Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Speedrunner Completes Switch 2 Demo in Record Time

At a recent industry event in Tokyo, the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience, a remarkable showcase of skill and hardware took place as renowned speedrunner Ikaboze completed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s climactic finale in a mere seven minutes on the anticipated Switch 2 Edition.

This achievement, witnessed and applauded by attendees, highlights both the enduring appeal of Nintendo’s flagship open-world adventure and the advancements made in its upcoming re-release.

Originally launched for the Nintendo Switch in March 2017, this critically acclaimed title from Nintendo redefined the boundaries of the open-world exploration genre.

The game’s approach empowered players to forge their own paths, with many expert fans discovering ways to bypass main story quests and immediately pursue Hyrule Castle’s daunting final challenge.

At the Tokyo demonstration, Ikaboze was presented with a unique challenge due to the event’s 10-minute gameplay restriction.

Instead of executing a traditional speedrun from the Great Plateau, Ikaboze opted to start from a save file positioned just before Link’s confrontation with Calamity Ganon.

In a dramatic demonstration of both mastery and efficiency, he removed all of Link’s gear and proceeded to complete the game, triggering the end credits in only seven minutes.

The performance drew praise from the live audience, most of whom were witnessing for the first time such an impressive feat accomplished on the Switch 2 edition.

This demonstration raises curiosity about how the technical enhancements of the Switch 2—promised to deliver improved performance and higher resolution—might impact future speedrunning strategies and records.

Notably, the upgraded version introduces new features through the 'Zelda Notes' app, offering additional content and quality-of-life improvements.

Nintendo has announced that dedicated Zelda fans who are already subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack and possess a copy of Breath of the Wild on Switch will receive the Switch 2 upgrade at no extra charge.

For other users, the upgrade pack will be made available on the eShop for an additional £7.99 or €9.99.

This move not only rewards long-term supporters but also encourages a broader audience to revisit Hyrule with the latest technical enhancements.

The full Switch 2 release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is slated for June 5, 2025.

As fans prepare to revisit the storied landscapes of Hyrule, events like Ikaboze's speedrun offer a tantalizing glimpse of what is possible on Nintendo’s next-generation hardware, reaffirming the game’s legacy and its unwavering grip on the gaming community.

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