The arrival of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker to the GameCube library on Nintendo Switch 2 does not rule out a future dedicated port of this fan-favorite adventure.
Nate Bihldorff, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Nintendo of America, explained this to Tim Gettys of Kinda Funny. He stated that a game’s inclusion in the Nintendo Switch Online library does not prevent the developer from considering a remaster or remake.
Despite their popularity within the Zelda series, 2003’s The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess have yet to be ported to any version of the Nintendo Switch, including the upcoming Switch 2.
As a result, some fans have expressed concern that The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker—which received a Wii U port in 2013—will not see a full remaster, especially since it will soon be part of Nintendo's premium subscription service when the Nintendo Switch 2 releases on June 5.
During the interview, Gettys recounted, "We asked many questions and, as expected from Nintendo, didn’t get many clear answers. However, I specifically asked if Wind Waker’s presence on Nintendo Switch Online would prevent a potential Wii U port from coming to the Switch 2. He was quick to say no—all possibilities remain open.
"Of course, nothing is officially confirmed, but there are numerous examples of games that are on NSO and are still released separately, be it as a remake or a direct port. So, while they didn’t confirm anything, the message was essentially ‘never say never.’"
Last week’s Nintendo Direct presentation confirmed that GameCube titles are coming to Nintendo Switch Online as part of its premium offerings.
The Best Nintendo Switch Online Gamecube Games
The Best Nintendo Switch Online Gamecube Games
This is a major expansion of the Nintendo Switch Online library, giving subscribers access to a range of classic titles from the 2000s, including F-Zero GX and Soulcalibur 2, all of which will be available at launch this summer. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker will also be part of this lineup. The library is set to grow over time, with teased additions such as Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, and others.
Recently, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date was delayed in the United States due to financial market instability caused by import tariffs enacted by President Trump. Shortly after, Nintendo Canada also confirmed that pre-orders would be delayed there.
For more details, take a look at everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.
