This year's biggest football event is just weeks away (February 13 to be exact) which means Super Bowl TV deals are live from all your favorite retailers including Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon. To help you score today's hottest sales, we're rounding up the best Super Bowl TV deals on 4K, QLED, and OLED displays.
Our top Super Bowl TV deal picks include everything from a mid-size 50-inch set to a massive 75-inch display, with features such as QLED and voice control, and at a range of prices to meet all your football viewing needs.
We've split our selection of Super Bowl TV sales into three categories: the outright best TVs for watching the Super Bowl, the best mid-range TVs, and the best budget TVs. We've included a range of different sizes in each category, and we've also picked a standout model for our Super Bowl TV deal of the week. This week's top bargain is this massive 70-inch 4K smart TV from TCL that's on sale for just $499.99 (was $829.99) at Best Buy.
We'll be updating this guide with all the best Super Bowl TV deals leading up to the big game, so make sure to bookmark this page for all the latest offers.
TCL 70-inch Class 4 Series LED 4K TV:$829.99$499.99 at Best Buy
Save $330 – This week's best Super Bowl TV deal is this massive 70-inch 4K TV from TCL that's on sale for just $499.99 - $100 less than last week and a fantastic price for a big-screen 4K TV. The TCL 4 Series display features 4K HD resolution, Chromecast, and the Google Assistant built-in and works with Amazon Alexa for hands-free control.
The best Super Bowl TV deals 2021:
1. Best Super Bowl TV overall
LG C1 Series OLED TV
Screen size: 48-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch, 83-inch | Resolution: 4K HD | Display technology: OLED | Smart TV: LG ThinqQ AI, webOS | Curved: No
Stunning picture quality
WebOS smart platform
Ultra-thin design
Expensive
One of this year's best TVs, the LG C1 features a stunning OLED display within an Alpha a9 Gen. 4 processor, providing a cinema-like viewing experience - perfect for watching the Super Bowl. Gamers will appreciate the Game Optimizer menu, which allows you to easily access your games settings. The LG OLED TV also features virtual surround sound audio, four separate HDMI 2.1 ports, and works with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant, enabling you to control your TV and compatible smart home devices completely hands-free.
See more of our top picks for the best Super Bowl TV deals.
LG A1 OLED UHD 4K Smart TV (48-inch):$1,199.99$799.99 at Best Buy
Save $400 – If you're looking for an OLED display under $1,000, the LG A1 is a fantastic option, and Best Buy has the 48-inch TV on sale for a record-low price of $799.99. You're getting 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, and 20W of Dolby Atmos audio, plus LG ThinQ AI technology which allows your TV to become a smart home hub.
Samsung 60-inch Q60A Series QLED 4K Smart TV:$999.99$797.99 at Amazon
Save $202 - Amazon's Super Bowl TV deals include Samsung's 60-inch QLED TV on sale for only $797.99. That's the lowest price we've ever seen and a superb price for a stunning QLED display. The Samsung set delivers a premium picture experience thanks to the Quantum Dot technology, producing over a billion brilliant color shades. You're also getting smart capabilities, a sleek, slim design, and Amazon Alexa built-in for hands-free control.
Samsung 65-inch QN85A Neo QLED 4K Smart TV:$2,199.99$1,499.99 at Samsung
Save $700 - Score the awesome Samsung Neo-QLED TV for Black Friday prices in today's Super Bowl TV deals at Samsung. With superb brightness, colors, and Samsung's excellent Tizen OS, this is a great choice if you're looking for a top-quality display. Featuring one HDMI 2.1 port, this one's also good for next-gen gamers looking to max out their games at 120Hz 4K resolution.
2. Best mid-range Super Bowl TV
TCL 6-Series with Mini LED
Screen size: 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch | Resolution: 4K HDR | Display technology: QLED | Smart TV: Roku | Curved: No
Mini LED backlighting
Supports Dolby Vision
Roku streaming service built-in
Can’t do 4K gaming
Toshiba 55-inch M550 Series 4K UHD Fire TV:$799.99$529.99 at Best Buy
Save $270 - Best Buy's Super Bowl TV sale has this feature-packed 55-inch 4K TV from Toshiba on sale for just $529.99. The M550 Series set packs Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+, DTS Virtual: X, and the Fire operating system for seamless streaming from apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Video.
Samsung 65-inch 4K Smart TV:$648$429.99 at Samsung
Save $220 – A solid choice for a big screen on a budget, this Crystal UHD from Samsung is one of the company's entry-level displays, and it's on sale for only $429.99 - $140 cheaper than last week's price. This Super Bowl TV deal packs a solid 'Crystal' UHD 4K processor, an easy-to-use Tizen operating system, and full HDR support.
