It seems there might be a mix-up in your statement. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) does not have DLC—and that’s actually a well-known point among fans. To clarify: Breath of the Wild was released as a standalone game with no downloadable content (DLC) in the traditional sense. However, its sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023), does include DLC—specifically, a free expansion called Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – DLC: The Champions’ Ballad, which was released as a free update to the base game. So, to correct your original statement: ❌ "Zelda: Breath of the Wild lacks DLC" — This is true, but it's not a flaw. It's a design choice. Breath of the Wild was built as a complete experience from the start, with no DLC planned or released. The game's world, story, and side content were fully fleshed out at launch—many fans actually appreciate this, as it avoids "pay-to-expand" models. ✅ So, to summarize: Breath of the Wild lacks DLC — Yes, that’s correct, and it was intentional. The game was released as a complete package, and Nintendo has not added DLC for it since. If you’re looking for DLC, you’ll need to check Tears of the Kingdom—which does have DLC content, including the Champions’ Ballad expansion. Let me know if you’d like details on the DLC in Tears of the Kingdom!

You're absolutely right to highlight this as a particularly contentious point in Nintendo's pricing strategy for the Switch 2 Edition of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — and not just because of the $20 DLC cost, but because it reflects a broader shift in how Nintendo is approaching premium re-releases and upgrade economics.

Here’s a breakdown of why this decision is so significant — and potentially damaging to Nintendo’s long-term reputation among new and value-conscious gamers:

🔍 Why the $20 DLC Exclusion Stings

1. "Enhanced Edition" ≠ "Complete Edition"

   • The Switch 2 Edition is marketed as an "enhanced" version with better visuals, performance boosts, and new features like Zelda Notes.
   • Yet, it excludes the Expansion Pass, which includes:
     • The Champions' Ballad (100-hour expansion)
     • The Master Trials (new dungeons and puzzles)
     • Din’s Fire (new weapon and armor)
     • The Champion’s Trial Mode (hardcore challenge mode)
   • This isn’t just "more content" — it’s core gameplay expansion that fundamentally changed the experience for millions.

2. It’s Not a Bundle — It’s a Two-Step Purchase

   • For newcomers, you now face:
     • $70 for the Switch 2 Enhanced Edition (base game + upgrades)
     • $20 for the DLC (sold separately)
   • Total: $90
   • That’s more than the original Tears of the Kingdom launch price ($70), and for a game that already sold 30 million copies globally.

3. Contrast with Industry Norms

   • Other publishers (like Sony with Horizon Forbidden West: The Complete Edition, or Microsoft with Halo Infinite: Season 3 Edition) often bundle DLC into enhanced or remastered editions.
   • Even Apple Arcade and Steam re-releases for aging games typically include expansions, especially when marketed as "definitive" or "ultimate" editions.
   • Nintendo is bucking this trend — and charging extra for what should be a full package.

💰 Pricing Context: This Feels Like Exploitation — Not Strategy

• Original Launch (2017): $60 (Wii U), later $60 on Switch
• Switch 2 Edition (2024): $70 (base), +$20 (DLC) = $90
• That’s a 50% price increase for a remaster — on a game that’s already been sold 30M+ times.

Even more telling:

• $90 for a game released in 2017? That’s not "premium" — that’s premium extraction.
• Many players who bought it in 2017 still have it. Why should newcomers pay $90 to access the same experience that was once considered "complete"?

🎮 Who’s This Hurtting?

1. Newcomers to The Legend of Zelda Franchise

   • If you’re new to Link’s adventure and want the "full" experience (including the Champions’ Ballad, which many consider one of the best Zelda expansions ever), you’re now being asked to pay $20 extra — not as a "patch," but as a mandatory add-on.

2. Families & First-Time Console Buyers

   • The Switch 2 is selling as a "next-gen" console. Parents buying it for kids are now facing $90 for a game that's already 7 years old — and not getting the full package.

3. Switch 2 Upgraders (With Existing Games)

   • While they get to keep their DLC (if they bought it), they still face a $10 "upgrade fee" for the Enhanced Edition — which many might see as a tax on loyalty.

📉 Larger Implications for Nintendo’s Future

• This could set a precedent: If Nintendo starts charging for DLC in "enhanced" editions of aging hits, what happens when Tears of the Kingdom gets a Switch 2 version? Will that be DLC-only too?
• Trust erosion: Fans loved Breath of the Wild because it felt complete — now Nintendo is asking new players to pay again for the same content. That undermines the feeling of a "definitive edition."
• Competitor advantage: PlayStation and Xbox still bundle expansions. Apple and Steam often offer "deluxe" or "complete" packages at launch. Nintendo is falling behind on perceived value.

✅ What Should Nintendo Have Done Instead?

• Include the Expansion Pass in the base price of the Switch 2 Edition — even at $90, it would feel fairer.
• Offer a "Complete Edition" bundle (base game + DLC) at $90, with a separate "Standard Edition" ($70) for those who don’t want the DLC.
• Give existing owners a discount or free DLC — especially since they’ve already paid for it.

🧠 Final Verdict: A Missed Opportunity

Nintendo has a golden chance to cement the Switch 2 as a premium platform for legacy classics — but by charging $20 extra for content that was once sold separately but now feels essential, they risk alienating new players.

💬 "You don’t buy a $90 remaster of a game that already sold 30 million copies and call it a 'complete' experience — not when half of it is locked behind a $20 paywall."

This isn’t just about money. It’s about perception, fairness, and legacy.

For many, Breath of the Wild isn’t just a game — it’s a modern Zelda masterpiece. And now, it might be remembered as the one that cost too much to get right.

🔚 Bottom Line:

$90 for Breath of the Wild on Switch 2?
It’s not a price — it’s a statement.
And that statement says: “We know you love this game. Now pay again.”

That’s not smart pricing.
That’s not value.
That’s not how you keep fans.

Let’s hope Nintendo listens — because if they keep doing this, even the biggest Zelda fans might start asking:

"Why should I buy the next one... when they’re already charging for the last?"