The buzz around Nintendo Switch 2’s launch — oh boy, it’s kind of throwing a wrench into this year’s game rankings. Well, at least for the reviewers. I mean, it’s not rocket science or anything. It’s just that those classic games are making a comeback on this shiny new console, you know?
Take The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Remember that one? Dropped back in 2017. Feels like ages ago, right? Now, it’s all of a sudden one of the top dogs for 2025. I know, time travel is real, apparently.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Breath of the Wild isn’t just hanging around on the Switch 2 for old times’ sake. Nintendo spiced things up a bit — gave it that upgrade sparkle for the new console. And Tears of the Kingdom? Same deal. But yeah, these upgraded versions, they’re not freebies. They’re like, “Hey, pay up if you want the deluxe Switch 2 Edition, or just an Upgrade Pack if you’ve already got the game.” And surprise, surprise, it doesn’t even toss in all the DLC. Sneaky, isn’t it? Not gonna lie, releasing a fresh edition is like giving it another chance at hitting the critics’ sweet spot. Ding ding, we have a winner!
And so, on 2025’s MetaCritic scoreboard, “new” contenders show up. Breath of the Wild is chilling at the top spot, shoulder to shoulder with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — an actual fresh face from 2025, by the way. Meanwhile, old Blue Prince trails behind.
Expedition 33 clings to a solid 93MC score, hanging out with Breath of the Wild at 93, Blue Prince at 92, Split Fiction at 91, and Despelote finishing the top five with 89. It’s like an Olympics of game ratings, with Breath of the Wild elbowing The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy out of the top 20. Ouch.
So, does this mean we’re gonna see this list flip-flop again when Tears of the Kingdom’s Switch 2 Edition rolls in? Probably, ‘cause it’s rocking an even hotter 94MC. I’m telling you, this year’s releases are in for a surprise.
If you picked up a Switch 2 and found yourself snagging those Zelda upgrades, maybe bookmark our Breath of the Wild guides and Tears of the Kingdom guides. Trust me, memory’s a fickle thing — maybe you’ve forgotten the ropes, or heck, you’re just diving in for the first time. Either way, those guides could be your new best friends.
