Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition Excludes DLC

Amid the ongoing confusion and frustration among fans regarding the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, especially in the United States where prices seem to be in constant flux, a new charge has emerged that might catch some by surprise. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Nintendo Switch 2 edition does not include the Expansion Pass, which means an additional $20 is required to access the DLC on the new system if you don't already own it.

This might seem straightforward, but let's dive deeper. Since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's games and their pricing last week, confusion has only grown. What we know so far is that if you already own The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the original Nintendo Switch, you can play it on your Nintendo Switch 2, including the DLC, without any issues if you've previously purchased it.

However, there's also a Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild, which offers improved visuals, performance, achievements, and support for the new "Zelda Notes" service in the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you already own the game on the original Switch, you won't automatically receive these enhancements, but you can purchase an "upgrade pack" for $10 to gain access to these features.

For those who are yet to purchase the game and are considering buying it on the Nintendo Switch 2, the Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild is available for $70, which is $10 more than its initial retail price. However, this edition does not include the Expansion Pass DLC, meaning you'd need to spend an additional $20 to access it, bringing the total cost for the full Breath of the Wild experience on the Nintendo Switch 2 to $90.

According to a statement from Nintendo to IGN, "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition does not include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass DLC. That DLC is available as a separate purchase."

While some might argue that this pricing is fair, especially considering what existing owners have already paid plus the cost of the upgrade, it's worth noting that other gaming publishers often reduce prices on older games or include DLC in enhanced editions for newer systems to ease the financial burden on new players. A total of $90 for a game that was initially released in 2017 on the Wii U feels steep, particularly when compared to Mario Kart World's $80 price tag and the potential cost of the Nintendo Switch 2, which might reach $450 or more due to tariff situations.

This might not affect everyone, especially considering the strong sales of Breath of the Wild, with many likely already owning the base game. However, if you were planning to buy it and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, for the new, shinier system, you'll need to factor in the cost of the Expansion Pass.