Summary

  • Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have a weapon repair mechanic on the Switch 2 via the Zelda Notes app.
  • The repair option is a random daily bonus, not guaranteed or unlimited.
  • Some fans may be disappointed in paying $9.99 for such limited new features on Switch 2.

The Switch's biggest The Legend of Zelda titles, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, are getting a weapon repair mechanic in their Switch 2 versions, but only through the Nintendo Switch app. As many expected, Nintendo revealed several upgrades to these games in its April 2 Switch 2 Direct, but one of the most game-changing new features wasn't apparent until reviewers got to demo the new console. Switch 2 players will get a solution to one of the most controversial features in recent Zelda games, but it comes with a big asterisk.

The Zelda Notes function on the Switch's accompanying mobile app will bring several new features to BOTW and TOTK on Switch 2. It lets TOTK players share their Autobuild designs, offers voice navigation to help users find Koroks and other hidden goodies, and allows fans to uncover new bits of game lore as they explore these titles' vast open worlds. While Nintendo didn't highlight it in its presentation, Zelda Notes can also give people a way around these games' infamous weapon durability.

zelda-breath-of-the-wild-switch-2-upgrade-pack-price-revealed
Zelda Switch 2 Upgrade Pack Price Revealed

Nintendo has revealed how much it will cost Zelda fans to purchase the Switch 2 upgrade packs for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

1
By 

Zelda YouTuber Zeltik got a chance to demo Tears of the Kingdom and Switch 2 and pointed out how the Zelda Notes function includes weapon repairs, albeit to a limited extent. Through the app, players can roll for a random "Daily Bonus," many of which are meals or stat boosts, such as recovering Link's health or recharging Zonai energy cells. As Zeltik noted, though, one of these seems more useful than the others: an option labeled "Equipment Repairs." While TOTK makes it possible to increase weapon durability through the Fuse ability, breakable weapons and shields remain a contentious topic in BOTW and TOTK. This new bonus finally gives players to option to extend equipment life spans after weakening them, which many have called for since the first game's release.

Switch 2 Zelda Titles Offer Equipment Repairs, But Only Through a Random Daily Bonus

The extent to which this new option repairs players' equipment is unclear, and if there are any limits to it. Some fans may also find it frustrating that the feature is only available through the app and is not a guarantee, as rewards are drawn at random each day. Switch 2 versions of these games require a paid upgrade, which does not include BOTW's DLC, so some may expect to get something a little more after paying the $9.99 necessary to play these titles on the new system in the first place.

Weapon repairs aren't the only new feature constrained to the Zelda Notes function. Players can unlock achievements in BOTW and TOTK on Switch 2, but only on the app, not in-game. Still, these features do offer some new content for fans to enjoy after paying for the next-gen upgrade. Whether they're enough to convince more people to get the Switch 2 versions of these games will only be clear when the console comes out.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-cover

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Display card tags widget
Adventure
Action
Open-World
Display card system widget
Systems
super greyscale 8-bit logo
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget
Top Critic Avg: 95 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
Display card main info widget
Released
May 12, 2023
ESRB
Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
Developer(s)
Nintendo
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Engine
Havok
Cross-Platform Play
N/A
Cross Save
N/A
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the sequel to the beloved open-world adventure, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This installment once again sees Link and Zelda battling to protect Hyrule from falling to Ganondorf. This new adventure takes place in the same land of Hyrule as Breath of the Wild but sees something called the Upheaval, which allows link to travel to Sky Islands, as well as deep into the Depths beneath Hyrule. Players can use special abilities to fuse together weapons, and build items to help them progress through the release.

Steam Deck Compatibility
n/a
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty
How Long To Beat
59 Hours
X|S Optimized
n/a