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Nintendo’s Epic Zelda Sequel ‘Tears Of The Kingdom’ Sparks Global Gaming Frenzy
After a six-year anticipation, fans of the beloved “Zelda” franchise around the globe finally rejoiced on Friday as Nintendo unveiled the highly anticipated latest chapter in its iconic gaming series, which has been captivating audiences for four decades.
Dedicated gamers showed their unwavering commitment by forming lengthy queues outside a store in Paris, hours before midnight struck, in their quest to be among the first to obtain the much-awaited game, titled “Tears of the Kingdom.”
“I’m going crazy actually, because it’s been six years that we’ve been waiting for this game,” 19-year-old Taylor Meguira told AFP as he waited in line.
“When ‘Breath of the Wild’ came out, it was a real revolution in the world of games,” he added, referring to the 2017 instalment of the saga.
“Knowing that there is a sequel, which is coming out in an hour or a little less, it’s just incredible, it just makes me so happy.”
Since its initial release in 1986, the game series showcasing the adventures of Princess Zelda and the courageous hero Link has achieved remarkable success, with a staggering 125 million copies sold worldwide.
Notably, “Zelda” played a pivotal role in shaping the concept of “open world” gaming, allowing players to freely explore vast virtual landscapes—an innovation that later inspired titles such as “Grand Theft Auto” and “Skyrim.”
The franchise’s influence on the gaming industry is evident as it paved the way for immersive gaming experiences and expansive virtual realms.
However, the primary hurdle for the Japanese gaming powerhouse this year lies in enhancing its earnings and extending the lifespan of its Switch console, which industry experts claim has reached a mature stage after gracing store shelves for seven years.
Prior to its release, preview clips circulating on the internet garnered millions of views, generating immense anticipation. Analyst Serkan Toto from Kantan Games predicts that the game will significantly contribute to Nintendo’s sales this year, surpassing other titles by a wide margin.
Nonetheless, when the franchise made its debut in the 1980s, it was a daring move for a company primarily recognized for games like “Donkey Kong” and “Super Mario Bros.” The launch of “Zelda” marked a significant gamble for Nintendo at the time.
The inaugural release, “The Legend of Zelda,” thrust gamers into an unfamiliar universe with minimal guidance or instructions.
During an era when most games could be completed within a couple of hours, “Zelda” presented an expansive and grandiose scale.
Kiyoshi Tane, a renowned author specializing in video game history, acknowledged the game’s groundbreaking nature, stating, “It was a forerunner of what open-world games would eventually evolve into.”
With its vast and immersive world, “Zelda” pushed the boundaries of gaming conventions and set the stage for future titles to explore the possibilities of open-world gameplay.
Following its release, “Zelda” entered the market a few months after the iconic “Super Mario Bros.”
While Mario’s adventures involved traversing platforms from left to right, Zelda took a distinct approach by enticing players to delve into its vast world, encouraging exploration, discovery, and the mapping of its intricate landscapes.
This unique characteristic of the game was highlighted by Mark Brown, an analyst of game design who shares insights on his YouTube channel.
The original “Zelda” quickly became a resounding success, pushing the boundaries of game design and setting new standards for the industry over the next two decades.
However, as the 2010s arrived, the franchise encountered challenges and experienced a decline in its popularity.
The designers rethought the basics of the game, eventually creating 2017’s “Breath of the Wild”, which launched alongside the Switch and has since become the best-selling edition of Zelda.
“This game set a high bar for the open-world action-adventure genre, and Zelda is still at the top,” Katsuhiko Hayashi, representative for Famitsu Group, which publishes industry magazine Famitsu, told AFP.
In response to the recent security alerts, the Osun State Government has approved the establishment of a Joint Security Taskforce to strengthen security response and alert to threats to lives and properties in the state.
According to a government house statement on Thursday, to ensure smooth take off of the JTF, the state government declared its readiness to provide all necessary logistics that will strengthen the protection of lives and property of the people throughout Osun State .
The decision was adopted at the State Security Council (SSC) meeting convened yesterday by Governor Ademola Adeleke and presided over by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi with the new Commissioner of Police personally in attendance alongside other security top brass.
