"Zelda: Breath of Wild Switch 2 Edition Excludes DLC"

As fans continue to grapple with pricing concerns surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, a new detail has emerged that might catch some by surprise. 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 if you don't already own it.

Let's break this down for clarity. Following last week's announcement about the pricing and features of Nintendo Switch 2 games, confusion has been rampant. Here's what we know: 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 additional costs.

However, there's also a Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild, which boasts improved visuals, better performance, achievements, and support for the new "Zelda Notes" service within the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you're an existing owner, these enhancements aren't automatically included, but you can purchase an "upgrade pack" for $10 to access these features.

For those who are new to the game and considering a purchase 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 its initial retail price. This price reflects the cost of the original game plus the upgrade pack. However, keep in mind that this edition does not include the Expansion Pass DLC, which requires a separate $20 purchase. This brings the total cost for the complete Breath of the Wild experience on the Nintendo Switch 2 to $90.

Nintendo has confirmed this pricing structure in a statement to IGN, saying, "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 is fair, especially considering what existing owners have already paid, it's worth noting that other game publishers often reduce the price of older games or bundle DLC with "enhanced editions" to ease the financial burden on new players. Paying $90 for a game released in 2017, originally for the Wii U, may feel steep, especially when compared to other titles like Mario Kart World, which is priced at $80, and the Nintendo Switch 2 itself, potentially costing $450 or more due to tariffs.

Ultimately, it might not be a significant issue for those who already own Breath of the Wild, given its widespread popularity. However, if you've been holding off on purchasing the game and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, until the release of the new console, remember to factor in the cost of the highly regarded Expansion Pass when planning your budget.