BotW Switch 2 Edition vs Switch 1: Differences, Price, Worth It

Breath of the Wild received its Nintendo Switch 2 Edition on June 5, 2025. This is the original adventure with performance upgrades, a second save slot, and phone-based Zelda Notes support—not a new story expansion. The buying decision mainly depends on whether you already own the game and whether you actually play on Switch 2.

Is the Breath of the Wild Switch 2 upgrade worth it?

Yes for most Switch 2 owners who already have the game: $9.99 buys the most noticeable console upgrade Breath of the Wild has received, with smoother play, sharper presentation, HDR, shorter loading, another save slot, and Zelda Notes. It is even easier to recommend if your active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership includes the upgrade at no additional cost.

The upgrade is most valuable for a full replay or completion run. If you are choosing between the two modern games first, read Breath of the Wild vs Tears of the Kingdom before paying for either edition.

What is actually different in the Switch 2 Edition?

Nintendo lists smoother frame rates, faster load times, enhanced resolution and textures, HDR, a second save slot, and Zelda Notes. It does not publish a specific resolution or frame-rate number for this game. Those concrete numbers come from third-party testing, not Nintendo’s specification sheet.

Nintendo has not confirmed “4K” or “60fps” for Breath of the Wild. An independent pixel-count and frame-rate analysis measured a 1440p docked target, a dynamic 648p–1080p handheld range, and stable 60fps in both modes. These are measured figures, not numbers Nintendo has published.

The Expansion Pass is not bundled, even with the $69.99 full Switch 2 Edition. If you already bought it, it remains playable on Switch 2 with or without the upgrade pack, so there is no DLC repurchase. The current official software version is 1.9.0 (every update is listed in version history); update the game before looking for the Switch 2 features.

How much does it cost, and which version should I buy?

US regular pricing makes the decision straightforward: the original game is $59.99, its upgrade pack is $9.99, and the complete Switch 2 Edition is $69.99. Buying the original at regular price plus the pack totals $69.98, effectively the same as the all-in-one edition before sales or used-game pricing.

Buy the full edition if you are starting with nothing and want the simplest purchase. Existing owners should use the upgrade pack, while members should check the Nintendo Switch Online section of the eShop before spending money. The boxed Switch 2 Edition and original game plus upgrade contain the same game content.

How do I upgrade Breath of the Wild on Switch 2?

Use the original physical or digital game on a Nintendo Switch 2, then purchase or download the matching upgrade pack. The upgrade cannot run on an original Switch. A physical cartridge qualifies, but it remains the license for the base game and must stay inserted while you play.

1. Move your user and save data to Switch 2, or restore the supported save through your normal Nintendo transfer method.
2. Insert the original cartridge, or load your digital copy onto the Switch 2.
3. Open Nintendo eShop and find the Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack.
4. Purchase it for $9.99, or download it from the Nintendo Switch Online section if your Expansion Pack membership is active.
5. Update Breath of the Wild to the latest software version and launch it. The HOME Menu and title screen should show the Switch 2 Edition branding.

If you are still deciding what to play after setup, which Zelda game to play first separates the best entry point from the best technical version.

Is Zelda Notes worth using with Breath of the Wild?

It is useful for a completion run, save-file revisit, or players who want extra context. Breath of the Wild receives eight of the nine Zelda Notes features in the free Nintendo Switch App. Autobuild Sharing is the exception because that QR-blueprint feature belongs only to Tears of the Kingdom.

You need a Nintendo Account, a compatible phone, the free Nintendo Switch App, and a persistent internet connection. No Nintendo Switch Online membership is required. Our complete Zelda Notes guide explains the phone setup and each feature; the Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 comparison covers the one extra Autobuild tool on that side.

Who should skip the upgrade?

Skip it if you only own an original Switch, because none of the Switch 2 enhancements can run there. It is also easy to postpone if you are not planning a replay, do not have a compatible phone for Zelda Notes, or expected the $9.99 pack to include the separate Expansion Pass.

For everyone already replaying on Switch 2, the smoother performance and faster loading are the core value; the second save slot and Zelda Notes make the package more useful than a graphics-only patch. Just keep the distinction clear: the paid upgrade improves the existing game, while the $19.99 Expansion Pass remains the separate source of its DLC content.