Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom both have Nintendo Switch 2 Editions, released June 5, 2025. Each offers higher resolution, improved frame rates, HDR support, faster loading, a second save slot and optional ZELDA NOTES features. If you own either original Nintendo Switch game, you can buy its upgrade pack; eligible Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can access the packs at no additional cost.
Which Zelda games have Switch 2 Editions?
Nintendo lists two: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Both were scheduled for release on June 5, 2025. The editions are for Nintendo Switch 2; Nintendo explicitly says the Breath of the Wild edition is playable only on that console. Nintendo’s launch schedule and the UK product page identify the games and platform.
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What do the Switch 2 Editions improve?
Nintendo describes higher resolution, improved frame rates, HDR support and faster loading for both games. The Tears of the Kingdom page also highlights enhanced textures. Nintendo does not publish numeric resolution or frame-rate targets on the cited pages, so these descriptions should not be read as a specific benchmark or guaranteed figure.
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Each edition supports two save files, allowing you to continue with existing data or start another playthrough. Nintendo warns that a save created in the additional slot cannot be transferred to the original Nintendo Switch version. The limitation is stated on the Tears of the Kingdom edition page and the Breath of the Wild edition page.
#1 Best Overall
- Become the Hero of Time and save Hyrule from darkness
- Venture into dungeons, solve puzzles, and travel across time in two different eras to restore balance to the land
- A classic tale, reborn for the Nintendo Switch 2 system, featuring voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue, symphonic orchestral music, visuals built from the ground up for Nintendo Switch 2, and more
- Play Link’s in-game ocarina by humming or singing into the Nintendo Switch 2 system microphone
Do you have to buy the Zelda games again?
No. If you own the packaged or downloadable Nintendo Switch version of a game, you can purchase that game’s Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack. The upgrade pack does not replace the base game: Nintendo states that Tears of the Kingdom is required to use its pack. Nintendo’s schedule confirms the upgrade route for owners of either physical or digital Switch games.
So the choice is between buying the applicable upgrade pack or accessing it through an eligible active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. Membership access is not the same as permanently owning a separately purchased pack: Nintendo says the purchased Tears of the Kingdom pack is treated as a virtual game card, while the pack accessed through Expansion Pack membership is playable only while that membership is active and is not treated as a virtual game card. See Nintendo’s upgrade-pack listing and product schedule.
Rank #2
- Explore the land and skies of Hyrule—now enhanced for the Nintendo Switch 2 system!
- Unleash your imagination by using your abilities in surprising and creative ways
- Support your journey with ZELDA NOTES on the Nintendo Switch app
How much is the Zelda Switch 2 upgrade?
Nintendo Support lists the Tears of the Kingdom upgrade pack at $9.99 USD on its US page, accessed October 8, 2026. That figure is for the US Tears of the Kingdom pack; it should not be assumed to apply to Breath of the Wild or to other regions. Check the relevant local Nintendo store listing for the applicable price. Nintendo says active Expansion Pack members can access the Tears of the Kingdom pack at no additional cost. Nintendo Support’s DLC listing
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ZELDA NOTES is a companion service in the Nintendo Switch App for compatible smart devices. It is optional, and Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required to use it. The app features include character voice memories, map-based voice navigation, progress and play statistics, comparisons with global play data, daily bonuses, item sharing through QR codes, and photo editing and sharing. With Tears of the Kingdom, players can also share Autobuild schematics by QR code; Nintendo specifies that this feature is for the Switch 2 Edition.
Rank #3
- Step into a world of adventure—now enhanced for the Nintendo Switch 2 system!
- Use your ingenuity to survive and thrive in Hyrule
- Support your journey with ZELDA NOTES on the Nintendo Switch app
A compatible smart device is required. Nintendo also notes that the app functions require a persistent internet connection and may incur data charges. Compatible Zelda amiibo are optional: scanning one can provide in-game items, and ZELDA NOTES offers a bonus use after five scans of a compatible figure in a day. These are companion features, not requirements for playing either upgraded game. See Nintendo Support’s ZELDA NOTES guide and the Tears of the Kingdom edition page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Discover Hyrule as never before: by making your own path, choices, and consequences
- Ingenuity is the key to survival: find multiple solutions to tons of dynamic puzzles
- Surprises hide around every corner: scavenge weapons, armor, plants, animals, and more
- Live off the land: find weapons and armor, cook food, and brew elixirs
- Utilize special technology: the in-game Sheikah Slate controls, objects and enemies in fun ways
Rank #4
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition; upgrade details
- Support for the ZELDA NOTES game-specific service via Nintendo Switch App; improved frame rates and resolution; faster load times; HDR support; nintendo Account, persistent internet and compatible smart device required; data charges may apply; HDR-compatible display required when playing in TV mode
Which upgrade makes sense for you?
- You already own one of the games: Get the upgrade pack for that game; you do not need to repurchase its base game.
- You want another playthrough: Either edition provides a second save slot, but that slot’s data cannot be moved back to the original Switch version.
- You want Autobuild QR sharing: Nintendo lists that ZELDA NOTES feature for the Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition.
- You have Expansion Pack membership: Nintendo says eligible members can access the upgrade packs at no additional cost; membership access depends on an active subscription.
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