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The Tears of the Kingdom release time should interest you, especially since it’s one of the most highly anticipated games of the year.
With no early access for Tears of the Kingdom, if you’re happy to wait until the regular release time, you’ve come to the right place to learn them.
The release date for Tears of the Kingdom is set for May 12th, which is not too far away at all. With just a few hours until the launch, let’s go over everything you need to know so that once you’ve finished pre-loading the game, you can fire it up straight away and dive into Hyrule once again.
Tears of the Kingdom release times
These launch times have been extrapolated from the Nintendo FAQ, though it is possible that they choose to abide by a different time-structure for this launch. For what reason? There is none, but it could happen, so be warned!
Tears of the Kingdom launch times in the US
While the game is set for a global release on May 12th, in many regions in the States, there are a few places that will see a slightly early / later release time than others.
- 9pm Pacific (May 11)
- 10pm Mountain (May 11)
- 11pm Central (May 11)
- 12am Eastern (May 12)
Tears of the Kingdom digital unlock time
It seems as though those playing Tears of the Kingdom via a digital copy will see an earlier release in some places. This is due to a stipulation about when Nintendo eShop games are available to play:
“Digital software that is also sold physically will usually be available at 9:00 p.m. PT the night before the physical game’s release date.“
Tears of the Kingdom physical release time
If you’re planning to pick up a physical edition of the game for whatever reason – say, your Nintendo Switch microSD card doesn’t have enough space – you’re going to be able to head to some of your local shops. Some of which, not all, might be hosting midnight releases for the cartridge.
Tears of the Kingdom release time in the UK and EU
If you’re in the UK, here’s the release time:
- 5am British Summer Time (May 12)
If you’re playing in the EU – here is the release time:
- 6am CEST (May 12)
When is Tears of the Kingdom playable?
Tears of the Kingdom does actually release at the same time globally, potentially meaning that the New Zealand trick will not work. Here’s the time it’s out:
- 5am British Summer Time (May 12)
The game releases at the same time globally, meaning that you’re not going to be playing earlier or later than anyone else. While this poises all players at the same position in-game, it means that some fanatic gamers will be weary eyed after staying up till 5am to explore Hyrule once again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tears of the Kingdom release at Midnight?
Tears of the Kingdom releases at midnight in the Eastern time-zone only.
Is it worth playing Tears of the Kingdom at release time?
Tears of the Kingdom is one of the most highly anticipated games of the year, and it certainly could be worth staying up to play it at release time.
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