Nintendo Maintains Hope for Zelda: Wind Waker HD Amid Switch 2 GameCube Rumors

The announcement that The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker will be available on the Nintendo Switch 2 through the GameCube library via Nintendo Switch Online has sparked discussions about potential ports. Nate Bihldorff, senior vice president of product development at Nintendo of America, reassured fans during an interview with Kinda Funny's Tim Gettys. He emphasized that the inclusion of a game in Nintendo Switch Online does not preclude the possibility of remastering or remaking it for the new console.

Despite their popularity, both The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess have yet to see a port to the Nintendo Switch or the upcoming Switch 2. Fans have expressed concerns that the availability of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on the premium subscription service, especially after its 2013 port to the Wii U, might hinder the chances of a full remaster. However, Bihldorff was clear in stating that all options remain open for these beloved titles.

During the conversation, Bihldorff highlighted that Nintendo's approach leaves room for various possibilities, including remakes and different port versions of games already on Nintendo Switch Online. This flexibility suggests that fans should not lose hope for seeing The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker remastered on the Nintendo Switch 2, set to release on June 5.

The recent Nintendo Direct presentation unveiled the addition of GameCube titles to the Nintendo Switch Online premium library. This update will provide subscribers with access to a range of classic titles from the 2000s, including F-Zero GX, Soulcalibur 2, and, of course, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. These games will be available at launch this summer, with the library set to expand further with titles like Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness in the future.

In other news, pre-order dates for the Nintendo Switch 2 in the United States were delayed due to import tariffs, a situation that also affected Nintendo Canada. For a comprehensive overview of the latest announcements, you can explore everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.