LG 75-inch UP8070 Series 4K UHD Smart TV:$1,179.99$869.99 at Best Buy
Save $310 - If you're looking a big-screen display under $1,000 in today's Super Bowl TV sales, Best Buy has this 75-inch 4K TV from LG that's on sale for $869.99. The LG display packs a powerful 4K Quad-Core processor resulting in bold, bright colors and realistic images, and includes webOS and a Magic Remote for easy streaming.
This TCL Mini LED TV has everything and more that you'd want in your mid-range dream TV. The QLED display delivers a stunning picture with bright, bold colors and life-like images thanks to the Quantum Dot technology and Dolby Vision HDR. You're also getting the Roku experience and voice control built-in, so you can use your voice to launch movies, browse shows, control the volume, and more.
See more of our top picks for the best mid-range Super Bowl TV deals.
The Hisense H8G Quantum Series TV comes in a range of sizes, starting at 50 inches and going all the way up to 75 inches. The budget TV features smart capabilities, so you can stream your favorite movies and TV shows all in one place using the handy voice remote. You'll enjoy a stunning picture with bright, bold colors and sharp contrast thanks to the Quantum Dot technology and Dolby Vision Atmos.
See more of our top picks for the best budget Super Bowl TV deals.
TCL 55-inch 4-Series 4K UHD Roku TV:$599$319 at Walmart
Save $280 - Today's cheapest Super Bowl TV deal is this 55-inch 4K TV from TCL that's on sale for just $319 at Walmart. That's an incredible price for a mid-size 4K TV that includes the Roku experience for seamless streaming, and you're getting a handy voice remote.
Hisense 65-inch R6 Series 4K Smart TV:$498$448 at Walmart
Save $50 - Another great Super Bowl TV deal from the budget brand Hisense, Walmart has this 65-inch set on sale for just $448. The 4K display packs Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10, DTS Studio Sound, and includes the Roku operating system so you can easily stream your favorite apps from the home screen of your TV.
TCL 70-inch 4-Series 4K UHD Smart TV:$829.99 $499.99 at Best Buy
Save $330 - One of our favorite Super Bowl TV deals is this 70-inch 4K TV from TCL that's on sale for just $499.99. That's a massive $330 discount and the lowest price we've seen for the big-screen display. You're getting 4K UHD resolution, the Google Assistant and Chromecast built-in, and a handy voice remote.
Social media scams hit an all-time high last year, new figures from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have revealed.
The FTC claims a quarter of all fraud losses for the year happened on social media, with victims losing around $770 million during 2021 (at an average of around $460 per scam) - an 18x rise on the $42 million lost just five years ago.
Although it was previously the older population that was gullible and easily defrauded, now it seems as this tide is shifting, with consumers aged 18-39 reported 2.4 times more fraud than those aged 40+.
Investment fraud and cryptocurrencies
Of all the different methods scammers are using, two are emerging as most popular - romance, and investing.
When it comes to romance scams, the premise is simple - the victim will first be approached (by a person with a false identity, either on Facebook or Instagram) with a friend request or a follow, after which the attacker will engage in seemingly innocent conversation. One thing will lead to another, and the attacker will start asking for money.
Investment fraud is a bit more elaborate. While the platforms are the same, the methods of approach may vary. In some cases, people will come across ads promoting different “investment opportunities”, or will get approached by people advertising these things. More than half (54%) of the investment scams in 2021 took off from social media.
The proliferation of cryptocurrencies only made investment scams more dangerous. The simplicity with which people are now able to send their money, often without third-party oversight, has made it an ideal channel for fraudsters. Last year, cryptocurrencies were the preferred method of payment in almost two-thirds (64%) of all social media investment scams.
The FTC’s full report, with a more detailed breakdown of social media (and other) fraud, can be found on this link.
You should also check out our list of the best VPN services right now
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A widespread Android subscription fraud campaign has been discovered actively stealing from users money.
Uncovered by cybersecurity researchers from Zimperium zLabs, the “Dark Herring” campaign consists of some 470 apps, all found in the official Google Play Store.
The apps, most of which fall in the entertainment category, have all offered “premium” services for registered users. Those that would register an account, would be billed up to $15, through Direct Carrier Billing (DCB).
No malware present
DCB is a mobile payment method, allowing consumers to pay for things they buy online, via the bill for their phone plan. This means users that installed these apps would not know they’d been charged for anything, until the phone bill arrives in the mail.
Furthermore, as these apps can still be used, and many people don’t check the details of their phone bills, in some instances, the charging went on for months, the researchers hint.
As these apps don’t necessarily carry malware with them, the fraud was relatively difficult to detect. In some cases, it was said, the victims took months before noticing that they had been fraudulently charged on their account.
In total, these apps were downloaded on 105 million devices, located in 70 countries around the world. All of this, researchers say, make Dark Herring the longest-running mobile SMS scam discovered.
