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How The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is better on Switch than Wii U

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild looks pretty good on Wii U, but what are you missing if you don't upgrade to Switch?

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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is coming out on both Wii U and Switch, which is very important, since Wii U owners have been waiting for a new Zelda game for pretty much the entire console's lifetime.

However, if you are tempted to jump onto the new hardware, Nintendo has formally outlined the benefits. In a list provided to IGN, the platform holder detailed how Switch build of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild improves on the Wii U version. Here are the relevant points:

  • On a TV, the Nintendo Switch version of the game renders in 900p while the Wii U version renders in 720p.
  • The Nintendo Switch version has higher-quality environmental sounds. As a result, the sound of steps, water, grass, etc. are more realistic and enhance the game’s Open-Air feel.
  • Some icons, such as onscreen buttons, differ between the two versions.
  • A Special Edition and Master Edition of the Wii U version are not available.

Otherwise, the two builds of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are identical - same content, same release date, same frame rate of 30fps.

Since they're largely the same, if you are hoping to pick up The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild when it releases in early March, you might want to consider grabbing the Wii U version, since the Switch itself is largely sold out for now.

Nintendo also revealed retail copies of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild require 3GB install space on Wii U, which might be an issue if you've filled up with digital titles.

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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch

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About the Author
Brenna Hillier avatar

Brenna Hillier

Contributor

Based in Australia and having come from a lengthy career in the Aussie games media, Brenna worked as VG247's remote Deputy Editor for several years, covering news and events from the other side of the planet to the rest of the team. After leaving VG247, Brenna retired from games media and crossed over to development, working as a writer on several video games.

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