Although the prospect of new games for The Legend of Zelda on the Nintendo Switch 2 is incredibly appealing, it may not be the biggest benefit for the series when the new console is released. As one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises, it is inevitable that The Legend of Zelda will have a strong presence on the Switch 2, including new titles. However, it should also be considered that the Switch 2 will likely have a significant impact on other aspects of the franchise as well.
Considering all of the Zelda games on Switch, it is easy to picture a similarly large range being released for the Switch 2. Considering that it will build upon the capabilities of its predecessor, the upcoming console will offer plenty of new opportunities in the development of future games. In fact, it is easy to see the Switch 2’s launch catalog including a Zelda game. Moreover, even if this is not the case, it is easy to see that the console will influence The Legend of Zelda‘s direction going forward. Nevertheless, the Switch 2 will offer other positives as well.
Zelda Games Don’t Run Great On The Switch
The Console’s Capabilities Mean They Have Undeniable Performance Issues
Although games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom present vast worlds in an amazing level of detail, it cannot be denied that these Zelda games do not run perfectly on the Switch. BOTW and TOTK, as well as the remake of Link’s Awakening and Echoes of Wisdom, fail to maintain a consistent 1080p while docked, with the former two simply unable to achieve this resolution at all. While the actual resolution of these games is more than adequate for many, the fact that it could be even better can still lead to some dissatisfaction upon reflection.
An even more striking fact about the Switch’s capability to play these games is that the console cannot even run them at a stable framerate. Naturally, it can be frustrating for gameplay to be visibly affected by such issues, especially in high-intensity combat; if the framerate begins to decline, this can easily distract from the on-screen action. Of course, with that being said, there are arguably bigger problems with TOTK and its fellow Zelda titles, but the console’s technical limitations do still have a noticeable impact on how enjoyable a game is to play.
Related
The Legend Of Zelda Might Repeat a Pointless 22-Year-Old Controversy On Switch 2
A new Nintendo console brings all new possibilities for The Legend of Zelda, but on direction might cause some undue controversy deja vu.
The fact that this is a consistent issue for the newest Zelda games is disappointing, as it means that they are consistently underperforming on their native console. It also indicates that the software is constantly pushing the hardware to its limits, even on what should arguably be simpler games like Link’s Awakening. While the implications of this can be impressive from some perspectives, the fact that it can distract from gameplay and break immersion is still a significant downside.
The Switch 2’s Expected Leap In Power Could Change Things
Its Improved Hardware Should Offer Smoother Gameplay For Switch Games
From what is known about the Switch 2, it is easy to assume that it will be significantly more powerful than its predecessor. Although this will naturally lead to Nintendo being able to produce bigger games than ever before, it also means that the Switch 2 should be able to play the original Switch’s Zelda games better than the latter can itself. The performance issues that can arise in these titles are undoubtedly rooted in the console itself, and so a more powerful console offers the perfect way to eliminate these problems.
Backward compatibility is a confirmed feature of the Switch 2, so there should be no barriers to games like BOTW and TOTK finally performing at their best.
Given their shared performance issues, the Switch’s Zelda titles all seem as if they were intended for a slightly better console than what it actually is. The Switch 2 should be more than capable of filling that role, as it should render these same issues a thing of the past. Both the framerates and resolution that it can provide, both in docked and handheld modes, are almost guaranteed to be dramatically improved. This would allow finally these games to be experienced with no strain on the hardware, resulting in notably smoother gameplay.
Ultimately, the performance of the Switch’s existing catalog of Zelda games is unfortunately marred by the console’s own inherent limitations. However, the same problem will not be applicable to the Switch 2, allowing the incredible art and gameplay of these titles to be experienced with no downsides. Although they are already far from being unplayable, this is still arguably the state in which these games have always deserved to be played, and yet so far never have been.
What Playing Zelda Games On The Switch 2 Could Be Like
Zelda Games On The Switch 2 Could Easily Look Better Than Ever
It is entirely reasonable to expect that the Switch’s Legend of Zelda games will finally be playable at 1080p and a stable framerate on the Switch 2, preferably 60fps. However, it is also worth noting that the Switch 2 could go even further to enhance the gameplay experience. For example, it is possible that the console could give the option of playing games in 4K resolution at 30fps. But regardless of the specifics, the stability of gameplay should still be far better on the new hardware than it is on the Switch.
Related
Zelda Should Break Tradition On Switch 2 By Embracing A Genre Nintendo Has Never Entered
The Legend of Zelda could take a huge step forward not only for itself but all of Nintendo by making a landmark entrance into a new genre on Switch 2.
Of course, the benefits of the Switch 2’s enhanced capabilities will apply to new Zelda games as well, which could easily include some long-awaited remakes. Many people have long hoped for ports of The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess on the Switch, and such games could see a similar treatment to that enjoyed by Skyward Sword HD if they are released for Switch 2. The latter title itself plays at 1080p and 60fps on the Switch, so an upgraded console should be fully capable of providing other Zelda games with the same performance quality.
The Nintendo Switch has played an integral role in what is arguably the best era of the Zelda franchise yet, and its successor should build upon this with ease. However, while there are countless new possibilities and directions for future games to explore, the Switch 2 should also provide the best way to play its predecessor’s own titles as well. As a result, not only will The Legend of Zelda’s future be improved by the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, but its past titles will enjoy some incredible benefits as well.