Nintendo Fuels Zelda: Wind Waker HD Hopes Amid Switch 2 GameCube Rumors

The announcement that The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 via the GameCube library has sparked discussions about potential ports. However, fans should not lose hope for a full remaster of this beloved title. According to Nate Bihldorff, senior vice president of product development at Nintendo of America, the availability of a game on Nintendo Switch Online does not rule out the possibility of a remaster or remake. This was shared during an interview with Kinda Funny's Tim Gettys.

Despite their popularity, both The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess from 2003 have yet to be ported to any Nintendo Switch console. The Wind Waker, previously ported to the Wii U in 2013, will soon be accessible through Nintendo's premium subscription service when the Nintendo Switch 2 releases on June 5. This has led to some concern among fans that a full remaster might never happen.

Bihldorff clarified that having The Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch Online does not preclude a future port to the Nintendo Switch 2. He emphasized that all options remain open, and while nothing is confirmed, Nintendo has a history of offering games through multiple formats, whether as remakes or the same port versions. This leaves the door open for future possibilities, as Bihldorff noted, "it was never say never."

The addition of GameCube titles to Nintendo Switch Online was revealed at last week's Nintendo Direct presentation. This update will enhance the library with classic 2000s-era games such as F-Zero GX and Soulcalibur 2, available at launch this summer, alongside The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. The library is set to expand further with titles like Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, and more in the coming years.

In other news, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date faced delays in the United States due to import tariffs, which also affected Nintendo Canada, pushing back pre-orders there as well.

For a comprehensive look at what was unveiled, check out everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.