Back in 2017, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild revolutionized open-world game design when it debuted alongside the original Nintendo Switch. Considering how rapidly technology in gaming evolves, eight years later, one could argue that the Switch’s hardware was already outdated at its launch.
It’s quite obvious that a fresh graphic overhaul for one of the most cherished and acclaimed games ever made was an inevitable choice, especially with the Switch 2 offering Nintendo significantly stronger hardware to work with. Thus, we now have “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition“, a revamp that, along with its sequel “Tears of the Kingdom“, modernizes this classic for more advanced hardware.
The improvements in the game are nothing to underestimate. In “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” on Nintendo Switch, the game runs consistently at an impressive 60 frames per second (fps). Unlike before, where the frame rate frequently dropped in specific areas like the Great Plateau region and the Lost Woods/Korok Forest, this new version handles these areas much more smoothly. In fact, the frame rate is significantly improved compared to its previous state, which was already doubled.
In my practice, running numerous CPU-intensive tasks like physics and chemistry simulations alongside battling multiple enemies simultaneously, I was impressed by how consistently the frame rate held up. There was just a momentary lag when I collided with around a dozen hitboxes concurrently, but otherwise, the game maintained an impressive 60FPS, a factor that significantly enhances user experience for many players.
In comparison to its predecessor, this latest version boasts several enhancements. Firstly, it offers improved resolution, whether you’re using it in portable or docked mode. For instance, playing “Breath of the Wild” on a Switch 2 in handheld mode results in a 900p resolution, while in portable mode, it displays at an impressive 1440p. This is a significant upgrade over the original Switch’s 720p for handheld mode and 900p for docked mode, and far surpasses the Wii U version’s 720p resolution.
Moreover, the game now supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology. It also includes additional features and content that can be accessed through a companion app. Lastly, it benefits from faster loading times thanks to the Switch 2’s superior SSD data transfer speeds.
“The other improvements and additions, however, mostly feel nice, but inessential.”
For now, let’s focus on the graphical enhancements since they are the most noticeable. Apart from the 60fps, the increased resolution and HDR significantly boost the game’s appearance. “Breath of the Wild” was a visually appealing game before, but its true beauty was held back by the limitations of the hardware it ran on. With the ability to run at 1440p, 60FPS, and with HDR support, the game’s stunning aesthetics truly shine, and Nintendo’s distinctive, color-focused visual style harmonizes beautifully with an HDR-enhanced high-resolution image. These upgrades not only extend the game’s draw distance (which was already impressive on Switch but is even better now), but they also heighten the game’s immersive quality and overall presentation, making an excellent game even more enjoyable to play.
Improvements that don’t involve visual changes also contribute to it – I mentioned earlier that loading times have been significantly reduced, and yes, whether it’s a cold boot, fast traveling, or transition screens during mini-dungeon areas like Shrines, they typically last only a couple of seconds. Although the initial loading times were not particularly slow, they were indeed longer than the current ones by quite a margin. For a game that you might invest dozens, if not hundreds of hours into playing, even shaving a few seconds off each load can result in a noticeable difference over time.
Additionally, there are further enhancements available. For example, now you can save two different game progresses simultaneously, thanks to having two save slots. Previously, you needed to overwrite the previous game to start a new one. But not anymore, as Master Mode also provides an additional slot for its own separate save. Consequently, there’s no need to delete older files to begin a fresh campaign anymore.
In simpler terms, most of the additional features in Zelda Notes, such as GPS navigation, photo editing, voice memories, and game stats, while enjoyable, are not absolutely necessary for the gameplay experience. These extras were common in console games around 2013, providing unique content like voice-guided navigation, location-specific voice memories, enhanced photos, tips, help, achievements, and a few other minor perks.
Notably, the Switch 2 update omits the paid downloadable content and expansions for Breath of the Wild. These additional features are still available but need to be purchased separately.
