Nintendo's timeline-plotting Legend of Zelda artbook to get UK release

Hyrule Historia, Nintendo's weighty Legend of Zelda artbook, is to be translated for release outside of Japan next year.

Dark Horse Books will publish the 272-page tome in the US on 29th January 2013 for $34.99 (about £22).

A UK and Australian launch has also been confirmed (thanks, IGN), which will also cover parts of Europe.

A Dark Horse Books spokesperson described it as "a page-for-page adaptation of the Japanese version with some minor tweaks. We are even translating the smallest of hand-written notes on the concept designs, some stuff that was too small to be legible in the Japanese version."

The hardcover volume offers detailed descriptions of each Zelda release (not counting the disowned Philips CD-i titles), and places the games in chronological order for the first time.

Previously-unseen concept artwork from each Zelda game is also included, accompanied by comments from those who worked on the series - including top Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto.

Hyrule Historia was first released in Japan earlier this year as part of the Zelda series' 25th anniversary celebrations.