Ending a six-year wait, Nintendo has released the latest installment of the Zelda franchise that is taking the gaming community in China by storm. Titled “Tears of the Kingdom,” the role-playing game continues the exploration of the open-world Hyrule amid protagonist Link’s battle against villain Ganondorf.

The anticipated launch ignited a frenzy worldwide, with images circulating of eager fans queuing late into the night to buy the latest addition to the series. In China, a viral post on the microblogging site Weibo garnered thousands of comments and likes, as a user and his partner described their plans to dedicate all their spare time to playing the game.

“I’ve been waiting for this day for a couple of years now,” the user wrote. “I have few desires in life. My love and I just want to go back to being a kid and immersing ourselves in another world.”

And with stellar reviews pouring in, some fans voiced their frustration and anxiety about not being able to play due to work commitments. On social media, jokes and memes about fans taking leave from work to play the game trended through the day, showcasing the anticipation and excitement among Chinese fans.

“It (The Legend of Zelda series) is a must-play for all game fans, especially for console gamers,” said Deng, a Guangzhou-based gamer. He added that he’d already bought the game and planned to go on a playing binge over the weekend. 

While no official figures have been disclosed, China boasts a robust fan base for the “The Legend of Zelda” gaming saga, as well as other Nintendo games such as Animal Crossing. 

The Japanese gaming company, despite facing initial challenges, has steadily solidified its presence across China in recent years, thanks in large part to its partnership with domestic gaming giant Tencent.

Editor: Apurva. 

(Header image: A poster of “Tears of the Kingdom.” From Weibo)