Researchers from Zimperium believe the operators made away with “hundreds of millions” of dollars, so far.
While Google has since removed all of the apps from the Play Store (the full list can be found here) many can still be downloaded from third-party repositories online.
The White House has told government agencies to get signed up to zero-trust security practices in a bid to boost its online protection/
A memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OBM), the White House’s budget management arm, advises all the heads of executive departments and agencies to move towards zero-trust, a cybersecurity model in which devices, apps, and individuals are “never trusted, and always verified”, and access to different resources is only given for the task at hand, with everything authenticated on a case-by-case basis.
Moving towards zero-trust, the memorandum further explains, will mean listing the complete inventory of devices, implementing stronger identity and access controls, and going for more multi-factor authentication. The devices would need to be monitored as per the specifications set by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Simply running antivirus and a firewall won't suffice, it seems.
Motivated by log4j
“In the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the Administration is taking decisive action to bolster the Federal Government’s cyber defenses,” said acting OMB director Shalanda Young.
“This zero-trust strategy is about ensuring the Federal Government leads by example, and it marks another key milestone in our efforts to repel attacks from those who would do the United States harm.”
One of the reasons that prompted the White House to publish this memo seems to be the recently discovered log4j flaw. The zero-day, which was first discovered late last year, affected countless online services, and was described as one of the most dangerous flaws ever discovered, due to its destructive potential, and the ease with which it can be exploited.
Apache has since issued multiple patches in an attempt to plug the hole.
“As our adversaries continue to pursue innovative ways to breach our infrastructure, we must continue to fundamentally transform our approach to federal cybersecurity,” added CISA director Jen Easterly.
“Zero trust is a key element of this effort to modernize and strengthen our defenses. CISA will continue to provide technical support and operational expertise to agencies as we strive to achieve a shared baseline of maturity.”
As interest in the upcoming metaverse grows, Ethereum-based crypto game The Sandbox has decided to launch an accelerator program to invest in and mentor startups in order to encourage the development of metaverse projects both within and outside of the game world.
The Presidents' Day TV sales event is less than a month away, which means we should start to see early deals pop up from all your favorite retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon. To help you find all the top offers in one place, we've created this guide to bring you this year's best Presidents' Day TV deals and today's top deals that are happening right now.
So what can we expect to see in this year's Presidents' Day TV sales? We typically see record-low prices on last year's best-selling sets, so if you're after a newer 2021 TV, Presidents' Day sales usually offer their most significant discounts yet. Our TV deals guide will include a range of sizes and features, including smart capabilities and voice control from brands like Samsung, Sony, and LG.
Presidents' Day falls on Monday, February 21 this year which means retailers haven't launched their official sales. We should start to see official Presidents' Day sales pop up in early February, and we'll be covering all the top TV deals as soon they drop. If you're looking to shop bargains right now, we've listed today's best bargains, including impressive discounts from Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon.
While we haven't seen any official Presidents' Day TV sales, there's still plenty of fantastic bargains you can shop right now thanks to Super Bowl TV deals from retailers like Best Buy, Walmart and Amazon. You'll find today's best offers below on a range of 4K, QLED and OLED TVs with prices starting at just
32-49 inch TV deals
TCL 32-inch 3-Series Full HD Roku TV:$219.99$199.99 at Best Buy
Save $20 - Today's cheapest TV deal is this 32-inch HD TV from TCL that's on sale for just $199.99. While the 32-inch display lacks 4K resolution, the budget TV does include smart capabilities with the Roku experience built right in so you can easily stream from apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Video.
Samsung 32-inch The Frame QLED 4K Smart TV (2021):$599.99$457.99 at Amazon
Save $142 - If you're looking for a premium 32-inch display, Amazon has Samsung's stunning The Frame TV on sale for $457.99 - $30 less than last week's price. The 32-inch set transforms into a beautiful piece of art to seamlessly blend into your home's decor and includes customizable bezels, a QLED display, and smart capabilities.
Sony 43-inch X80J Series 4K UHD Smart TV:$599.99$449.99 at Best Buy
Save $150 - Best Buy has a $150 price cut on this stunning Sony 43-inch 4K smart TV, bringing the price down to a record-low of $449.99. Sony's X80J series set delivers a brilliant picture with rich colors and detailed contrasts thanks to the powerful X1 4K HDR processor and has the Google Assistant built-in for hands-free control
50-59 inch TV deals
LG 50-inch UP7000 Series 4K UHD Smart TV:$459.99$389.99 at Best Buy
Save $70 - We’re getting into more premium options with this LG 50-inch 4K TV at Best Buy. The 50-inch set packs an excellent 4K processor for top-notch upscaling, LG’s fantastic WebOS smart platform, and a handy Game Optimizer mode to reduce input delays should you want to hook up your favorite console.
