Summary
- Fans speculate on potential Wind Waker Switch remaster following retailer listing, sparking hope and debate.
- Nintendo fans eagerly anticipate the possibility of a Wind Waker remaster on the Switch.
- There's been no official word from Nintendo on Wind Waker HD coming to the Switch.
As rumors around the Switch 2 ramp up, fans have spotted a potential Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker leak suggesting the game could be getting an HD remaster on the Switch. A retailer's listing of the game has inspired hope and controversy in equal parts as players debate whether to take it as a sign of the long-awaited Wind Waker Switch version or simply a company being optimistic about such a release without any information from Nintendo.
The idea of a Switch port for Toon Link's iconic first appearance is nothing new. Fans speculated that a Wind Waker remaster was coming for the Switch as far back as 2022. Fast-forward a couple of years later, and there's still no updated version of the game or of Zelda's other GameCube entry, Twilight Princess. Now, the Switch is entering the end of its life cycle, but that hasn't stopped Nintendo fans from hoping for another remaster.
Nintendo Believes 'The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD' is a System-Seller
Nintendo has a lot of faith in its revamped HD offering, 'The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD', and believes the game will help the company see sales of the Wii U lifted significantly.
The latest rumor comes from Redditor International-Mess75. The user found a listing for The Wind Waker HD for the Switch on the site for a Russian retailer called VideoIGR. According to International-Mess75, clicking the link leads to a 404 error, but another user in the comments points out that the same store listed Switch versions for Metro 2033: Redux and Darksiders 3 before they came out. Considering how a Zelda remaster would fill a gap in the console's lineup for 2024, it's easy to see why people might think the listing may be more than an error.
A Wind Waker Switch Remaster Could Help Nintendo's Future Plans
While there's no official word from Nintendo on the likelihood of a Wind Waker HD Switch port, bringing the game to the console would make sense as a marketing strategy. The upcoming Switch 2 would benefit from a Wind Waker remaster or a Twilight Princess port, as it could make the new handheld the definitive place to play the entire Zelda series. Announcing the return of these fan favorites could drum up publicity and excitement ahead of the console's release.
If nothing else, it's odd that the Switch has brought nearly every other mainline Zelda title to the platform, yet Wind Waker and Twilight Princess have yet to make their debuts. Rumors suggest the Switch 2 could launch in 2025, leaving Nintendo without much time to announce a Wind Waker port if it wants to do so before unveiling its new hardware. Of course, the company could bring the remaining remasters to Switch further down the road or overlook them entirely. A listing from one retailer isn't enough to draw conclusions from just yet.
- Released
- September 20, 2013
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Havok
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
WHERE TO PLAY
Released for the Wii U in late 2013, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD is a high-definition remake of the classic GameCube game. Its cartoon-like graphics were very different from the more realistic approach taken by previous Zelda titles but were widely praised by both players and critics alike.
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Wii U
