The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally available, and to mark the occasion, some cult titles from the original Switch have received an update. This is the case with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. We played it for a few hours and here are our first impressions.
As you probably know, the Nintendo Switch 2 finally arrived in all good stores on June 5, 2025. For this launch, the console comes with several new titles and ports, such as Mario Kart World of course, but also Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition, Hitman: World of Assassination and Split Fiction.
But that's not all. Several games for the original Switch have also received an update to harness the power of this new hardware. This generally translates into better image quality on 4K TVs, HDR support, or a higher frame rate. For some titles, this patch is completely free. This is the case for a dozen games, including Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and Pokémon Purple/Scarlet. But for others, you'll have to pay. Unless you're a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscriber, you'll have to pay €10, for example, to access the Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. For you (and for him too), your servant has taken out his credit card to (re)discover Tears of the Kingdom in a new light. So here are our first impressions of the Switch 2 version of this great game.
Zelda Tears of The Kingdom on Switch 2, what's it like?
On the Nintendo website, we can read that this Switch 2 version of Zelda TOTK offers:
- better definition and improved performance
- support for HDR
- and finally compatibility with a new companion app called Zelda Notes
Finally a stable 60 FPS
But concretely, what is the result once you have the controller in hand? First of all, and this is immediately obvious, the title finally displays a perfectly stable frame rate of 60 frames per second. This is a small revolution, as the Switch version struggled to stay at 30 FPS in certain areas, particularly in the Korogu Forest, for example. Here, 60 FPS is maintained in all circumstances. As a result, everything becomes more fluid, whether it's exploration, the use of powers, but also and especially combat. Parrying and dodging are much easier to achieve with a faster frame rate. For the player, this translates into superior gaming comfort.
A more beautiful game overall
In terms of image quality, the title now benefits from a 1440p definition (and not 4K as one might think). While we can be a little disappointed on this point, the quality remains there. Textures have become more refined, the draw distance is greater, while the shadow and light effects are much cleaner than in the past thanks to HDR support.
Less loading time
Another important point, loading times are significantly reduced on this Switch 2 version. To quickly travel from one point to another on the map, the operation is completed in a few seconds, while it took more than 20 seconds on the original Switch. This, once again, offers more comfort in a game where back and forth is commonplace. Using certain powers, notably Infiltration (editor's note: an ability that allows Link to pass through ceilings) is also faster. Having done some testing, for example, it will take you around ten seconds to go from the depths to the surface with Infiltration on Switch 2 compared to more than 15 seconds on Switch 1.
Zelda TOTK on Switch 2, should we buy it or not?
In our opinion, this Switch 2 version of Zelda TOTK is undoubtedly better in every way. If you're a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscriber, it's free, so there's no question about it.
What about the others? If this is your first time playing the game, we obviously recommend buying this version on your Switch 2. It's the ideal option to discover this masterpiece in the best conditions.For veterans, however, the question arises. With the exception of better definition and a higher frame rate, this version offers absolutely nothing more.
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