The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Preload Date & Time

Players globally have started counting down the clock for the highly anticipated release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, as many are anxiously awaiting details for the game's preloading process. Nintendo has stated on its official FAQ support page that while the payment is processed seven days before its release, a "non-playable version" of a game will be made available to preload.

As for when preloading will be available for the upcoming The Legend of Zelda game, we have all the relevant details to best prepare for your awaited return to Hyrule. This guide explains when the Tears of the Kingdom preload is available for Nintendo Switch consoles.

Tears Of The Kingdom Unlock Time: Countdown To Release

The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom is the follow-up to 2017's Breath of the Wild, which is scheduled to release on 12th May 2023 at 12 am ET / 11th May 2023 at 9 pm PT. For our European players, you'll be ready to continue your adventures of Hyrule on 12th May 2023 at 4 am UTC.

If you live outside North America and Europe and still want to keep track of the game's official release day and time, we have added an official countdown timer below. While the game is currently unavailable to play until its release, it is available to preload, according to one social media report.

Tears Of The Kingdom Preload & Download File Size

As discussed before, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is officially live for players to preload the game to their Nintendo Switch consoles. GameSpot previously reported that its download file size was estimated to be around 18GB; however, Nintendo quietly updated the game’s Nintendo eShop listing reflecting the new game file size of 16,3GB.

This is still quite a significant game file size for many players for preloading the game, especially when factoring in the strength of your internet connection. Nevertheless, it would be advised to complete the preload if you're more likely to encounter any internet issues on launch day.

Pre-orders for Tears of the Kingdom are still available via the Nintendo eShop for its digital and physical standard editions and the physical Collector's Editions. But you can save some extra bucks by redeeming a Nintendo Switch Game Voucher to preload the game.

This feature is available for Nintendo Switch Online members, where they can acquire Game Vouchers and redeem them against any eligible digital game, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. To get a Game Voucher, you can purchase them via the Nintendo eShop, redeem them for Tears of the Kingdom, and begin preloading.