The Nintendo Switch 2 has finally arrived, and against all odds, I'm celebrating its launch by returning to the same game that debuted with the original Switch: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This Nintendo Switch 2 Edition offers visual enhancements, reduced loading times, and integration with the Zelda Notes mobile service. While it's a subtle upgrade in terms of new content, it represents the definitive version of what remains one of Nintendo's crowning achievements in adventure gaming.
What's New in the Switch 2 Edition?
Before diving into the upgrades, here's what made Breath of the Wild so exceptional in our original 2017 review:
"The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild redefined open-world design and revitalized a three-decade-old franchise. Its sprawling sandbox teems with discoveries around every corner, each adventure creating unique stories layered upon stories. Even after 50 hours exploring Hyrule, I kept encountering new surprises that could easily justify another 50-100 hours of playtime."
Eight years later, Breath of the Wild retains its perfect 10/10 status - a timeless masterpiece that influenced countless open-world games from Ghost of Tsushima to Elden Ring.
Performance Perfected
The Switch 2 finally delivers Breath of the Wild as developers intended. Docked mode renders at glorious 4K resolution while handheld maintains crisp 1080p visuals, all supported by stable 60fps performance. HDR implementation makes Hyrule's landscapes and magical phenomena like blood moons shine with new vibrancy.
The upgrade exposes some dated texture work up close, but character models look splendid. Most importantly, previously problematic areas like Korok Forest now run perfectly smooth - no more slideshow framerates when surrounded by foliage.
Quality-of-Life Improvements
Dramatically reduced loading times transform the experience. Fast traveling across Hyrule's vast map now takes seconds rather than half-minutes. While weapons still break (controversial mechanic intact), new quality-of-life features include:
- Voice-guided navigation via mobile app
- 125 optional Zelda audio logs scattered across Hyrule
- Detailed gameplay statistics tracking
- The addition of a second save file
The mobile integration feels slightly underbaked - audio logs provide minor lore snippets rather than essential narrative, and battery drain concerns remain. However, the core experience remains unmatched, now with the technical polish it always deserved.
Whether you're a first-time player or returning adventurer, this enhanced edition offers the definitive way to experience one of gaming's most influential masterpieces.
