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

Amid ongoing confusion and frustration among fans regarding the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, particularly in the United States where prices seem to be constantly changing, a new detail has emerged that might catch some by surprise. The Nintendo Switch 2 edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild does not include the Expansion Pass, meaning you'll need to spend an additional $20 to access the DLC on the new console if you haven't already purchased it.

To clarify, since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's 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 play it on the 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 and performance, achievements, and support for the new "Zelda Notes" service within 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 buy an "upgrade pack" for $10 to access them.

For those who don't yet own the game and are considering purchasing it for the Nintendo Switch 2, you can buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild for $70, which is $10 more than its initial retail price. This price essentially covers the cost of the original game plus the upgrade pack. However, this edition does not include the Expansion Pass DLC, so if you want that, you'll need to pay an additional $20, 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, considering it aligns with what existing owners have already paid plus the cost of the upgrade, it's worth noting that many other gaming publishers eventually reduce the price of older games or offer "enhanced editions" for newer systems that include the DLC. Paying $90 for the latest version of a game released in 2017 on the Wii U can feel 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, depending on tariff adjustments.

It's possible that this won't be a significant issue, given that many who are likely to play Breath of the Wild may already own at least the base version of the game due to its strong sales. However, if you were planning to buy it (and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom) for the new, enhanced system, remember to factor in the cost of the highly regarded Expansion Pass.