The Nintendo Switch should've met its match. 7 years into its lifecycle, the Switch is starting to show its age, prompting a lot of calls for a mid-cycle upgrade if not a new successor. But, believe it or not, there's still plenty of power under its hood. As The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has proven, the Nintendo Switch can still surprise you.

The highly anticipated release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has taken the gaming world by storm. Fans as well as critics alike have nothing but positive things to say about the latest installment in the beloved franchise.

As a matter of fact, Tears of the Kingdom has scored a near-perfect rating on Metacritic.

Ahead of its release, critics got a chance to publish their thoughts on Tears of the Kingdom, and you'd be hard-pressed to find anything negative.

With a 96% score on Metacritic, Tears of the Kingdom is a near-flawless game that critics are praising for its stunning visuals and immersive gameplay. The highly anticipated sequel introduces players to a vast and beautifully designed kingdom, that feels distinctly different despite being technically the same setting as Breath of the Wild.

Critics are loving the unique characters and the captivating landscapes. It's evident that Nintendo put a ton of attention to detail in Tears of the Kingdom, with each area giving off its own distinct atmosphere and charm.

Reviewers couldn't help but love the storyline as well as the innovative combat mechanics and gameplay that has also since been refined and expanded upon, offering an enjoyable experience.

Here's a round-up of all the notable critic scores to give you a better idea of how much they love Tears of the Kingdom:

• GameSpot - 10/10
• GamingBible - 10/10
• Inverse - 10/10
• PCMag - 5/5
• ComicBook.com - 5/5
• The Washington Post - 4/4

The Washington Post is arguably the best description of Tears of the Kingdom, with the author, Gene Park, saying:

Ultimately, the lore isn’t the main attraction, and isn’t the reason the Zelda series has endured for almost half a century. What’s more compelling is the game’s nod to the collective story of how human imagination pushes us through our toughest challenges, and sometimes sends us soaring to heights unseen.

With its captivating storyline, breathtaking visuals, and engaging gameplay, Tears of the Kingdom belongs to the upper echelon of the iconic franchise.

It doesn't matter if you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, Tears of the Kingdom offers an unforgettable and highly enjoyable adventure that's sure to leave a lasting impression.

Perhaps Nintendo is right to feel bullish about the Nintendo Switch and to deny audiences a "more powerful" version. In a world where people keep on asking for more, Nintendo just showed that you can always find ways to work around certain limitations and come up with a near-flawless product.