The Legend Of Zelda Returning With Official Prequel That Goes Deep Into Hyrulian Lore

Jun 28, 2026 - 16:16

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The Legend Of Zelda Returning With Official Prequel That Goes Deep Into Hyrulian Lore

Published Jun 28, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT

Known as 'Cyberpunk 2077's' biggest fan, Angharad is a Welsh games writer who thrives in anything related to digital storytelling. If a video game explores the intricacies and horrors of womanhood, she is there.

Thanks to previous work at GAMINGbible, GameByte, The Loadout, Game Luster, Angharad has built a strong understanding of both the digital world and what fans want from it and is eager to share her thoughts and expertise with readers.

As long as there has been a The Legend of Zelda franchise, there has been the kingdom of Hyrule. As much of a character as Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf to name but a few, Hyrule is its own living, breathing addition to the Nintendo franchise, and its roots go back to the very beginning with the launch of The Legend of Zelda in 1986.

Now that the franchise is celebrating its 40th anniversary, players are eager to immerse themselves in the magical world which has been a constant companion for the past four decades, and what better way to do so than by learning more about Hyrule itself?

Inspired by medieval European folklore, the kingdom of Hyrule, which is traditionally ruled by the Royal Family, is home to many races, such as the Hylians, Gorons, and Zoras, and its very landscape has changed throughout the course of The Legend of Zelda franchise. From simple 2D maps with interconnecting hallways, to sprawling 3D kingdoms in ruined open-worlds such as in Breath of the Wild, we have seen many iterations of the iconic world, and this upcoming release is about to shine a new light on Hyrule.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Secrets of the Zonai is an upcoming hardcover book full to the brim with beautiful illustrations, character art, and promotional images. Courtesy of Dark Horse Direct, fans can not only expect 50-pages of art, but can then look forward to over 300 pages of behind-the-scenes sketches, notes, rough designs, concept art, and recollections that dive into the creation of Tears of the Kingdom.

"Next, travel back to a time before the founding of the Kingdom of Hyrule, with over 80 pages of Hyrule’s history that include insights into the mysterious past of the Zonai all the way up to the events of the game," the book description continues.

Finally, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Secrets of the Zonai will conclude with interviews with some of the developers who put their heart and soul into the creation of the most recent mainline Zelda title: Producer Eiji Aonuma, Director Hidemaro Fujibayashi, and Art Director Satoru Takizawa.

Now available to pre-order for £46.30, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Secrets of the Zonai will make the perfect addition to the shelf of any Legend of Zelda fan, as well as shedding light on the development of Tears of the Kingdom and the secrets that lurk throughout the very being of Hyrule. Expected to ship in October 2026, you have just a few months until you can get your hands on this stunning new release.