There is a subtle, nostalgic charm to the Wii U version that the Switch lacks. When you boot up The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Wii U - , you are greeted by the classic Wii U chime, the colorful plaza of the Quick Start menu, and the soft glow of the blue disc drive light.
Here is where the narrative gets tragic. The version of Breath of the Wild we played on the Switch is actually missing a feature that the Wii U version originally promised.
It is ironic that a game about the end of the world became the final breath of a console. When the credits roll, and the "Thank you for playing" message appears, Switch players simply dock their console and move to the next game. But for the Wii U player, you eject the disc, see the blue light fade on the console, and realize you just witnessed the last great first-party title ever printed on a Nintendo optical disc. The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild -Wii U-
The game's director, Hidemaro Fujibayashi, and his team at Nintendo, drew inspiration from various sources, including the vast expanses of the American West and the post-apocalyptic landscapes of games like Fallout. The result was a game that felt both familiar and innovative, a true masterpiece that would go on to win numerous awards, including Game of the Year at the 2017 Game Awards.
Breath of the Wild on Wii U is still a masterpiece despite technical limits. Take your time, climb every mountain, and cook weird food. The journey matters more than rushing Ganon. There is a subtle, nostalgic charm to the
So, raise your GamePad high. Silence the notifications. And dive into the wild. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Wii U - is not a port. It is a eulogy, and it is glorious.
Note: These are not required for normal play. The version of Breath of the Wild we
If you own a hacked Wii U, Breath of the Wild becomes the definitive masterclass in hardware optimization—proof that the Wii U was simply a console ahead of its time.
Due to the parity clause with the Switch (which cannot have two screens), Nintendo removed the "always-on" map functionality. On the final Wii U version, the GamePad merely mirrors the TV screen, or acts as an off-TV play device.