Zelda: Breath Of The Wild And Tears Of The Kingdom - Every Switch 2 Upgrade

When the Switch 2 launches, it'll feature backwards compatibility with a strong library of games inherited from the original Switch console. Two of the best first-party games--The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom--won't just be compatible with the Switch 2, they'll be upgraded in the form of what are called Switch 2 Editions.

If you're interested in returning to Hyrule or you haven't experienced these games yet and you're curious to see what makes them different, we've broken down the biggest changes below to help you make your decision.

First, the obvious one: These enhancements won't be free. If you already own BOTW or TOTK, the Upgrade Packs for them are $10 each. If you don't own the games, then the Switch 2 versions specifically are $80 each, but you can save some cash here. Amazon has both games available and at a discount, so the best option might be to buy the Switch 1 versions and then the upgrade packs, saving you around $15 on average per game.

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild -- $54.86 ($60)
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom -- $56.85 ($70)

One other thing to note is that the Switch 2 versions or the Switch 1 Upgrade Packs do not include any of the DLC released over the years for the games. If you want those, you'll have to buy them separately.

While the game still looks great on Switch consoles, the Switch 2 version will offer a higher resolution, improved frame rates, and HDR support. Loading times have been improved, and you can also import your save data.

Overall, you can also expect a higher resolution, improved frame rates, HDR support, and improved load times in TOTK. Like BOTW, you can also import your Switch 1 save data into the Switch 2 version.

The two Zelda games are massive, and to help players out, Nintendo has introduced Zelda Notes for the Switch 2 versions. This will let you access various game tips and it can be used through the Nintendo Switch app on smart devices. This free feature does not require you to have a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

This handy feature will guide you in real time across the map to find the elusive Koroks and hard-to-reach shrines. You can also track your progress as you find Koroks and clear shrines, as various achievement rates will show you how close you are to earning a coveted 100% completion rate.

Visiting certain locations will allow you to gain insight about your surroundings from Zelda and other characters. Think of it as an audio guide to Hyrule's history.

If you've made a cool design using your Ultrahand skills in Tears of the Kingdom and you want to share the details of it, you can convert it to a QR code and share it on social media. Other players can then access it and have fun with your creations. Autobuild was introduced in TOTK, so this Zelda Notes feature is exclusive to that game.

You can deposit in-game items into your Zelda Notes inbox and share them with other players via QR codes. This works both ways, as you can also receive gifts from other players using their QR codes.

For the shutterbugs out there, you can send the photos you've taken in the Zelda games to the Zelda Notes app and enhance them with various decorations.

Do you want to see detailed information about your play sessions? The Zelda Notes app will offer that feature, allowing you to see everything from the number of enemies you've defeated to how many times you've seen a game over screen. You can also earn in-game badges for reaching certain milestones.

Comparison is the thief of joy, but if you need some motivation to get better in these Zelda games, you can compare your stats with other players from across the globe.

Once per day, you can test your luck and get a random reward. The possible rewards here include hearts, weapons, and other effects.

You can scan a compatible Amiibo up to five times per day by using Zelda Notes, unlocking in-game items.

Both games have been critically acclaimed since launch, and they still hold up very well. BOTW was lauded for its thrilling gameplay and a world full of secrets, while its TOTK sequel pushed these ideas even further and added a few new wrinkles of its own. Both games have earned rare 10/10 review scores on GameSpot, proving just how good they are. If you'd like to see what makes each one so special, you can read the individual reviews listed below.

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild review
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review