The excitement around The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 through the GameCube library has sparked discussions about potential ports. However, fans can rest easy knowing that this doesn't mean a full remaster or port is off the table.
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. This is particularly relevant for fan favorites like 2003's The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, which have yet to be officially ported to any Nintendo Switch console.
Some fans expressed concern that the upcoming availability of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on Nintendo's premium subscription service, coinciding with the Nintendo Switch 2 release on June 5, might mean they would never see a full remaster. However, Bihldorff clarified that "all options are on the table," and while nothing is confirmed, Nintendo has not ruled out the possibility of a port or remaster.
This statement came after a series of questions posed to Nintendo representatives, where, in true Nintendo fashion, definitive answers were scarce. Yet, the assurance that having a game on Nintendo Switch Online does not preclude other forms of release is encouraging. There are numerous instances where games available on the service have also been remade or re-released in different formats.
The inclusion of GameCube titles in the Nintendo Switch Online library was announced during last week's Nintendo Direct presentation. This major update will provide subscribers with access to a variety of classic 2000s-era titles, 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 in the future with titles such as Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness.
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, leading to further delays in pre-orders.
For more information, be sure to check out everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.
