The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the fastest-selling game of series

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Nintendo Switch: $79 AUD / £42.26

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is perhaps the most anticipated addition in the popular series – and it’s easy to see why. 

The epic earthy adventure takes gamers to new heights by literally spanning across both land and sky to uncover the secrets in the kingdom of Hyrule. 

Much like the predecessor Breath of the Wild, gamers step into a world of discovery and exploration, but now hero Link is given the ability to harness new powers. 

These new abilities allow our protagonist to fuse together a variety of objects to build vehicles – from cars to rafts, gliding jets and even hot air balloons. One gamer even recreated a Trojan horse for Link to hide inside and avoid enemies nearby.

However, this new freedom makes it difficult – and sometimes frustrating – to solve the never-ending puzzles scattered throughout. 

It may take players all their might and brainpower to think outside the box and create suitable inanimate objects to complete the task at hand. 

This means a quick sneaky Google search to discover what to do next won’t help, though it may give gamers ideas on what to build. 

Nonetheless, this makes the game the ultimate zone for spiralling creativity and imagination – ideal for those who enjoy solving puzzles. 

Much like the predecessor Breath of the Wild, gamers step into a world of discovery and exploration, but now hero Link is given the ability to harness new powers

Journalists and gamers attended the official launch of the game in Sydney on May 12 – and all were buzzing with excitement 

Attendees were some of the first in the world to have a crack at playing the game and solving puzzles, including how to build a moving vehicle to cross between two destinations 

The storyline kicks off where the predecessor concluded with hero Link and Princess Zelda exploring beneath the castle of Hyrule following the defeat of antagonist Calamity Ganon. 

It seems Nintendo has taken the landscape from Breath of the Wild and added to it. From sweeping valley views to hidden caves, picturesque landscapes and steep snow-topped mountains to explore, the visuals itself don’t disappoint. 

With nearly everything at your disposal, players are only limited by their imagination. 

In a way some of the new enemies are unthreatening while others are difficult to defeat – such as the all mighty giant stone titan and three-headed dragon. 

Returning foes include blue blob Chuchu, terrifying troll-like Hinox and green Lizalfos. 

These new abilities allow our protagonist to fuse together a variety of objects to build vehicles

But it may take players all their might and brainpower to think outside the box and create suitable inanimate objects to complete the task at hand

Returning foes include blue blob Chuchu, terrifying troll-like Hinox (pictured) and green Lizalfos

Patience is also required as Link can only dash, climb and swim for a limited amount of time – an aspect from the previous game that has carried through to the latest storyline, albeit making the game more realistic. 

While players are truly challenged throughout, the game dives deeper into a new crevasse of the mind and stimulates the brain in a satisfying way when any given sense of progress is achieved.

Similarly in Breath of the Wild, players collect resources to build stronger weapons and shields all used in combat. 

Take to the skies! Players are only limited by their imagination 

In just 72 hours more than 10 million copies sold worldwide – officially making it the fastest-selling game in the series in Australia. 

And as of March 2023, the series has sold more than 130 million units worldwide. 

While it’s said the game takes around 30+ hours to complete the main storyline, an intense ‘speedrunner’ defeated Tears of the Kingdom in just one hour, 34 minutes and 33 seconds.  

Managing Director of Nintendo Australia, Takuro Horie said: ‘We have been blown away by the support of fans for this record-breaking launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. 

‘Nintendo Switch continues to deliver engaging experiences anytime, anywhere, and we look forward to seeing player’s adventures and creations as they journey through Hyrule.’

It’s been nearly 40 years since the the original Zelda was released, and I have a feeling Tears of the Kingdom won’t be the final tale.