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

Amid ongoing frustration and confusion among fans regarding the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, particularly in the United States where prices seem to be in constant flux, a new detail has emerged 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 an additional $20 is required to access the DLC on the new system if you don't already own it.

To clarify, since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's games and their pricing, there's been a lot of confusion about how everything will function. If you already own The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the original Nintendo Switch, you can play the same game on your Nintendo Switch 2, including the DLC if you've already purchased it, without any issues.

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

For those who don't yet own the game and are considering purchasing it on the Nintendo Switch 2, the Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild is available for $70, a $10 increase from the initial retail price (essentially the cost of the original game plus the upgrade pack). However, this edition does not include the Expansion Pass DLC, which requires an additional $20 purchase, 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 structure is fair, as it reflects what existing owners have already paid plus the cost of the upgrade, it's worth noting that other gaming publishers often reduce the prices of older games or bundle DLC with enhanced editions for newer systems to ease the financial burden on players. A total of $90 for the latest version of a game that was initially released in 2017 on the Wii U feels steep, especially when compared to other games like Mario Kart World, which is priced at $80, and considering the Nintendo Switch 2's potential price of $450 or more, influenced by current tariff situations.

While it might not impact those who already own Breath of the Wild, given its widespread sales, potential new buyers on the Nintendo Switch 2 should be aware of the additional cost of the Expansion Pass when considering purchasing both Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, on the new, enhanced system.