Nintendo's latest Zelda game has just gotten an interesting bit of news. The title will be launching with an Expansion Pass which will allow access to two DLC packs that will be available later this year in 2017. Pre-purchasing the Expansion Pass now will cause three treasure chests to appear in the world, with extra items. One of which being an outfit for Link, which has the Nintendo Switch logo on it. The first DLC pack for the game is set to launch this Summer, and will include a new Hard Mode, a challenge, and a new in-game map feature. The second pack will launch Holiday 2017 and will have a brand new Story addition and a new dungeon. Both the Switch and the Wii U will be getting these DLCs.

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for the Nintendo Switch and Wii U consoles is one of the largest, most engaging video games Nintendo has ever created. While the main game offers players an engrossing quest that will keep them entertained for hours, as well as the freedom to explore the vast Hyrule at their own pace, the game world provides a rich canvas that offers the opportunity for additional adventures. As a result, the first-ever downloadable content for the main-line Legend of Zelda series is in development.

Starting when The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launches on March 3, players will be able to purchase an Expansion Pass for $19.99, granting access to two new sets of downloadable content for the game when they become available later this year. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Starting when the game launches on March 3, players will be able to purchase an Expansion Pass for $19.99, granting access to two new sets of downloadable content for the game when they become available later this year. Immediately upon pre-purchase or purchase of the Expansion Pass, three new treasure chests will appear in the game’s Great Plateau area. One of these treasure chests will contain a shirt with a Nintendo Switch logo that Link can wear during his adventure, exclusive to the Expansion Pass. The other two will deliver useful items. The first content pack is scheduled to launch this summer, and will include the addition of a Cave of Trials challenge, a new hard mode and a new feature for the in-game map. The second content pack will launch in Holiday 2017, and adds new challenges that will let players enjoy a new dungeon and a new original story. The Expansion Pass will be available for both the Nintendo Switch and Wii U versions of the game and are identical. Content packs cannot be purchased individually.

“The world of Hyrule, which we created for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, is so large and vibrant that we wanted to offer more for players to experience within it,” said Nintendo developer Eiji Aonuma, the longtime producer of the series. “With this new Expansion Pass, we hope that fans will play, explore and enjoy the game even more.”

Aonuma also created a brief video to share more details about the Expansion Pass. It can be viewed at http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?i...&index=4&md5=8eaa4ec7c77e62fcb4c0b16700a2b3ff.

For more information about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, visit http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?i...&index=5&md5=25c10a84a5cc09f20e1418056380e331.

Remember that Nintendo Switch features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?i...&index=6&md5=7f0306c430dd0cf8360bf01681f9559d.

Eiji Aonuma made a video to explain the DLC here

 

[Sheikah Impa]

Oh noes, 20 dollar dlc? How dare you Nintendo. How dare you add more to an already pretty big game. You bastards.

 

[RustInPeace]

I take it you don't have to buy the DLC on launch day? I mean it's not impossible to afford this, especially when the content is releasing later in the year, essentially they're announcing it now to give people a pre-order window. This specific pre-order opportunity is more promising than the NES Classic and Switch, where pre-orders had the tendency to get cancelled. Plus it means more Zelda BOTW, bonus content, I expect that, rather than something really crucial hidden by a pay wall. So, I don't see the big deal. In contrast if one were to total all the DLC Smash 4 offered, I have a feeling it would be at least $50. So Nintendo has a track record of DLC, I'd be more shocked if Game Freak had DLC, which is totally not their MO.

 

[nando]

i'll get the dlc on wii u

 

[kumikochan]

Most people aren't mad about the extra story dlc that gets released later on but about locking features such as hard mode with a paywall. If you don't get mad about Nintendo locking these features wich def are cut from the game since they could easily be implemented through an update whatsoever then you are just 2 busy riding Nintendo's cock.

 

[McWhiters9511]

cri

 

[Xzi]

Lol, eight pages of whining like this is the first time anyone has ever seen DLC. Seems reasonably priced as long as both DLC packs don't have ten minutes of content in them. Just have to wait and see.

 

[petethepug]

its a good thing the game is coming with a new update

Maybe
I highly doubt nintendo can stop Homebrew now for the Wii U.
Well maybe.

