Overview
- Upcoming upgrades for both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are set for the Nintendo Switch 2.
- A Nintendo executive has confirmed improved frame rate performance on the new console.
- The anticipated release of the Switch 2 is scheduled for June 5.
In a recent interview, a Nintendo executive revealed that Tears of the Kingdom is expected to deliver a smoother gameplay experience on the Switch 2, featuring fewer frame rate drops compared to its predecessor, the original Switch. Nevertheless, the complexities of player-created Autobuild constructs, particularly those loaded with a variety of weapons, may still challenge the console’s capabilities.
During the Nintendo Direct event on April 2, it was confirmed that both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will receive special Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades. These enhancements will boost the frame rate cap and increase resolution in Docked Mode to an impressive 4K at 60 frames per second. The Switch 2 is powered by a custom Nvidia Tegra processor that supports DLSS upscaling, although details on how these performance improvements will be achieved are yet to be clarified. For gamers eager to upgrade, these enhancement packs will be available for $9.99 each, while subscribers to Nintendo Switch Online with the Expansion Pack can access them free of charge.
Enhanced Frame Rate Performance for Zelda’s Nintendo Switch 2 Editions
- Nate Bihldorff from Nintendo indicated that the Switch 2 will experience fewer frame rate issues in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
- Frame rate drops were more commonplace in dense foliage areas, particularly in the Korok Forest, on the original Switch.
- The graphical enhancements of the Switch 2 promise to alleviate these issues, although player-generated Autobuild creations might still present challenges.
- Switch 2 Editions of both Zelda titles will arrive on June 5, coinciding with the launch of the Switch 2 console.
Frame rate disturbances in the Korok Forest were noticeably worse during daytime due to its complex shaders, though nighttime gameplay showcased improved performance. Upon testing the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Breath of the Wild, Bihldorff noted that his first visit to the Korok Forest, located just north of Hyrule Castle, was astoundingly smooth. He described the ability of the original Switch to render such environments as “absolute wizardry.”
According to Bihldorff, players can expect fully rendered foliage without significant performance dips. However, he did caution that the Switch 2 may still encounter challenges when faced with the extensive demands of Tears of the Kingdom, particularly when employing the Autobuild feature involving multiple simultaneous weapons and particle effects. Although he was unable to fully test the system’s limits, he acknowledged that creative players might still find ways to push the console beyond its intended capabilities.
“There’s definitely room for players to create impressive machines that could stress the system,”Bihldorff remarked. “While I haven’t personally found any limitations, I expect some intrepid players will.”
The Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will officially launch alongside the Switch 2 on June 5. Given the creative potential within Tears of the Kingdom, only time will reveal just how far the new console can be pushed to reach its graphical limits.