Zelda: Breath of the Wild Tops MetaCritic in 2025: Why It Feels Strange

Sure, here goes nothing.

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So, there’s this whole hullabaloo about the Nintendo Switch 2 dropping and it’s got people all flustered about game rankings. You know how it is—classic games getting a fresh coat of paint and suddenly they’re back in the limelight. Like, really?

For instance, think about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This gem—first made its grand entrance in 2017, mind you. Fast forward to 2025, and guess what? It’s now crowned as one of this year’s big shots in the gaming world. I mean, how does that even happen?

Anyway, Nintendo’s pulled a slick move here. Sure, the Switch 2 lets you play old faves like Breath of the Wild, but these aren’t just ordinary ports. Nope. They’ve jazzed them up with upgrades. Oh, and if you’re curious, Tears of the Kingdom got the same treatment. But here’s the kicker—these upgrades aren’t freebies! They come with a price tag. Can you believe it?

And get this, the so-called Switch 2 Editions—or should I say “Upgrade Packs” if you already own the originals—don’t even bundle all your beloved DLCs. Yeah, just when you thought you’d seen it all, right? But hey, more editions mean a second chance to climb those critic charts, and lo and behold, that’s precisely what just happened.

Checking out the MetaCritic charts for 2025, and surprise, surprise, Breath of the Wild’s perched on top. Right up there rubbing shoulders with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a genuine 2025 newbie. Both are chilling with a score of 93. Blue Prince, another critically adored 2025 title, trails just behind. Who would’ve seen that coming?

And yeah, the charts are shuffling like mad. New arrivals mean some old favorites get bumped down a notch. Just ask The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy—it got booted out of the top 20 by Breath of the Wild’s encore.

But here’s something fun to mull over: Tears of the Kingdom, another 2023 release, might very well snag the crown soon with its Switch 2 Edition getting all cozy up there with a 94 score. Crazy times!

So if you just grabbed a Switch 2 and are eyeing those Zelda upgrades, hang onto our guides for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Let’s face it, your memory’s a tad rusty. Or maybe this is your inaugural playthrough. In either case, our guides got your back. Dive in and enjoy the ride!