Breath of the Wild – Switch 2 Edition Won’t Include DLC, Nintendo Confirms

Nintendo has revealed that the upcoming Switch 2 Edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will not include the game's previously released DLC content. This means players will need to purchase the Expansion Pass separately if they want the complete experience.

The news comes amid a flurry of information following last week's Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, which introduced enhanced "Switch 2 Editions" of six popular Switch games. These special editions include Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Pokémon Legends Z-A.

"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," Nintendo clarified in a statement to IGN. "That DLC is available as a separate purchase."

The Switch 2 Edition of Breath of the Wild will cost $70, which is $10 more than the original retail price. However, players wanting the complete experience will need to spend an additional $20 for the Expansion Pass, bringing the total cost to approximately $90 for newcomers to the game.

For those who already own Breath of the Wild on the original Switch, the situation is slightly different. These players can continue playing their existing version on the Switch 2, including any DLC they've already purchased. However, to access the enhanced features of the Switch 2 Edition—improved visuals, performance, achievements, and support for the new "Zelda Notes" service—they'll need to purchase a $10 upgrade pack.

The pricing strategy has raised some eyebrows in the gaming community. Many publishers typically offer discounted prices for older games or include DLC in enhanced editions for newer systems. Meanwhile, Nintendo is charging premium prices for an eight-year-old game originally released on the Wii U has sparked discussion among fans.

The console itself will retail at $450, a massive 50% jump from OG, and flagship titles like Mario Kart World will cost $80. Nintendo is even charging $10 for the "Welcome Tour" tutorial game.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launch lineup appears promising from a technical standpoint, but as these pricing details continue to emerge, Nintendo may face challenges in convincing some consumers of the value proposition, especially for enhanced versions of games that have been available for several years.