Samsung 55-inch 4K Smart TV:$499$427.99 at Walmart
Save $62 – While we've seen this Samsung set drop to $399 before, today's price is still a great deal for the 55-inch 4K TV. You're getting a stunning 4K Crystal display and smart capabilities, so you can easily stream all your favorite movies and TV shows from apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more.
Toshiba 55-inch M550 Series 4K UHD Fire TV:$799.99$499.99 at Best Buy
Save $300 - Best Buy has this feature-packed 55-inch 4K TV from Toshiba on sale for $499.99, thanks to today's massive $300 discount. The M550 Series set packs Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+, DTS Virtual: X, and the Fire operating system for seamless streaming from apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Video.
60-85 inch TV deals
Insignia 70-inch 4K UHD Smart Fire TV:$749.99$649.99 at Best Buy
Save $100 - One of our favorite TV deals this week is this 70-inch 4K TV from Insignia on sale for just $649.99. The Insignia set packs 4K Ultra HD resolution, DTS Studio Sound, and features the Fire OS for seamless streaming and a handy Alexa voice remote - all for under $700, which is an incredible value.
LG 75-inch UP8070 Series 4K UHD Smart TV:$1,179.99$869.99 at Best Buy
Save $310 - If you're looking for a big-screen display under $1,000, Best Buy has this 75-inch 4K TV from LG that's on sale for $869.99. The LG display packs a powerful 4K Quad-Core processor resulting in bold, bright colors and realistic images, and includes webOS and a Magic Remote for easy streaming.
All-New Toshiba 75-inch 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (2021):$999.99$899.99 at Amazon
Save $100 - This Toshiba 75-inch 4K smart TV is on sale for $899.99 at Amazon this week. The 2021 set features an Alexa voice remote and the Fire TV OS and includes Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10, and DTS Virtual: X for a premium picture experience.
LG C1 OLED (65-inch):$2,499.99$1,796.99 at Amazon Save $703 - You can get LG's stunning C1 OLED TV on sale for $1,796.99. That's a massive $703 discount and the lowest price we've seen for the 65-inch display. The LG C1 is one of the best TVs you can buy, thanks to the stunning OLED display, Alpha a9 Gen. 4 processor, and virtual surround sound audio.
If you didn't know, Nissan is part of a group of global automakers that includes Renault and Mitsubishi. The trio form what they call the Alliance, and together the group is on its way to an electrified future – just like every other major automaker.
This announcement demonstrates a focus on reaching full EV product lines by 2030, and as part of that goal the Alliance is gearing up for a major investment. When all is said and done, the Alliance will have plowed €23 billion. The investment will bring 35 new EVs by 2030, which the group says gives it the largest global EV offering.
To achieve this goal, the trio of automakers will need to take advantage of shared parts and common design elements but will do so carefully.
Using what it calls "smart differentiation," the Alliance will manage the commonalities between vehicles and review the possibility of pooling platforms, production facilities, and powertrains.
By 2026, the three automakers will expand the usage of common platforms from 60 percent today to more than 80 percent. As part of this effort Mitsubishi will bolster its European presence with two new models.
A shift to EVs brings a laser focus on battery tech with it, and to that end the Alliance is working to reduce battery costs by 50 percent in 2026 and by 65 percent in 2028.
By 2030, the Alliance says it will have a total of 220 GWh battery production capacity worldwide. Solid state batteries are on the table as well, and Nissan will take the lead to develop battery tech that benefits all three automakers.
Though solid state batteries are not in use in consumer-grade EVs today, the Alliance plans to mass produce the hardware by mid-2028.
Unlike many automakers, the Alliance wants to be 100% in control of its hardware and software. The approach cuts out third-party battery and technology providers, and should (in theory, at least) provide a better end-user experience for buyers.
The group will also work with European charging providers to give customers preferential pricing as well.
Beyond EVs, the Alliance is moving to incorporate more connected services in its vehicles. By 2026, more than five million vehicles will be delivered using the Alliance cloud systems.
The group says it will also be the first global automakers to introduce the Google ecosystem in its vehicles. The first full software-defined vehicle will launch by 2025.
WordPress.org has announced the release of WordPress 5.9, a new version of the famous CMS that will change the way many people build their websites.
The new iteration of WordPress delivers a series of fundamental changes. Perhaps most notable is the introduction of new themes made entirely of blocks, which give users far broader control over the site experience.
To help users make the most of the changes, WordPress 5.9 comes bundled with a new default theme called Twenty Twenty-Two. The theme is designed to be highly flexible and can be moulded and tweaked from the Site Editor, where users can make global changes to color scheme, font combinations, page templates and more.
