"Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition Excludes DLC"

Amid ongoing confusion and frustration among fans about the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, especially in the United States where prices seem to be constantly changing, there's a new cost detail that might surprise some players. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Nintendo Switch 2 edition does not include the Expansion Pass, meaning players will need to pay an additional $20 to access the DLC on the new console if they haven't already purchased it.

This might seem straightforward, but let's break it down. Since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 games and their pricing last week, there's been a lot of confusion about how everything will work. If you already own The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the original Nintendo Switch, you can transfer your game to the Nintendo Switch 2 and continue playing with the DLC if you've already bought it, without any issues.

However, there's also a Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild. This version boasts enhanced visuals, better performance, achievements, and support for the new "Zelda Notes" service within the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you own the original version on the Switch, you won't automatically receive these enhancements, but you can buy an "upgrade pack" for $10 to access them.

For those who don't yet own the game and are considering buying it for the Nintendo Switch 2, they can purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild for $70, which is $10 more than the original retail price. However, this version does not include the DLC Expansion Pass, so if you want the complete experience, you'll need to add another $20, bringing the total cost to $90 for the full Breath of the Wild experience on the Nintendo Switch 2.

This information comes directly from Nintendo, who clarified 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 structure is fair, especially since it mirrors the costs faced by existing owners of the game plus the upgrade, it's worth noting that many other game publishers eventually reduce the price of older games or bundle DLC with enhanced editions for newer systems. Paying $90 for a game that originally launched in 2017 on the Wii U can feel steep, particularly when compared to other recent game prices like Mario Kart World at $80, and considering the Nintendo Switch 2's potential price tag of $450 or more, influenced by current tariffs.

Ultimately, it might not be a significant issue, especially since many who are likely to play Breath of the Wild may already own the game. However, if you were planning to buy it (along with its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom) for the new, upgraded system, remember to factor in the cost of the highly regarded Expansion Pass.