The excitement surrounding The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 via the GameCube library is palpable among fans, but it doesn't mean the end of the road for potential ports. According to Nate Bihldorff, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of product development, the availability of a game on Nintendo Switch Online doesn't rule out the possibility of remastering or remaking it. In a conversation with Kinda Funny's Tim Gettys, Bihldorff emphasized that all options remain open for beloved titles like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, which have yet to be ported to any Nintendo Switch console.
Despite The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker being set to join Nintendo's premium subscription service upon the Nintendo Switch 2's release on June 5, fans need not worry about missing out on a full remaster. Bihldorff's response to inquiries was clear: the presence of a game on Nintendo Switch Online does not preclude a separate, possibly enhanced, version on the new console. This assurance keeps the door open for future developments, with Bihldorff noting that many games available on NSO have also been released in different formats, including remakes and ports.
The announcement at last week's Nintendo Direct revealed that GameCube titles are heading to Nintendo Switch Online, enriching the premium library with classics from the 2000s. Titles like F-Zero GX, Soulcalibur 2, and, of course, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker will be available at launch this summer. The library is set to expand further with anticipated additions such as Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, promising a robust selection for subscribers in the coming years.
However, the rollout of the Nintendo Switch 2 has faced some delays. Pre-order dates in the United States were postponed following import tariffs that impacted financial markets, and Nintendo Canada also confirmed delays in their pre-order schedule. Despite these setbacks, fans can look forward to more updates and announcements, including everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.
