That's according to a new report which details the game's current state of development, and which tallies with information provided to Eurogamer by sources close to Nintendo.

Last night, reliable Nintendo tipster Emily Rogers detailed the game's localisation schedule, which will now continue through until the end of 2016. "Four-to-six months of testing will follow" before the game launches.

Eurogamer had separately been told of the same schedule, as Nintendo is committed to launching the game in as close to perfect a state as possible after so long in development.

To put it lightly, this is no small feat. Breath of the Wild is a huge open-world game which leans heavily on sandbox systems.

Nintendo's latest official estimate for Breath of the Wild is simply "2017". This was not updated when the Nintendo Switch was fully unveiled last month.

The question, then, is what big first-party title will now spearhead the Switch's launch. We've heard the console's new Mario will be ready in time to fill this role.

http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=222652&page=1#8

Nintendo is set to reveal more information on the Switch - for example, the fact it has a touchscreen - at a special event on 13th January.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-11-15-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-will-miss-nintendo-switch-launch

Just for record, Zelda BotW not being Switch launch title is not delay of game, because Nintendo never said that Zelda BotW is Switch launch title,they always stated thats only 2017. game.

Delayed for Switch To?

As long as they don't release it first on Wii U they might as well take their time until 2018.

How many delays has this game have? I still think it looks amazing and it will be great, but too many delays might erode people's confidence in the product. Luckily it's a Zelda game, so at least it's save on that regard due to pedigree alone.

Quality has to be out of the world because of endless delay.

Technically two delays, 2015. and 2016. launch, Nintendo actualy never said that Zelda is Switch launch game (thats assumed by fans that Nintendo will do same like they done with Zelda TP and make it launch title), they just said its 2017. game.

So you want them to keep punishing Wii U owners.  The ones that stuck with them during the 8th gen.

Not a massive surprise at this point, Zelda was never confirmed for March or launch. Many of us just assumed it would be ready, based on Twilight Princess. Breath of the Wild is by far the most ambitious Nintendo title yet, and the new physics engine and sandbox systems will mean the game requires a huge amount of testing to get it up to Nintendo's usual polished standards.

Interesting that Eurogamer corroborate Emily Rogers' suggestion 3D Mario would launch with the system. That, for me (a Zelda nut), is consolation. A brand new EAD Tokyo developed Mario title on day one, preferably as a pack-in at the £250 price point would be hard to turn down. Mario also has the bigger commercial footprint than Zelda, so Switch's sales prospects shouldn't be dimmed by this delay.

Well they better have another huge game for launch then. Nothing less than a new Mario 3D game imo.

No, I want them to not punish Switch owners who bought the console to experience BotW in higher fidelity.