The Nintendo Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker makes some subtle changes with big implications for speedrunners. Speedrunning has been a mainstay of the Zelda fandom for years, but some entries in the long-running series are notably easier to rush through than others. While The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker may still pose a challenge, it just got more approachable, thanks to some Switch 2 updates.
Nintendo revealed The Wind Waker would come to Switch 2 during its April 2 Direct about the console. As with other classic titles on Nintendo Switch Online, the Switch 2 version of the game isn't a full remake or remaster but does come with a few improvements and changes through the emulator. Fans have now discovered that some of those updates make speedrunning Wind Waker a more accessible feat.
The Unwritten Rules of Zelda: The Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch Online Explained
Veteran Wind Waker fans are already familiar with its best practices, but its Nintendo Switch Online port has added a couple more.
YouTuber and speedrunner Linkus7 highlighted the speedrunning-friendly changes in a June 25 YouTube video. The first of the two major updates revolves around a glitch that allows players to fall through out-of-bounds areas of the map and land on a chest to skip portions of some dungeons. In the original version, the rest of the level wouldn't load after landing on the chest, and playing the Song of Passing to force it to load would crash the game. Now, that crash no longer happens, making it possible to use the out-of-bounds glitch and the Song of Passing to breeze through dungeons. It may not be as impressive as Ocarina of Time' s massive speedrunning skip, but it can save a lot of time.
The Switch 2 Version of The Wind Waker Makes Speedrunning Easier
The other update Linkus7 points out involves a speedrunning mechanic called manual super-swimming, where players make Link swim back and forth quickly to build negative speed and slingshot across the map. On the GameCube, manual super-swimming is remarkably difficult, but the Switch 2 version's button remapping makes it easier. The Switch 2 allows Wind Waker players to easily change the game's controls, including mapping an analog stick direction onto the A button, which makes changing directions quickly enough to super-swim a much more accessible task.
While The Wind Waker remains one of the hardest Zelda games to 100% complete, these two changes make it possible to rush through, even for less experienced speedrunners. It's unclear how exactly the updates will affect the Zelda speedrunning community going forward, but the Switch 2 may usher in a new era for Wind Waker runs.
- Released
- March 24, 2003
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Havok
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer, Local Co-Op
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
WHERE TO PLAY
This epic Legend of Zelda adventure begins with our hero in the midst of a family crisis. Link's peaceful life on a tiny island is shattered one fateful day when his beloved sister is snatched by a huge, menacing bird. Naturally, the sword and shield-wielding hero follows in hot pursuit. His search sets in motion an epic adventure across strange lands and high seas, as Link searches for clues to his sister's whereabouts. Featuring a unique animation style, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker expands on the revolutionary gameplay seen in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask for Nintendo 64, offering a distinctive Legend of Zelda experience. You'll see characters' expressions change as they laugh, cry, or show anger and surprise, with a variety of lively actions bringing them to life. Plus, Link's world has never seemed so atmospheric. Amazing effects like flickering fire, shadows and smoke make you feel even closer to the action. Naturally, the great Zelda gameplay is at The Wind Waker's core. Link can slash with his sword (including a mighty spin attack), deflect blows with his shield, swing across gaps, and pick up weapons that his enemies have dropped. Additionally, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker features the incredibly intuitive control system that Zelda gamers have come to expect from the beloved series.
