While Tears of the Kingdom marked a triumphant sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, fans of the original adventure have a brand-new reason to revisit Hyrule. Nintendo has confirmed that Breath of the Wild is receiving a major enhancement for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, scheduled to launch on June 5, 2025. This upgraded version introduces high-impact performance improvements, new features, and quality-of-life upgrades that could redefine the experience for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
What’s New in the Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Upgrade
Nintendo’s upgraded version of Breath of the Wild will include several significant technical improvements:
- Higher Frame Rate: The game will now run at a consistent 60 frames per second, including in previously problematic areas like the Korok Forest, which notoriously dipped in performance on the original Switch.
- HDR Support: For the first time, BOTW will feature high dynamic range (HDR) visuals, offering richer colors, deeper contrast, and better overall image quality when played on compatible displays.
- Faster Load Times: Fast travel, menu navigation, and open-world transitions are noticeably snappier—load times have been reduced by up to 35%, according to early reports.
These enhancements bring BOTW closer to the visual fidelity and responsiveness expected from modern hardware, finally unleashing the game’s full potential beyond its original 2017 framework.
A $10 Upgrade – Or Free with Online Expansion Pack
Nintendo isn’t making these upgrades exclusive to new buyers. If you already own Breath of the Wild on Switch, you’ll be able to upgrade to the enhanced version for $10. However, if you’re subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, the upgrade will be completely free—a smart incentive for players already tied into the Nintendo ecosystem.
This move echoes the strategy some third-party developers have adopted with next-gen patches, but it’s still a relatively rare gesture from Nintendo, which has historically re-released games as full-priced remasters.
Zelda Notes: A New Companion App Experience
Alongside the enhanced edition, Nintendo is also launching a new feature called Zelda Notes via the Nintendo Switch Online app. This mobile companion tool introduces:
- Achievements & Progress Tracking: Finally bringing a structured accomplishment system to the Zelda series.
- Voice Navigation Assistant: A GPS-style helper that offers tips, guidance, and optional lore-based commentary.
- Character Voice Memories: Collectible in-game recordings that expand story moments and offer fan-service-filled interactions.
These additions suggest Nintendo is exploring new ways to deepen player engagement, even with older titles.
Why This Matters in 2025
Breath of the Wild has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games in Nintendo’s history and a genre-defining title for open-world design. With Tears of the Kingdom already pushing the boundaries of the formula further, this remaster helps keep the original experience alive and relevant in a new hardware generation.
It also sets a precedent: if BOTW is getting an upgrade for the Switch 2, it’s likely other fan-favorites will follow suit. This could be the start of a broader movement to modernize the best of the Switch library with performance-focused updates instead of simple ports.
So whether you’re exploring Hyrule for the first time or returning to complete that elusive Korok seed collection, the Switch 2 version of Breath of the Wild might be the definitive way to experience one of Nintendo’s most iconic adventures.
Key Takeaways
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was released on May 12, 2023 for Nintendo Switch.
- Nintendo released a limited-edition console ahead of the game launch on April 28, 2023.
- The sequel features sky exploration as a major new gameplay element, expanding on Breath of the Wild’s open-world design.
Performance & Visual Upgrades
- 60FPS Gameplay: For the first time, BOTW runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, even in previously problematic areas like the Korok Forest.
- HDR Support: The enhanced version includes high dynamic range visuals, making environments more vibrant and atmospheric.
- Faster Load Times: Fast travel and menu transitions are significantly faster, with load times reduced by roughly 35%, improving the game’s overall flow.
These enhancements make the open-world experience more seamless and immersive than ever, finally unlocking performance levels that were once bottlenecked by the original Switch hardware.
Upgrade Pricing & Options
Nintendo has introduced a flexible upgrade path:
- $10 Upgrade Pack for existing BOTW owners.
- Free Upgrade for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers.
This approach mirrors what other modern publishers have offered with next-gen upgrades and signals a more consumer-friendly shift from Nintendo.
Zelda Notes – A New Companion App
Alongside the remaster, Nintendo is rolling out Zelda Notes, a companion feature accessible via the Switch app. It includes:
- Achievements specific to Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
- Voice Navigation Assistant that offers lore, directions, and gameplay tips.
- Collectible Voice Memories from key characters that deepen the story and worldbuilding.
This adds an entirely new layer to the BOTW experience, especially for longtime fans who want more narrative depth.
A Fresh Reason to Revisit Hyrule
With over 30 million copies sold, Breath of the Wild remains one of the most iconic and influential games of all time. The Switch 2 upgrade offers an exciting opportunity to replay the game with modern enhancements, setting the bar for future legacy Nintendo titles to follow. Whether you missed it the first time or want a smoother, sharper return to Hyrule, this version is shaping up to be the definitive way to play.
