As frustration grows among fans over the unclear pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games (especially in the US, where costs remain uncertain), another potential expense has emerged. The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild won't include the Expansion Pass—meaning players will need to spend an extra $20 for the DLC unless they already own it.
This might seem straightforward, but the situation is more complicated. Since Nintendo revealed the Switch 2's game lineup and pricing last week, players have faced confusion about how upgrades and compatibility will work. Currently, if you own Breath of the Wild on Switch, you can play it on the Switch 2—including purchased DLC—without issues.
However, the Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild offers upgraded graphics, performance enhancements, achievements, and integration with the new "Zelda Notes" feature in the Nintendo Switch Online app. Existing owners can upgrade for $10 to access these improvements, but newcomers face a different scenario.
Those buying the game for the first time on Switch 2 can opt for the $70 Enhanced Edition—$10 more than the original launch price. But without the Expansion Pass included, the total cost for the full experience reaches $90. This pricing structure, confirmed by Nintendo, reflects no bundled DLC for the new edition.
While fair in principle (matching what existing owners paid for base game plus DLC), the $90 total for a 2017 title—originally released on Wii U—stands in stark contrast to industry trends. Most publishers discount older games or bundle DLC in re-releases. Combined with the $450+ Switch 2 price and Mario Kart World's unprecedented $80 tag, this approach may deter new players.
Given Breath of the Wild's massive existing sales, Nintendo may assume most potential players already own it. But for those waiting to experience it (and Tears of the Kingdom) on the new system, the additional $20 DLC cost becomes an important budgeting factor.
