The Switch 2 has an impressive lineup of launch games in its repertoire, and that includes Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom that will run cleaner, faster and more powerful on the console. They will also come with Zelda Notes, an exclusive smartphone app that will give customers extra content like help with Korok seed locations and voice memories from Princess Zelda. These updates are definitely impressive and worth taking a look at. But some gamers are reeling with sticker shock at the thought of buying both Switch 2 Edition games upfront. Current retail listings show Breath of the Wild costing $69.99 USD and Tears of the Kingdom $79.99 USD. That’s about $150 out the door for both games alone. Ouch!
Such prices are tough to swallow for gamers with tight wallets these days, but there is a silver lining. If you already own these games and have a Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) Expansion Pack membership, there’s no need to be Rupoor. Members can just download the Upgrade Packs into their Switch 2s from the Nintendo eShop on launch day for free.
Free? Yes, you read it right. NSO Expansion members can simply download the upgrades for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom into their Switch 2 systems for free from launch day onward. It won’t hurt them if you go back to playing them on your Switch system, either, the extra Switch 2 content just won’t be playable on it. But what if you’re not a member? Well, there’s still good news. Even if you’re not, you can purchase the Upgrade Packs for $9.99 USD each from the eShop, My Nintendo Store, and/or other retailers if you already own a Switch copy of Breath of the Wild and/or Tears of the Kingdom. This applies for both physical and digital copies. That’s a much easier Secret Stone — err, pill to swallow.
It’s important to note that Nintendo is currently offering temporary free trials of NSO for Switch customers who cancelled or haven’t tried it yet and are curious. Nintendo states that Switch 2 upgrades for other Switch games will also be available to NSO Expansion Pack members at no additional cost if they own them, but the details as to which Switch games apply aren’t confirmed yet. The Switch 2 Editions and their Upgrade Packs for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom release on launch day worldwide June 5, 2025.