Beyond block-based themes, WordPress 5.9 also features new typography tools, layout options and detailing controls (for borders, spacing etc.), which WordPress says will give sites an additional feeling of polish.
(Image credit: WordPress)
WordPress 5.9 update
The new release marks the halfway point of the Gutenberg project, a multi-year initiative that will eventually see the entire WordPress publishing experience reimagined. The overall idea is to streamline the building process such that non-technical users are incentivized to get creative with their sites.
“This release is a major milestone on the journey toward being able to manage all areas of your WordPress site using the same basic block concepts,” said Josepha Haden Chomphosy, Executive Director at WordPress.
“It puts a focus on how people can and should be able to build their space on the web without necessarily requiring that they be a brilliant developer. Because publishing should belong to artists and creators just as much as it belongs to designers and developers.”
WordPress 5.9 is the first build to feature this new set of foundational tools, which will continue to be refined and improved over time with the help of the WordPress community.
To access the new full-site editing facilities, users need to either download WordPress 5.9 directly or update from their site dashboard, then activate Twenty Twenty-Two or another of the block-based themes available.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 (BOTW 2, for short) is the much longed-for sequel to 2017’s Breath of the Wild and it’s expected to launch exclusively on Nintendo Switch later this year.
Although we’re now in its planned release year, there’s a lot about Breath of the Wild 2 that’s still a mystery to us. Its true title for one thing and its final, exact release date for another. It’s safe to say that Nintendo hasn’t been keen to give too much away since the game’s announcement in 2019.
Based on what we’ve seen so far, it looks like Breath of the Wild 2 is going to build on the success of its 2017 predecessor, possibly somewhat literally as the most recent trailer shows Link navigating the skies of Hyrule in a way that reminded us of Skyward Sword.
Still, it's maybe not all that surprising that Nintendo is being careful with what it reveals—as the follow-up to what’s widely considered one of the best Nintendo Switch games ever, expectations for Breath of the Wild 2 are astronomical. While we wait for more official news on the game, you can keep scrolling to see everything we've learned so far.
Breath of the Wild 2: what you need to know
What is it? The upcoming sequel to 2017's Breath of the Wild
When can I play it? BOTW 2 is set for release at some point in 2022
Breath of the Wild 2 release date
A lithe Link uses his, uh, power glove to throw cannonballs into enemies(Image credit: Nintendo)
Nintendo hadn't shared much information on Breath of the Wild 2 other than an announcement trailer and a few sparse comments but E3 2021 gave us the best look yet.
The Nintendo presentation showed off some more footage of the game, while letting slip a 2022 release date for BOTW 2.
We don't know if that's early 2022 or late 2022, but it's worth noting that the original Nintendo Switch launched with Breath of the Wild in March 2017, so a March 2022 date would prove a neat five-year anniversary. Speaking on the IGN Games podcast in December 2021, however, IGN boss Peer Schneider mentioned something about playing Breath of the wild 2 in "November 2022". Basically, it's all up in the air but it seems like everything's still on track for 2022.
Breath of the Wild 2 trailers
We got a better look at Breath of the Wild 2 in the E3 2021 Nintendo presentation, and it showed off a vast, expansive world of Hyrule – expanded even further with navigation into the skies, despite the more dungeon-crawling feeling of the original 2019 teaser.
There's some paragliding up in the clouds, along with more a freefall mechanic that seems ripped right out of Skyward Sword, and a new glove that looks to be taking the place of the Sheikah slate for Breath of the Wild 2.
There's even a short clip of a splashed puddle... reverting in time? We're not entirely sure, but it's clear that some new mechanics will be introduced into the Zelda formula, while one of the first game's sentient boulder enemies (that's Stone Pebblit to you) is shown with a Bokoblin fort on its back for BOTW 2, suggesting even more dynamic interplay between the game's many enemies. Take a look below...
We got our very first glimpse of Breath of the Wild 2 at E3 2019, though, with this spooky trailer that shows Zelda and Link exploring an underground chamber – with some mysterious runes, glowing hands, and a brand-new haircut that has set the internet on fire. Suffice it to say we're excited.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 trailer that first revealed the game is just 82 seconds long and there's no dialogue whatsoever, but there are some clues to be gathered from it.
It features a torch-carrying Link and Zelda traversing a dark dungeon beneath Hyrule (no big surprise there). Spirit-like tendrils creep around the musty tomb they're exploring, with the pair riding a large elephant-like beast. Something shocks the pair, and then we cut to what appears to be the resurrection of some long-dead (and creepy looking) warrior. Could this be the return of Ganondorf?
The video then cuts to a long shot of Hyrule Field, with Hyrule Castle in the distance. There's a tremor, the castle is smothered with dust... and that's the end.
The clip finishes with a message that reads: "The sequel to Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is in development."
