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

As excitement builds for the Nintendo Switch 2, so too does confusion—especially around pricing. Fans are growing increasingly frustrated trying to understand how much they’ll ultimately pay for the new console and its games, particularly in the United States where fluctuating prices and regional differences add to the uncertainty. Recently, yet another unexpected cost has come to light, one that may not have been immediately obvious: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Enhanced Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2 does not include the Expansion Pass. That means if you don’t already own it, you’ll need to spend an additional $20 to access the DLC on the new system.

This might seem like a straightforward detail at first glance, but the situation is more nuanced than it appears. Ever since Nintendo announced the pricing structure for the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch titles last week, fans have struggled to understand how everything fits together. If you already own *Breath of the Wild* on the original Nintendo Switch, you can continue playing it on the Nintendo Switch 2—including all previously purchased DLC—without any issues.

However, there’s also the newly announced Enhanced Edition of *Breath of the Wild*, specifically tailored for the Nintendo Switch 2. This version offers enhanced visuals, improved performance, achievements, and support for the upcoming “Zelda Notes” feature via the Nintendo Switch Online app. Existing owners of the game won’t receive these enhancements automatically, but they can purchase an Upgrade Pack for $10 to unlock all of these features.

For those who don’t already own the game, the situation becomes even more expensive. You can buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of *Breath of the Wild* for $70, which is $10 more than the original base price of the game. However, this still doesn’t include the DLC Expansion Pack. If you want full access to both the game and its expansions, you’ll need to spend an additional $20, bringing your total investment to a hefty $90 for what many consider the complete *Breath of the Wild* experience on the new hardware.

Nintendo confirmed this pricing model directly 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."

On the surface, this could be seen as fair, especially when considering that existing players have likely already paid for the base game and expansion separately over time. Still, it’s worth noting that most other publishers tend to reduce the price of older titles or bundle DLC with enhanced editions to make entry more affordable for newcomers. Paying $90 for the latest version of a game that originally launched back in 2017—on the Wii U no less—can feel steep, especially when combined with the rumored $450 price tag of the Nintendo Switch 2 itself and the surprising $80 asking price for *Mario Kart World*.

Of course, it’s possible this won’t matter to most players. After all, *Breath of the Wild* has sold exceptionally well since its release, and many who are interested in the game probably already own at least the base version. But if you were holding out for the Nintendo Switch 2 to jump into the world of Hyrule—or planning to play it alongside its sequel, *Tears of the Kingdom*—you’ll definitely want to factor in the extra cost of the Expansion Pass before making your purchase.