One The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom player said a Nintendo Switch corrupt-data check restored access to a crashing save, but the account is anecdotal—not proof of a reliable repair. If you are facing the same problem, first check whether a current Nintendo Switch Online cloud backup is available, and take care before selecting any option that could overwrite a save.
What happened to the reported 250-hour save?
Tech Times reported on May 14, 2024, that competitive fighting-game player and commentator Brian “Brian_F” Foster said his Tears of the Kingdom save files had become corrupted and the game was crashing after roughly 250 hours of play. Foster wrote on May 11, “Nintendo decided to end my suffering at 82% map completion by corrupting all of my save files and making the game auto crash. I’m free.” That is Foster’s account, not an official diagnosis.
The report says a commenter suggested using the Switch data-management option to check for corrupt data. Foster tried it and reportedly regained access to the save, although the check indicated that no data was corrupted. This is one player’s reported experience; Nintendo’s support documentation does not establish this check as a general-purpose save-file repair or guarantee recovery.
Tech Times gives conflicting progress figures: 82% in its headline and opening, 77% of the map in the article body, and “83% now” in the reported recovery update. The report does not resolve the discrepancy, so none should be treated as a confirmed completion percentage. Read the Tech Times report.
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- The Legend of Zelda - Tears of the Kingdom
What to check before trying to restore a save
First determine whether a Nintendo Switch Online cloud backup exists for the same user and game. Cloud saves are available only for compatible software and require an eligible account and internet access. To download a backup to another console, that console’s user must be linked to the same Nintendo Account. Check Nintendo’s current guidance for your region, account, console, and software; availability and exceptions can change.
Before choosing a manual backup or download, compare the dates and progress represented by the console copy and the cloud copy. Nintendo warns that a manual backup overwrites the server copy, while downloading a backup overwrites the console copy. Choosing the wrong copy can replace newer progress rather than restore it. See Nintendo Support Japan’s Save Data Cloud guidance.
Rank #2
- Enhanced performance and visuals exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore the skies, caves, and vast lands of Hyrule in a massive open-world adventure.
- Wield new and returning abilities to craft solutions, vehicles, and weapons.
- Discover the mystery behind the spreading gloom threatening the kingdom.
- Use the ZELDA NOTES app to share, compare, and earn daily bonuses.
Where Switch save data is stored
Nintendo says Switch save data is stored in the console’s system memory. It cannot be saved to or moved onto a microSD card or game card, so neither should be treated as a backup or a way to recover a Switch save. Nintendo’s storage guidance is regional; consult Nintendo Support Japan’s data-management page or Nintendo Support for your region.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the corrupt-data check fix a Tears of the Kingdom save?
The available report supports only this narrow answer: Foster said he regained access after running the check. It does not show that the check repairs corrupted save files generally, explain what caused the problem, or establish that the same steps will work for another player. If the game continues to crash or the save remains inaccessible, contact Nintendo Support for your region and console model before trying actions that may overwrite data.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- The Nintendo Switch – OLED Model - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition system features a design inspired by the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game, including the familiar Hylian Crest from the Legend of Zelda series on the front of the dock (game not included).
Rank #3
![The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PuJ83o9KL._SL160_.jpg)
- Ultrahand: Using the new Ultrahand ability, Link can pick up, move, and rotate almost any object, and can even attach objects together to create bridges, vehicles, and more!
- Fuse: Magically fuse almost any object to Link’s current weapon, shield, or arrow to increase durability, damage, or even add a new effect. Experiment with lots of different combinations to come up with surprising—and sometimes hilarious—results!
- Ascend: Add a new dimension to your exploration with Ascend, which gives Link the ability to pass through solid objects above him. Rise up through ceilings, hillsides, and even certain enemies to create seemingly impossible shortcuts.
- Recall: Use Recall to make objects in motion move backward through time, letting Link ride fallen boulders skyward, recover thrown weapons, or send projectiles back where they came from.
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