Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Review

Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

If you can indulge an old man for a moment, as I share a special memory… From the moment I was first unleashed onto Hyrule Field in Ocarina of Time, the Legend of Zelda series has held a special place in my heart. Each iteration subsequently brought something special to the series, yet, to me, the moment of Hyrule Field would remain unsurpassed until 2017 with the launch of Breath of the Wild. There’s a moment, right at the start, where you leave the Great Plateau and are set free into Hyrule, and you realise that there’s this amazing and beautiful world full of wonder and adventure at your fingertips. That moment made me realise just how incredible Breath of the Wild was going to be, and that things would never be the same; no amount of nostalgia, looking into the past through rose-tinted glasses, could surpass it. My son would always ask me to review Breath of the Wild, but because Tears of the Kingdom had dropped before I started my outlet, I never had a reason to. With the launch of the Switch 2, that’s changed, as Nintendo saw fit to upgrade Breath of the Wild with a visual overhaul, mobile app integration, and faster loading times, meaning it was time for me to finally review it. What’s it Like? Download your upgrade pack, grab a sword and shield, and cook some meals as we review Breath of the Wild for Nintendo Switch 2.

The Legacy of Breath of the Wild

I still remember picking up my Switch at midnight and diving into Breath of the Wild long after the sun had come up. It was the excitement of a new console that had me hooked, as well as the feeling of being dropped into a ruined world that was as vast as it was mysterious. It felt like the complete opposite of Ocarina of Time’s version of Hyrule before the time jump because I wasn’t trying to save a kingdom on the brink, but one already lost. Later, we would learn that Breath of the Wild took place in a timeline where Link had failed; it reframed everything. What made Breath of the Wild so revolutionary was how carefully it redefined Zelda for a new era. Instead of large, intricate dungeons, we were given shrines that were perfect for short bursts of handheld play to complement the nature of the original Switch. Survival elements like temperature, stamina, and weather grounded the game, while weapon degradation added a layer of unpredictability to combat. Love it or hate it, it made every encounter feel tense, forcing you to think on your feet when something broke.

After all this time, even in the shadow of Tears of the Kingdom, I still believe Breath of the Wild is the more magical experience. Tears refined and expanded what came before, but Breath of the Wild had that sense of seeing a new horizon and not knowing what’s beyond it. The game delivered so many of those moments, like the first time you tamed a horse, wandered into an enemy camp by mistake, or tried to cook a dubious recipe just to survive the cold. It was difficult and unfamiliar, yet unmistakably Zelda by carefully integrating familiar characters and themes.

From the moment I stepped out of the Shrine of Resurrection again, Breath of the Wild on Switch 2 feels enhanced. That iconic shot, where Link emerges into the open world for the first time, hit me all over again. The landscape is sharper, more vibrant, and significantly more detailed. The shadows feel more dynamic, environmental textures like rock faces and grasslands pop like they ever did before, and distant scenery holds its form rather than dissolving into blur. It’s still the same Hyrule, but now it feels like I’m seeing it through fresh eyes. The framerate is perhaps the biggest game-changer. Gone are the stutters in places like Korok Forest or during weather-heavy combat; everything runs at a buttery smooth, consistent pace. Combat feels tighter, gliding feels more responsive, and that makes exploration even more satisfying. Load times have been slashed dramatically, too. Fast travel now takes just a few seconds, which transforms the pacing. A surprise addition is mobile app integration, which fits into the experience that’s clearly designed with completionists in mind, offering helpful map tracking and log access, but it’s entirely optional. You’re never forced to use it, and nothing of substance is locked behind it, which I appreciated. Players who want that extra layer of information or want to optimise their playthrough will most likely see it as a nice bonus.

While the gameplay of Breath of the Wild remains largely untouched, it’s the presentation that truly breathes new life into this Switch 2 version. The art direction, with its cel-shaded look and textures, was always striking, but the increased resolution and stability now push it into something truly stunning. The visuals are crisp and clean, but still unmistakably stylised. Rather than chasing photorealism, Breath of the Wild presents a timeless aesthetic that feels even more beautiful in motion. Every corner of Hyrule now feels more alive. Whether you’re gliding across the desert at sunset or climbing a cliffside in the early morning fog, the visual enhancements deepen the sense of immersion.

What really brings it all together is the game’s ensemble of strange, sincere, and occasionally over-the-top characters. The Yiga Clan, the Sheikah scientists, and the Champions of old, their designs remain expressive and distinctive, and they still feel like key threads in the game’s emotional fabric. The world feels good to be in, and that’s thanks to the thoughtful design between art, sound, and character. This harmony between visuals and world-building gives Hyrule a true sense of scale, not just in terms of geography, but in its history, often told through flashbacks. Every mountain range, abandoned ruin, and small stable feels like it belongs to a world with real stories. The immersion further drags you in with its dulcet piano tones and emotional score, occasionally upping both the ante and the tempo when you waltz into a Guardians line of sight.

For returning players, this is the perfect excuse to rediscover what made Breath of the Wild special. If you’ve been away for a while, you’ll likely find yourself in awe all over again by its scale, its freedom, and its emotional story. If you’ve played Tears of the Kingdom recently, you might be surprised to find that Breath of the Wild still holds its own, even more so. Its simpler systems, absence of sky islands, and grounded design make for a more focused and serene experience. First-time players, meanwhile, are getting the definitive version. The original was a masterpiece. This version is the same masterpiece, but polished and smoothed out, its world even more inviting and impactful.

Whether you’ve wandered Hyrule before or are stepping into it for the very first time on Switch 2, Breath of the Wild is hard to fault, and, in this gamer’s humble opinion, may well stand as the greatest Legend of Zelda experience ever crafted. Its engaging narrative, sweeping design, and elegant mechanics come together to create something truly special. Back in 1998, it was Ocarina of Time that first gave me that unforgettable moment, standing in Hyrule Field, filled with wonder at what lay ahead. For nearly two decades, nothing quite matched that feeling. But then Breath of the Wild came along. And somehow, even now, all these years later, it still captures that same magic, perhaps even more so. Breath of the Wild on Switch 2 isn’t just special… It’s perfect.

So, What’s It Like? Breath of the Wild is how the child in me wants to remember Ocarina of Time.

If you haven’t experienced Breath of the Wild, this is the best way to do so. If you have experienced it before, this is the best way to revisit it.

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