Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is one of several major titles Nintendo is preparing for its next system, the Nintendo Switch 2. The third entry in the popular crossover between The Legend of Zelda and Dynasty Warriors franchises, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment serves as a prequel to one of the franchise’s newest mainline titles, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Even with very minuscule gameplay being shown, this new entry’s canonicity makes it perhaps the most important entry in the spinoff trilogy thus far.
Thus far, Nintendo has only shown Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment during its Nintendo Switch 2 Direct back in April, and has been mum on the game ever since. Even though it is expected to release sometime this year, Nintendo has yet to officially reveal the game’s release date, only offering players a blanket release window. In what is looking to be a very packed launch year for the Nintendo Switch 2, it’s worth trying to pin down when fans will be able to take the next Hyrule Warriors game for a spin.
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Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Is Already Proof of HW’s Importance as a Sub-Series
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity may seem like little more than a no-frills spin-off, but it plays an important role in the broader Zelda story.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment’s Release Announcement Will Come Sooner Than Later
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Could Launch In November
Currently, the only information that has been confirmed about the release date for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is that it will be available sometime this Winter. Of course, this could be a fairly wide gap. It’s unclear whether the game will be positioned as a major title for Black Friday shopping, or something released at the tail-end of the year as a stocking stuffer. Fans will probably not have a definitive answer until sometime later this month when Nintendo premieres its next Nintendo Direct showcase, meaning gamers are left to speculate when the game could possibly be ready to go.
Based on a combination of factors, however, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment seems primed to release sometime in November. This prediction is based on a combination of Nintendo’s other release plans for games on the Switch 2, along with the release dates of past titles in the franchise. Putting all of it together, it’s safe to guess that Nintendo will have this new Zelda/Dynasty Warriors crossover ready to go right at a busy point of the holiday season.
Nintendo Loves Releasing Major New Games In November
Nintendo often earmarks the month of November for one of its prime new game releases. The publisher seems to like getting a jump on Black Friday shopping and, understanding that the holidays are a big time for video game sales, usually releases a major title in November. The Nintendo Switch was no different, as Nintendo released at least one noteworthy first-party title every year during November, no matter whether it was the biggest game the publisher had planned for the year.
Oftentimes during the Nintendo Switch’s life, the November release window was dedicated to Pokemon; four major Pokemon titles were released on the Switch during November. This year, however, the Switch 2 will be in a very different position, as Pokemon Legends: Z-A is set to get a jump on its typical timeframe with an October 16 release date. Considering that November will now be wide-open for Nintendo, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the publisher release the next Hyrule Warriors game during the month.
Putting all of it together, it’s safe to guess that Nintendo will have this new Zelda/Dynasty Warriors crossover ready to go right at a busy point of the holiday season.
Zelda Has A Longstanding History Of November Releases
It also helps that The Legend of Zelda series is no stranger to releasing in November. Several of the franchise’s biggest mainline titles, such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, were originally released in November. What’s more, the Hyrule Warriors franchise saw its last entry, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, released in November, meaning that Age of Imprisonment could follow the very same pattern later this year.
Once again, this prediction should be taken with a grain of salt, as Nintendo has been quiet on the specific release date for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. The publisher will probably continue to be quiet about that until the next Nintendo Direct, which could feature more gameplay of this new title. Considering the franchise history along with Nintendo’s current release patterns, odds are that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment will release sometime in November and hopefully stick the landing as one of this holiday season’s most exciting new games.