Preorder Now: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for Nintendo Switch 2

Author: Caleb Jun 13,2025

Excitement is building as *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition* prepares for its exclusive launch on June 5, 2025, tailored specifically for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console. This upgraded edition not only brings enhanced performance and visual fidelity but also includes a new digital companion feature called Zelda Notes via the Nintendo Switch app, offering players an immersive and connected gameplay experience.

Preorders are already live, with availability at major retailers like Target, Walmart, and GameStop priced at $79.99 (varies by store). Below, we break down everything you need to know about this special edition before placing your preorder.

What’s Included in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition?

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Cover Art

This edition bundles two components:

  • The full original version of *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom* for Nintendo Switch
  • The exclusive Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack

This ensures that players can enjoy the game with improved frame rates, faster load times, higher resolution, and more detailed textures—making it the definitive way to experience Link’s latest adventure.

Pricing Details

While $79.99 may seem steep compared to standard game pricing, it aligns with Nintendo's strategy for its flagship titles on next-gen hardware. The original *Tears of the Kingdom* launched at $69.99—a premium price point for the Switch era—and Nintendo has added a $10 enhancement fee for the Switch 2 upgrade, reflecting the additional value of optimized performance and features.

Upgrade Pack Available Separately

If you already own the original *Tears of the Kingdom* for Nintendo Switch, you don’t have to repurchase the entire game. Instead, you can opt for the standalone **Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack**, available for just **$10**—a cost-effective way to future-proof your game.

Free Upgrade with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

Good news for subscribers: If you're already a member of **Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack**, the Switch 2 upgrade for *Tears of the Kingdom* comes completely free. It's included as part of your subscription benefits, so make sure to claim it once available.

Performance Enhancements on Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition offers tangible improvements over the original release. These enhancements include:

  • Higher-resolution rendering and sharper textures
  • Improved frame rates for smoother gameplay
  • Reduced loading times thanks to upgraded system storage
  • Better draw distance and environmental detail

These upgrades ensure that one of the most visually ambitious games in the series runs even better on the new hardware, delivering a seamless and immersive open-world experience.

Zelda Notes – New Companion Feature via Nintendo Switch App

A standout addition to this edition is **Zelda Notes**, a brand-new companion application accessible through the Nintendo Switch smartphone app. This tool allows players to take notes, track quests, and manage inventories while away from the console. Whether you're organizing shrine solutions or mapping out exploration routes, Zelda Notes enhances convenience and engagement beyond the TV screen.

Critical Reception & Legacy

From our original 10/10 review of *Tears of the Kingdom*:

“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an unfathomable follow-up to one of the greatest games ever made, somehow improving upon it in nearly every way – be that with simple quality-of-life improvements, a genuinely exciting story, or wildly creative new building mechanics that make you rethink what is possible. It both revamps old ground and introduces vast new areas so immense it somehow makes me wonder if Breath of the Wild was actually all that big, with an almost alarming number of tasks to complete, mysteries to discover, and delightful distractions to keep you from ever reaching that place you naively thought you were headed. Nintendo has followed up a triumph with a triumph, expanding and evolving a world that already felt full beyond expectation and raising the bar ever higher into the clouds.”

Now, with the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, this masterpiece reaches new technical heights—setting a benchmark for open-world design and interactive storytelling on Nintendo’s newest platform.

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