Tears of the Kingdom is the first Switch game to be $70 (Image credit: Nintendo)
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Nintendo has announced its latest game in the Zelda series, Tears of the Kingdom, has sold more than 10 million copies in just three days of its release. Tears of the Kingdom was released on a Nintendo Switch console exclusively on Friday.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the fastest-selling game for the Switch, with 4 million copies sold in the Americas. Nintendo did not reveal total revenue numbers, but experts claim Tears of the Kingdom could have brought in $700 million. Those earth-shattering numbers of Tears of the Kingdom put the game ahead of many high-profile titles released in recent years, including Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
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For context, Harry Potter spin-off Hogwarts Legacy, which was released for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC in February, sold 12 million units in 14 days. Another hit game Cyberpunk 2077 sold 13.7 million copies in 21 days. Meanwhile, Grand Theft Auto 5 generated $800 million in sales on the first day, and $1 billion in three days, an all-time record. However, unlike Tears of the Kingdom which is a Switch exclusive, all those games were made available on multiple platforms.
“Many players are returning to Hyrule with all its new mysteries and possibilities, and with the record-breaking launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch, we can’t wait to see what they’ll create in the game and the stories they’ll share next,” said Devon Pritchard, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Communications.
Nintendo’s “Zelda” series was developed by Shigeru Miyamoto, with the first game making its debut in 1987 for the original Nintendo console, the NES. The Zelda series is regarded as the industry’s longest-running and most influential game franchise. In fact, the Zelda series is considered a “bible” in the gaming community. “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time,” released in 1998, was the first game in the series to feature 3D graphics. It remains the highest-rated game on Metacritic, with a score of 99 out of 100. “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” released in 2017, sold around 30 million copies worldwide, was the debut title for the Nintendo Switch. The game set a new standard for the open-world format in video gaming.
Six years later, Nintendo is debuting Tears of the Kingdom which is a sequel to Breath of the Wild. It is situated on the same map of Hyrule, but expands the world.
With sales of the Nintendo Switch declining year-over-year, experts believe Tears of the Kingdom has the potential to boost hardware sales of the ageing console. The Switch, in its seventh year of release, has sold more than 130 million units, according to Nintendo.
Despite a slump in sales of the Switch, Nintendo has had a breakthrough year so far. Earlier this year, Nintendo launched Super Nintendo World in Los Angeles, a theme park attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood. Then, in April, the Japanese gaming giant released The Super Mario Bros. Movie, an animated movie based on its most loved character, Mario, which went on to earn more than $1.21 billion, making it the biggest release of the year so far.
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For years, analysts have been anticipating a successor to the Switch. Nintendo has not officially confirmed a successor, but a report from Nikkei Asia says that a new console is in the works and could be ready next year.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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