Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom DLC - Nintendo Reveals Disappointing News

The Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom DLC is highly-anticipated by fans, and speculation about its release has been constant. But a new interview with Zelda: TotK producers has given us some disappointing news.

Zelda totk DLC
Zelda Tears of the Kingdom DLC: Here's what we know about it so far. | © EarlyGame/Nintendo

Nintendo has been oddly quiet about the Zelda Tears of the Kingdom DLC, but that has finally changed.

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has been the 2023 highlight for many gamers around the world (which is especially impressive in a year that has been so strong for gaming). The game's launch in May was a huge success, and it received top ratings of renowned video game critics (we've all known it's going to win GOTY since 2022).

Since Breath of the Wild has additional content, such as the Expansion Pass, it was never unreasonable to expect a DLC for Tears of the Kingdom. While many people put on their detective hats and started looking for evidence for a Tears of the Kingdom DLC, a new interview with Nintendo developers has given us more clarity.

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom DLC Rumors

When Zelda TotK was released, we already spotted a very clear hint towards a DLC for the game. If you scrolled down on the official Zelda Tears of the Kingdom website, you could see a disclaimer saying: "Full version of game required to use DLC. Sold separately” which was basically seen as Nintendo confirming a DLC release, without ever having announced it.

The disclaimer has been removed by Nintendo later. However, checking Wayback Machine you can still see it:

Zelda DLC wayback machine
The disclaimer referring to a Zelda Tears of the Kingdom DLC can still be seen with the Wayback Machine. | © Nintendo

Sadly, even though people's hopes were high, the chances of us getting a DLC aren't. We were all hoping to see more content for TOtK, especially since it was such a huge success, but it seems as though Nintendo wasn't really banking on players wanting even more TotK.

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Zelda TotK DLC Is Not Being Produced

Unfortunately for Zelda fans, a recent interview with Zelda TotK producer Eiji Aonuma and director Hidemaro Fujibayashi (published by Famitsu) revealed that we will not be getting a Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom DLC.

All along, ever since the release of TotK, fans were holding on to the rumors as hope for a DLC, even though Nintendo never gave any official confirmation. I guess this news isn't too surprising, though disappointing, since back when Zelda: Breath of the Wild came out, you could immediately purchase its expansion pass and later on its DLCs.

The first DLC, The Master Trials, was released after four months and the second one titled The Champions' Ballad was released after nine months following the game's release. So people were already wondering why there was no news about TotK's DLC after all this time.

Zelda totk zelda scene
This is the look on players faces when they hear that there won't be a Zelda TotK DLC | © EarlyGame/Nintendo

Well, now we know sadly thanks to this interview that there will be no more content for TotK. The reason for this according to producer Eiji Aonuma is:

[...] because I feel like I've done everything I can to create games in that world.

He goes on to explain, that the only reason why they decided to create TotK as a sequel to BotW is because they believed "there would be value in experiencing a new kind of play in that place in Hyrule."

Now, while we may not be getting a DLC for Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in the future, they mentioned that this doesn't mean we won't be returning to the same world ever again. If there is ever reason enough for that to happen, we could be brought back. Eiji Aonuma continues to say:

Whether it's a sequel or a new work, I think it will be a completely new way to play, so I'd be happy if you could look forward to it.

So maybe we can go on a limb here and say that they're perhaps working on a new Zelda game already? After all, Nintendo does like to take their time when creating a new Zelda game, just like we had to wait for six years until TotK came out after BotW.

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Luckily, there is another way to get exclusive content for Tears of the Kingdom, and that is through Amiibos! Scanning different Amiibo figures can get you all types of special items in the game! Here is a list of available Amiibos for Tears of the Kingdom and what they all unlock:

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom All Amiibos And What They Unlock

As soon as Nintendo releases new information on their next Legend of Zelda project, we'll be sure to keep you updated! Until then, chin up, guys!

Did you know that you can get a new design for your paraglider, by scanning the Link's new Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom amiibo figure on your Nintendo Switch?


Carina Toenges

Hey guys, I’m Carina! I’m currently studying Journalism and write for EarlyGame’s Gaming and LoL categories. Whether it’s Stardew Valley, Dead by Daylight or even League of Legends, I love playing and writing about all sorts of video games! ...

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