The Nintendo Switch 2 editions ofThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomandBreath of the Wildare introducing a number of key new features that should help make replaying them not feel too repetitive. Of course, there are the obvious additions, such as improved visuals, better framerates, and quicker load times, all of which will definitely help to make the experience of exploring Hyrule a lot smoother and more enjoyable - not that it wasn’t enjoyable before these additions, of course.
However, for those who feel like the Switch 2 versions ofBOTWandTOTKhaven’t justified the cost, there is also a major new gameplay feature being added to the game. BothBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomfans will be able to repair their weapons in the Switch 2 versions of both games, something that many have wanted from the very start. It is a huge relief, but one that comes at a rather strange cost, and frankly, is far more disappointing than it sounds.
BOTW & TOTK Fans Can Finally Repair Weapons
Only On The Switch 2
During the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo unveiled theZelda Notesapp.This mobile app directly connects to your Switch 2 version of bothBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, giving you navigational assistance, player and global stats, among a slew of other useful features. It isn’t strictly necessary to use it, but it should, in theory, improve the overall experience andmake replayingBOTWless frustrating. Crucially, it does this through its Daily Bonus feature, which can be used once a day.
By spinning the roulette wheel on the app, players can unlock a Daily Bonus item that can be used in-game.There are a variety of possible bonuses players can unlock, including refilling their hearts and stamina, giving them a meal, or even repairing their weapons. It is the latter bonus that has players excited, as it will circumvent the annoyance of breakable weapons in bothTOTKandBOTW. WhileTOTKfixed weapon durabilityto an extent, it never went as far as to give players an item that completely repairs a weapon.
The New Zelda Repair System Makes No Sense
It Is Too Limiting And Random
In theory, thisZelda Notesapp will ensure that players no longer have to rely onweapon duplication glitches inBOTWto have a constant stockpile of their favorite weapons. However, that’s not really how it works, as the Daily Bonus system is completely nonsensical.Players can only use the Daily Bonus feature once per day, meaning they’ll only get one reward from the roulette wheel every 24 hours. You can’t trick the app like you can your Switch either, so that really is one Daily Bonus per day.
Additionally, getting theweapon repair bonus is completely randomand, worse still, extremely rare. It is one of the rarest bonuses available, with its three-star rating on the wheel indicating as much. So,if you wanted to fix your favorite weapon in a pinch, you’ll have no such luck. One has to hope that they’ll get the bonus each time they spin the wheel, especially as the other available rewards are completely useless, as meals are easy to make, and it’s not hard to refill your hearts or stamina in eitherTOTKorBOTW.
The whole app feels redundant, not least becauseTOTKandBOTWare some of the most played Switch games, meaning players don’t need navigational tips or any of the other features the app provides for a game they’ve probably already played dozens of times.
It feels like a way of convincing players to return to the app daily without giving any meaningful reason to do so. The Daily Bonus feature could have worked if players could choose which reward they got, or if they could use it more than once a day. As it stands, there’s no point in using it.Frankly, the whole app feels redundant, not least becauseTOTKandBOTWare some of the most played Switch games, meaning players don’t need navigational tips or the other features the app provides for a game they’ve probably already played dozens of times.
Nintendo Should Have Added Equipment Repair From The Start
It Should Have Been In TOTK At The Very Least
All of this begs the question as to why Nintendo didn’t implement some form of equipment repair from the very start, especially as this app proves it is a possibility in-game. One could argue that adding a workaround would mitigate the entire point of the weapon degradation feature, and I completely agree. Of course, that argument is completely null and void now that Nintendo has introduced a workaround, as poorly implemented as it may be. It clearly didn’t value the degradation mechanic enough to avoid adding this Daily Bonus feature.
If Nintendo was going to undo its hard work at keeping this more hardcore feature with this app, then it should have made it an optional feature from the start. This move indicates that it understands some players don’t enjoy it, which makes the lack of equipment repair from the start all the more confusing. Frankly, the entire idea feels like a last-minute addition to increase the value of the app - which is, in all fairness, free - but it nevertheless feels like yet another stumble for Nintendo and a bad deal forTears of the Kingdomfans.