 

[SANIC]

T

Most people aren't mad about the extra story dlc that gets released later on but about locking features such as hard mode with a paywall. If you don't get mad about Nintendo locking these features wich def are cut from the game since they could easily be implemented through an update whatsoever then you are just 2 busy riding Nintendo's cock.

They aren't locking hardmode behind a paywall. There's going to be a second hard mode, probably with different dungeon layouts

 

[NyaakoXD]

I see it as the main game being completely finished and has "gone gold" and the DLC that's coming in the summer and around the end of this year is being developed, atm.

Of course, I'll just wait for people to reply back at me and make me sit in a corner to think about my life.

 

[kumikochan]

T

They aren't locking hardmode behind a paywall. There's going to be a second hard mode, probably with different dungeon layouts

No they are locking hard mode behind a paywall. It doens't make it ok because there's already sort of a hard mode in the game and one is behind a paywall. It's easily a feature that could be implemented now so yeah it is locked behind a paywall. The point of DLC is adding story afterwards but not adding features. Features should always come out with updates and not offered as DLC wich is just shitty and scummy. Normally DLC comes as enrichment to the original story expanding the universe but adding features shouldn't be behind a locked paywall.

 

[Nikki_swap]

not sure if this is some sort of selft entitlement or just shitposting from people.

some people make it seem like if nintendo was their best friend and now is betraying them with dlc .

 

[Ritsuki]

I don't really care about DLC as long as it's extra and not mandatory for the story content. But new features? That's a bit harsh. So if I find the game too easy, I'll have to pay again to get a new feature... Not cool.

 

[Garro]

I do agree the first DLC is kind of... meh, paying for a Hard Mode seems kind of a scam, but really happy about the second DLC. Like, I'll be able to revisit the game and play new content after a year.

Also are people just finding out how DLCs work? I don't remember this much whining on Mario Kart 8 or Hyrule Warriors.

 

[DarthDub]

I'm buying it.

 

[Deleted User]

Memes aside, this is fucking horrendous. Fuck you Nintendo.

O-oh wait guys it's ok when Nintendo does it I gotchu xdddd

 

[donaldgx]

uuuu not interested on dlc-friendly games, will pass on this until a "full package" is released or the console is pirated

 

[Xzi]

Memes aside, this is fucking horrendous. Fuck you Nintendo.

O-oh wait guys it's ok when Nintendo does it I gotchu xdddd

No, it's pretty much ok when anybody does it at this point. Would be different if it was EA or Ubisoft level of gouging, but $10 each for DLC packs that are bound to have at least a few hours of extra content is hardly "horrendous."

 

[RustInPeace]

No, it's pretty much ok when anybody does it at this point. Would be different if it was EA or Ubisoft level of gouging, but $10 each for DLC packs that are bound to have at least a few hours of extra content is hardly "horrendous."

If it was say 2006, Wii-era, such a DLC would be rather unappealing, but yeah, it's the norm for gaming these days, I think moreso with console gaming. Because this is such a highly anticipated game for me, I will cave in to this, otherwise I'd wait until a "Complete" edition or whatever comes out, which is how I approached Mortal Kombat XL and The Witcher 3. Who knows, maybe the "Hard" mode is set aside because the game is naturally difficult.

 

[kumikochan]

No, it's pretty much ok when anybody does it at this point. Would be different if it was EA or Ubisoft level of gouging, but $10 each for DLC packs that are bound to have at least a few hours of extra content is hardly "horrendous."

It's a game that is already 10 euro more expensive then Xbox, PS4 games on release plus it's a FEATURE ( not story) that you'll get on LAUNCH DAY but only if you pay for the season pass. A feature doesn't add more hours of gameplay enriching the game universe but is locked behind a paywall on RELEASE wich shouldn't be applauded 2 but seeing as it's Nintendo we'll just act like that didn't happen and continue on stroking their ego's. Seeing how many dislikes the video got means a lot of people agree that it's scummy. It's already over 10 000 dislikes.

 

[Xiphiidae]

Nintendo could have included this DLC content in the original game, or as free feature patches or downloads later on, but instead it seems that they're going to opt for what permits them to gouge the most money out of consumers. The fact that people are defending this is disappointing, but not surprising.