We wouldn't usually expect so much animation to be done so early in development, but it probably helps that Nintendo already has the in-game engine from Breath of the Wild.
Breath of the Wild 2 news and rumors
Could Zelda have a bigger role this time around?
Rumors of a Nintendo Direct
The first Nintendo Direct of 2022 could be approaching according to recent rumors. Prominent Nintendo leaker, SamusHunter, has tweeted to say that they are “confident to say that it should arrive before last February direct”, which took place on February 17 2021. Though they seem to suggest an early February Direct could be likely, they add that they “don't rule out that it could also arrive in January.”
I know that there are a lot of people that are eager to find when the next #NintendoDirect is scheduled. Well, I'm hearing some announcement scheduled and launch period for games that right know makes me confident to say that it should arrive before last February direct (2/17)January 3, 2022
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Now that we’re officially in the release year for Breath of the Wild 2, a Direct could be where we see more from the game or even get a narrowed down release date. As it is, Nintendo is yet to confirm its plans for its next Direct so we can only keep our fingers crossed.
Targeting the second half of the year?
Prominent Nintendo leaker SamusHunter has tweeted a list of games Nintendo is planning to release this year as well as rough estimates of which part of the year they’re targeting. In the list, Breath of the Wild 2 appears as targeting the second half of the year which would make it beyond June 2022.
-Updates for Splatoon 3 and Sunbrek-Eshop exclusive Title-Big budget unannounced game for the core audience (possible a Monolith Soft Project)-The Sequel to BotW-Casual friendly smaller budget gameThat's it, if I receive more details I will let you know.January 7, 2022
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SamusHunter notes that “plans can easily change” so there is no guarantee that delays or alterations to Nintendo’s schedule won't take place. That said, the second half of the year lines up with the recent reports that Breath of the Wild 2 could be looking at a November release. Adding to this, SamusHunter also tweeted to suggest that we could see some new Legend of Zelda Amiibo launch in fall, noting that these release windows could indicate "possible launch periods of the associated games".
As it is, we should take all of this with a pinch of salt until Nintendo makes an official release date confirmation.
November 2022 release window?
IGN co-founder Peer Schneider made an interesting comment during the 591st episode of the gaming website's Nintendo Voice Chat podcast.
On the topic of a lack of open world games coming to Nintendo Switch, Schneider stated that could change "next November when we're playing Breath of the Wild 2," potentially signalling a late 2022 release for the game.
However, we'd recommend taking the comment with a pinch of salt. Nintendo has confirmed that Breath of the Wild 2 is currently on track for a 2022 release window, and a release around the holidays of that year seems realistic.
Patent hints at Breath of the Wild 2 mechanics
Three recent patents filed by Nintendo could give us an insight into the gameplay mechanics of Breath of the Wild 2. As spotted by GameReactor, the three patents have been registered with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Each patent contains a diagram of what could be Link abilities for Breath of the Wild 2, with the connection being drawn between what’s shown in the patent and what we got to see in the game’s E3 2021 trailer (that's embedded above if you need a refresher).
The first patent, for instance, describes the ability “to perform a special action” while a character is falling such as “a shooting action of shooting a predetermined object.” The diagram in the patent shows a character falling through the air with their arms wide and it’s a strikingly similar pose to Link’s at around 25 seconds into the E3 trailer.
A second patent describes “a designated object selected based on an operation input is caused to perform return movement to return to previously recorded positions and orientations, sequentially backward from the time of giving a start instruction based on the operation input.” That sounds like a way of saying Link might be able to focus on an object and reverse its trajectory. There’s a chance there’s a glimpse of this around the 44 second mark of the trailer, where Link appears to push back spiky chain balls that are rolling down a hill.
Finally, there's a third patent. This describes a scenario “in a virtual space including at least a player character and a terrain object” that’s above them. Basically, it appears the player would be able to move their character through the terrain object that’s above them. The trailer appears to show something similar to this at around the 50 second mark, where Link travels through the underside of a stone bridge to appear on top.
While it looks as though these abilities made an appearance in the trailer, none of these mechanics have been confirmed by Nintendo so it’s best to treat this with a pinch of salt at the moment.
A Nintendo Switch Pro could still be in the works
The announcement of the Nintendo Switch OLED put a dampener on those rumors of a high-powered, 4K Nintendo Switch Pro intended to launch with Breath of the Wild 2. However, according to Tokyo-based analyst Serkan Toto, a Nintendo Switch Pro could still happen. Toto has suggested that the Switch OLED might be a “dummy upgrade” before a real upgrade arrives next year.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Toto said: “This new Switch looks more like an interim model than a real upgrade to me,” Toto told Bloomberg. “This might just be a dummy upgrade until Breath Of The Wild 2 is ready and the component shortage is over next year.”
