For those who’ve been holding their breath and their wallets, waiting for a price drop on one of this year’s most talked-about games, the universe has answered. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, a game that had us all glued to our Switch consoles this summer, is now flaunting a price tag that’ll make you do a double-take, especially if you’re a Costco member.
The critically acclaimed title, which normally retails at $69.99, is now available in Costco stores at a jaw-dropping price of $29.97, and if you’re more of an online shopper, you can snag it for $35.06 on Costco’s website.
What’s particularly surprising is that Nintendo rarely slashes prices on its new releases, and Tears of the Kingdom isn’t just any game; it’s THE game of 2023. Building on the legacy of its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, the Nintendo title has taken in-game physics and player freedom to a level that’s left all gamers, regardless of their console preferences, in awe.
Breath of the Wild’s price has barely budged since its debut half a decade ago. So, what’s the catch with this Tears of the Kingdom discount?
Rumors suggest that Costco might be planning to bid adieu to the game in some of its stores. It sounds bonkers, given the game’s roaring success, but that could explain the price nosedive. Others believe it’s a game of luck, with only select Costco outlets offering this golden deal, but let’s not get lost in the whys and hows.
While gamers are busy with new releases like RPG titles Starfield and Baldur’s Gate 3, Nintendo’s latest Zelda title might have taken a backseat, but it’s far from forgotten. Tears of the Kingdom takes place a number of years after the events of Breath of the Wild, marking the end of the Zelda timeline in the kingdom of Hyrule.
The story begins with Link and Princess Zelda exploring a cavern located beneath Hyrule Castle. From this cavern, a poisonous substance known as gloom has been seeping out, causing the inhabitants of Hyrule to fall ill.
As they delve deeper into the underground area, Link and Zelda discover ancient hieroglyphics that narrate the tale of a war between the Demon King and the Hylians. Their exploration leads them to the corpse of Ganondorf, the primary antagonist of the series, who is found sealed by a hand-like object gripping his chest.
The game unfolds as Link and Zelda confront the dark forces awakened from the subterranean ruins, leading to a series of events that cause Hyrule Castle to levitate into the sky. The duo embarks on a quest to save their kingdom from the looming threat and uncover the mysteries of the ancient entity they discovered.
There’s no denying that Tears of the Kingdom is poised to be a formidable contender for the Game of the Year award, the very same award its predecessor clinched in 2017.
With this track record, Nintendo can approach the year’s end with confidence, aiming to replicate the same level of success.
