Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition Excludes DLC

Amid ongoing confusion and frustration from fans about the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, especially in the United States, another potential cost has come to light. 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 access to the DLC if you don't already own it.

This might seem straightforward, but the situation is complex. Since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's games and their pricing, there's been a lot of confusion about how it all works. If you already own The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the original Nintendo Switch, you can play it on the Nintendo Switch 2, including the DLC, without any issues 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, performance, achievements, and support for the new "Zelda Notes" service in the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you already own the game on the original Switch, you can purchase an "upgrade pack" for $10 to access these enhancements.

For those looking to buy the game for the first time on the Nintendo Switch 2, the Enhanced Edition is available for $70, which is $10 more than the original retail price. However, this version does not include the Expansion Pass DLC, adding another $20 to the total cost, bringing the full experience to $90.

Nintendo confirmed this to IGN, stating, "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 this pricing might seem fair, as it aligns with what existing owners have paid plus the cost of the upgrade, it's notable that other gaming publishers often reduce prices on older games or bundle DLC with enhanced editions for new systems. Paying $90 for a game released in 2017 on the Wii U feels steep, especially with Mario Kart World priced at $80 and the Nintendo Switch 2 itself potentially costing $450 or more due to tariffs.

While many who are likely to play Breath of the Wild may already own it due to its strong sales, those waiting to buy it and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, for the new system should consider the additional cost of the Expansion Pass.