Zelda: Wind Waker HD Still Alive on Switch Despite GameCube Rumors

Just because The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 via the GameCube library doesn't mean fans won't see a full port of this beloved adventure. According to Nate Bihldorff, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of product development, the availability of a game on Nintendo Switch Online does not preclude the possibility of remastering or remaking it. 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 ported to the Nintendo Switch or its upcoming iteration, the Switch 2.

Some fans have expressed concern that with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker—which was previously ported to the Wii U in 2013—becoming available on Nintendo's premium subscription service upon the Nintendo Switch 2 release on June 5, a full remaster might never happen. However, Bihldorff reassured that having a game on Nintendo Switch Online does not rule out other versions or ports. He noted that there are numerous instances where games available on NSO have also been released in different formats, such as remakes or the same port versions, keeping the door open for future possibilities.

Last week's Nintendo Direct presentation revealed that GameCube titles are coming to Nintendo Switch Online as part of its premium library. This significant update will provide subscribers with access to 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 with titles such as Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, and more in the coming years.

In other news, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date was delayed in the United States due to import tariffs enacted by President Trump, which caused financial market fluctuations. This delay has also affected Nintendo Canada, where pre-orders are now postponed as well.

For those interested in further details, be sure to check out everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.