The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild reportedly won't be a Nintendo Switch launch title

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will not be a Nintendo Switch launch title, according to reports. The game, which will also be released on the Wii U, is the only first party Nintendo game confirmed so far for the new console.

The initial report came from industry insider Emily Rogers (who has a great track record) and was later verified by Eurogamer sources. Rogers said that the game's localisation will conclude at the end of 2016 and be followed by "four-to-six months of testing".

This would mean a June or July release at the earliest, if not later. The Nintendo Switch will launch in March.

Nintendo has not confirmed the reports, and is unlikely to do so until January, when it will host a live stream event dedicated to the Nintendo Switch and its launch line-up.

If Breath of the Wild is to be delayed, the question becomes, what will replace it at launch?

In the Nintendo Switch's reveal trailer glimpses of updated versions of Wii U games Splatoon and Mario Kart 8 could be seen, as well as a brand new Super Mario platformer.

The latter would seem like the best fit to launch with the console, but Nintendo hasn't even officially confirmed these titles exist.

Breath of the Wild was revealed as a Wii U title in 2014, and was confirmed as coming to the Switch (called NX at the time) earlier this year. The game was shown off in full at E3 2016, revealing a radically overhauled entry in the 30-year-old series that emphasises survival.

For all the latest video game news follow us on Twitter @IBTGamesUK.