Ethan Crossfield 
The next notable Legend of Zelda release is a book rather than a new game. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Secrets of the Zonai is available for preorder from Dark Horse, with shipping expected in October. Readers interested in the game's lore, artwork, and development should track this release, while players waiting for a new adventure have a Zelda-focused Nintendo Direct to watch before drawing conclusions about Nintendo's next major game.
What is included in Secrets of the Zonai?
Dark Horse's 472-page book is built around the world and development of Tears of the Kingdom. Its contents include illustrations, character art, promotional material, sketches, concept art, and behind-the-scenes notes. It also examines Hyrule's history and the mysterious past of the Zonai, making it particularly relevant to readers who want more context for the game's story. Interviews with Nintendo developers Eiji Aonuma, Hidemaro Fujibayashi, and Satoru Takizawa are included as well. The listed price is $59.99. Dark Horse has not announced a specific launch day, so October should be treated as the expected shipping window rather than a confirmed date.
Who should follow this release?
Secrets of the Zonai is aimed at Tears of the Kingdom fans who value official visual material and additional background more than a new playable campaign. It offers a physical way to revisit the game's art direction and lore during the franchise's 40th anniversary year. Players who simply want to return to the game can instead use the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Tears of the Kingdom, which adds graphical and performance improvements along with achievements through the Zelda Notes feature in the Nintendo app. Existing Switch owners can upgrade for $9.99, while Nintendo Switch Online subscribers with the Expansion Pack tier receive the upgrade at no additional cost.
What comes next for Zelda?
Nintendo is scheduled to hold a Zelda-focused Direct on Tuesday, September 8, at 9 a.m. CST. The presentation is expected to run for about 30 minutes and focus on the franchise. The live-action movie and a reported Ocarina of Time remake are expected to receive prominent attention, while rumored Switch versions of Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker remain possible but unconfirmed. Nintendo has not announced the next entirely new Zelda game. Leaks have alleged a dimension-hopping feature and a role as the third entry in the era associated with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, but those claims remain unverified.
What players should know
- Secrets of the Zonai is a 472-page Tears of the Kingdom book from Dark Horse.
- It costs $59.99 and can already be preordered.
- A specific release date is unavailable; shipping is expected in October.
- The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition improves Tears of the Kingdom's graphics and performance.
- The September 8 Zelda Direct may clarify upcoming projects, but rumored ports and games are not confirmed.
Expert View
This is a substantial companion release for Zelda fans who want development material and deeper story context, but it should not be mistaken for a new game. The October window is useful for planning, although the absence of a firm date means readers should wait for Dark Horse to provide final shipping details. The upcoming Direct is the more important event for anyone seeking news about Nintendo's next playable Zelda project, but the rumored announcements should be approached cautiously until officially shown.
