The excitement surrounding The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker's addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 via the GameCube library doesn't mean fans should rule out the possibility of a full port. Nate Bihldorff, senior vice president of product development at Nintendo of America, shared insights with Kinda Funny's Tim Gettys, emphasizing that games available on Nintendo Switch Online's library do not preclude them from being remastered or remade.
Despite their popularity, both 2003's The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess have yet to be ported to the Nintendo Switch or the upcoming Switch 2. Some fans have expressed concern that a full remaster might not happen, especially since The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was previously ported to the Wii U in 2013 and will soon be accessible through Nintendo's premium subscription service when the Nintendo Switch 2 releases on June 5.
However, Bihldorff's response to inquiries about the potential for a Wii U port on the Switch 2 was reassuring. He stated, "All options are on the table," and highlighted that the presence of games on Nintendo Switch Online does not rule out other versions, including remakes or ports. This leaves room for hope that a remastered version could still be in the works, as Nintendo keeps all possibilities open.
The announcement of GameCube titles coming to Nintendo Switch Online was made during last week's Nintendo Direct presentation, marking a significant expansion of its premium library. Subscribers will soon enjoy a range of classic 2000s-era titles, including F-Zero GX, Soulcalibur 2, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, all available at launch this summer. The library is set to grow further, with teased additions such as 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 implemented by President Trump, affecting financial markets. This issue also impacted Nintendo Canada, leading to similar delays in pre-orders there.
For more updates and announcements, be sure to explore everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.