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

Amid ongoing confusion and frustration among fans about the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, particularly in the United States, a new detail has emerged that could impact potential buyers. It's been revealed that the Nintendo Switch 2 edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild does not include the Expansion Pass. This means that if you want to access the DLC on the new system, you'll need to purchase it separately for an additional $20, unless you already own it.

To clarify, since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's games and their pricing last week, there has been considerable confusion about how everything will work. If you already own The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the original Nintendo Switch, you can play the same game on your Nintendo Switch 2, including 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 and performance, achievements, and support for the new "Zelda Notes" service within the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you already own the game on the Switch, you won't automatically receive these enhancements, but you can buy an "upgrade pack" for $10 to access them.

For those who don't yet own the game and are considering purchasing it for the Nintendo Switch 2, the Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild is available for $70, $10 more than its initial retail price. However, this edition does not include the DLC Expansion Pass. If you want the full experience, including the Expansion Pass, you'll need to spend an additional $20, bringing the total cost to $90.

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 that this pricing structure is fair, considering that it aligns with what existing owners have already paid plus the cost of the upgrade, it's noteworthy that other gaming publishers often reduce the price of older games or offer "enhanced editions" for new systems that include bundled DLC to ease the financial burden on new players. The prospect of paying $90 for a game that was released in 2017 on the Wii U feels steep, especially when considering other high-priced games like Mario Kart World at $80, and the Nintendo Switch 2 itself potentially costing $450 or more due to tariffs.

It remains to be seen whether this pricing will affect sales, given that Breath of the Wild has already sold exceptionally well. However, if you've been waiting to purchase the game and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, for the new, upgraded system, you'll need to factor in the cost of the Expansion Pass.