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

Amid ongoing confusion and frustration about the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, especially in the U.S., a new cost has come to light that might surprise some fans. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Nintendo Switch 2 edition does not include the Expansion Pass, meaning you'll need to pay an extra $20 for the DLC 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. 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 if you've previously purchased it.

However, there's also a Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild, which boasts improved visuals and performance, achievements, and integration with the new "Zelda Notes" service in the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you already own the game on the original Switch, you can purchase an "upgrade pack" for $10 to access these enhancements.

For those looking to buy the game for the first time on the Nintendo Switch 2, the Enhanced Edition is available for $70, which is $10 more than the original retail price. This price covers the game and the upgrade pack but does not include the Expansion Pass DLC, which would cost an additional $20, bringing the total cost to $90 for the complete Breath of the Wild experience on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Nintendo confirmed this to IGN, stating: "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 it might seem fair since existing owners have already paid similar amounts, it's worth noting that other publishers often reduce prices on older games or bundle DLC with enhanced editions for newer systems to make it more affordable for new players. Spending $90 on an eight-year-old game that initially launched on the Wii U feels steep, especially considering Mario Kart World's $80 price tag and the Nintendo Switch 2's potential $450 price, which could rise further due to tariffs.

It remains to be seen whether this will significantly impact sales, given that many who are likely to play Breath of the Wild may already own it. However, if you were holding off to purchase it and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, for the new system, remember to factor in the cost of the Expansion Pass, which offers valuable additional content.