"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, especially in the United States, another unexpected cost has come to light. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Nintendo Switch 2 edition does not include the Expansion Pass. This means players will need to spend an additional $20 to access the DLC on the new console if they don't already own it.

To clarify, following the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's games and their pricing last week, the confusion about the system's workings has been relentless. Currently, if you already own The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the original Nintendo Switch, you can seamlessly play it on the Nintendo Switch 2, including the DLC, if you've previously purchased it.

However, there's a Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild, which boasts enhanced visuals, improved performance, achievements, and support for the new "Zelda Notes" feature in the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you're an existing owner of Breath of the Wild on the original Switch, these enhancements are not automatically included, but you can purchase an "upgrade pack" for $10 to unlock them.

For those yet to purchase the game and considering the Nintendo Switch 2, the Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild is available for $70. This is $10 more than its initial retail price, essentially covering the cost of the original game plus the upgrade pack. However, this version does not include the Expansion Pass DLC, adding an extra $20 to the total cost for a complete Breath of the Wild experience on the Nintendo Switch 2, bringing the grand total to $90.

Nintendo has 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 some might argue this pricing is justified, considering it aligns with what existing owners have paid, including the cost of the upgrade, it's noteworthy that other game publishers often reduce prices on older titles or bundle DLC with enhanced editions for newer systems to alleviate financial pressure on new players. Spending $90 on a game released in 2017 for the Wii U, especially with Mario Kart World priced at $80 and the Nintendo Switch 2 potentially costing $450 or more due to tariffs, can feel steep.

While it's possible that most potential players of Breath of the Wild already own a version of 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 mindful of the additional cost of the Expansion Pass.