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 changing, a new detail has emerged that might surprise some. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Nintendo Switch 2 edition does not include the Expansion Pass, meaning you'll have to pay an additional $20 to access the DLC on the new system if you don't already own it.
This might seem straightforward, but let's delve into the details. Since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's games and their pricing last week, there's been a whirlwind of confusion about how everything will work. Currently, if you already own The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the original Nintendo Switch, you can seamlessly play the same game on your 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 features improved visuals and performance, new achievements, and support for the "Zelda Notes" service in 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 purchase an "upgrade pack" for $10 to access them.
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 (effectively 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 spend an additional $20, bringing the total cost for the full Breath of the Wild experience on the Nintendo Switch 2 to $90.
This information comes directly from Nintendo, as they told 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 structure 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 new systems that include the DLC. Paying $90 for the latest version of a game released in 2017 on the Wii U feels steep, especially when compared to Mario Kart World's $80 price tag and the Nintendo Switch 2's potential $450 price, which could be affected by current tariff situations.
Perhaps this won't be a significant issue, given that many who are likely to play Breath of the Wild probably already own at least the base game due to its strong sales. However, if you were holding off on purchasing it (and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom) for the new, shinier system, remember to factor in the cost of the Expansion Pass, which is well-regarded and adds significant value to the game.
