Zelda: Wind Waker HD Hopes Persist Amid Switch 2 GameCube Rumors

The excitement surrounding The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker coming to Nintendo Switch 2 via the GameCube library has not diminished fans' hopes for a full port. Nate Bihldorff, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of product development, reassured fans during a conversation with Kinda Funny's Tim Gettys that the availability of a game on Nintendo Switch Online does not rule out future remasters or remakes.

Despite their popularity within the Zelda franchise, both The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess have yet to see a port to either the original Nintendo Switch or the upcoming Switch 2. This news has sparked some concern among fans, especially since The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, previously ported to the Wii U in 2013, will soon be accessible through Nintendo's premium subscription service upon the Nintendo Switch 2's release on June 5.

Bihldorff clarified that having The Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch Online does not preclude the possibility of the Wii U port being brought to the Switch 2. He emphasized that all options remain open, hinting at the potential for remakes or different port versions despite the game's presence on the subscription service.

During last week's Nintendo Direct presentation, it was announced that GameCube titles would be integrated into the Nintendo Switch Online premium library. This update will offer subscribers access to a variety of classic 2000s-era games, including F-Zero GX, Soulcalibur 2, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, all available at launch this summer. The library is set to expand further with titles such as Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness in the coming years.

In related news, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date faced delays in the United States due to import tariffs, with similar delays announced by Nintendo Canada. For more information, check out everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.