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

The announcement that The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 via the GameCube library has sparked excitement among fans. However, this doesn't mean that a full port of the fan-favorite adventure won't happen. According to Nate Bihldorff, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of product development, speaking to Kinda Funny's Tim Gettys, the availability of a game on Nintendo Switch Online's library does not preclude the possibility of a remaster or remake. This reassurance comes as a relief to fans, especially since iconic Zelda titles like 2003's The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess have yet to be ported to any Nintendo Switch console, including the upcoming Switch 2.

Some fans expressed concerns that the inclusion of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker in Nintendo's premium subscription service upon the Nintendo Switch 2 release on June 5 might mean a full remaster would never happen. However, Bihldorff's response was clear: "All options are on the table." He emphasized that while nothing is confirmed, the presence of a game on Nintendo Switch Online does not rule out future ports or remakes. This openness leaves room for hope that we might see the Wii U version of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on the Switch 2.

The addition of GameCube titles to the Nintendo Switch Online library was revealed at last week's Nintendo Direct presentation. This update will allow subscribers to dive into a variety of classic 2000s-era games, including F-Zero GX and Soulcalibur 2, available at launch this summer. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is among the titles set to be included, with the library expected to expand over time to feature games like Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness.

The Best Nintendo Switch Online GameCube Games

In other news, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date faced delays in the United States due to import tariffs, which caused financial market fluctuations. This issue also affected Nintendo Canada, leading to a delay in pre-orders there as well.

For more information, be sure to check out everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.