Hyrule Warriors cross-platform season pass is robust and confusing

Hyrule Warriors for Wii U and 3DS is getting not one, not two, but three season passes, Nintendo revealed this week. Much like how these programs worked for Super Smash Bros. - another cross-platform game - there will be one pass dedicated solely to Wii U content, one pass dedicated solely to 3DS content, and one that will get you DLC for both systems.

Note, however, that this does not mean all DLC. The Master Wind Waker Pack will only be available on 3DS, and the new characters introduced in Hyrule Warriors: Legends (the 3DS version of the game) are likewise not part of any season pass. You'll unlock them in the Wii U version if you buy Legends for 3DS, but if you just want the new characters and not an extra copy of the game, you'll have to buy them via the Legends Character Pack. Here's what it looks like broken down:

  • Nintendo 3DS Only Season Pass: four DLC packs (Master Wind Waker Pack, Link's Awakening Pack, Phantom Hourglass + Spirit Tracks Pack, and A Link Between Worlds Pack) for Hyrule Warriors: Legends on Nintendo 3DS
  • Wii U Only Season Pass: three DLC packs (Link's Awakening Pack, Phantom Hourglass + Spirit Tracks Pack, and A Link Between Worlds Pack) for Hyrule Warriors on Wii U
  • Nintendo 3DS + Wii U Season Pass: seven DLC packs total, four for Hyrule Warriors: Legends on Nintendo 3DS and three for Hyrule Warriors on Wii U
  • Legends Character Pack: Linkle, Skull Kid, Tetra, Toon Link, King Daphnes and Ganondorf’s trident weapon

At least any of the season passes seems like a good deal. Purchased separately, the DLC packs add up to £20.66 on 3DS, or £13.47 on Wii U. When bundled together as part of the season pass, the 3DS-only pass costs £13.49, while the Wii U-only pass costs £8.99. The 3DS plus Wii U pass, meanwhile, costs £15.29. American prices were not available at the time of writing.

If you're still confused, I suggest checking out Nintendo's FAQ page. Because apparently we need charts and FAQ pages for season passes now?

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Sam Prell

Sam is a former News Editor here at GamesRadar. His expert words have appeared on many of the web's well-known gaming sites, including Joystiq, Penny Arcade, Destructoid, and G4 Media, among others. Sam has a serious soft spot for MOBAs, MMOs, and emo music. Forever a farm boy, forever a '90s kid.