As revealed recently, following the update, the game’s visuals have now been “optimized” for the Nintendo Switch 2 with “improved image quality,” as well as HDR support, which will provide “improved image contrast and brightness.”

Meanwhile, both on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, following the update, Echoes of Wisdom now also features a much-needed gameplay improvements, allowing players to filter favourited Echoes in your collection of Echoes after you have collected more than 30 in total.

You can check out the full update notes below.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is available on Nintendo Switch, and playable on Switch 2 – which launches worldwide on June 5 – via backward compatibility.

Version 1.1.0 notes:

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch 2:

General

• Added a feature to display only favorited echoes in the list of echoes after 30 or more echoes have been learned.
• Visuals: Optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) support for improved image contrast and brightness.Note: HDR-compatible display required when playing in TV mode.
• Fixed various issues to create a smoother gaming experience.

The following updates have been made when playing the game on Nintendo Switch:

General

• Added a feature to display only favorited echoes in the list of echoes after 30 or more echoes have been learned.
• Fixed various issues to create a smoother gaming experience.

Nintendo has revealed a list of first-party Switch 1 games that are going to get free updates that will apply smaller-scale enhancements for when they’re played on a Switch 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and Echoes of Wisdom are both included in that list. Both titles will add HDR support as well as visual optimizations and improved picture quality, Nintendo says. You will, of course, need an HDR-compatible display when you’re playing in console mode.

The company has also confirmed that similar free Switch 2 enhancements will roll out on the console’s launch day for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario 3D World, and others.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom launched on September 26th and saw Princess Zelda take the leading role for the first time. Players embarked on a quest to save Hyrule and locate the missing Link, utilizing the Tri Rod to create copies of objects and enemies. They could also harness elements like Automatons and Swordfighter Form to fight alongside their Echoes. You can learn more in our review.

Mario and Luigi: Brothership is the first mainline title in the franchise since 2016’s Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam. Developed by Acquire of Octopath Traveler fame and launched on November 7th, it sees the brothers traversing Concordia, a shattered continent, via Shipshape Island to defeat a new foe, Glohm. Check out our review here.

As many guessed based on the game’s setting, story, and art style, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is officially set in the “Hero is Defeat” timeline. Also known as the Fallen Hero timeline, it is an alternate version of events that follows from Link being defeated by Ganon in Ocarina of Time. Specifically, as per the updated series timeline, Echoes of Wisdom is set between the events of Tri Force Heroes and the original The Legend of Zelda.

Of course, a good number of Zelda fans out there will tell us that the larger timeline isn’t something you should be too concerned about (including many at Nintendo itself), but for those who do care, at least we have an official answer now.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is available on Switch. Read our review through here.

Specifically, speaking in a recent interview with Famitsu, The Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma and Echoes of Wisdom director Satoshi Terada revealed that originally, the game featured a version of Link that talked, a first for the character. Ultimately, however, the decision was made to feature a silent Link, as is traditional for the series, since a talking Link just didn’t quite feel right.

“Actually, Link was speaking at first,” Aonuma said (via VGC).

“I had Link talk a little bit,” Terada said. “No matter what I made him say, it just didn’t feel right.”

“Link would never speak like that,” Aonuma added. “It felt really strange. Nobody knew what Link would say – that’s only natural, because he’s never spoken before. So we had to come up with a setting where he couldn’t speak, and that’s how we came up with part of the story.”

Whether or not Link is always going to remain a silent protagonist is a question that Zelda fans have pondered on more than a few occasions, so it’s definitely interesting to see the series’ developers also giving it some thought from time to time. With a live action film based on The Legend of Zelda currently in the works, it should be interesting to see how it handles the character (whenever it releases, that is).

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is available on the Nintendo Switch. It sold 2.58 million units in its first five days. Read our review of the game through here.

The top-down action adventure launched on September 26th for Nintendo Switch, which means it reached this total in just five days. Compare this to the similarly styled The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, which sold 3.13 million units in ten days (though it’s a ground-up remake while Echoes of Wisdom is a brand-new title).

Its success is perhaps unsurprising, considering it topped Japanese sales charts in its debut week with 200,121 units sold. Check out our thoughts on the title here – we gave it a nine out of ten, praising the world design, emergent gameplay, and dungeons while criticizing the performance and combat.

Bandai Namco’s newly released co-op action title Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream also debuted high in the charts, with its Switch and PS5 versions coming in at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively, collectively selling over 23,000 units across both platforms. Beyond that, evergreen sellers such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nintendo Switch Sports, Ring Fit Adventure, and more also occupy spots in the charts.

