The prospect of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 has fans buzzing with excitement. While the GameCube version of Wind Waker has been confirmed for the Switch 2, the question of whether Wind Waker HD will also make the jump to the next-gen console remains open. Let's delve into Nintendo's thoughts on this and explore the enhancements Wind Waker HD brought to the original game.
Wind Waker GameCube Version Coming To Switch 2
During the Nintendo Direct for Switch 2 on April 2, it was announced that the GameCube version of Wind Waker would be making its way to the new console. This announcement sparked curiosity about the fate of Wind Waker HD. Addressing this, Nate Bihldorff, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Nintendo of America, clarified the situation during a conversation with Kinda Funny Games Daily host Tim Gettys at a Switch 2 press event in New York on April 9.
Gettys shared, "I did ask if having The Wind Waker on NSO precludes it from the Switch 2 getting the actual Wii U port at some point, and he was very quick to say 'no, all options are on the table'. Obviously, nothing is confirmed one way or another."
First Released in 2002
Originally launched on the GameCube in 2002 in Japan and 2003 in the West, Wind Waker received a significant upgrade when Wind Waker HD was released for the Wii U in 2013. The HD version boasts several enhancements, including a jump from 480p to stunning HD visuals, improved lighting, gyro controls for weapons, faster sailing, and various other gameplay tweaks. With the GameCube library being exclusive to the Switch 2, porting Wind Waker HD might be the only way for owners of the original Switch to experience this beloved title.
In other news, the Nintendo Switch Online classics game libraries are undergoing a rebranding to "Nintendo Classics." Nintendo has announced that "Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members will soon be able to play The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, F-ZERO GX, and SOULCALIBUR II on Nintendo Switch 2, with more games slated for the future." Additionally, some of these games will feature in-game options like a retro screen filter and widescreen gameplay, enhancing the nostalgic experience for players.
