I don’t usually write platform-specific reviews for games I’ve already covered, but this one’s different. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition adds enough technical upgrades and new tools to warrant a closer look.
I played the original game back on the Nintendo Switch in 2017. Even then, it was a huge step forward for the series. Its open structure, physics-driven gameplay, and memorable moments helped define the system’s launch. But it also had its limits. Areas like Korok Forest struggled to run well, and the game’s resolution could only go so far on older hardware.
Now on Nintendo Switch 2, this version brings a full 60 frames per second, 4K docked resolution, 1080p handheld, faster load times, and HDR support. It looks sharper, runs smoother, and feels like the game many of us imagined back in 2017.
That’s not all, though. There’s also a companion app called Zelda Notes, which adds new features like lore-based audio logs and navigation tools. Some changes are small, others more noticeable, but they’re enough to make this re-release feel like more than just a resolution bump.
Let’s take a closer look at how well The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition holds up, and whether it’s worth returning to Hyrule again.
Hyrule’s Quiet Urgency
The story in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition remains exactly as it was in the original. Link wakes up after a century of sleep, with almost no memory, and steps into a ruined Hyrule. Calamity Ganon has taken control of Hyrule Castle, and it’s up to you to decide how and when to face him.
There are no cutscene dumps or traditional dungeon pacing here. Most of the story unfolds through exploration, character interactions, and environmental clues. The game trusts you to piece things together. If you want to rush straight to the castle, you can. If you’d rather climb every mountain and uncover Zelda’s backstory one Voice Memory at a time, that’s an option too.
What hit me the hardest the first time I played wasn’t a boss fight or big twist. It was that moment right after leaving the Shrine of Resurrection. I turned the camera, saw the Temple of Time, and realized I had no idea where to go. That quiet sense of freedom stuck with me. There’s urgency in the world, but the game never forces it on you.
The tone is more reflective than most Zelda entries. There’s sadness in the ruins and a kind of calm in the open fields. NPCs remember a time before the calamity, and their stories fill the gaps in Link’s lost memories. It’s not about cutscenes. It’s about what you discover along the way, and the world still holds up beautifully, even eight years later.
Familiar Tools, Smoother Results
Gameplay in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is unchanged in structure, but better in execution. The open-ended systems, climbing mechanics, shrine puzzles, and survival elements all return. What’s different is how much smoother it all feels.
The locked 60 frames per second affects more than just how the game looks. It improves combat timing, climbing transitions, and gliding. Parrying a Guardian laser or dodging a Moblin’s swing feels more precise now. There’s also a new second save slot, which lets you start a fresh run without touching your main file. It’s a small change, but a welcome one.
Most of my time during this version was spent revisiting old areas with a new feel. In one moment, I stumbled into a Bokoblin camp and used Magnesis to lift a metal box into the air. I let it hang there while they looked around, then dropped it straight into their fire pit. The 60FPS made the animation clean and reactive in a way I never noticed before. Even simple actions like flipping a cart with Stasis now respond faster, thanks to the improved frame rate.
Aside from that, gameplay is the same as ever. You’re still improvising weapon use, managing stamina, dodging lightning, and hoping your shield lasts one more hit. Nothing new has been added, but with the improved performance, the systems feel more responsive. This isn’t a reimagining. It’s just easier to appreciate how well the core mechanics already worked.
Zelda Notes and New Tools
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition adds no in-game story or gameplay changes, but it does come with a set of companion features called Zelda Notes, available through the Nintendo Switch Online app.
The highlight is Voice Memories, which are short audio logs narrated by Princess Zelda. You’ll find over 100 of them across Hyrule, usually near major landmarks. These give small lore insights from before the calamity. It’s not required, but it adds context for returning fans or anyone wanting more from Zelda’s side of the story.
Navigation is another major feature. The app syncs with your game to show your location on a live map. You can track shrines, Korok seeds, and Voice Memories with optional voice directions. It’s useful, especially if you’re going for 100% completion, but the constant phone checking feels distracting. The voice cues are helpful but can feel out of place in a fantasy world.
There’s also a Daily Bonus wheel that gives small perks like healing, meals, and occasional weapon repairs. You’ll find tools for photo editing, play stats, and a simple achievement system with medals tied to progress milestones. It works well enough, but doesn’t offer much beyond the basics.
Personally, I liked the extra lore from Voice Memories, but I would’ve preferred everything to be inside the game. Keeping my phone open during shrine runs or exploration broke the flow. Zelda Notes adds value if you’re into side content, but it’s far from essential.
A Sharper Hyrule
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition doesn’t change the art direction, but it gives it room to shine. With support for 4K when docked and 1080p in handheld mode, the game looks cleaner than ever. Paired with HDR, lighting is more balanced, skies look brighter, and weather effects stand out with sharper contrast.
The first time I stood atop a Sheikah Tower and looked out across Hyrule, the difference was immediate. The draw distance was clearer, and the lighting from the sun shifted more naturally across the landscape. Everything just felt more readable. Explosions, Blood Moon scenes, and lightning storms look more intense without needing a complete visual overhaul.
Locked 60FPS also helps in subtle ways. Animations flow more smoothly, whether you’re riding a horse or swinging a two-handed sword. Even menus and shrine entry transitions feel snappier. Load times are also much faster across the board. Warping between shrines now takes a few seconds at most. Death reloads and fast travel no longer interrupt your flow like they once did.
That said, some assets haven’t aged as well. Rocks, blight textures, and certain ground surfaces still look flat up close. These aren’t major distractions, but they do remind you that this is still a game from 2017, just with a modern coat of polish.
Overall, the visual and performance upgrades bring the experience closer to how many people remember it, not necessarily how it looked. It’s not a dramatic redesign, but it removes a lot of small distractions that once got in the way.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Is Smoother, Sharper, and Still Worth Your Time
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition doesn’t change the story, structure, or core gameplay. But what it does offer is a smoother, cleaner, and more modern version of an already standout game.
Running at 60FPS with support for 4K on TV and 1080p in handheld mode, the game now feels the way many of us remember it. HDR brings out the natural beauty in weather effects and lighting, while faster load times make shrine runs and fast travel feel effortless. Even the most demanding areas, like Korok Forest, run without issue.
The added save slot is a small touch, but a helpful one. You can revisit the world without wiping your original file. And while the Zelda Notes app isn’t for everyone, it adds some thoughtful extras. The Voice Memories, in particular, gave me a reason to re-explore familiar spaces. Still, needing a second screen breaks immersion, and it would’ve been better if these features were built in.
This version isn’t trying to be a sequel. It’s a technical refresh that removes distractions and lets the original design shine through. For new players, this is absolutely the best way to play. For returning fans, it depends on how much you value smoother performance and convenience.
If you already own the original version on Nintendo Switch, you can upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition digitally. It’s also available at no additional cost for active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members. That gives returning fans an easy and affordable way to experience the performance improvements.
Revisiting this version reminded me how much I enjoyed just getting lost in Hyrule. That first hilltop view still pulls me in, and on Nintendo Switch 2, it finally runs the way it always should have.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Summary
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition doesn’t change the story or core gameplay, but it runs better than ever. 4K resolution, 60FPS, HDR, and faster load times give it the technical upgrade it always needed. A second save slot is a nice addition, and the Zelda Notes app adds optional tools and lore, even if using your phone feels clunky. It’s not a new game, but it’s the best way to play this one.
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