The Nintendo Switch 2 brings us back to where it all began - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild receives a definitive upgrade with enhanced visuals, faster loading, and new mobile companion features through the Nintendo Switch App. While the core content remains unchanged, these technical improvements solidify its position as the best way to experience one of gaming's most groundbreaking adventures.
Rediscovering a Masterpiece
In our original 2017 review, IGN declared:
"Breath of the Wild represents a masterful reinvention of Nintendo's legendary franchise, offering unmatched freedom in one of gaming's most captivating worlds. Even after 50 hours of exploration, surprises continue to emerge - proof of its extraordinary depth."
- Jose Otero, March 2, 2017
Score: 10/10
Eight years later, that perfect score still holds true. This isn't just a great Zelda game - it's one that reshaped open-world design, influencing titles from Ghost of Tsushima to Elden Ring. Rather than re-reviewing this landmark title, here are our impressions of its Switch 2 enhancements.
A Vision Fully Realized
The Switch 2 finally delivers Breath of the Wild as the developers envisioned, complete with 4K resolution when docked and 1080p handheld gameplay. HDR support breathes new life into Hyrule's landscapes, especially during dramatic moments like blood moons. While the visual upgrade reveals some outdated texture work under scrutiny, character models remain impressive.
The most transformative improvement comes via the rock-solid 60fps performance - a revelation after the original's inconsistent framerate. Locations like Korok Forest that once brought the Switch to its knees now run flawlessly.
Quality-of-Life Improvements
The Switch 2 version introduces:
- Dramatically reduced loading times
- A second save slot for fresh playthroughs
- The Zelda Notes mobile app with voice navigation and collectible audio logs
- Detailed gameplay statistics and item sharing via QR codes
While purists debated Breath of the Wild's weapon durability system back in 2017, Nintendo hasn't tweaked any gameplay systems here. This remains fundamentally the same experience that earned universal acclaim - just finally liberated from technical constraints.
For newcomers, this is the definitive edition of one of gaming's greatest achievements. For returning players, the technical upgrades justify revisiting Hyrule's vast wilderness with fresh eyes.
