Amid ongoing confusion and frustration among fans about the pricing of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its games, especially in the United States where prices seem to be in constant flux, a new detail has emerged that may catch some by surprise. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Nintendo Switch 2 edition does not include the Expansion Pass, meaning you'll need to spend an extra $20 to access the DLC on the new console if you don't already own it.

This might seem straightforward, but let's delve deeper. Since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2's games and their pricing last week, there's been a whirlwind of confusion about how everything will work. Currently, if you own The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the original Nintendo Switch, you can play it on your Nintendo Switch 2, including the DLC, without any additional cost.

However, there's also a Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild. This version boasts improved visuals and performance, achievements, and support for the new "Zelda Notes" service in the Nintendo Switch Online app. If you already own Breath of the Wild on the Switch, you won't automatically get these features, but you can purchase an "upgrade pack" for $10 to access them.

For those who don't yet own the game and are considering buying it for the Nintendo Switch 2, you can purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 Enhanced Edition of Breath of the Wild for $70, which is $10 more than the game's initial retail price. This price essentially combines the cost of the original game and the upgrade pack. However, this edition does not include the DLC Expansion Pass, so if you want that, it's an additional $20, bringing the total cost for the full Breath of the Wild experience on the Nintendo Switch 2 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."

Some might argue that this pricing is fair, considering it aligns with what existing owners have already paid, plus the cost of the upgrade. There's no mysterious upcharge here. However, it's worth noting that many other gaming publishers eventually lower the prices of eight-year-old games or offer "enhanced editions" for new systems that include the DLC, helping to ease the financial burden on players interested in diving in. Paying $90 for the latest version of a game that was released in 2017 on the Wii U can feel steep, especially when considering that Mario Kart World is priced at $80, and the Nintendo Switch 2 itself is expected to cost $450 or possibly more, depending on the impact of current tariffs.

Perhaps this won't matter to everyone, as many who would realistically play Breath of the Wild likely already own at least the base version, given its strong sales performance. But if you've been holding off on purchasing it and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, until the release of the new, enhanced system, remember to factor in the cost of Breath of the Wild's highly praised Expansion Pass.