If you‘ve been following Nintendo at all over the past couple years, you may have caught wind of some convincing rumors swirling about regarding a special Nintendo Switch model themed after the upcoming Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game. I know, yet another new Switch variation—it can get a bit excessive.
But as a seasoned Nintendo observer, I‘m here to clue you in on why these rumors have some real legitimacy and why a Tears of the Kingdom Switch seems imminent. By looking at Nintendo‘s recent track record, decrypting the latest leaks, and analyzing the pricing tea leaves, any Zelda fan has reason to get hyped. Let me break down what we know and what we can reasonably expect…
Nintendo‘s Pattern of Themed Switches Points Toward More
Over the past 6 months, Nintendo has fully embraced producing special edition Nintendo Switch OLED hardware bundles styled after major Switch exclusives about to launch.
We first saw this with Splatoon 3 in August 2022—a colorful ink-splattered OLED system dropped right alongside the chaotic shooter sequel. Then in November, Switch fans got to catch ‘em all with a Scarlet and Violet-themed OLED Switch timed with the release of brand new Pokemon journeys.
So with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom set to release on May 12, 2023, the stars have aligned for Nintendo to offer up another marquee franchise-flavored Switch. In fact, as one of Nintendo‘s crown jewel series, Tears of the Kingdom may warrant an even snazzier custom Switch treatment than those past packages.
| Game | Themed Switch Release |
|---|---|
| Splatoon 3 | August 2022 |
| Pokémon Scarlet and Violet | November 2022 |
| The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | Predicted April/May 2023 |
And that brings us to the next point fueling Switch hype…
Convincing Leaks Lend Credibility
The Tears of the Kingdom Switch gossip shifted into overdrive thanks to some pretty convincing leaked images that began circulating in February 2023. Apparently showing off Joy-Con controllers themed after the upcoming Zelda sequel, the green and gold-colored controllers were etched with a Triforce crest and styled after the game‘s official logo.
Credible Nintendo leakers have also gone on record backing up rumors that a special console is nearing announcement. Remember, these leakers have proven trustworthy in the past, even spoiling previous gaming surprises from Nintendo ahead of time with accurate info.
So while Nintendo reps remain silent, these leaks paint a rather definitive picture that Tears of the Kingdom-themed hardware is cooking as we speak.
Reading the Tea Leaves – What a Zelda Switch Could Offer
If I were a betting woman, I‘d wager that Nintendo finally confirms the existence of a Tears of the Kingdom Switch by mid-April, a month before it‘s May 12th launch. That lines up perfectly with their past timing for the Splatoon and Pokémon-themed consoles.
As for potential pricing, Tears of the Kingdom has a base cost of $70—another Nintendo first. Both the special Splatoon and Pokémon OLED bundles retailed at $359.99. Factoring in inflation and the fact that this is Zelda we‘re talking about here, a decked-out Tears-themed Switch would reasonably land between $375 and $380. Certainly a premium cost, but par for the course with limited edition gaming tech.
Oh and you just know Nintendo is going to style that theoretical console with a slick green, black, and gold color scheme—true to the game‘s new heroic aesthetics. There may even be some Sheikah eye logos or other Zelda iconography etched into the OLED panel‘s design. As a hardcore Switch collector myself, I already have my wallet primed!
Closing Thoughts and Lingering Questions
Obviously until Nintendo speaks up officially, some key details remain a mystery. And while this abundant evidence leaves little room for doubt in my mind, let‘s briefly highlight what we still don‘t know:
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Will supply be extremely limited like past Special Edition Switches?
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Could this just be a console bundle with Zelda Joy-Con or maybe a fully custom Zelda-ified Switch?
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Will there be other themed accessories like a branded dock, carrying case, etc. bundled in?
Here‘s hoping Nintendo clarifies some of those lingering questions soon and gives this legendary franchise the regal Switch treatment it deserves! Based on precedence though, I‘m fairly confident they deliver something special to quest alongside Link‘s next adventure into the clouds.
Let me know if you have any other questions about this rumor buzz or the game itself! Whether the leaks pan out or not, we at least have an amazing new Zelda quest to look forward to on May 12. And I don‘t know about you, but I‘ll take any excuse I can get to buy yet another stylish Switch for my overcrowded game room. Let the wild (yet wallet-straining) speculation continue!