Skyward Sword HD in the meantime
There's still a wait for Breath of the Wild 2 but Nintendo has released an HD remaster of Skyward Sword in the meantime and we think it's worth playing while you wait. We think, from the mechanics and characters to the locations and narrative, both Skyward Sword and Breath of the Wild 2 could share a surprising amount of commonality and we've explained why you should consider paying attention to Skyward Sword HD in the run-up to the release of Breath of the Wild 2.
BOTW 2 and those Majora's Mask comparisons
Nintendo's Treehouse is always a great place to find new info on upcoming Nintendo games, and Breath of the Wild 2 is no different. Bill Trinen, Senior Product Marketing Manager of Nintendo of America, spoke of BOTW 2 in a recent broadcast with IGN, and its much-noted comparison to the relationship between the N64's Ocarina of Time and its sequel, Majora's Mask.
"I would say it’s an easy comparison or conclusion to jump to at this point in time, just given what’s been shown so far and given the nature of it being a direct sequel. So I understand people making that conclusion, but at the same time – and I don’t want to delve too much into it – but this is its own game”.
However, whereas Majora's Mask reused lots of assets, Trinen wanted to make it clear that this is indeed a true sequel. “I think as we start to show a bit more of the game over the coming months to the next year or so, it’ll probably start to be a bit more apparent where this game stands on its own and what makes it so unique”.
"The way that [BOTW 2] builds on Breath of the Wild, which already was such an expansive game with so many layers of Link’s abilities and layers to the gameplay… I think this is going to layer quite a bit more into that”.
Ganondorf fan theory for BOTW 2
A new Breath of the Wild 2 fan theory is suggesting that Ganondorf could be a playable character in segments of the game. Barrett Courtney of Kinda Funny (via GameSpot) has suggested that the Link we got a glimpse of in the new E3 2021 trailer is actually Ganondorf and that part of the game will involve players exploring the fall of Ganondorf.
“This game will be learning about the fall of Ganondorf the man and then saving him from the evil that has been ruling over him for generations. And in doing so, we’ll break the cycle started by Demise.”
Continuing down this line, Courtney has suggested that the full name of BOTW 2 (still being kept under wraps by Nintendo) could be something like “Demise of the Wild”, making reference to Breath of the Wild and the corruption caused by Demise.
Incidentally, Demise is one of the main antagonists of Skyward Sword, which is to be re-released on Switch later this year. Courtney suggests that a Skyward Sword port was a deliberate choice, “Fujibayashi wants to connect all 3 of his major games together and getting Skyward to Switch will give first timers the back story they need before BOTW2.”
Of course, there is evidence against the theory and until Nintendo reveals more about the game, we can’t be absolutely certain about the story that Breath of the Wild 2 will tell.
The real title is being kept a secret
Nintendo revealed to IGN that it's holding back on revealing the official full title of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 because it could give away some of what's going to happen in the game.
“As for why we’re holding back on the name, you’ll just have to stay tuned because, obviously, Zelda names are kind of important,” Nintendo Treehouse's Bill Trinen explained. “Those subtitles... they start to give little bits of hints about maybe what’s going to happen.”
Trinen didn't indicate when Nintendo is planning to reveal the full title but it's likely that won't be until closer to the game's release.
More information coming in 2021 Nintendo’s Direct presentation in February 2021 didn’t bring any more details on Breath of the Wild 2 but it wasn’t completely absent. Zelda series producer, Eiji Aonuma, shared a small update during the presentation (via NintendoLife), noting that development is “proceeding smoothly” and that there’s going to be more information on the game later this year.
“I’m sure a lot of you saw me and thought there might be news to the sequel to the Breath of the Wild game.” Aonuma said, “Unfortunately, we don’t have anything to share right now. Development is proceeding smoothly and we should be able to bring you some information this year. For now, we’ll have to ask you to wait just a bit longer.”
We now have a 2022 release date thanks to E3 2021, of course, but that doesn't mean we don't hear more before 2021 is over.
Paragliding never looked so dangerous(Image credit: Nintendo)
Hyrule Warriors and a longer wait for news Nintendo and Koei Tecmo Games have released a prequel to the original Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild titled Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. Set 100 years before the original game, it has Link, Zelda and friends (including the four Champions, who will be playable for the first time) battle hordes of enemies in Hyrule before it was destroyed in the Great Calamity.
While it was exciting to have the chance to return to Hyrule in 2020, the release of this prequel did suggest it could be another while before we hear anything more about a sequel.
In revealing Age of Calamity, series producer Eiji Aonuma acknowledged the relative lack of news for Breath of the Wild 2 and said:
“In order to make the vast world you enjoyed exploring in the original game even more impressive, the team is working hard on its development, so you’ll have to wait a bit longer before we can provide more updates.”
