In a stunning turn of events for fans of the iconic Legend of Zelda franchise, the latest instalment, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, has achieved unprecedented success in the United Kingdom. The game has soared to new heights, setting a remarkable record as the best-selling Legend of Zelda title ever in the UK.
Sales Figures Soar
Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has taken the gaming world by storm, capturing the hearts of both long-time fans and newcomers alike. The game has achieved an incredible milestone, surpassing all previous records for sales for the Legend of Zelda series in the UK. Tears of the Kingdom sold 54% more boxed editions than Hogwarts Legacy at launch, which held the UK number-one spot until now.
“It’s not quite the biggest Switch release ever, as it was slightly below what Pokémon Scarlet and Violet managed last year,” said the head of GamesIndustry Christopher Dring, “The launch is 173% bigger than Breath of the Wild.”
Despite only having launched on Friday it is already the eighth biggest Zelda game ever, selling more in less than a week than either Skyward Sword or The Wind Waker did in their entire lifetimes worldwide. Breath of the Wild has sold almost 30 million copies since it was released in 2017, however, it also was the launch game that was released when the Nintendo Switch console was first sold. It’s important to note that Nintendo does not share data concerning sales from their Nintendo eShop, so the game’s success could be even higher.
The successful physical copy sales have included purchases of the Collector’s Edition of the game. This includes a physical copy of the game, steelbook case, game art poster, art book and decorative pin set. This edition costs £109.99 and is now out of stock, unlike the standard edition which costs £49.99 at most UK retailers.
The Legacy Continues
Tears of the Kingdom builds upon the Zelda franchise’s rich heritage while simultaneously introducing fresh elements that breathe new life into the series. The game stays true to its roots, offering a delightful blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and intense combat. However, it also introduces sky islands to explore and novel gameplay features, including enhanced mobility and a robust crafting system, adding depth and variety to the player’s experience.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available now on Nintendo Switch.
Words by Kieran Webb.
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