The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Review – Rediscovering Hyrule, Reforged

Few modern history games have left a mark as deep as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. When it first launched in 2017, it redefined what open-world exploration could feel like, encouraging curiosity, experimentation, and freedom in a way few titles dared to attempt.

Its influence splashed across the industry, and it quickly became one of the most beloved entries in Nintendo’s legacy. But despite its critical acclaim, the original release wasn’t without its technical constraints. Running on ageing hardware, the game often struggled to maintain steady performance.

Now, with the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, the opportunity has finally arrived to experience Hyrule with the full clarity, smoothness, and detail it always seemed to deserve. This, my friends, is not just a re-release, it’s a reawakening.

TL;DR

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Switch 2 Edition is a polished re-release of one of gaming’s most celebrated open-world adventures. While it doesn’t overhaul the core experience, it significantly enhances it with smoother performance, sharper visuals in 4K HDR, faster load times, and thoughtful additions like dual save slots and an optional companion app. Hyrule feels more alive and immersive than ever, making this the definitive version for newcomers and a rewarding return for longtime fans. It’s not really a remake, but the game as it always should have been.

A Classic Reborn on New Hardware

Eight years after its groundbreaking release, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild returns in a new form designed for the Nintendo Switch 2. What was once a technical marvel constrained by ageing hardware now feels like it has finally reached its true potential. The original experience was brilliant, but moments of frame drops, texture pop-ins, and sluggish combat sequences sometimes pulled players out of the immersion.

That is no longer the case, dear gamers! With the Switch 2’s upgraded hardware, Hyrule now runs seamlessly at a consistent 60 frames per second, both docked and handheld. Transitions between environments are smooth, combat flows uninterrupted, and there is an overall sense that the world breathes more naturally. It’s not a remake, nor a full remaster, but a polished re-release that refines an already exceptional experience.

Breath of the Wild Design – Sharper, More Vibrant

Visually, this updated version of Breath of the Wild is truly a striking upgrade. The game now supports 4K resolution when docked and 1080p in handheld mode, along with full HDR support. These improvements breathe new life into Hyrule’s already impressive art direction.

Sunrises now bathe the land in golden hues, and the rich, stylized textures of forests, deserts, and mountaintops appear sharper and more defined. The increased draw distance makes even far-off peaks and shrines feel within reach, encouraging exploration like never before.

While I found that some environmental assets, particularly ground textures and certain rock formations, still show their age when examined closely, these moments are rare and never distracting. The overall result is a world that looks more alive, more cohesive, and more beautiful.

Zelda Notes: A Handy Yet Optional Sidekick

Accompanying this re-release is a new companion app called Zelda Notes, designed to run alongside the game on your smartphone or tablet. It offers players a way to track progress, pin shrine locations, record Korok seed findings, and listen to newly added voice diaries scattered throughout the world.

These audio clips, called Voice Memories, provide intimate insights into Zelda’s thoughts during the time leading up to the kingdom’s fall. They are brief, well-acted, and atmospheric, offering new lore without breaking the game’s pacing. I must mention that the use of this app is entirely optional but super interesting.

It’s a modern touch that caters to players who enjoy deep tracking and side content, while still allowing purists to play without any second-screen distraction. The separation keeps the core game intact while adding a layer of richness for those who want it.

Breath of the Wild Gameplay – Just Better

Despite the visual and technical upgrades, the essence of Breath of the Wild remains untouched, and that’s precisely the right decision. The core gameplay (exploration, puzzle-solving, survival mechanics, and free-form combat) is every bit as engaging today as it was at launch back in 2017. What changes now is how much smoother everything feels.

Traversing hillsides, paragliding off cliffs, engaging in group fights with Bokoblins, and solving physics-based shrine puzzles all benefit from the improved performance. Previously, players might have hesitated before entering busy areas or rainy environments where the frame rate would dip. Now, those moments are seamless (good job game devs!).

There’s a satisfying immediacy to every action, whether you’re using Magnesis to manipulate objects or switching weapons mid-battle. The addition of dual save slots is another thoughtful change, allowing players to start a fresh run without overwriting their long-standing adventure. This small update significantly increases replay value and gives both returning fans and newcomers a flexible way to engage with the game.

Minor Caveats

Despite the significant improvements, I found that a few limitations persist. Some textures and environmental details haven’t received a meaningful overhaul, and when viewed up close on a 4K display, they may remind players that this is still a game built on previous-generation architecture. The Zelda Notes app, while useful, requires a separate device and Wi-Fi sync, which might feel cumbersome to players who prefer a unified gaming experience (I’m not too mad though).

Finally, it’s worth noting that the Switch 2 Edition of Breath of the Wild does not bundle in the game’s two DLC packs (The Master Trials and The Champions’ Ballad), which must still be purchased separately. Given that this is a re-release, their exclusion feels like a missed opportunity.

Breath of the Wild Conclusion – A Reawakened Masterpiece

This enhanced edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild doesn’t aim to reinvent or redefine what made the game special, but rather simply presents it in its most refined form to date. Performance is now stable and silky-smooth, visual upgrades make the world more vibrant and immersive, and minor quality-of-life additions such as dual save slots and an optional companion app enhance the player’s connection to the world of Hyrule.

Whether you’re stepping into Breath of the Wild for the first time or returning for a nostalgic journey, this edition offers the ultimate version of Link’s open-air adventure. The improvements don’t scream for attention, but they’re felt in every step, every glide, and every arrow released into the wind. It is a version that respects its original greatness while subtly expanding on it, reminding us why Hyrule’s call to adventure still rings so clearly today.

Players who missed Breath of the Wild the first time around will find this version to be the definitive way to experience one of gaming’s modern masterpieces. For returning adventurers, the smoother performance and added features make the journey worth repeating, especially if your previous run was constrained by the technical hiccups of the Wii U or early Switch. Fans of open-world design, environmental storytelling, and emergent gameplay will be hard-pressed to find a better or more influential title on the platform.

Huge thanks to CD Media for sponsoring our review!