As fans continue to grapple with the pricing details of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, particularly in the United States where costs seem to be in constant flux, a new expense has come to light that might catch some off guard. The Nintendo Switch 2 edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild does not include the Expansion Pass, meaning you'll need to shell out an additional $20 to enjoy the DLC on the new console if you haven't already purchased it.
This might seem straightforward, but the situation warrants further explanation. Since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's game lineup and pricing last week, confusion has been rampant about how everything will function. 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, provided you've previously purchased it.
However, there's a Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild that offers upgraded visuals, enhanced performance, achievements, and support for the new "Zelda Notes" service within the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you already own the game on the original Switch, these enhancements aren't automatically included, but you can buy an "upgrade pack" for $10 to access these features.
For those considering purchasing the game for the first time on the Nintendo Switch 2, the Enhanced Edition is available for $70, which is $10 more than its initial retail price. This essentially bundles the cost of the original game and the upgrade pack. However, the DLC Expansion Pass is not included in this edition, requiring an additional $20 purchase, bringing the total cost for the complete Breath of the Wild experience on the Nintendo Switch 2 to $90.
This information comes directly from Nintendo, as they stated 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 existing owners have already paid for similar components, it's noteworthy that many other gaming publishers eventually reduce the price of older games or bundle DLC with enhanced editions to ease the financial load on new players. Paying $90 for an updated version of a game originally released in 2017 on the Wii U can feel steep, especially when compared to Mario Kart World's $80 price tag and the Nintendo Switch 2's $450 starting price, which might increase due to tariffs.
While it's possible that most potential players already own a base version of Breath of the Wild given its sales success, those holding off for the Nintendo Switch 2 to experience both Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, need to factor in the cost of the highly regarded Expansion Pass.
