The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: 'The huge mistake players are making with this $70 video game'
I never thought I'd say this, but anyone who opts to play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on a classic Nintendo Switch console instead of the new OLED Model is making a big mistake. Here's why.
The game dropped on Nintendo Switch in May 2023 and after pouring over 250 hours into its predecessor, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, I knew it was a game I had to have.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild bundle pack
Boasting an even more expansive and visually stunning open world, complex new gameplay features and the classic Zelda charm, the game certainly lived up to expectations.
But there's one big thing that let the game down for me, and it's that (in my opinion) you need to play it on the Nintendo Switch OLED Model to fully appreciate it.
Nintendo Switch OLED Console – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition
Nintendo Switch Console OLED Model
The gameplay
This game is a must-play for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike because there are so many different ways to play with the addition of new skills that allow players to customise their weapons and play styles. Meanwhile, the massive open world and abundance of side quests make for hundreds of hours of gameplay without even touching the main plot.
And therein lies my biggest problem with the game; sometimes it's just too damn big. The main map is huge and takes hours to explore and when you add the sky and chasm (underground) locations, it can feel really daunting. The many side quests can feel overwhelming and even the main quest line can really drag at times, with cutscene after cutscene making a single character interaction feel like an ordeal.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, but there's a rising trend of open world games going above and beyond to be bigger and pack in more content even when they don't need to and Tears of the Kingdom definitely strays into that territory from time to time.
There were also times when I felt like I was just playing a reskinned version of Breath of the Wild, which happened more times than I'd like to admit. Many of the same mechanics carried over from that game, which makes sense because this is a sequel, but it can feel repetitive as players navigate through familiar puzzles and combat encounters over again.
It's been six years since Breath of the Wild was released, so I wouldn't blame fans for wanting some more innovation and new thrills from its follow-up.
The visuals
This game is even more beautiful than Breath of the Wild, and that's saying something.
With a massive open world to explore and the addition of floating sky islands and spooky underground locations, I just couldn't get enough of seeing all the scenery the game had to offer. Tears of the Kingdom carried over the signature style its predecessor was so highly praised for and the result is magnificent, especially on a Nintendo Switch OLED Model.
The bigger screen provides vivid colours and sharp contrast that really makes the game pop and lets you appreciate every tiny detail in a way my old original Switch console just can't. Not only was the visual quality much lower on my old console, it really diminished the magic of the world of Hyrule and my overall experience.
I spent hours playing just on the handheld OLED console and found that I even preferred it to playing on a TV, as my TV screen quality just wasn't on par. Players can definitely still enjoy Tears of the Kingdom on a classic Switch or Switch Lite, but in my opinion, the OLED Model is worth every penny of its $500+ price tag for this game alone.
The story
As with all Zelda games, the story is fun and charming, suitable for pretty much all ages and features the return of Ganondorf as the main antagonist. He makes a great villain and the mystery that underpins the rest of the main plot was quite fun to unravel, if a bit predictable at times.
The best part of the story was definitely getting to check in with so many characters from the last game. While Tears of the Kingdom can definitely be enjoyed by first-timers to the Zelda franchise, there are plenty of cute moments that will hit different for longtime fans.
The verdict
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is another masterful entry in the game franchise and has definitely lived up to the standards set by its predecessor, so it's well worth the $69 sale price currently on Amazon.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
That said, I definitely think this is a game best experienced on the Nintendo Switch OLED Model and anyone who doesn't play it that way is missing out. Having played the game on both versions of the console, the original Switch just can't stand up to the incredible visuals the OLED Model boasts.
Nintendo Switch OLED Console – The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition
Nintendo Switch Console OLED Model
So yes, even though I already own an original Switch console that cost me hundreds of dollars, I'd pay another $500 just to get the OLED Model and get the most out of a $70 video game.
The Nintendo Switch OLED Console and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game were gifted by Nintendo for the purpose of this review.
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