When the Nintendo Switch first hit the shelves, it launched with just a handful of games—ten to be exact. Yet, amid this limited lineup stood one title that redefined gaming for the console: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Originally destined to be a standout on the Wii U, this game had been in development for years. However, development hurdles delayed its launch, aligning it perfectly with the release of the Switch. Debuting in 2017 on both platforms, Breath of the Wild not only invigorated the console’s release but also paved the way for one of Nintendo’s most triumphant console eras.
Breath of the Wild quickly soared to monumental success, with over 30 million copies sold globally, making it the best-selling Zelda game by a significant margin. Critics heaped praise on it, awarding nearly perfect scores, and it quickly climbed the ranks to secure the number two spot on OpenCritic’s best games of all time list. It’s no exaggeration to say that Breath of the Wild could be one of the greatest console launch titles in history, standing proud alongside legendary games like Halo: Combat Evolved and Super Mario 64. Such is its acclaim that whispers of a remastered edition for Nintendo’s upcoming console are already in circulation.
Rumblings of a remastered Breath of the Wild for the successor to the Nintendo Switch started wafting through the gaming community towards the end of 2023. Eurogamer was at the forefront of these revelations, reporting post-Gamescom 2023 that developers had been treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the Switch 2. Among the titles showcased was an enhanced version of Breath of the Wild. Though Eurogamer suggested it might just be a tech demo, the possibility of a full public release has set imaginations racing.
These rumors gained further traction in mid-2024 when an insider, Midori—recently rebranded as RyanFromTheBronx—tweeted about a Nintendo project with the codename “U-King-O.” This cryptic name didn’t initially raise eyebrows until it was linked to the original development codename for Breath of the Wild, “U-King.” The “-O” suffix hinted at an ongoing project, sparking speculation of a new iteration. Fellow insider Samus Hunter later added to this speculation, providing additional weight to the rumor in December of that year.
Considering the original game’s limitations on the older Switch hardware, a Breath of the Wild remaster would be a shrewd move. It would be even more enticing if bundled with a Switch 2 version of its 2023 sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Gamers would quite likely jump at the chance to buy this package, especially if both games run at a crisp 1440p resolution and 60 frames per second. The idea of Nintendo selling both games together at a discounted rate—perhaps around $80 to $100—sounds like a long shot, given the company’s reputation for keeping prices high. The tradition of maintaining the value of its first-party titles may mean they’ll offer the games separately or together only at a premium price.
