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

Amid the 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 shifting, a new detail has emerged that may surprise many. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Nintendo Switch 2 edition does not include the Expansion Pass, meaning you'll need to spend an additional $20 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 last week, there has been considerable confusion about how everything will function. Currently, if you already own The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the original Nintendo Switch, you can play the same game on the Nintendo Switch 2, including any DLC you've previously purchased, without any additional cost.

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 in the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you already own Breath of the Wild on the original Switch, you won't automatically receive these enhancements, but you can purchase an "upgrade pack" for $10 to gain access to 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 effectively combines the cost of the original game and the upgrade pack. However, this version does not include the DLC Expansion Pass, so if you want access to that, it's an additional $20, making the total cost for the full Breath of the Wild Nintendo Switch 2 experience $90.

This information comes directly from Nintendo, who stated 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, considering it aligns with what existing owners have already paid plus the cost of the upgrade, it's worth noting that other gaming publishers often reduce prices on older games or bundle DLC with enhanced editions for new systems to ease the financial burden on new players. Paying $90 for the latest version of a game that originally launched in 2017 on the Wii U can feel steep, especially when compared to other titles 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.

While it's possible that most potential players of Breath of the Wild already own at least the base game due to its strong sales, if you were planning to wait for the Nintendo Switch 2 to experience Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, remember to factor in the cost of the Expansion Pass, which significantly enhances the gameplay experience.