Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Release Times, Editions, and Early Impressions

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment launches worldwide on November 6, 2025, bringing a new chapter of Zelda’s history to the Nintendo Switch 2.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment – Everything You Need to Know Before Launch | Credit: Nintendo

Developed by Koei Tecmo’s AAA Games Studio in collaboration with Nintendo, this latest entry builds on the studio’s strong track record with the Hyrule Warriors series. If you’ve played the original on Wii U or Age of Calamity on Switch, you’ll know the formula: large-scale hack-and-slash battles inspired by Dynasty Warriors, but layered with Zelda’s lore and characters.

This time, the story dives into the Imprisoning War, a pivotal event referenced in Tears of the Kingdom. Players will fight alongside Princess Zelda and King Rauru as they rally forces against Ganondorf’s demonic armies, uncovering hidden histories and uneasy alliances along the way.

Gameplay sticks to the musou roots: massive hordes, sprawling battlefields, and flashy combos, but adds Zelda-specific mechanics. You’ll see Sync Strikes for team-based combos, Unique Skills that counter environmental hazards, and Zonai Devices like Flame Emitters and Time Bombs for gadget-driven chaos. Co-op play is supported, and yes, amiibo integration is back for bonus items.

Release Times Around the World

Nintendo doesn’t usually post exact times on social media, but according to its support page, digital releases that also have physical editions unlock at 9 PM PT the night before launch. That means:

• Los Angeles: Nov 5, 9 PM PT

• Denver: Nov 5, 10 PM MT

• Chicago: Nov 5, 11 PM CT

• New York: Nov 6, 12 AM ET

• London, Berlin, Tokyo, Sydney, Auckland: Nov 6, 12 AM local time

Editions and Pricing

• Standard Edition: $69.99 USD, digital and physical. Includes the full story, playable characters like Zelda and Rauru, Sync Strikes, Zonai Devices, and amiibo support. File size: 43.4 GB.

• Japan-Exclusive Treasure Box: About $120 USD, includes physical goodies like a scarf, poster, Korok keychain, and acrylic figures. Ships January 29, 2026, and is import-only.

Early Reviews

The review embargo has now lifted on November 5, and critics are weighing in. Here’s a quick look at the early review scores and impressions for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment:

• RPG Site – 9/10 “The best Hyrule Warriors yet, with great performance and a story that connects the dots for Tears of the Kingdom.”

• Nintendo Life – 9/10 "A stunning slice of action, and favourite musou game so far. Lessons have been learned from both Hyrule Warriors and Age of Calamity, resulting in a game that balances big-time story with top-notch combat that's got proper depth to it."

• VGC – 8/10 “The most serious Hyrule Warriors to date, but also the one with the most engaging and rewarding combat.”

• GamesRadar+ – 6/10 "Zelda is a fantastic lead in this action-packed Tears of the Kingdom prequel, but boring missions hold the magic back."

• The Gamer – 8/10 "Age of Imprisonment is a triumphant prequel that Zelda fans are going to adore."

Overall consensus: Reviews are largely positive, with critics praising the combat refinements, Switch 2 performance, and deeper Zelda lore, while pointing out some repetitive mission design and a heavier tone compared to past entries.