In the world of gaming, few titles have had as significant an impact as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Originally planned as a Wii U exclusive for 2015, its delayed release in early 2017 resulted in a move to the Nintendo Switch, where it became one of the defining titles of that console. The shift in platforms significantly altered the game’s role, turning it from a potential crowning achievement for the Wii U into the game that launched the Switch into the gaming spotlight. This transition highlights the profound impact delays can have not just on a game’s quality, but also on its association with the hardware it was initially designed for.

The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a 2017 action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch and Wii U. Set at the end of the Zelda timeline, the player controls an amnesiac Link as he sets out to save Princess Zelda and prevent Calamity Ganon from destroying the world.

The Wii U Version of Breath of the Wild

While Breath of the Wild became synonymous with the Nintendo Switch, the Wii U version was released as well, albeit quietly and with far less fanfare. The Wii U, Nintendo’s failed console, served as the backdrop for a game that would ultimately find its true identity on the newer, more successful platform. Despite the later Switch release, playing Breath of the Wild on Wii U still reveals the same core experience, with the familiar mechanics, story, and gameplay that defined the title. However, the Wii U’s technical limitations became apparent when compared to the Switch’s enhanced performance.

The game performs decently on the Wii U, but it is plagued by noticeable issues that affect the overall experience. These include a lower resolution, choppy frame rates, and a less stable performance in more demanding scenes, such as battles involving Bokoblins or when exploring the expansive vistas of Hyrule. While Breath of the Wild is certainly playable on the Wii U, the performance dips, particularly in areas like Kakariko Village, detract from the otherwise immersive world. The visual quality also suffers in comparison to the Switch version, which delivers sharper graphics and smoother gameplay, highlighting the limitations of the older console.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Loss of the Wii U’s Dual-Screen Functionality

One of the defining features of the Wii U was its GamePad, which incorporated a second screen for additional gameplay functionality. This concept was expected to be integral to Breath of the Wild, with early demonstrations showing how players could use the GamePad's touchscreen for tasks such as managing inventory or viewing the in-game map. However, these features were ultimately removed in the final version of the game. Nintendo made the decision to ensure that the Wii U and Switch versions were consistent, and, according to the game's director, Hidemaro Fujibayashi, having players switch between screens could be distracting. The result was a loss of what could have been a unique Wii U experience, as the GamePad’s touchscreen functionality was relegated to a more conventional role.

This decision, while practical for ensuring a uniform experience across platforms, served to highlight what might have been an interesting use of the Wii U’s distinctive hardware. The notion of navigating Link's inventory or using the map on the GamePad, as initially envisioned, evokes a sense of what could have been—a more bespoke experience tailored to the Wii U. Yet, as the system had already begun to fall out of favor, these elements were never fully realized.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Wii U's Influence on the Switch

Looking back at the Wii U's short-lived tenure, it becomes clear that the console, despite its commercial failure, introduced ideas that would later become central to the Nintendo Switch. The Wii U’s GamePad, though often considered bulky and awkward, was a precursor to the Switch’s hybrid design. The concept of seamlessly transitioning from playing on a TV to using a handheld device was present in the Wii U, though it wasn’t fully exploited. On the Switch, this idea was refined and realized, offering a more intuitive and versatile experience.

This innovative thinking in the Wii U laid the groundwork for the Switch's success, making the latter console feel like the natural evolution of the former's more experimental features. The ability to play Breath of the Wild on the GamePad in one room and then continue on the Switch handheld device in another exemplifies this evolution. The Wii U may have been an imperfect system, but it set the stage for what would become one of Nintendo's most successful consoles.

A Reflection on Nintendo’s Legacy

Breath of the Wild on Wii U, despite its technical shortcomings, is a reminder of the console's unfulfilled potential. As much as the game is associated with the Switch, its release on the Wii U was a bittersweet moment, offering players a chance to experience a game that should have been the system’s defining title. In the end, the Wii U version of Breath of the Wild served as a brief yet significant chapter in the game’s broader legacy. The Switch version, with its smoother performance and enhanced features, quickly became the definitive experience, selling over 32 million copies compared to the 1.7 million on Wii U.

Ultimately, playing Breath of the Wild on Wii U offers a poignant look at a console that was ahead of its time, despite its commercial failure. It is a testament to how innovation, even when not immediately successful, can lay the foundation for future achievements. Nintendo’s ability to take lessons learned from the Wii U and apply them to the Switch has helped shape the company’s direction in the years since, ensuring that Breath of the Wild—whether on Wii U or Switch—remains one of the defining titles in gaming history.

Source: Polygon