Amid the ongoing confusion and frustration among fans regarding the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, particularly in the United States, a new cost has come to light that may catch some by surprise. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Nintendo Switch 2 edition does not include the Expansion Pass, requiring an additional $20 purchase for those who wish to access the DLC on the new console without previously owning it.
To clarify, since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's games and their pricing, there has been considerable 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 transfer and play the game on your Nintendo Switch 2, including the DLC if you've already purchased it, seamlessly.
However, there's a Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild, which offers enhanced visuals, improved performance, achievements, and integration with the new "Zelda Notes" service in the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you're an existing owner of the game on the Switch, you won't automatically receive these enhancements but can purchase an "upgrade pack" for $10 to access them.
For those who have yet to purchase the game and are considering buying it for the Nintendo Switch 2, the Enhanced Edition is available for $70, which is $10 more than its initial retail price. This price essentially combines the cost of the original game and the upgrade pack. Importantly, this version does not include the DLC Expansion Pass, so if you want the complete experience, you'll need to spend an additional $20, making the total cost for the full Breath of the Wild experience on the Nintendo Switch 2 $90.
This pricing structure was confirmed by Nintendo in a statement 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 may argue that this is fair, considering that existing owners have already paid similar amounts for the game and its DLC, it's worth noting that many other gaming publishers often reduce the prices of older games or bundle DLC with enhanced editions for newer systems. Paying $90 for an updated version of a game released in 2017, originally on the Wii U, can feel steep, especially when compared to other titles like Mario Kart World, priced at $80, and considering the potential high cost of the Nintendo Switch 2 itself, which may be $450 or more due to current tariffs.
While it's possible that most potential players of Breath of the Wild already own the game due to its widespread popularity, those waiting to experience it (and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom) on the new, enhanced system should be aware of the additional cost of the Expansion Pass.
