"Nintendo Fuels Hopes for Zelda: Wind Waker HD on Switch 2"

The excitement around The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 through the GameCube library has sparked discussions on whether this means the fan-favorite adventure won't see a full port. However, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of product development, Nate Bihldorff, clarified to Kinda Funny's Tim Gettys that the availability of a game on Nintendo Switch Online doesn't rule out the possibility of a remaster or remake.

Despite their popularity within the Zelda franchise, both 2003's The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess have yet to be officially ported to either the original Nintendo Switch or the upcoming Switch 2. This has led to some fan concerns, especially since The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker—previously ported to the Wii U in 2013—will soon be part of Nintendo's premium subscription service when the Nintendo Switch 2 releases on June 5.

Bihldorff emphasized during the discussion that having The Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch Online does not preclude a future port to the Nintendo Switch 2. He stated, "All options are on the table," and while nothing is confirmed, he highlighted that there are precedents of games available on NSO that have also been remade or ported in other ways. This leaves the door open for potential future releases, suggesting that fans should not lose hope.

The announcement of GameCube titles joining the Nintendo Switch Online premium library came during last week's Nintendo Direct presentation. This update will offer subscribers 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 further in the future, featuring titles like Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness.

The Best Nintendo Switch Online Gamecube Games

Recent news also reported that the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date in the United States was delayed due to import tariffs, a situation that soon affected Nintendo Canada as well, leading to further delays in pre-orders.

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