Amid ongoing confusion and frustration among fans about the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, especially in the United States where costs seem to fluctuate constantly, a new charge has come to light 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 need to pay an additional $20 to access the DLC on the new system if you haven't already purchased it.
To clarify, since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's games and their pricing last week, there's been no shortage of 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 play it on your Nintendo Switch 2, including the DLC, without any issues, provided 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 support for the new "Zelda Notes" service within the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you own the original Breath of the Wild on the Switch, you won't automatically receive these enhancements, but you can purchase an "upgrade pack" for $10 to gain access to these features.
For those who don't own the game yet and are considering purchasing it on 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 the original retail price. However, this version does not include the Expansion Pass DLC, so if you want that too, you'll need to shell out an extra $20, bringing the total cost to $90 for the complete Breath of the Wild experience on the Nintendo Switch 2.
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, considering it aligns with what existing owners have already paid plus the cost of the upgrade, it's notable that many other gaming publishers tend to lower the price of older games or bundle DLC with "enhanced editions" for newer systems to ease the financial strain 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 other titles like Mario Kart World, which is priced at $80, and considering the Nintendo Switch 2's potential price of $450 or more due to tariffs.
While it might not impact those who already own the game, given its widespread sales, if you were planning to buy Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, for the new, shinier system, remember to factor in the cost of the highly regarded Expansion Pass.
