The Zelda: Breath of the Wild rollercoaster continues. While there have been rumours that the title won't make the Switch launch, yesterday we reported that US retailer GameStop has it listed as a Q1 2017 release (before April, basically).
We now have more evidence to suggest that the game will indeed be available in March next year, with UK chain GAME being the apparent source. The company's in-store advertising says the game will be out in "March 2017", and while there's a chance that both retailers are mistaken, it certainly shows that there's quite a bit of doubt regarding when Link's latest adventure will actually arrive.
Perhaps both GAME and GameStop haven't been informed of any delay by Nintendo as yet, or perhaps the delay rumour was false? Whatever the truth may be, these two large retailers clearly believe we'll be playing Zelda in March. What do you think?
[source reddit.com]
Comments 52
Meh, doesn't mean anything, it could still be delayed
Let's just hope Nintendo doesn't go the route of day one patches and fixes after the fact. In other words releasing a product that's not finished only to patch it at a later date.
Not happening, but it will be worth the wait!
GAME also said they'd shipped my mates NES Mini...
One can certainly hope, but we'll see...
Either Mario or Zelda needs to be a launch title. A Mario pack-in would be nice but I doubt that would happen because it sells fine on its own. As much as I would like Mario and Zelda both on day 1, I can see how they might purposely delay one in order to continue to drive sales a few months after launch.
Also, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
March for Wii U, a bit later for Switch perhaps?
I wouldn't believe it. Remember you posted the story about Gamestop having it listed as a 1st quarter title? Gamestop removed that date less than 24 hours later.
My only response to any Switch rumour these days is, roll on January 13th.
It's probably not true. I really doubt they would release Breath of the Wild so soon after launch, assuming the new 3D Mario really is a launch title.
I thought it was pretty obvious by now that BotW was intentionally delayed to coincide with the Switch launch?
We can only hope. I won't get excited until Nintendo announce it.
@Other_Dave nah, they won't release the Wii U version first. That would hurt Switch sales. Look at what they did with Twilight Princess. Wii launch, GameCube a week or two later. This was to boost Wii launch numbers for those desperate to finally play a new Zelda. It's been suggested by Laura Dale that it'll be June 16th for Switch and Wii U will follow a week later.
Probably an old poster from before the delay was announced.
GAME (UK) gets lot of stuff wrong. Not saying they don't get some things right, just saying they get a lot of stuff like software launch dates wrong.
Surely the Wii U version was finished months ago. The only reason we haven't got it yet is the Switch port...
Also, GAME just want to generate pre-orders, they don't really care if the date changes.
It can still be delayed. Many sights say a game will come out at a specific time, then it gets delayed or pushed back. Doesn't mean anything, just means that people that preorder it, will be waiting even longer.
Nintendo knows LKD source and are seeing to it that she's being fed false information.
The reason Game are advertising it as coming Martch 2017 is because it is coming in March 2017.
The game was rated in Australia yesterday, and the length of time between rating and release can vary. It's possible that it may actually be coming out in June, but it might also come out in March. Who knows?
@Other_Dave
I really don't see the WiiU version being launched before the Switch version.
The Switch needs all the thunder it can gather during the first few months of it's life and launching the WiiU version before the Switch version is killing a lot of that thunder.
My guest will be a simultaneous launch, like LoZ:SS on the Wii and GC.
Nintendo love sticking to the same old, same ole that worked for them in the past.
@gcunit I wanta believe!!
I am SO done with this uncertainty about BotW's release date... Can't I just wait for an official announcement in peace?
@HeCaster101 No. No you can't.
I still think it will be after Q1. If not, then why Gamestop removed BotW of their Q1 titles?
That doesn't mean a darn thing. Remember the Final Fantasy XV poster?
@Hotfusion you mean twilight princess. Ss was not a GameCube title.
I just cant wait for the big reveal of games for the switch januari.
I hope we get to see some of the story for zelda. And a clean 60fps for zelda switch or at least a clean 30fps. The wiiU version got below the 30. Fingera crossed lol.
I also hope Nintendo comes with a bang and surprises us with a game we never expect, but still wanted.
It will most probably be a staggered release. Afterall, if the Wii U and Switch versions were available together day one, I can't imagine why anyone would pay full RRP for a dead console.
