The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Differences Between Versions

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild is the biggest launch title for the Nintendo Switch. However, it’s basically a port of the Wii U version, announced back in 2013. Both games are coming out on the same day, March 3rd 2017. However, there will be some differences between the two versions. Let’s take a closer look.

Here’s the list of “key facts” given to IGN by Nintendo.

• Both launch on the same day, March 3.
• Both have a frame rate of 30 fps.
• Both versions of the game offer the same content.
• 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.
• The physical copy of the Wii U version will require 3 GB of available memory on the Wii U system or an external drive.
• 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.

As you can see, the differences are minimal and purely cosmetic. Producer Eiji Aonuma said at last year’s E3 that both systems will offer the same experience. It seems that they’re going to keep that promise. However, that poses the question – what’s left for the Switch?

This is the first major console that has basically nothing exclusive to offer on launch. The offer is more scarce that for the Wii U, and we know how well that went. Other than 1, 2, Switch and similar throwaway party games (that really should come with the console, not a $50 price tag), the Switch has nothing to its name. There’s little enough games slated for the entire year. We’ll see how Nintendo will handle this in the future.