Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Switch 2—Worth €9.99?

When Nintendo announced a Switch 2 upgrade for Tears of the Kingdom, many players felt that familiar rush of Hylian nostalgia. After logging hundreds of hours on a well-worn OLED model, the promise of a faster, sharper experience on the next-gen hardware is hard to resist—yet the €9.99 upgrade fee has sparked a mix of excitement and side-eye among series veterans.

Visual Overhaul

Analysis of side-by-side footage shows a true generational leap. On Switch 2 (docked), the game runs at a silky 60 fps in native 1440p with HDR—according to several tech commentators, water now shimmers realistically, textures remain crisp at a distance, and the infamous Switch fog is virtually gone. Loading times are also slashed, eliminating those awkward shrine transitions that once had players checking their phones.

New Zelda NOTES System

Nintendo describes the NOTES feature as more than a simple encyclopedia. It adds in-game lore entries, a dedicated Korok guide (which purists admit could save dozens of hours), and QR code sharing for Ultrahand creations or speedrun tricks. Observers note that integrating NOTES with Nintendo Switch Online—especially the Expansion Pack tier—makes it feel more like a community hub than a paywall.

Upgrade Cost Concerns

Critics argue that the €9.99 fee feels like a “next-gen tax,” pointing out that other major titles (The Witcher 3, Ghost of Tsushima) offered free upgrades to new hardware. Eurogamer’s Jeremy Smith calls it “a bold ask” for fans who already invested in the launch-day edition, while Nintendo maintains that the bundle’s added features justify the charge.

Seamless Save Transitions

Good news for completionists: all save data carries over to Switch 2. Whether you pick up where you left off or start fresh, there’s zero FOMO—and many players see this compatibility as validation for experimenting with challenge runs or 100% collectathons.

What This Means for Zelda Fans

For newcomers who skipped the original release, the Switch 2 version is an easy sell. Existing owners must weigh €9.99 against high-definition visuals, HDR shine and community-driven NOTES features. As one fan put it on ResetEra, “I’ll gladly pay for sharper vistas—but it stings a bit when it feels like nickel-and-diming.”

Ultimately, Switch 2 showcases Tears of the Kingdom as Nintendo likely intended—with enhanced detail, smoother performance and fresh ways to share discoveries. Whether that’s worth the price depends on how much you value pixel-perfect Hyrule and an official Korok finder.

Specifications

• Publisher: Nintendo
• Release Date: TBA (Switch 2 version)
• Genres: Action-Adventure, Open World
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2

TL;DR: Switch 2 brings Tears of the Kingdom to 1440p/60 fps with HDR, adds the community-focused NOTES system and preserves saves—but the €9.99 upgrade fee divides fans.