The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition Review – Performance Upgrades and New Features Explained

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition arrives as one of the hallmark launches for Nintendo’s upgraded hardware.

Originally released in 2017 for both Wii U and Nintendo Switch, Breath of the Wild set a new standard for open-world game design, influencing the genre worldwide.

With the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, fans are treated to an enhanced version boasting significant upgrades in presentation and quality of life, ensuring the game remains a standout title for years to come. Developed by Nintendo, Breath of the Wild was famed for its ambitious scope and breathtaking design, though it was not without faults—most notably, occasional performance issues on the original hardware.

The Switch 2 Edition addresses these concerns directly.

The game now runs natively in 4K resolution with a consistent 60 frames per second, eliminating the frame drops previously noted in areas dense with visual effects.

Compared to the original’s fluctuations, reviewers have found loading times drastically shortened, with in-game teleportation between shrines taking as little as five seconds, and the game launching rapidly from the dashboard.

According to the development team, these improvements were made possible by the Switch 2’s substantially more powerful processor and memory architecture. Graphically, the Switch 2 Edition delivers a fresh coat of polish to Hyrule.

Dramatically increased draw distances enhance the sense of scale, especially from vantage points like the Sheikah Towers.

The introduction of HDR brings out richer colors, from the luminous blasts of bomb detonations to the ominous hues during Blood Moons.

While some textures—such as foliage and certain static structures—may reveal their age up close, the overall visual leap is immediately noticeable, particularly on 4K-capable displays. Gameplay in Breath of the Wild remains largely unchanged, retaining the meticulously designed freedom and emergent play that won over critics and fans alike.

However, the improved frame rate brings a new fluidity to combat, traversal, and exploration.

Returning players will also appreciate the addition of a second save slot, making it easier to start a fresh adventure without sacrificing existing progress. The most significant new content comes by way of the Zelda Notes app, seamlessly integrated with the Switch 2 ecosystem.

This second-screen companion delivers a suite of supplementary features.

The highlight is the introduction of "Voice Memories," brief audio logs unlocked by discovering specific landmarks.

Narrated by Patricia Summerset—the acclaimed voice of Princess Zelda—these clips enhance the atmosphere and offer deeper immersion, without altering the core narrative. The app includes a robust navigation tool, providing a dynamic map that tracks shrine, Korok seed, and point-of-interest locations.

Users can customize visible icons or hide them for a more organic experience, a boon for completionists tracking their journey through Hyrule.

Daily bonus rewards, amiibo integration, social sharing features, and a system of achievement-style medals round out the app’s offerings, though the in-game rewards for these medals remain fairly conventional. It is worth noting that the Zelda Notes features are accessible only through the companion app and not incorporated directly into the in-game menus.

While some may appreciate not needing to pause gameplay, others may find it inconvenient to reference a separate device.

Still, the app adds substantial value for players eager to fully explore every corner of Breath of the Wild’s world. The Switch 2 Edition is available both physically and digitally, with a paid upgrade path for owners of the original Switch version.

Subscribers to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack can download the upgrade pack at no additional cost.

Importantly, all content from the original DLC Expansion Pass remains sold separately. In summary, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition not only preserves but meaningfully enhances one of gaming’s modern masterpieces.

With vastly improved performance, graphical updates, and convenient second-screen features, this is the definitive way to experience Nintendo’s genre-defining adventure, whether for the first time or as a return journey through Hyrule.

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