TENCENT Holdings has won a key approval to start selling the Nintendo Switch in the country, paving the way for the console to enter the world’s largest video games market two years after it was first released worldwide.

Authorities in Guangdong gave the green light Thursday to Tencent to distribute the Nintendo Switch console with a test version of the “New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe” game, a statement on the government’s website showed.

The need to navigate complex regulations and the search for a local partner have hampered Japanese gaming company Nintendo’s efforts to bring its hybrid home-portable Switch console to China.

“Launching the Nintendo Switch in China is a massive opportunity for both Nintendo and Tencent,” said Gu Tianyi, market analyst with gaming industry analytics firm Newzoo.

“What sets Nintendo apart, however, is that its intellectual property roster, including Mario, Zelda and Pokemon, is already extremely popular in the market. What’s more, the mobile aspect of the Switch is a great fit for China’s mobile-first culture.”

Tencent has traditionally had to apply for approvals from authorities in Guangdong, where the company is registered. The approval by authorities in Guangdong would allow the Switch to be sold nationwide.

Tencent has teamed up with Nintendo in the past, with Tencent releasing its Arena of Valor game overseas on the Switch.

A spokesman for Nintendo, which has sold more than 32 million Switch units globally since its launch, said Tencent had applied to Guangdong authorities for approval to sell the Switch console.(SD-Agencies)