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

The excitement surrounding The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 via the GameCube library has sparked discussions about the potential for a full port of this fan-favorite adventure. According to Nate Bihldorff, senior vice president of product development at Nintendo of America, the inclusion of a game in Nintendo Switch Online's library does not rule out the possibility of a remaster or remake. This statement was made during an interview with Kinda Funny's Tim Gettys, where Bihldorff emphasized that all options remain open for games like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, which have yet to be officially ported to either the original Nintendo Switch or the upcoming Switch 2.

Some fans expressed concern that the availability of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch Online, especially with the Nintendo Switch 2 set to release on June 5, might mean a full remaster would never happen. However, Bihldorff was quick to dismiss these worries, stating, "All options are on the table." He highlighted that there are numerous instances where games available on Nintendo Switch Online have also been released in other formats, such as remakes or ports, suggesting that a similar approach could be taken with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

The announcement of GameCube titles joining the Nintendo Switch Online premium library came during last week's Nintendo Direct presentation. This significant update will allow subscribers to enjoy a variety of classic 2000s-era games, including F-Zero GX, Soulcalibur 2, and, of course, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. These titles will be available at launch this summer, with plans to expand the library further in the coming years, including titles like 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 introduced by President Trump, which affected financial markets. The issue also impacted Nintendo Canada, leading to similar delays in pre-orders there.

For a comprehensive overview of the announcements, be sure to check out everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.