Amid the ongoing confusion and frustration among fans regarding the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, especially in the United States where prices seem to be constantly shifting, a new detail has emerged that might surprise many. 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 spend an additional $20 to access the DLC on the new console if you don't already own it.
To clarify, since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's games and their pricing last week, confusion has only grown about how everything will function. If you already own *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild* on the original Nintendo Switch, you can seamlessly play the same game on your Nintendo Switch 2, including the DLC, provided you've already purchased it.
However, there's a Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of *Breath of the Wild* that boasts enhanced visuals and performance, achievements, and integration with the new "Zelda Notes" service within the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you're an existing owner of the game on the Switch, you won't receive these enhancements automatically. Instead, you can buy an "upgrade pack" for $10 to enjoy these new features.
For those considering purchasing the game for the first time on the Nintendo Switch 2, you can opt for the Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of *Breath of the Wild* for $70, which is $10 more than its initial retail price. However, this version does not include the DLC Expansion Pass, meaning you'll need to fork out an extra $20 to access it, bringing the total cost of the complete *Breath of the Wild* experience on the Nintendo Switch 2 to $90.
Nintendo 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 that this pricing is fair, considering it aligns with what existing owners have already paid plus the cost of the upgrade, it's worth noting that other gaming publishers often reduce prices on older games or bundle DLC with enhanced editions to ease the financial burden on new players. Spending $90 on an updated version of a game released in 2017 for the Wii U feels steep, especially with *Mario Kart World* priced at $80 and the Nintendo Switch 2 itself potentially costing $450 or more, depending on tariff adjustments.
It's possible this won't impact sales significantly, given that *Breath of the Wild* has already sold well. However, if you've been holding off to buy the game (and its sequel, *Tears of the Kingdom*) for the new, shinier system, remember to factor in the cost of the very worthwhile Expansion Pass.