Dear Lord, does nobody know when this game is coming? I mean, it's not like it'll come any faster if we know when it's going to come, but at least I'd know how long I have to finish the Zelda games I haven't finished yet.
I keep saying it... there was no leak that claimed that the release was being delayed... the leak that the rumour was based on was only that localisation was taking longer than expected... but that doesn't mean that the release will be delayed as a result... they were just jumping to conclusions.
This might prove that Zelda at least was planned for march.
Remember, a march release has always been just an assumption since it would make sense.
I don't think they would make that poster based on an assumption.
Only question is, is it still correct?
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So first one rumor says it won't be out on launch, and a bunch of other people follow it and say the same thing in their rumors. Now there's a rumor it'll be out on the switch's launch and there's gonna be even more people creating the same rumor. It's a pattern; one person starts a rumor and all the other rumors follow it in order to sound real.
Still though, with GAME themselves showing an official ad saying it'll be out in March, I think a launch release is very likely.
@gcunit Of course not T-T
Not sure why I even bothered to read this article. Roll on 12/13th March. I feel bad because I'm wishing away the best period of the year just for a bloody announcement!
I'd rather Mario was delayed and Zelda was the launch title...
Eh, either way, we'll be playing the game by e3 so...
Not too fussed about whether it's March or June.
Has Nintendo Life not reported on the new Lego City Undercover game for Switch?
This point of sale advertising has been in GAME since around E3. And their statement is pure speculation
Not surprised. Has to be a launch title.
Dual release makes sense because it maximises switches chance to get a rapid install base at launch, and allows wii u owners the game they were promised... all 4 long years ago.
@adogg91
Thanks for pointing out my error. Yes, I meant LoZ:TP rather than SS.
Just as always: Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
Maybe we will find out in January.
Everytime I read something regarding GAME I just have to comment how horrible that company is...lol. They are Worldwide Number 1 in: Taking way too many pre-orders, and you cannot play on day 1 and if you try for a reimbursement, they do not answer, nothing and you eventually end up getting the game 2-3 weeks later. What did we learn? Not to pre-order? Wrong, I pre-order on Amazon all the time as I am charged upon when they send it out and never had an issue, but GAME, that is a whole other story...
I am more than happy for Zelda too be a launch title for the Switch or even if it's just the Wii U version released in March and the Switch version is put back too June I'm cool with that aswell.
There's a bait and switch joke lurking around here somewhere, but I'm not sure where to find it.
@Fazermint Exactly. People kinda forget too that BotW was quite literally the only game shown at e3. Nintendo isn't gonna have their most highly hyped and anticipated title for the past year miss the Switch's launch. People soak up rumors like sponges.
@ALinkttPresent
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/11/lego_city_undercover_is_coming_to_nintendo_switch_and_other_platforms_next_year
Rumours say it's delayed. Facts say it's delayed.
Oh wait, the facts ARE just rumours.
I wish they'd concentrate on finishing the Wii U version first and finalize the Switch version later next year...
@shani Releasing the Wii U version first would hurt the Switch's sales, and Nintendo isn't gonna support their dead console over their new one that's not even available to the public yet.
@KirbyTheVampire Just saying, this was once planned to be a Wii U title only and now - I was always the one who told everyone to be patient - it's taking a really long time just because of the Switch... at least I'm fairly certain that the game would've been out by now if it wasn't a dual release (on a totally different architecture than the original Wii U game).
@shani How do you know its planned to be only a Wii U title? More likely it was always intended for both consoles, but Nintendo used the Wii U as a means to announce and demo the game.
@Emperor-Palpsy Just deduced it from what we know. Or just look it up on Wikipedia:
"Announced in 2013, the game was initially planned for release as a Wii U exclusive in 2015. After being delayed twice, it is currently set for release in 2017."
They delayed the release twice and they only did that after Switch had taken form (at least internally). So - even though it could've been delayed a bit on its own - it's pretty evident by now that the delay was only because of the dual release.
Many people already said/wrote that before we knew what NX or that Zelda Wii U would become a dual-release. Back then I didn't want to believe it. But if you follow the trail of information and Nintendo's behaviour during that time, it becomes painfully obvious.
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