On the hardware side of things, the Nintendo Switch continues to be Japan’s best selling console, selling over 63,000 units over the course of the week, with the PS5 following behind in second place by a healthy margin, having sold over 12,000 units.

You can check out the full hardware and physical software sales charts for Japan for the week ending October 6 below.

Software sales (followed by lifetime sales):

1. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – 48,208 (248,329)
2. [NSW] Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream – 13,838 (New)
3. [PS5] Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream – 9,645 (New)
4. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 7,576 (6,019,200)
5. [NSW] Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 6,053 (7,926,358)
6. [NSW] Minecraft – 5,654 (3,647,809)
7. [NSW] Nintendo Switch Sports – 5,553 (1,438,792)
8. [NSW] Ring Fit Adventure – 4,677 (3,640,284)
9. [NSW] Honey Vibes – 4,668 (New)
10. [NSW] EA Sports FC 25 – 4,602 (17,934)

Hardware sales (followed by last week’s sales):

• Nintendo Switch – 63,807 (74,351)
• PS5 – 12,551 (10,799)
• Xbox Series X/S – 355 (557)

All Echoes and Their Locations

The first ten Echoes – Table, Box, Hyrule Castle Pot, Decorative Shrub, Old Bed, Boulder, Rock, Zol, Sea Urchin, and Keese – are discovered when players first gain control of Zelda and can’t be missed. Here’s where to find the rest.

Meat

Located in Suthorn Village.

Soft Bed

Gerudo Desert, near the Oasis.

Zelda’s Bed

Zelda’s Room in Hyrule Castle.

Pot

Located in Suthorn Village.

Gerudo Pot

Located near the Gerudo Shop in Gerudo Town.

Lava Rock

Outside the Rock-Roast Quarry at the Eldin Volcano.

Ice Block

Inside a cave next to Conde’s house on Hebra Mountain.

Snowball

Look for the giant rolling snowballs on Hebra Mountain.

Sign

On the outskirts east of Suthorn Village.

Grilled Fish

Seesyde Village on the docks.

Rock Roast

Inside the Rock-Roast Quarry, Eldin Volcano.

Stuffed Toy

Inside the cave under the tombstone, north of Hyrule Castle Town.

Carrot

First, complete the “Missing Horse” quest for the Hyrule Ranch. Then start “Impa’s Quest” to discover it.

Trampoline

Suthorn Village, near the shop.

Wind Cannon

Gerudo Desert, south of the Oasis, inside the ruins.

Flying Tile

North of Gerudo Town inside a cave.

Cloud

Hebra Mountain on the peak, inside the Still World.

Spiked Roller

South of the Eternal Forest inside a cave.

Beetle Mound

Gerudo Desert in a cave northeast of Gerudo Town.

Firework

Complete “The Fireworks Artist” side quest.

Brazier

Near a cave entrance in Suthorn Forest.

Ignizol

Located in Suthorn Forest.

Hydrozol

Located in the northwest part of Faron Wetlands.

Buzz Blob

Located in the northeast part of Faron Wetlands.

Spear Moblin

Suthorn Forest, southeast of Zelda’s house.

Spear Moblin Lv. 2

Zora River, southwest of River Zora Village.

Sword Moblin

Located in the southeast part of Hyrule Field.

Sword Moblin Lv. 2

Located in the southern part of Eternal Forest

Sword Moblin Lv. 3

Located in the western part of Eternal Forest.

Club Boarblin

Gerudo Desert in the northeast.

Club Boarblin Lv. 2

Gerudo Desert in the northeast.

Boomerang Boarblin

Gerudo Desert in the northeast.

Boomerang Boarblin Lv. 2

Gerudo Desert in the northeast.

Lynel

Ask about a “Dangerous Monster” in the Northern Sanctuary. Go to Eternal Forest in the northeast and look for its tracks.

Lizalfos

West of Kakariko Village on the cliffs.

Lizalfos Lv. 2

Lizalfos Burrow, Eldin Volcano.

Lizalfos Lv. 3

West in Faron Wetlands.

Darknut

Located in Suthorn Ruins.

Darknut Lv. 2

Bottom of the Well, Hyrule Castle Town.

Darknut Lv. 3

Faron Wetlands in a cave to the East.

Armos

West in Faron Wetlands (same as Lizalfos Lv. 3).

Ball-and-Chain Trooper

Bottom of the Well, Hyrule Castle Town.

Gibdo Lv. 1

Cryptic Cavern, Gerudo Desert.

Gibdo Lv. 2

Also in Cryptic Cavern, Gerudo Desert.

ReDead

Gerudo Desert, in the ruins east of Cryptic Cavern.

Fire Wizzrobe

Lava waterfall, north of Goron City.

Ice Wizzrobe

Hebra Mountain to the west.

