TotK Switch 2 Edition vs Switch 1: Differences, Worth It

Tears of the Kingdom got its Nintendo Switch 2 Edition on June 5, 2025, the same day as Breath of the Wild’s. More than a year later, players still ask whether the upgrade is worth it, how to upgrade and which version to buy. This page answers all three from Nintendo’s own store pages.

What does the Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack cost?

The upgrade pack is $9.99 on the US Nintendo eShop and requires that you already own Tears of the Kingdom. Members of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack can claim it at no additional cost; a standard Nintendo Switch Online membership does not include it. Buying the game fresh as a Switch 2 Edition costs $79.99.

What actually changes on Switch 2?

Nintendo’s store page lists the differences in two sentences: “smoother framerates, faster load times, and enhanced resolution and textures”, and “higher resolution, improved frame rates, and HDR support”. Nintendo does not publish the resolution or frame-rate numbers — those come from third-party technical analyses, which we will link once we have verified them.

The second save slot is the quietly useful one: you can start a fresh playthrough on Switch 2 without touching your 100% file. One catch from the store page — a save created in that second slot cannot be transferred back to the original Switch version.

Which version should I buy?

• You already own Tears of the Kingdom and have a Switch 2: buy the $9.99 upgrade pack, or claim it through NSO + Expansion Pack. Keep your cartridge in the console.
• You have NSO + Expansion Pack: claim the pack before buying anything else — it is included.
• You own nothing yet: the $79.99 Switch 2 Edition is the same game plus the upgrade in one purchase. If you can find the original cheaper, original + $9.99 pack is identical in-game.
• You only have an original Switch: nothing changes for you. Version 1.4.3 runs on both consoles.

Undecided between this and Breath of the Wild? Read Tears of the Kingdom vs Breath of the Wild — the Switch 2 Editions of both released the same day.

What is Zelda Notes and do I need it?

Zelda Notes is the Switch 2 Edition’s companion feature inside the free Nintendo Switch App on your phone. It adds voice navigation to Korok seeds and shrines, Voice Memories, QR-code sharing of Autobuild designs and items, a photo studio, play-data comparisons and a daily bonus. It requires a Nintendo Account and an internet connection but not a Nintendo Switch Online membership. The full breakdown of all nine features is in our Zelda Notes guide.

Which patches came with the Switch 2 Edition?

The dates and changes are Nintendo’s own, from the game’s official update history. The original Switch version is 16.5 GB; both versions support 15 languages including Simplified and Traditional Chinese. Patch-by-patch changes are in version history.

Is the upgrade worth it?

If you play on a Switch 2 at all, yes — $9.99 (or nothing, with NSO + Expansion Pack) buys the performance upgrade, HDR, a second save slot and Zelda Notes. The only people who should skip it are those who only own an original Switch. Even players who bought it only for Zelda Notes tend to feel the app alone justifies the price, and the frame-rate and load-time improvements are the reason most give.

Once you are set up, the complete shrine location list and the armor upgrade materials table are the two pages you will open most.