What time does Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom release?
The much-awaited release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is just a few days away. If you're planning to purchase the game digitally from the Nintendo eShop, you have the option to preload it before the official release on May 12. As usual, players will be able to start playing as soon as the day begins in their respective regions, except for North America, where there is a slight time zone difference.
Release Timelines
Let's take a look at the release times for Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom:
- For the West Coast of North America: The game will go live at 9 p.m. PDT on May 11.
- For the East Coast of North America: The release time is 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 12.
- For the U.K.: The game will be available at 12:01 a.m. BST on May 12.
- For west mainland Europe: The release time is 12:01 a.m. CEST on May 12.
- For Japan: The game will go live at 12:01 a.m. JST on May 12.
In summary, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be accessible at midnight local time, except for North America, where it will be available simultaneously with the East Coast release time. This means that if you reside on the West Coast, you can start playing on Thursday evening.
It's worth noting that if you purchase Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom from an eShop region where the game has already been released, like Japan, you can play it earlier. However, this requires buying the game with a local eShop account and currency, and your progress will be tied to that specific account. Unless you plan on playing the entire game using this method, it is advisable to wait for the official release.
Of course, the exception to all the above is if you opt for a physical copy. In that case, you can start playing as soon as you have the game in your hands. If you haven't pre-ordered yet, it's recommended to do so ahead of Friday to ensure timely delivery.
Get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom!