Tears of the Kingdom and shop other great Nintendo products online at the official My Nintendo Store Canada.

www.nintendo.com

 

[Magic-Man]

These are prime, drip TotK developments.

The Legend of Zelda™: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site

Buy The Legend of Zelda™: Tears of the Kingdom and shop other great Nintendo products online at the official My Nintendo Store Canada.

www.nintendo.com

Not Prime, Zelda. Samus isn't in this smh

 

[Awesomegames23]

Not Prime, Zelda. Samus isn't in this smh

I thought I could write prime because I shared the Link

 

[BY2K]

The game's official website now got updated with the ESRB rating.

 

[SMALLVILLE BOY]

It also got the privacy certified.

 

[Jencks]

I don't think that's the official cover art. Next trailer it will be updated I bet

 

[Awesomegames23]

The game's official website now got updated with the ESRB rating.

It also got the privacy certified.

YouTubers and Gaming news outlets are feasting.

 

[Serif]

I am overthinking this.

This design pattern on the website:

Reminds me of:

 

[Awesomegames23]

I am overthinking this.

This design pattern on the website:

Reminds me of:

I'm pretty sure that's what it is. I think the squiggly lines represent a river/stream and the circles represent ripples.

 

[Awesomegames23]

The Nintendo UK website has an option where you can register your interest for TotK. I don't know of this option is available for other countries. This actually seems worthwhile to me if it's available in your country. Simply because it MAY help you secure a copy of a limited edition version of TotK (they will inevitably have one or 2 limited edition TotK sets) if they notify you by email before they announce on twitter.

You can also register your interest in MP4 lol.

Register Your Interest | My Nintendo Store

Register your interest to receive updates or news on upcoming games

store.nintendo.co.uk

 

[ReyVGM]

The Nintendo UK website has an option where you can register your interest for TotK. I don't know of this option is available for other countries. This actually seems worthwhile to me if it's available in your country. Simply because it MAY help you secure a copy of a limited edition version of TotK (they will inevitably have one or 2 limited edition TotK sets) if they notify you by email before they announce on twitter.

You can also register your interest in MP4 lol.

Register Your Interest | My Nintendo Store

Register your interest to receive updates or news on upcoming games

store.nintendo.co.uk

That never works. The "internet" finds out about preorder sales before you get any email.

Besides, companies always want your emails so they can spam you. You never really ever get any exclusive notices through email.

The best way to score a limited edition of a popular Nintendo game is to be awake 24/7 waiting for the link to go live.

 

[lucapfstr]

I am overthinking this.

This design pattern on the website:

Reminds me of:

Interesting point, I think it's also meant to represent a zen garden, something like this:

 

[Awesomegames23]

That never works. The "internet" finds out about preorder sales before you get any email.

Besides, companies always want your emails so they can spam you. You never really ever get any exclusive notices through email.

The best way to score a limited edition of a popular Nintendo game is to be awake 24/7 waiting for the link to go live.

This thread is very good at sniffing out TotK news before that news reaches a lot of people/most of the internet. So in this case, whether or not you get emailed by Nintendo first by signing up on such a list (Nintendo has the email of anyone who has bought a game on the eShop) or not, it's best to keep an eye on this thread around the time we expect pre-orders.

 

[Serif]

Interesting point, I think it's also meant to represent a zen garden, something like this:

Yes!! Our thoughts overlap:

The Japanese dry garden (枯山水, karesansui) or Japanese rock garden, often called a zen garden, is a distinctive style of Japanese garden. It creates a miniature stylized landscape through carefully composed arrangements of rocks, water features, moss, pruned trees and bushes, and uses gravel or sand that is raked to represent ripples in water.

And it ties with the existing Shinto influence:

In the Shinto religion, it was used to symbolize purity, and was used around shrines, temples, and palaces. In zen gardens, it represents water, or, like the white space in Japanese paintings, emptiness and distance. They are places of meditation.

Makes perfect sense.

I'm so jazzed we could figure out even this additional bit of inspiration about the game.

 

[lucapfstr]

Looking into this further, the comparison makes perfect sense, it lines up so well. In Zen gardens, the gravel represents not only (empty) space but bodies of water (hence the 'tears' of the kingdom). Like you also said, the raked patterns represent ocean waves and ripples in a pond. Cool that we came to a similar conclusion from different angles!

You can actually see in the top right how there is a small zen garden. There's also some sort of pedestal. So yeah this all makes sense, rather than technological Sheikah we have a very spiritual, magical (Zonai)

 

[lucapfstr]

Im going insane now. Previously, the legend of Zelda series of course had the Minish who were small and some of them lived in the sky. If the zen gardens are meant to represent a miniature landscape, what if the Minish really do return in this game. After all, they were cut content from the original. And if you can shrink yourself down everywhere, which I kind of doubt, that would explain why the game took so long.

Either way, these zen gardens in the game could be similar to the shrines, where you shrink down or transcend somehow to a different area, barring the fact that the shrines glowed which made them easy to find.

 

[Awesomegames23]

Im going insane now. Previously, the legend of Zelda series of course had the Minish who were small and some of them lived in the sky. If the zen gardens are meant to represent a miniature landscape, what if the Minish really do return in this game. After all, they were cut content from the original. And if you can shrink yourself down everywhere, which I kind of doubt, that would explain why the game took so long.

Either way, these zen gardens in the game could be similar to the shrines, where you shrink down or transcend somehow to a different area, barring the fact that the shrines glowed which made them easy to find.

Let’s not go insane over zen gardens...irony.

 

[Serif]

Im going insane now.

My mind is also spinning, currently reading about Japanese zen gardens and the 'miniaturization' aspect as you mention. Some zen gardens were designed as '3D maps' or scale models of landscapes.

There's a lot of info about the symbolism of these rock gardens, including the rocks symbolizing islands, the connection to Chinese landscape paintings, their use as meditative spaces, etc.

Also I like this detail:

They adapted the Chinese garden philosophy of the Song dynasty (960–1279), where groups of rocks symbolized Mount Penglai, the legendary mountain-island home of the Eight Immortals in Chinese mythology, known in Japanese as Horai.

The Eight Immortals (Chinese: 八仙) are a group of legendary xian ("immortals") in Chinese mythology. Each immortal's power can be transferred to a vessel (法器) that can bestow life or destroy evil.

A cool coincidence with all our talk of 'Tears' being collectable key items that could repel Malice.

There is a lot to think about here, I agree this game gives much different vibes from the magitech of the previous game. Everything's about purity, spirits, meditation, sacred rites, etc. But both games have this connection to nature.

 

[MeatheadSamus]

Man. This game is just going to be sooooooooo good. I cannot wait. It's going to be the "biggest" game of all time for sure.