"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, particularly in the United States where prices seem to be in constant flux, there's an additional cost 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 pay an extra $20 to access the DLC on the new console if you haven't already purchased it.

This might seem straightforward, but it's important to clarify the situation given the recent announcements about the Nintendo Switch 2's games and their pricing. 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 if you've previously bought it, without any issues.

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're an existing owner of Breath of the Wild on the Switch, you won't automatically receive these enhancements, but you can purchase an "upgrade pack" for $10 to access these features.

For those who don't yet own the game and are considering purchasing it on the Nintendo Switch 2, they can buy 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. If you want to access the DLC, you'll need to spend an additional $20, bringing the total cost for the complete 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 this pricing is fair, as it aligns with what existing owners have already paid plus the upgrade cost, it's worth noting that other gaming publishers often reduce prices on older games or bundle DLC with enhanced editions for later systems to ease the financial burden on new players. Paying $90 for the latest version of a game released in 2017 on the Wii U can feel steep, especially when compared to the $80 price tag for Mario Kart World and the potential $450 or more cost of the Nintendo Switch 2, depending on tariff situations.

Perhaps this won't be a significant issue, considering the widespread ownership of Breath of the Wild due to its massive sales. However, if you've been holding off on purchasing it (and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom) until the release of the new, upgraded system, you should factor in the cost of the highly regarded Expansion Pass.