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'We went in blind': Vancouverites wait in massive lines for video game release

"OMFG!"
Elana Shepert
Elana Shepert
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Locals in Vancouver, B.C. are waiting in long lines on May 12, 2023 to get their copy of the new Nintendo Switch game, “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom." Photo via @trudicastle and @ddonat/Twitter

Vancouverites are committed to long waits to pick up copies of a popular new video game release. 

“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” was released Friday, May 12, compelling die-hard fans to gather in droves outside of electronics and video game stores across the Lower Mainland. 

Nintendo released the first game in the popular series, "The Legend of Zelda," a whopping 37 years ago in 1986. Since then, it has amassed a cult-like following, with players dressing up as its characters at cosplay events. 

The last Zelda game, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” was released in 2017 when Nintendo introduced its successful Switch gaming console. It won numerous "Game of the Year" accolades and was a top-seller for the Switch.

Nintendo says 29 million units of the game have been sold as of December 2022.

“Tears of the Kingdom” picks up where the last game left off. Link and Princess Zelda, having saved the land of Hyrule from the evil Ganon, are exploring under Hyrule Castle for evidence of a forgotten civilization known as the Zonai.

The new release is selling for roughly $90 at retail stores across Metro Vancouver and online. But many people have faced waits exceeding three hours to pick up their pre-ordered copy of the hotly-anticipated game. 

Release of “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” draws Vancouverites out in droves

While a couple of lucky locals have already purchased the game and are sharing bits of it online, others are asking them to "avoid posting spoilers." Other Vancouverities say that they won't be leaving their homes after diving into the game. 

A Vancouver mom wrote in a Twitter post that she was "seriously debating" waiting in a line all night after a parent-teacher conference to snag a copy of the game.

She said she already paid for it but had a "fever" for it and the "prescription is more Zelda."

Many locals shared videos and photos of jaw-dropping lines outside of video games and electronics stores. One person said they went home "Zelda-less" after standing in a line that went around an entire block but "barely moved in an hour." Another individual reported a three-hour wait before getting their copy. 

Several people have noted that the release was confusing because they didn't know they had to "pre-order" the game, while others said it would be helpful to know potential wait times involved in picking up a pre-ordered copy. 

A Vancouver woman said the stores should encourage people to bring chairs, charge their phones or bring a book, and bring food and beverages. 

With files from the Canadian Press