Breath of the Wild 2 is going higher, taking to the skies above the Hyrule we know and love – so will that make for two maps, or one very big one?(Image credit: Nintendo)
Could Switch Pro rumors offer Breath of the Wild 2 hints? There have been numerous reports that there's a Nintendo Switch Pro in the works for a 2021-2022 release date. Reports of the new console come from the Economic Daily News and Bloomberg both of which suggest a more powerful Nintendo Switch console with upgraded interactivity and improved display quality could be coming next year. Along with these hardware upgrades, Bloomberg also suggests that Nintendo has a bunch of new games up its sleeve to launch alongside the console.
Given the original Breath of the Wild launched with the original Nintendo Switch back in 2017, launching Breath of the Wild 2 alongside a more advanced iteration of the console would be some nice symmetry.
We now know, of course, that Nintendo is planning to release the Nintendo Switch OLED in October 2021 which has an improved screen but no greater degree of power, putting some doubt on these rumors. However, an analyst has suggested another console could still come down the line.
Voice acting misunderstanding In a sign of just how much fans are looking for news on Breath of the Wild 2, an interview with the voice actors behind the Spanish dubs of Zelda and Revali in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Spanish podcast A Coffee with Nintendo was seized upon and caused some controversy (via IGN).
In the interview it seemed to be suggested that the voice actors had finished their work on BOTW 2, leading fans to think that the game might be further along in its development than originally thought. However, this proved to be incorrect. It was later clarified that the voice actors were joking and that context was lost due to translation issues. In fact, it's not even confirmed that they're working on the sequel. So we're left with no further clues as to progress on Breath of the Wild 2.
A new glove item may take the place of the Sheikah slate in Breath of the Wild 2(Image credit: Nintendo)
All the DLC that never was In an interview with Kotaku, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma said there were originally plans for more DLC content for BOTW, after The Champion's Ballad and Master Trials add-ons that came in 2017.
"Initially we were thinking of just DLC ideas," says Anouma. "But then we had a lot of ideas and we said, 'This is too many ideas, let’s just make one new game and start from scratch.'"
BOTW 2 will be a darker turn for the series All we really know at this point is how little we know. But boy, are there rumors. The unexpected trailer sparked a huge amount of speculation, hopes and hot takes on what the next mainline Zelda title might include.
We've heard from Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma that the game is going to have a darker tone than Breath of the Wild, and will even be "a little bit darker" than Majora's Mask (via IGN).
The trailer certainly supports this, with what looks like Ganondorf's corpse being resurrected by a disembodied hand, and seemingly imagery from 2006's Twilight Princess, which saw Hyrule turned into a bleak shadow realm – largely in response to the far cheerier and cartoonish The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. That said, it won't be all doom and gloom - visually at least - as the E3 2021 trailer has at least indicated that we'll take to the skies and explore amongst the clouds.
A Gerudo corpse, possibly Ganon, is grabbed by a mysterious force in the 2019 teaser
The Twilight realm The glowing blue hand in the trailer is the biggest clue that we'll be seeing more of the Twili – shadow people descended from Hylians who tried to take the power of the Triforce for themselves. The hand is wrapped in twisting shapes reminiscent of Twilight architecture, while the swirling magic could remind some of the portals that let Twili invade Hyrule in the 2006 game.
We know that BOTW's dev team originally toyed with the idea of an alien invasion, and seeing shadow creatures teleport out of the sky could well have been what they have planned this time around.
A clue in the audio Showing just how far some Zelda fans will go, reddit user u/ReroFunk (via Inverse) pieced together a pretty convincing theory regarding Twilight Princess villain Zant, a Twili who served Ganondorf in the game. If you listen to the trailer's audio in reverse, there are certain notes that seem to echo the music played during your final encounter with Zant – who, while defeated, is adamant he'll return through the power of his "god".
u/ReroFunk also suggests we could see the demon king Demise return for the next Zelda game. Demise was the final boss in Skyward Sword, and revealed to be the original form of Ganondorf. The below still from the Zelda trailer also looks alot like Demise when you think about it.
Ganon, Demise, or something else entirely?
Lots of dungeons (and an extended map) Rumors about the Breath of the Wild sequel suggest that we could be in for a treat in the form of a new map that's not like anything we've seen from Zelda before. What's more, a couple of new job listings suggest that Nintendo is looking for people to work on designing some dungeons and hidden bosses for the game – so far, so exciting.
Zelda's turn in the spotlight? One of the favorite fan theories doing the rounds regards the Hyrule princess herself. She's shown in the trailer with a practical short haircut, and is dressed in a manner pretty similar to Link's own adventurer's gear – leading some to think she may be a playable character.
Zelda's devs have seemed pretty dismissive of the idea of a female Link in the past – sadly – but we may in this game see sections playing as Zelda, or at least with her playing a more active role in the story.
