Zelda: Wind Waker HD Hopes Alive as Switch 2 Nears

Just because The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is arriving on Nintendo Switch 2 through the GameCube collection doesn't eliminate the possibility of a dedicated port for this beloved adventure.

Nintendo of America's senior VP of product development Nate Bihldorff confirmed this during an interview with Kinda Funny's Tim Gettys, clarifying that availability on Nintendo Switch Online doesn't prevent future remasters or remakes.

Despite their enduring popularity among Zelda fans, neither 2003's The Wind Waker nor Twilight Princess have received native Switch ports – neither for the original model nor the upcoming Switch 2.

With Wind Waker's Wii U remaster (2013) joining Nintendo's premium subscription service at Nintendo Switch 2's June 5 launch, some fans feared this might replace plans for a full remaster.

"[We] asked many questions and, true to Nintendo's style, received few definitive answers," Gettys reported. "But when I asked whether the NSO version rules out a potential Wii U port remake for Switch 2, Bihldorff immediately said no. All possibilities remain open."

"While nothing's confirmed either way, we've seen numerous cases where games appear on NSO while also being available separately – whether as remakes or direct ports. Their response essentially leaves the door wide open."

Last week's Nintendo Direct confirmed that GameCube titles are coming to Nintendo Switch Online as part of its premium expansion.

The Best Nintendo Switch Online GameCube Games

This major NSO update unlocks access to classic 2000s titles including F-Zero GX and Soulcalibur 2, launching this summer alongside Wind Waker. Future additions will reportedly include Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.

The rollout faced recent delays when U.S. Nintendo Switch 2 preorders were postponed due to tariff-related market instability. This soon affected Canadian preorders as well.

For complete details, see our coverage of everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.