Electric Wizzrobe

Faron Wetlands to the south.

Caromadillo

Suthorn Forest in a cave northeast of Zelda’s house.

Caromadillo Lv. 2

Gerudo Desert in a cave on the cliffs south of Hyrule Field.

Rope

In Suthorn Forest, northeast of Zelda’s house, just outside of a cave in the grass.

Tornado

Hebra Mountain’s peak inside the Still World.

Ribbitune

West of the graveyard near the Northern Sanctuary.

Drippitune

Located in the northwest part of Faron Wetlands (same as Hydrozol).

Torch Slug

West of Kakariko Village on the cliffs.

Freeze Slug

Hebra Mountain peak inside the Still World (same as Tornado).

Holmill

Ancestor’s Cave of Rest, Gerudo Desert.

Wolfos

Southeast of Kakariko Village.

White Wolfos

Hebra Mountain peak inside the Still World (same as Tornado).

Fire Keese

Lizalfos Burrow, Eldin Volcano.

Ice Keese

Hebra Mountain to the west.

Electric Keese

In the Stilled Faron Wetlands, accessed through The Sweet Spot north of Scrubton.

Mothula

Gerudo Sanctum, in the Still World.

Mothula Lv. 2

Also found in Gerudo Sanctum in the Still World.

Needlefly

Slightly southeast of River Zora Village.

Albatrawl

South of Seesyde Village’s docks.

Crow

Gerudo Desert, southwest of Suthorn Prairie.

Beakon

Faron Wetlands, slightly southwest of Scrubton inside a cave.

Guay

Hyrule Field, southeast outside the forest.

Octorok

Suthorn Prairie, slightly northwest of Zelda’s house.

Fire Octo

Slightly southwest of Rock-Roast Quarry’s entrance in the lava pool.

Ice Octo

Hebra Mountain, just outside the cave in the middle.

Sand Crab

West of Seesyde Village in the water.

Biri

Zora Cove to the east.

Tangler

In the lake slightly northwest of Hyrule Ranch.

Tangler Lv. 2

Zora Cove to the west in the underwater cavern.

Bombfish

South of River Zora Village, inside a cave.

Chompfin

Located around the ship in Zora Cove.

Piranha

Southwest of Scrubton near the waterfall.

Sand Piranha

Gerudo Desert, east of the Oasis.

Deku Baba

Inside the Stilled Suthorn Forest.

Bio Deku Baba

Inside the Jabul Ruins

Deku Baba Lv. 2

Inside the Stilled Faron Wetlands.

Peahat

Suthorn Forest, south of Suthorn Ruins, inside a cave.

Giant Goponga Flower

Faron Wetlands, slightly southwest of Scrubton, outside the cave.

Zirro

Located all around outside the Lizalfos Burrow.

Ghirro

Hebra Mountain peak, inside the Still World.

Mini-Moldorm

On the Eldin Volcano Trail.

Strandtula

Inside the Suthorn Forest.

Crawltula

Located in Suthorn Prairie, just south of the nine pillars.

Baby Gohma

Faron Wetlands to the northeast.

Beetle

Gerudo Desert, inside the cave northeast of Gerudo Town.

Aruroda

Gerudo Desert, east of the entrance to Stilled Desert Temple Ruins.

Tektite

Slightly northwest of Hyrule Ranch.

Tektite Lv. 2

Inside Lanayru Temple.

Hoarder

In Faron Wetlands to the northwest (the same location as Hydrozol).

Poe

Gerudo Sanctum on the first floor.

Moa

Located in the southeast part of Hebra Mountain.

Goo Specter

Faron Wetlands, west of Scrubton near the six flaming pillars.

Ghini

In the Hyrule Graveyard cave.

Ghini Lv. 2

Also located in the Hyrule Graveyard cave.

Leever

Near the base of Hebra Mountain. Bring a Warm Smoothie for the cold.

Pathblade

Cryptic Cavern, Gerudo Desert.

Gustmaster

In B2 of the Hyrule Castle dungeon.

Tweelus

East of Goron City.

Temper Tweelus

En route to Hebra Mountain’s peak.

Freezard

Hebra Mountain. It requires dropping down from some cliffs.

Snomaul

Hebra Mountain on the east side.

Spark

Inside the Eastern Temple.

Platboom

Northeast of Gerudo Town in a cave.

Beamos

Faron Temple, third floor.

Water Block

Located in Stilled Jabul Waters.

Elephant Statue

Gerudo Sanctum, second floor.

Cat Statue

Gerudo Sanctum, first floor.

Snake Statue

Gerudo Sanctum, second floor.

Hawk Statue

Stilled Gerudo Sanctum to the northeast.

