The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are both getting Nintendo Switch 2 Editions when the console releases in June, but in a new must-see video, a Zelda speedrunner has already finished the Switch 2 version of BOTW in 7 minutes. The run took place during a Nintendo Switch 2 preview event, and instead of the console being the spotlight, it might have been this impressive speedrun instead.

In a YouTube video from 最強ゼルダGamesいかぼうず/ , the speedrunner is able to roll credits on the Switch 2 Edition of BOTW in around 7 minutes. The game save that is being played appears to be one that was created for the event, and already has Link with a lot of late-game gear and resources, but this is still impressive, nonetheless.

Switch 2 Event Attendee Beats BOTW In 7 Minutes

It Wasn't Much Of A Preview

The speedrunner begins the run at the entrance to Hyrule Castle and immediately removes Link's equipment. He is able to use speedrun tricks with Link's bombs and glider to reach the final boss room in mere minutes. One of the most prevalent glitches in this BOTW run is the famous "whistle-running" glitch, which lets players sprint and gain stamina simultaneously, so the player is able to use it to reach the final room much faster than normally sprinting. He does not take advantage of some glitches that allow you to skip boss fights and instead completes the final boss fight as intended, for the most part.

Worth noting — this run appears to be partially segmented, as there are some recording cuts, so it is not one seamless 7-minute run, but it's probably somewhat close to that. It appears a lot of the same glitches and tricks from the original release will remain in this updated version. A former world record for the any% category for BOTW saw a player complete the game, from the very beginning, in around 24 minutes. With a new version of the game releasing soon, there is probably going to be a resurgence in BOTW speedruns.

Our Take: 7 Minutes Is Impressive For A Game That's Not Technically Out Yet

But It Is An 8-Year-Old Game With Caveats From The Preview

The run is impressive, for sure, especially in a noisy and unfamiliar environment. Alhough, the game is now eight years old, and the run didn't begin from the start of the game, so it's hard to say if BOTW will retain all the Switch 1 version's speedrun glitches. But this is still a stellar run. BOTW featured a non-linear world and game design, which allowed players to just seek adventure and complete main objectives as they see fit, in any order, and however they want. However, most runs skip directly to the final dungeon.

The Nintendo Switch 2 editions of BOTW and TOTK will see some new features, like higher frame rates and higher graphic fidelity. It will also have a new companion app called Zelda Notes, which will have in-app achievements for the games, new "voice memories" for more story content, and even the ability to repair some of your broken weapons. With some new features coming, the speedrunning floodgates may open once again for Link's big adventure in Breath of the Wild, and we may see even more impressive times come faster than we did eight years ago.

Source: 最強ゼルダGamesいかぼうず/ YouTube