These elements don’t significantly enhance or diminish the gameplay experience of Breath of the Wild. While they are enjoyable extras, most players likely won’t even notice them (and probably won’t), without missing out on anything essential. Some features might seem important – for instance, navigation assistance can be helpful in a vast open-world game with few guidance markers; however, having to constantly have your phone handy for it can be inconvenient.
Discovering the fresh context from Voice Memories can offer valuable perspectives about this realm, yet remember to keep your phone handy for it. One aspect I appreciate greatly in Zelda Notes is its ability to monitor both global and local statistics, which I believe is its standout feature. Since I’m fond of tracking stats, this alignment suits me perfectly – however, I’m unsure how appealing this would be for the typical player.
As a passionate gamer, I find myself somewhat puzzled by the Switch 2 upgrade, especially when it comes to the absences rather than additions. To my surprise, it seems the paid DLC and expansion for Breath of the Wild are not included in this package, which must still be purchased separately. This is quite perplexing, considering the high price tag of the Switch 2 Edition. While the DLC isn’t necessarily essential to enjoy the base game, its exclusion does raise some questions about the overall value of this upgrade, especially since we’re dealing with an eight-year-old game that should ideally come packed with all available content.
Additionally, there are a few quality-of-life improvements introduced in Tears of the Kingdom that would have been delightful to see in Breath of the Wild. However, their absence isn’t as frustrating as the DLC’s omission because, let’s face it, we’ve grown accustomed to waiting for upgrades in the Zelda series. But still, it’s a minor disappointment that could have made this upgrade feel more comprehensive.
Regarding the enhancements, it’s a combination of hits and misses. There are fantastic aspects such as speedier loading times and visual upgrades, but there are also areas that could use improvement (the DLC). Furthermore, some additions are nice but not necessary. In summary, this update can be considered an average improvement for an exceptional game.
If you’re new to Breath of the Wild for the first time, I must admit, I envy you. It’s an extraordinary adventure that leaves a lasting impression.
In 2025, eight years since its initial release, Breath of the Wild remains extraordinary. This highly anticipated and cherished game is often cited as the greatest ever produced, and the accolades are well-deserved. The game’s innovative open-world design, captivating player-driven gameplay loop, and focus on mechanics that encourage dynamic, emergent gameplay have resulted in a game that even after countless hours played by over 30 million players worldwide, continues to offer fresh and delightful experiences.
If you’re new to playing “Breath of the Wild” for the first time, I must admit a touch of envy – this game offers an exceptional, lasting impression that few open-world games can match, let alone successfully achieve. Playing it now, free from the technical or graphical issues that affected the original, and experiencing it in its refined form, promises to be an extraordinary journey. Despite some areas where the game may fall short, such as certain dungeons, bosses, or permanent upgrades which are less emphasized in
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of the greatest games ever created, and it’s fantastic news that a more contemporary version is now accessible. For those who may have been deterred by its earlier issues with resolution or performance, these concerns will no longer be an issue here. However, beyond the graphical and technical upgrades, I find the additional features somewhat underwhelming. I believe they could have incorporated more engaging content into the game than what’s available in Zelda Notes, or at least integrated Zelda Notes’ content directly into the game itself. I also feel that excluding the DLC content from this package was not a wise choice.
As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but sing praises about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Hearing news about a modernized version is music to my ears! If there were gamers who found its earlier versions less appealing due to resolution or performance issues, this updated version is going to be a game-changer for them. No more compromises on graphics or gameplay; it’s all set to provide an exceptional experience!
In summary, this review presents a blend of positive and negative aspects for an exceptional game, Breath of the Wild. For newcomers who haven’t experienced this game before, the details in this review might not be relevant or noticeable to you. Instead, immerse yourself in one of the most remarkable adventures that gaming has ever offered. If you are a returning fan, it’s gratifying to have an upgraded version now, but the improvements may fall short of expectations considering the paid upgrade nature of it.
This game was reviewed on the Nintendo Switch 2.
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2025-06-11 18:12