Amid the ongoing confusion and frustration surrounding the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, particularly in the United States, fans have just learned about an additional cost that may not have been immediately apparent. 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 extra $20 to access the DLC on the new system if you don't already own it.
To clarify, since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's games and pricing last week, there has been widespread 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 transfer that game to your Nintendo Switch 2 and enjoy the DLC if you've previously purchased it, without any issues.
However, there's also a Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild, which offers improved visuals, enhanced performance, achievements, and support for the new "Zelda Notes" service within the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you own the original version 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 do not yet own the game and are considering purchasing it for the Nintendo Switch 2, they 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 effectively covers the cost of the original game plus the upgrade pack. However, this edition does not include the Expansion Pass DLC, so if you want to experience the full content, you'll need to spend an additional $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 structure is fair, especially since it aligns with what existing owners have already paid plus the upgrade cost, it's noteworthy that many other gaming publishers tend to reduce the prices of older games or bundle DLC with "enhanced editions" for newer systems to lessen the financial impact on new players. A total of $90 for an updated version of a game that originally launched in 2017 on the Wii U can feel steep, especially when compared to other new releases like Mario Kart World, priced at $80, and the Nintendo Switch 2 itself, which may cost $450 or more due to ongoing tariff issues.
While it's possible that most potential players of Breath of the Wild already own at least the base game given its strong sales, those waiting to purchase it (and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom) for the new, enhanced system should consider the additional cost of the very well-regarded Expansion Pass.
