Will Tears of the Kingdom Perform Better on a Switch OLED?

There’s ample talk about the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. On top of infinite interest in the Breath of the Wild sequel, some are surprised that a new Switch console isn’t accompanying the game’s launch. The newest console version (the Switch OLED) is a wonderful piece of tech that improves the experience of playing your Nintendo favorites. That said, will Tears of the Kingdom perform better on a Switch OLED compared to the original model? Let’s discuss this.

While the Nintendo Switch is still a great console, there’s a worry that a new, expansive Zelda game this late in the console’s lifecycle wouldn’t have been better served on a new Switch iteration. While it’s true that a Switch Pro or Super Switch would have been nice to see launch alongside Tears of the Kingdom, we did just get a new iteration in the Switch OLED not too long ago. It’s reasonable to assume this would be the best console to play the new game on, but here’s why it might not actually make a serious difference.

With the Switch OLED, you’re essentially getting three major upgrades to the original model. Firstly, the 7-inch OLED screen is a more vibrant, colorful upgrade over the original’s LED screen. Here, blacks and other colors you’ll find around Hyrule are sure to look richer and more visceral. Another perk is the enhanced audio in the game screen. If you’re playing handheld without headphones, you’ll notice a difference. Lastly, the kickstand in the back of the game screen has an adjustable kickstand for more angles.

Yes, there is a LAN input and double the onboard storage, but many aren’t plugging in their internet to a Switch directly and most end up buying a micro SD card anyway. There are going to be some nicer perks to playing Tears of the Kingdom on Switch OLED, but they’re mostly reserved for the handheld experience. Through TV play, there is no difference between the original Switch’s performance and the Switch OLED. So, the question now becomes less about performance and more about your preferred experience.

If you’re hoping to play most of Tears of the Kingdom in handheld mode and you’re someone who likes the best version of a console, then the Switch OLED is a great pick-up. If you’re searching for enhanced performance, however, then you’re not going to see massive upgrades buying the OLED model. For now, consider what you want out of your The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom experience and consider saving extra cash for when an improved Switch successor releases down the line.