The re-release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 comes with a higher price tag, retailing at $69.99. That’s a notable jump from the game’s original $59.99 price on the first Nintendo Switch back in 2017, a notable increase for a title that initially served both as a Wii U and a Switch launch game. Receiving critical acclaim right out of the gate, Breath of the Wild quickly secured its place among the highest-rated games of its time.
Despite the fact that it was a commercial triumph for Nintendo, the company seems to be veering away from its past practice of offering popular titles at discounted prices later in their lifecycle. Unlike GameCube’s budget-friendly Player’s Choice selections, we’re seeing the new Switch 2 Edition of Breath of the Wild debut at $69.99—the same price you’d pay for many new releases today, which is indeed a $10 mark-up compared to the original version.
This revamped edition introduces some enticing features: Breath of the Wild Switch 2 comes with enhanced performance capabilities on the new console and integrates with the innovative Zelda Notes feature. This addition enriches the player experience with achievements and other supportive elements. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that the Switch 2 version, while more robust, doesn’t present the complete content package.
Price breakdown for the Switch 2 version is as follows: the base game at $70, and the Expansion Pass at an additional $20. Those who already own the game on the original Switch have the option to upgrade to the Switch 2 version for just $10. Yet, this upgrade doesn’t automatically include downloadable content that postdated the game’s initial release. The Expansion Pass covers two substantial expansions: The Master Trials and The Champions’ Ballad. The first expansion introduces challenges like the Trial of the Sword and Master Mode, while the latter offers new dungeons and the fun addition of the Master Cycle Zero for exploration. To access these extras, players need to spend an additional $20, hiking the total cost for a full experience to $90 on the Switch 2.
However, there’s a silver lining for players already in possession of the first version. For $10, they can upgrade their copy to enjoy the latest enhancements on the new console. Even better, those who subscribe to the Expansion Pack tier of Nintendo Switch Online may find themselves automatically eligible for the Switch 2 upgrade without any extra cost—an attractive option compared to the full $70 purchase.
