Nintendo’s Zelda-themed Switch OLED is the final link that’s pushed me to upgrade
It’s dangerous to go alone. Take this irresistible new Switch
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It’s not long untilThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomis released (May 12) and after months of speculation, Nintendo has finally announced a console to celebrate the upcomingBreath of the Wildsequel… and I, for one, think it’s absolutely beautiful. At the end ofThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomdemonstration, we were given a sneak peak at this console – and I’m tempted to upgrade now that pre-orders have opened in Australia (where I’m located, though it looks like pre-orders are also open in the US and UK too).
Following thePokémon Scarlet & VioletorSplatoon 3Nintendo Switch OLEDconsoles is no easy feat – both delivered great designs that stayed true to the respective franchises. But there’s just something special about Zelda-themed consoles that stands out above the rest, so much so that I’ve been living with the regret of never grabbing the goldenNintendo 3DS XLthat came out alongside the re-release ofMajora’s Maskback in 2015.
Gold is a mainstay color of the Zelda franchise, those who played theOcarina of Timeback in the ‘90s might recall the golden N64 cartridge, andTheLegend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomEdition Nintendo SwitchOLEDabsolutely delivers on this color scheme. The accompanying Joy-Cons are a nice change from typically bright neon options – offering a shimmery muted gold with teal and white graphics on top.
The dock is also on theme, featuring the golden Tri-Force directly in the center of a white background. While recognizable, the design is subtle enough to be pleasant to look at while still delivering the themes of the upcoming new game. In fact, this subtle design is reminiscent of theAnimal Crossing New HorizonNintendo Switch that came out back in 2020, which just so happens to be the console I’d be upgrading from.
Nintendo appears to now only be releasing themed OLED consoles (there’s no sign of aNintendo Switch 2anywhere), and if previous releases are anything to go by, finding a place to buy the Joy-Cons on their own will be impossible, with the exception of secondhand sellers. So while this is great if you want to upgrade from theNintendo Switch, it’s not so great for your wallet as these consoles are typically priced at $349.99 / £319.99 / AU$549, though trade-in options exist to help ease the cost a little.
If you don’t want to purchase an entirely new console, but want some new Zelda-themed gear, you’re in luck. From May 12, the same day asThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomis released, you’ll be able to pick up a themedNintendo Switch Pro Controllerand a carry case as well. Both these feature the Tri-Force and circular motifs that have played heavily into the latest game’s branding, with the controller setting you back $74.95 / £69.85 / AU$109.95 and case costing $24.99 / £19.85 / AU$39.95.
Where to find the Zelda Nintendo Switch OLED
You won’t have to climb any cliffs to find this console. Pre-order pages are already popping across a number of retailers, and here’s where you can find the console or the accompanying accessories.
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USA–While it’s likely we’ll see places like Gamestop, Walmart and Amazon also offering the console, currently only Best Buy has it available for pre-order (as of March 28). Here are the following preorder pages for the console and accessories from Best Buy, with the console releasing on April 4, and the accessories landing from May 12:
UK–In the UK, ShopTo already has the pre-order page ready to go. Just like the US, the console will be available from April 28, while the Pro Controller and carry case will be released alongside the game on May 12:
Australia–Amazon Australia has pre-order pages for thisLegend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomgear, plus you can also find the game for only AU$74 accompanied by Amazon’s pre-order price match guarantee. You’ll have to wait for May 12 to roll around though to have these arrive at your doorstep:
After facing many years of regret by not picking up Zelda-themed consoles, no Lizalfos or Lynel can stop me now. I will scale the cliffs in the rain or find all 900 Koroks to get my hands on this beautiful Nintendo Switch OLED.
Petra has had a long-time love of tech, gaming and entertainment, especially if she can find it at a discount. With a background in archaeology, she’ll dig deep to find the best deals and thanks to her long history in retail, knows what makes a good bargain. She also is a bit of a keyboard hobbyist, having found enjoyment with mechanical keyboards during 2020’s lockdown, and enjoys trying out new peripherals whenever she gets the chance.
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