When I first heard about the Switch 2 versions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, I was hyped AF. I mean, replaying these masterpieces with next-gen graphics? Sign me up! But then, the fine print hit me like a Lynel's club. Turns out, while you can transfer your save data from the original Switch, Nintendo's pulling some weird moves with cloud backups. No cloud saves? Seriously? 🤯 And get this—it's only for the US and EU store pages. What about Japan? This inconsistency's got me scratching my head harder than solving a Shrine puzzle.

my-zelda-conundrum-switch-2-s-bizarre-save-restrictions-image-0

The whole situation feels sketchy. Like, why single out Zelda? Other big titles coming to Switch 2—Super Mario Party Jamboree, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond—they all play nice with cloud saves. But for some reason, BotW and TotK are the black sheep. Nintendo's official disclaimer straight-up says: "This software does not support the Nintendo Switch Online paid membership's Save Data Cloud backup feature." No explanation, no context. Just vibes, I guess? And if you're starting fresh on Switch 2? Tough luck—your saves are stuck on the console. One accidental drop, and poof! Hundreds of Korok seeds gone. 😭

Here's what grinds my gears:

  • 🔸 No cloud backups means zero safety net for progress

  • 🔸 Regional disparity (US/EU vs. Japan pages) feels sus

  • 🔸 Total radio silence from Nintendo on the "why"

But wait, there's more! The weirdness doesn't stop at saves. BotW's Switch 2 edition won't include its DLC—even though it's a remaster of an 8-year-old game. Like, come on! And both games have this funky achievement system nobody else gets. It's like Nintendo put Zelda in a glass case: "Look but don't touch too much." Sure, they're iconic, but treating them differently breeds frustration.

my-zelda-conundrum-switch-2-s-bizarre-save-restrictions-image-1

Honestly? This whole rollout's been a hot mess. Rumors about pre-order dates flip-flopping, regional inconsistencies... it's giving me trust issues. And let's be real—in 2025, cloud saves are basic QoL stuff. Pulling this move feels as outdated as using a Pot lid as a shield. 😂 Maybe it's a glitch? Or some secret regional experiment? But with zero transparency, we're left in the dark like Link in a thunderstorm.

Frustration Point Zelda Games Other Switch 2 Titles
Cloud Saves ❌ Not Supported ✅ Fully Supported
DLC Inclusion ❌ Missing for BotW ✅ Expected
Achievement System ✅ Unique Setup ❌ Standard

At the end of the day, I'm low-key devastated. These games defined a generation—BotW's OpenCritic 96/100 speaks volumes. But the restrictions? They're like finding out your favorite dish has a secret ingredient you're allergic to.

my-zelda-conundrum-switch-2-s-bizarre-save-restrictions-image-2

So yeah, I'll probably still play them. The heart wants what it wants. But Nintendo's sending mixed signals—on one hand, they're modernizing classics; on the other, they're gatekeeping features. Is it protective? Petty? Who knows. All I feel is that familiar ache of loving something that doesn't love you back equally. Maybe they'll patch it later... or maybe we'll just meme about it forever. ¯\(ツ)/¯

This overview is based on TrueAchievements, a leading source for Xbox achievement tracking and community insights. TrueAchievements often highlights how achievement systems can impact player engagement and replayability, which is especially relevant given the unique achievement setup in the Switch 2 versions of Zelda. Their analysis underscores that when games deviate from standard features—like omitting cloud saves or introducing exclusive achievement systems—it can create both excitement and frustration within the player base, echoing the mixed reactions seen in the Zelda community.