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

The arrival of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on the Nintendo Switch 2 through the GameCube library doesn't rule out a potential port of this beloved game. According to Nate Bihldorff, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of product development, during an interview with Kinda Funny's Tim Gettys, the inclusion of a game in the Nintendo Switch Online library does not mean it won't be considered for a remaster or remake. Despite their immense popularity within the Zelda franchise, both The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker from 2003 and Twilight Princess have yet to be ported to any Nintendo Switch console.

Some fans have expressed concern that they might miss out on a full remaster of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, especially since it was previously ported to the Wii U in 2013 and will soon be accessible via Nintendo's premium subscription service upon the Nintendo Switch 2 release on June 5. However, Bihldorff clarified that having The Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch Online does not preclude a potential port of the Wii U version to the Nintendo Switch 2. He emphasized that all options remain open, suggesting that while nothing is confirmed, the possibility of a remaster or port is still very much alive. This aligns with other instances where games available on Nintendo Switch Online have also been released in different formats, such as remakes or direct ports.

During last week's Nintendo Direct, it was announced that GameCube titles would be added to the Nintendo Switch Online service as part of its premium library. This update will bring a host of classic games from the 2000s, including F-Zero GX and Soulcalibur 2, all available at launch this summer, along with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. The library is set to expand in the coming years, with titles like Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness on the horizon.

Recent news also touched on delays in Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders in the United States, triggered by import tariffs that have caused financial market fluctuations. This delay has also affected Nintendo Canada, confirming similar postponements in pre-orders.

For more details, you can explore everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.