Botw was a lot simpler and easier to control. The menus in totk need an overhaul. Botw having master mode + DLC is also quite nice.

That said, if I could only keep one, it would be tears of the kingdom.

IMO TotK is just straight up better in most aspects, the world is more filled, the ultrahand is way better than the magnet module, the underworld is a whole different location, when the hammer breaks easily build a new one.

Also the throw item mechanic. No more hold a bomb over your head to throw 5m, no more timing the explosion. I will just throw it far and it explodes on impact, also bomb arrows. However, no, game, I don’t want to throw my weapon.

Botw has better exploration. TOTK is the better game. I prefer Botw. I think the more limited tools in TOTK world would be much more fun.