A main-story-focused run of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes about 50–60 hours at a regular pace, according to Nintendo Life. If you add side content and exploration, plan for roughly 55–70 hours; pursuing completionist goals can stretch the game well past 100 hours. These are estimates, not guarantees, and “100%” does not have one consistent definition.
How long does each type of playthrough take?
| Playthrough | Estimated time | What the estimate means |
|---|---|---|
| Main story | About 50–60 hours | Nintendo Life’s 2023 estimate for a regular pace. GamesRadar+ estimated 45–55 hours for story-focused play. |
| Main quests plus some extras | About 55–70 hours | GamesRadar+’s 2023 standard-playthrough estimate, including enough side content and exploration to avoid feeling underpowered. |
| Main story plus extra content | 117 hours on average | HowLongToBeat’s player-submitted average, as relayed by Deku Deals in 2026. |
| Completionist | 100+ hours; estimates range to 247.5 hours | GamesRadar+ put completionist play at 100+ hours and suggested an exhaustive run could approach 150 hours. HowLongToBeat’s player-submitted completionist average, relayed by Deku Deals in 2026, is 247.5 hours. |
The HowLongToBeat figures also put its Main Story category at an average of 59.5 hours. Deku Deals does not show a sample size for these averages, so treat them as a player-reported comparison rather than a controlled test or a promise of how long your run will take.
What counts as a “standard” playthrough?
The 55–70-hour estimate includes the main quests along with some optional activities and exploration. It is a useful planning range if you want to see the central story but also spend time strengthening Link and investigating the world. A more objective-focused route can land closer to the story-only estimates; frequent detours can push the total higher.
Why does completionist time vary so much?
Completion can mean different things: finishing the main objectives, clearing side quests and shrines, collecting Korok Seeds, or pursuing a much more exhaustive checklist. Nintendo Life’s staff playthrough reached the credits after about 80 hours, but included Side Adventures, Side Quests, Shrines, many Korok Seeds, and photography—and was estimated at roughly 40% completion. That example shows how reaching the ending and pursuing every collectible are very different goals; it does not establish a universal total for “100%.”
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- Enhanced performance and visuals exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore the skies, caves, and vast lands of Hyrule in a massive open-world adventure.
- Wield new and returning abilities to craft solutions, vehicles, and weapons.
- Discover the mystery behind the spreading gloom threatening the kingdom.
- Use the ZELDA NOTES app to share, compare, and earn daily bonuses.
The published completionist estimates reflect that uncertainty: GamesRadar+ gives 100+ hours and says an exhaustive run may be closer to 150, while the HowLongToBeat average relayed by Deku Deals is 247.5 hours. The sources measure different things, so these numbers are best read as a broad spread rather than competing guarantees.
How long is the opening?
Nintendo Life estimates about 2–3 hours to progress from the beginning through unlocking Lookout Landing Skyview Tower and receiving the larger objective. This covers the opening stretch, not a fixed tutorial duration: exploration and pace can change the time.
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![The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PuJ83o9KL._SL160_.jpg)
- Ultrahand: Using the new Ultrahand ability, Link can pick up, move, and rotate almost any object, and can even attach objects together to create bridges, vehicles, and more!
- Fuse: Magically fuse almost any object to Link’s current weapon, shield, or arrow to increase durability, damage, or even add a new effect. Experiment with lots of different combinations to come up with surprising—and sometimes hilarious—results!
- Ascend: Add a new dimension to your exploration with Ascend, which gives Link the ability to pass through solid objects above him. Rise up through ceilings, hillsides, and even certain enemies to create seemingly impossible shortcuts.
- Recall: Use Recall to make objects in motion move backward through time, letting Link ride fallen boulders skyward, recover thrown weapons, or send projectiles back where they came from.
What makes one playthrough longer than another?
Nintendo describes the game as player-directed: “Every player’s exploration experience will be different.” The main difference is how often you leave the immediate objective to explore, experiment, and take on optional activities. Nintendo Life’s longer-than-story playthrough included side quests, shrines, Korok Seeds, and photography; GamesRadar+’s standard estimate likewise assumes some side content and exploration.
If you are unsure what to do next, Nintendo Support recommends checking the Adventure Log for hints, following Main Quests, exploring areas you have not visited, and experimenting with Link’s abilities and Zonai devices. Those options let you choose whether to keep moving toward the story or spend more time discovering what the world offers.
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- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom /Switch
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- The Legend of Zelda - Tears of the Kingdom
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