Ancient Orb

Located in Eternal Forest to the north.

Best Echoes

Every Echo has its use. However, some are more useful than others. When exploring, the Trampoline, Flying Tile, and Platboom are great. Crawltula is also ideal for scaling up pillars and cliffs. As you progress, the Water Block and Cloud will also become invaluable.

In combat, the Crow, Peahat and Wolfos are pretty good. Ignizol is also underrated for effortlessly igniting targets. The Ball-and-Chain Trooper is also great since it draws aggro and has a strong defense. However, the undisputed best unit is the Lynel, so get it as soon as possible.

All Dungeons and How to Beat Them

Suthorn Ruins

Many dungeons will take you to the Still World, where the inhabitants of Hyrule drift aimlessly. Suthorn Ruins is the first and encompasses several sections of Suthorn Forest. Check out the video below on how to find and clear it.

Jabul Ruins

The second dungeon is entered after resolving quests in the River Zora Village and Zora Cove. Players must venture through the Still World again, crossing floating platforms and rivers while learning the Water Block Echo. Here’s how to clear the dungeon upon arriving at it.

Gerudo Sanctum

Located in the Gerudo Desert, the dungeon requires venturing to a cave near the big Rift. It leads to the Cryptic Cavern and eventually straight into the Gerudo Sanctum. Don’t drop your guard, though, as a traipse through the Still World will appear eventually.

Hyrule Castle

Eventually, Zelda must return to Hyrule Castle and explore its depths to rescue the King of Hyrule. It’s easier said than done since you need to fight more challenging enemies and even sneak past some soldiers, lest they throw you into “jail.” Check out the video below to effectively clear it and go face-to-face with a familiar foe.

Eldin Temple

It’s time to visit the Gorons, who are also facing a threat from the Rifts. Reaching the dungeon means traversing through tons of lava in the Elden Volcano and entering the Still World of the same before reaching the temple. Upon clearing its three floors, you’ll encounter a familiar foe from previous Zelda titles, so be prepared.

Lanayru Temple

The next dungeon is on the Holy Mount Lanayru and requires navigating Hebra Mountain in the Still World. You must traverse the Still World’s version of Lanayru before finally reaching the temple’s entrance. The boss awaiting at the end is a newcomer, and one of the stranger fights – here’s how to defeat it.

Faron Temple

Located in the Faron Wetlands, the journey to Faron Temple begins when the region’s Rift suddenly goes critical. Here’s how to clear the dungeon and beat another familiar foe from previous titles.

Null’s Body

Null’s Body is the final dungeon and sees Zelda and Link working together to reach the last boss. Compared to all the other dungeons, this is actually on the shorter side in terms of puzzle-solving and exploration. However, the final boss is extensive, with multiple phases. Stock up on Smoothies, Echoes, Automatons, and more beforehand.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is available for Nintendo Switch. Check out our review, where we gave it a nine out of ten.

Zelda isn’t the only new release in the charts, however. The Legend of Heroes: Kai no Kiseki – Farewell, O Zemuria occupies two places in the top 10, with its PS5 (over 29,000 units sold) and PS4 (over 17,000 units sold) versions coming in at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively, with total sales of over 47,000 units. Meanwhile, EA Sports FC 25 also debuts in multiple spots the charts, taking the No. 4 (Switch), No. 5 (PS5), and No. 7 (PS4) spots, selling over 32,000 units across all platforms.

On the hardware side of things, the Nintendo Switch was unsurprisingly the best-selling console of the week in Japan, with sales for the week jumping to over 74,000 units, courtesy of Zelda’s launch. The PS5 follows behind by a significant margin, with over 10,000 units sold over the course of the week.

You can check out the full hardware and physical software sales charts for Japan for the week ending September 29 below.

Software sales (followed by lifetime sales):

1. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – 200,121 (New)
2. [PS5] The Legend of Heroes: Kai no Kiseki – Farewell, O Zemuria – 29,554 (New)
3. [PS4] The Legend of Heroes: Kai no Kiseki – Farewell, O Zemuria – 17,838 (New)
4. [NSW] EA Sports FC 25 – 13,332 (New)
5. [PS5] EA Sports FC 25 – 13,265 (New)
6. [PS5] Astro Bot – 6,381 (34,902)
7. [PS4] EA Sports FC 25 – 6,379 (New)
8. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 6,030 (6,011,624)
9. [NSW] Moeyo! Otome Doushi: Kayuu Koigatari – 5,396 (New)
10. [NSW] Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 5,383 (7,920,305)

Hardware sales:

• Nintendo Switch – 74,351
• PS5 – 10,799
• Xbox Series X/S – 557