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The Deputy Governor while opening the meeting conveyed the best wishes of the state Governor to the service commanders and lauded their steadfastness during recent security challenges and tasked them not to relent in the face of fresh security threats.
Accompanied by the Attorney General of the state, Hon Wole Jimi-Bada; the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina; and the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, Mr Samuel Ojo, the Deputy Governor told the commanders that the governor is committed to further empowering the security agencies to secure the state while calling on the traditional rulers to sustain their local security oversight.
The Council during its deliberations also used the opportunity of the meeting which lasted several hours to further allay the fears of the residents on their security and protection, noting that Osun state remains safe and secured.
The Council further tasks residents to be extra vigilant particularly in churches, mosques and schools, tasking stakeholders to put extra security measures around their premises.
While assuring the public of their safety, the Council further requested timely intelligence sharing to security agencies by members of the public to forestall attacks by suspected terrorists and bandits.
The Nigeria Police in conjunction with other security agencies were also directed to be on a 24 hour red alert to curtail the threats of the said bandits and terrorists.
At the meeting, an agreement was also reached between the Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police, and the DSS, to collaborate with a view to ensuring that all the suspects are properly investigated and prosecuted accordingly without delay.
The meeting ended with a commendation of the new Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Zungura for instituting policing reforms since his assumption of office and for attending the security meeting in person.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Yola, Adamawa State, to lead a Federal Government delegation on a condolence visit to the family of the late elder statesman, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur.
Shettima’s visit is at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the death of the former Governor of the old Gongola State and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Vice President was received in Yola by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, alongside members of the state executive council.
Tukur, who died on September 12, 2026, was a prominent businessman, politician and elder statesman whose career in public service and business spanned several decades.
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He served as Governor of the defunct Gongola State and later became National Chairman of the PDP. He was also recognised for his contributions to Nigeria’s political development and Africa’s business community.
The presidential delegation accompanying Shettima includes the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori; former Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel.
Others on the delegation are Hon. Abdulrazaq Sa’ad Namdas; Sarkin Gabas Adamawa, Dr Mahmood Halilu Ahmed (Modi); and APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, among others.
The condolence visit comes as political leaders, government officials and other Nigerians continue to mourn the death of the former governor and PDP national chairman.
Peter Obi has condemned the reported killing of some Nigerians abducted in Borgu, Niger State, saying the country must never normalise the killing of its citizens.
Obi made this known in a statement released via X on Wednesday, where he described the reports emerging from Borgu as increasingly difficult to comprehend and deeply painful.
He recalled that on August 27, he had expressed his anguish over the reported abduction of about 600 Nigerians, including women, children and elderly people, alongside the killing of others.
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According to him, his anguish has deepened following continuing reports of the gruesome killing of some of those abducted, while many others remain unaccounted for.
Obi also referred to another disturbing incident in which a bandit group reportedly beheaded a Nigerian and sent his severed head to a community leader over a ₦50 million levy.
“If the reported killing was intended to increase pressure on the community and extract more money for those still being held, then we must recognise the terrible reality before us: human life is being deliberately turned into a bargaining instrument,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor said one person being killed to terrorise an entire community while others are kept alive as hostages for more ransom amounts to the systematic devaluation of human life.
“These are not statistics. They are Nigerians. They are mothers, fathers, children, brothers, sisters and elderly people,” Obi said.
He questioned how long the country would continue to accept the kidnapping of hundreds of citizens, killings, criminal levies, displacement and ransom payments as unavoidable features of Nigerian life.
Obi said insecurity also affects families, farms, businesses, education and public confidence in government.
He called for intelligence-led operations, stronger community security, rapid response, better coordination and equipment for security forces, effective border protection and sustained action against criminal networks.
“The primary responsibility of government is the security and welfare of its citizens,” he said.
“While politicians prepare for elections, Nigerians are asking for something more fundamental: the right to live.”
Obi urged the government to match prayers with action, insisting that no criminal group should determine who lives or dies anywhere in Nigeria.
“Every Nigerian life matters. Every victim deserves justice. Every community deserves protection. Nigeria must restore security, justice, and the dignity of human life,” he added
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