"Nintendo Fuels Zelda: Wind Waker HD Hopes 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 has sparked excitement among fans. However, this doesn't mean a full port of the fan-favorite adventure won't happen in the future.

According to Nate Bihldorff, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of product development, in an interview with Kinda Funny's Tim Gettys, the availability of a game on Nintendo Switch Online does not preclude the possibility of a remaster or remake. Despite the popularity of both The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, neither has been ported to the Nintendo Switch or the upcoming Switch 2 yet.

Some fans have expressed concerns that they might never see 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 part of Nintendo's premium subscription service when the Nintendo Switch 2 releases on June 5. However, Bihldorff reassured that all options remain open, stating, "We got to ask a whole bunch of questions and, in typical Nintendo fashion, we didn't get too many answers to things, but I did ask if having the Wind Waker on [Nintendo Switch Online] precludes [Nintendo Switch 2] from getting the actual Wii U port at some point, and he was very quick to say no. All options are on the table."

Bihldorff added that while nothing is confirmed, there are precedents of games available on Nintendo Switch Online being released in other formats, such as remakes or the same port version. He emphasized a policy of "never say never," leaving room for potential future developments.

Last week's Nintendo Direct presentation revealed that GameCube titles are coming to Nintendo Switch Online as part of its premium library, a significant update that will provide subscribers with access to a range of classic 2000s-era titles. At launch this summer, fans can expect to play games like F-Zero GX, Soulcalibur 2, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. The library is set to expand in the coming years, with teased titles including Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, among others.

The Best Nintendo Switch Online Gamecube Games

The recent news about the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date being delayed in the United States due to import tariffs has caused some disruption. This issue has also affected Nintendo Canada, which confirmed that pre-orders would be delayed there as well.

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