Big hitters in theNintendo Switch 2launch lineup oddly includeThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildandThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which are eight- and two-year-old games respectively. Each of the ambitious open-worldZeldatitles has received a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, an upgrade meant to take full advantage of the new console’s hardware. Both games now boast higher resolutions and better performance, among some ancillary features added to the Switch 2 Editions.
BOTWandTOTK’s Switch 2 Editions also come with a caveat: they’re paid upgrades. Several games received afree Nintendo Switch 2 upgradeupon the console’s launch, including otherZeldatitles,Link’s AwakeningandEchoes of Wisdom, and many more are following in due time. The open-world duology includes two of the Switch’s best-selling games, though, and it would appear Nintendo believes the upgrades are good enough for consumers to potentially double-dip.
What’s Different About The Switch 2 Zelda Upgrades?
Sharper, Smoother, & Faster
The marquee reasons forBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomreceiving Switch 2 Editions are better visuals and performance. While both were serviceable on the original Switch, their frame rates were especially dodgy, and both tended to lean on their art direction to overcome fuzzy graphics thanks to the relatively low resolution they ran at.
On the Switch 2,bothBOTWandTOTKrun at 4K when docked (upscaled from 1440p) and 1080p in handheld mode, always targeting 60 frames per second. This is a big leap in both departments, but the higher frame rate is especially noticeable. Both games targeted 30fps on Switch, but frequently dipped below that. Korok Forest was a notorious location for poor performance, andNintendo specifically highlighted the Switch 2 rendering itwithout issues.
Having gone hands-on with both Switch 2 Editions, I was quite impressed to see the frame rate remain so consistently close to 60fps –it’s quite astounding to walk around Korok Forest and not only see it animate so smoothly, but rendered so crisply with the higher resolution as well. The Switch 2’s HDR support also helps the wonderful art direction pop in both handheld and on a compatible display while docked.
Both games look incredible on the Switch 2, andtheir load times are significantly improved, which may be of interest to those considering a return to eitherBOTWorTOTKto finish finding all the Shrines or remaining Korok Seeds, in which case fast travel will likely be used liberally. If you want to replay either game with the upgrades, both Switch 2 Editions finally offer a second save file, so you don’t have to overwrite your endgame data.
The other touted feature for bothBOTWandTOTKon Switch 2 is known as Zelda Notes, a new section of the Nintendo Switch mobile app. In a bit of classic Nintendo obtuseness,things like global play statistics and item and Autobuild sharing are done through Zelda Notes, rather than integrated into the game itself. Zelda Notes also features so-called Voice Memories, commentary from Princess Zelda when visiting certain locations; these also cannot be accessed withinBOTWorTOTK, and must be heard via the Nintendo Switch app.
Zelda Switch 2 Upgrades Are Paid
$10 Per Upgrade
Nintendo’s pricing for the Switch 2 Editions ofBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomis a bit confusing. If you do not own either of the games,BOTWSwitch 2 Edition andTOTKSwitch 2 Edition are full price as a standalone purchase, $69.99 and $79.99 respectively. For those who already own either game,both can be upgraded to the Switch 2 Edition for $9.99 each. If you own physical copies, your Game Card will have to be inserted to play.
The upgrades being an additional purchase is quite disappointing, not to mentionBreath of the Wildseeing a price increase from its original MSRP on Switch. Frustrations are only exacerbated by the fact that many other games' upgrades are free.Pokémon Scarlet and Violethave largely been fixedon the new hardware, thanks to their free update. Both versions enjoy higher frame rates, better resolutions, areas with more Pokémon rendered, and improved pop-in (though pop-in is still present).
WhilePokémon Scarlet and Violethad far more performance issues than eitherBOTWorTOTK, the situations aren’t dissimilar. All three were arguably too ambitious for the Switch’s hardware, and now the definitive way to play is on its successor console. The only significant difference between the two is thatPokémondoesn’t have similar functionality with the Nintendo Switch app, which is hardly worth $10.
Should You Upgrade Your Zelda Games For Switch 2?
If You Plan On Replaying Either, Yes
If you don’t have Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack,paying $10 for either upgrade is a tall order unless you plan on putting significant time intoBOTWorTOTK. Paying for either Switch 2 Edition likely isn’t worth it if you just want to check out the upgrades.
Both games look great and run incredibly on the Switch 2, but if you don’t see yourself hopping back into Hyrule for an extended stay, the novelty may wear off pretty quickly. The new Nintendo Switch app functionality is largely beside the point;Zelda Notes doesn’t add anything groundbreaking or necessary to the experience.
If you’re a hugeZeldafan, or have been regularly playing either game, then the upgrade is a no-brainer.Breath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom’s Switch 2 Editions are by far the best way to play either title, and returning to these modern classics at 60fps is well worth it. It’s unfortunate that the Switch 2 first-party launch lineup is so scarce aside from thegorgeous and funMario Kart Worldand the premium tech demoNintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, butBOTWandTOTKcan fill some of the void if revisiting either is appealing.
For those weighing the option of buying either game for the first time at full price, it’s probably worth it. It pains me to say it, butBreath of the Wildis still a must-play, even at $70 so long after its initial release.Tears of the Kingdomis, in my opinion, even better, and if you haven’t played either, I highly recommend them, even if Nintendo is still charging an arm and a leg for each. As first-party Switch 2 exclusives, neither is likely to get a price reduction, potentially ever.
It would have been nice for Nintendo to offer these upgrades for free, especially since they’re targeted at longtime, repeat customers, but it’s not hard to see why the company made it a premium update. For the right crowd, $10 isn’t an outrageous ask for what are impressive and thorough upgrades. If you’re still on the fence,be sure to redeem the 12-month individual NSO + Expansion Pack code that came with your Switch 2– that way you can try the upgrades at no cost.
Sadly, the Expansion Pack membership isn’t sold in monthly increments, so there’s no cheaper way to test the Switch 2 editions ofBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom. TheNintendo Switch 2is a little short on games at the moment, but if you don’t mind revisiting the recentZeldagames, they’re now better than ever.
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is the successor to Nintendo Switch, scheduled for release in 2025. Confirmed as backwards compatible, it will play both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games. A full reveal is pencilled in for July 11, 2025.
