The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will receive enhanced versions on Nintendo’s newest hardware, available at launch on June 5th.
Using the additional power of the Nintendo Switch 2, these two classics will enjoy significant boosts to visuals and performance. Just watch the trailer shown at the latest Nintendo Direct.
Here’s a quick rundown of the improvements and new features.
- Enhanced resolution and framerates (the Switch 2 can output 4K while docked)
- HDR support
- Faster load times
- Save data transfer from the Switch versions
- A second manual save
- Zelda Notes
That last one, Zelda Notes, is a special service on your smartphone through the Nintendo Switch app (the new name for the Nintendo Switch Online app starting late May 2025). As long as you’re a subscriber, you can access these exclusive perks.
- Maps with voice guidance (à la GPS)
- Voice Memories, which are added bits of dialogue that play when you visit certain locations.
- Autobuild sharing in Tears of the Kingdom through QR codes
- Item sharing, also through QR codes
- An editor for photos taken in game
- Play statistics (e.g., time spent playing, number of enemies defeated, treasure chests opened)
- In-app medals (achievements and leaderboards, basically)
- Daily bonus (spin to win special effects like a meal or health recovery)
- Special rewards for scanning Amiibos
There are multiple ways to grab the Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. The easiest is to simply be an NSO subscriber; that way, you get their respective upgrade packs instantly and at no extra cost. If you already own the Switch versions, you need to buy these upgrade packs. Or you can just buy the Switch 2 versions, physically or digitally.
See the Kingdom of Hyrule in a whole new way with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, available with performance upgrades on Nintendo Switch 2. Smoother frame rates, faster load times, and better graphics will make for a fresh experience when revisiting these adventures, and now players will also have a little extra help.
Also on the way is an update to the Nintendo Switch App (previously known as the Nintendo Switch Online App), called ZELDA NOTES. This game-specific service is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of the games and helps players navigate to various locations, like that difficult-to-find shrine or hidden Korok, and will even feature commentary from Princess Zelda herself that was not part of the original games. Both upgraded titles will be available from Nintendo Switch 2 launch day, June 5.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch 2) Screenshots
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch 2) Screenshots
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom‘s Nintendo Switch 2 Editions launch on June 5th, same day as the console launch.
Keep reading RPGFan for Switch 2 Direct coverage!
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