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 the future of this beloved title. However, fans can rest easy knowing that this doesn't mean a full port is off the table.
Nate Bihldorff, senior vice president of product development at Nintendo of America, addressed these concerns in an interview with Kinda Funny's Tim Gettys. He emphasized that just because a game is accessible through Nintendo Switch Online, it doesn't preclude the possibility of a remaster or remake. This statement is particularly reassuring for fans of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, both of which have yet to be ported to either the original Nintendo Switch or the upcoming Switch 2.
Despite The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker being ported to the Wii U in 2013, its inclusion in the Nintendo Switch Online library upon the Nintendo Switch 2's release on June 5 had some fans worried about the prospects of a full remaster. Bihldorff's response to these concerns was clear: "All options are on the table." He noted that Nintendo has a history of offering games through NSO while also releasing them in other formats, such as remakes or ports. This leaves the door open for a potential remaster of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on the Nintendo Switch 2.
The addition of GameCube titles to Nintendo Switch Online was revealed during last week's Nintendo Direct presentation. This expansion of the premium library will include classics like F-Zero GX and Soulcalibur 2, available at launch this summer, alongside The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Nintendo plans to further enhance this collection in the future, with titles such as Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness on the horizon.
In other news, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date in the United States faced delays due to import tariffs, which also affected Nintendo Canada, leading to a delay in pre-orders there as well.
For those eager to stay updated, be sure to check out everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.
