Nintendo’s announcement that the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition will require separate purchases for its DLC has sparked discontent among fans. While the new console promises noticeable performance boosts, such as reduced load times, the decision to charge for accessing the full game experience raises eyebrows. Many avid Zelda fans are irked by Nintendo’s stance on these next-gen upgrades, fearing it might deter potential buyers of the Switch’s latest version.
In a comprehensive showcase on April 2, Nintendo revealed that both Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, would be coming to the Switch 2 when the console launches this June. Fans can look forward to smoother gameplay with better frame rates and enhanced resolution. However, what wasn’t made clear during the presentation was the fate of the original game’s downloadable content. Now, as Nintendo sets things straight, the realization that BOTW’s DLC won’t be bundled with the new version has dampened some spirits — a letdown, if not a surprise, for those eager to purchase the updated package.
Nintendo has confirmed to IGN that the Switch 2 Edition of Breath of the Wild will not feature the Champions’ Ballad or Master Trials DLC packs. Players who already own the game on the original Switch and wish to transition to the updated version will need to shell out $9.99 for the upgrade. This is on top of an additional $20 for the Expansion Pass, bringing the total to an extra $30 to enjoy the full experience on the new console. Newcomers to BOTW will face a total cost of about $90 for the game and its accompanying DLC on the Switch 2, potentially leading to frustration for some gamers over the added expenses.
While the $9.99 cost for the Switch 2 upgrade includes improvements like quicker load times — shown to drop from 24 seconds on the original to just 16 seconds on the new console — and a navigation aid for uncovering hidden items, the lack of included DLC might still discourage some from making the jump. Fans assert that Breath of the Wild’s DLC content is among the best on the Switch, making its exclusion in the upgrade cost a bitter pill to swallow. As discussions continue about the fairness of charging for next-gen enhancements, it will be interesting to watch how these decisions affect Breath of the Wild’s sales on the Switch 2 as it hits the market.
