The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild Pre-Orders: What You Need to Know

Video game developer and console maker Nintendo needed to have a launch game for the upcoming Nintendo Switch that could dazzle fans of its existing franchises and convince them to invest their hard-earned dollars in an all-new platform. Lots of games are coming to the living room turned mobile console over the next year, but the party kicks off with the The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild release. The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild pre-orders are readily available.

Breath of the Wild is exciting because its Nintendo’s first living room console return to the Zelda franchise in years. Accordingly, Nintendo has pulled out all the stops for the title. It’s an open-world game that emphasizes exploration and crafting. As it’s also a showcase for the Nintendo Switch, the game has lots of new additions to the franchise. It’ll support seamless transitions to mobile gaming, with players only needing to left their Nintendo Switch out of its dock to continue playing. The game will be the first in the franchise to support add-on content available through a season pass too.

Read: The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild Release: More Details

Here’s what you need to know about The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild pre-orders.

Breath of the Wild Pre-Orders: Release Day

Originally, Nintendo had different plans for Breath of the Wild. Early on, the company planned to launch the title on its Wii U, giving that console one last hit game before it was replaced. That’s not what’s happening though. Executives later changed their minds, deciding to use the game to showcase what the Nintendo Switch can do from the outset.

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launches on March 3rd, the same day that Nintendo Switch goes on sale officially. While Breath of the Wild is a launch game for the console, Nintendo has opted not to create a bundle that includes the game.

Breath of the Wild Pre-Orders: Which Platform to Buy On?

That directly feeds into the next major detail on Breath of the Wild. While it is a launch title for the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo hasn’t forgotten about those still on the Wii U. It’s still coming to that console too, and it’ll arrive on the same day that it is available for Switch users.

Read: Nintendo Switch Pre-Orders Breakdown

As for which platform you should purchase the game on, it’s pretty clear that the Switch version will have the best graphics and performance. If you’re planning to purchase a Switch anyway, that’s the version you want. If you were planning to purchase a Switch, but haven’t pre-ordered the console yet, you’ll want to get the Wii U version. Nintendo Switch pre-orders have been sold out for weeks.

Breath of the Wild Pre-Orders: Where to Pre-Order

GameStop, Best Buy and Amazon are all taking Breath of the Wild pre-orders currently. Each has different reasons for buying there too, including a trinket that you can’t get from other retail locations.

Best Buy is taking pre-orders online and in store. The company isn’t offering any pre-order extras aside from a double-sided poster the night of the game’s release. Gamers can save some money if they have a Best Buy Gamers Club Unlocked membership. The company gives shoppers with the membership 20% off the cost of new games.

Video game seller GameStop has a free poster for those that place Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild pre-orders. Buyers get a special double-sided poster, no matter which version they buy.

Finally, there’s Amazon, which doesn’t have a pre-order extra. Instead, Amazon Prime members that pre-order or buy right after release stand to save 20% off the cost of the game too.

Placing your Breath of the Wild pre-orders at all three retailers gets you the game on the day its released. GameStop has yet to confirm if its stores will be open to hand out pre-orders on release night. Best Buy’s Game Events page does include an entry for midnight release of the Nintendo Switch.

Breath of the Wild Pre-Orders: Which Edition Should You Buy?

In addition to there being a standard version of Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild for Wii U and Switch, there are two other editions to consider. Both are only available for the Nintendo Switch.

Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild Special Edition costs $99.99. Besides the game itself, this version includes a CD of music from the game, a map and tapestry, collectible coin and a Sheikah Slate carrying case.

The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild Master Edition includes everything that the special edition does and it throws in a sword statue. It costs $129.99.

If you can find either of these versions online anywhere, be sure to snatch them up as soon as possible. They’ve been incredibly hard to find since they were first announced. No version of the game includes The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass. You’ll need to buy that separately for $19.99.

Breath of the Wild Pre-Orders: Amiibo Pre-Orders

The Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Wii U both support Amiibo figures. Those are the tiny statuettes that let you add levels or change mechanics in some of Nintendo’s biggest franchises.

You can pre-order the Breath of the Wild Amiibo figures at GameStop now. There’s Zelda, Archer Link, Rider Link, Guardian and Bokoblin. Each costs $15.99.

Good luck with you’re The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild pre-orders.