Breath of the Wild is apparently in development for Nintendo Switch 2, leaving many Zelda fans with the question “Is this something we really need”, given Breath of the Wild was only released in 2017. Today I’m going to look at what we know right now, how this could come to Nintendo Switch 2, and ask the question “Do we want a remastered Breath of the Wild?” for the next Nintendo Switch console?
Breath of the Wild originally released back in 2017, even though it had been in development for a number of years prior to this. It wasn’t only a launch title for Nintendo Switch, but it released on the Wii U also. That was one of the reasons for delays of the release of Breath of the Wild due to its release across 2 platforms.
Nintendo have been showing off Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch 2 development kits since August 2023. Back at Gamescom in Germany the team were holding sessions with dev teams showing off the capabilities of the Switch 2, using Breath of the Wild as an example of what the new system is capable of.
Nintendo is likely working on a range of titles for the Switch 2 for launch; new games and a perhaps a collection of the best Nintendo Switch games to bolster the launch lineup, and this is where Breath of the Wild could come into play.
How this gets into audiences hands is another story. It’s been reported that Nintendo Switch 2 will be backward compatible with Nintendo Switch games, therefore you could simply play Breath of the Wild on the Switch 2 if you wanted to. However, there’s likely to be some benefits for playing Breath of the Wild on the Switch 2 including 60 frames per second gameplay, 1080p in handheld mode and perhaps even 4k when docked. Are Nintendo going to give away these upgrades for free, or will they put the upgrades behind a paywall of some kind?
Nintendo could follow in the footsteps of PlayStation who charge for they current gen upgrades of older games. For example, The Last of us II was a PlayStation 4 game, however, the remaster on PlayStation 5 is available for £10, rather than the full asking price of £70.
Nintendo could follow this lead, either by charging a one-off fee, or by putting the upgrade as an incentive for Nintendo Switch Online. Nintendo have been looking for ways to add value to Nintendo Switch Online, but offering Gameboy Advance, Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis/Megadrive games, plus Mario Kart Booster Courses, Animal Crossing’s Happy Home Paradise and Splatoon 2’s Octo Expansion DLC.
Why would Nintendo want to remaster Breath of the Wild so close to the original release? Well, Breath of the Wild continues to perform as one of the best selling games on Nintendo Switch. It’s sold over 32 million copies and has a 97 metacritic score, constantly topping the charts of the best games for Nintendo Switch.
We haven’t had any confirmed specs for the Nintendo Switch 2 yet, although it feels like a reveal should be just around the corner. It’s likely to release sometime in 2025, and apparently it’s going to perform to a similar standard compared to a PlayStation 4 Pro. Is this really going to improve the experience for Zelda fans, will improved graphics and performance improve our experience? Or are Nintendo targetting new fans, trying to get a whole new audience with this release? If Nintendo wanted to go down the route of remaking or remastering an old Zelda game to show off the power of the Switch 2, then I think Twilight Princess or even Zelda II The Adventure of Link could be a better choice than Breath of the Wild.
The only other thing I can think of is Nintendo are going to offer a range called ‘Best of’ or something similar to PlayStation 4’s ‘Hits’ series. We could have Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Animal Crossing, Super Smash Brothers, Luigi’s Mansion 3, Splatoon 3 etc all brought up to the Switch 2 performance standard. For me that makes sense, and could bolster the launch line up with some amazing games. Otherwise, for me remastering Breath of the Wild right now just doesn’t make much sense.
Community spotlight
@ancientsheikahgamer1819
Breath of the wild is already a near perfect game, and since it came out on the most recent consoles, i dont think it needs a remaster.
@SuperPlaytendoX
Do we NEED it no, do I want it? Sure. Sometimes I liked just taking in the visuals around Hyrule, so in better resolution and frame rate I’ll take it and Nintendo knows so will a lot of other people. Plus I’m sure if there’s a remaster there will probably be some new content added right? Right?
@a.jthomas6132
Yes! Also the next Switch will have backwards compatibility for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Link’s Awakening, Tears of the Kingdom, and Echoes of Wisdom.
But if there are three things i want for TOTK if being remastered or remake it’s this: A playable Princess Zelda in a playable memory scenes in the Dragon Tears, the whereabouts of Kass, and included unused contents from the Master Works.…Read more
@djlotusx
New Game For Sure. I’ve been through this Hyrule long enough
@MichaelRocks39
I’d be fine with it (especially if it was a bundle, which seems like an inevitability will happen eventually), but I’d rather just about any other option first.
@XanKotaishi
Nopes. I would be happy with a TP 2 style with some good music, real temples and a Link who is more skilled in combat with upgrade weapons. With Zelda, Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones kinda puzzles. Better enemies, more difficult, more variety.
@msw0322
I personally think BOTW is fine the way it is. I’d really like to eventually have a remake of the Oracles using the Link’s Awakening 2019/Echoes of Wisdom style engine.
@MartKart8
I could easily see them do this, it would include the DLC, £59.99
@GamingReinvented
I personally think it’s too soon for a remaster. Breath of the Wild looks modern enough as it is, and it’ll almost certainly be playable on the Switch 2 via backwards compatibility. There’s no real reason to remaster it unless you desperately need a perfect frame rate.
@marcosdiogenes9380
It would be very unnecessary, since the next console is pretty much confirmed to be backwards compatible. Maybe they’ll throw an update with better graphics and performance om select switch games. It’s not unheard of. Just like they added color to GB games on GBC and the Super Game Boy.
@ancientsheikahgamer1819
Breath of the wild is already a near perfect game, and since it came out on the most recent consoles, i dont think it needs a remaster.
@darkdragonmedeus705
Too soon for a full on rerelease; an ability to do an automatic upgrade of previous Switch games sounds like a plan though.
@vitormoraes8320
Botw 4K is not necessarily draining resources from a new game, instead its more likely being done as a study case for the team to get used to the new hardware. Also, its widely regarded as one of the most beautiful zelda titles and won game of the decade accolades, so its safe to just give owners of the new console the chance to enjoy it again with better performance and visuals. I’m ok with it.
@ggbetz
New game
@Anton-y5r
We wont get a new game in the next 4 years so I’ll take BOTW 4K
@retrogamedreamer8761
No.
@msw0322
I personally think BOTW is fine the way it is. I’d like to eventually have a remake of the Oracles using the Link’s Awakening 2019/Echoes of Wisdom style engine
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