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Wind Waker HD to Make a Comeback

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On April 10, 2025

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Summary

A standalone port of Zelda: Wind Waker HD for the Switch 2 could still happen despite the original heading to Nintendo Switch Online.
The cel-shaded Wind Waker has gained acclaim for its visuals and gameplay, becoming a fan-favorite Zelda title.
Nintendo VP Nate Bihldorff suggests an HD re-release remains possible, even after the game was confirmed for Switch Online’s GameCube library.

Nintendo might yet release a standalone port of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD on the Switch 2 despite the original being added to Nintendo Switch Online. Once derided for its drastically different, cel-shaded art style, 2003’s The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker has gone on to become one of the most acclaimed entries in the long-running franchise thanks to its striking visuals and sailing gameplay. The game would spawn multiple spin-offs, and the “Toon Link” variant introduced in Wind Waker would become a playable character in Super Smash Bros. from 2008’s Brawl onwards.

The original Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was eventually given an HD re-release for the Nintendo Wii U in 2013, but this version has sadly not been ported to the Nintendo Switch. There have been rumors of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD finally being ported to either the original Switch or the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, but these hopes were seemingly dashed when it was announced that The Wind Waker would instead be added to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack as part of a new initiative to bring GameCube games to Nintendo’s subscription service.

Switch Online Expansion Pack Confirms Another Perk for Switch 2 Gamers

Those signed up for the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack on Switch 2 can look forward to additional benefits.

However, there might still be a chance of Nintendo releasing a standalone version of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD on the Switch 2. This comes from Nintendo of America senior vice president of product development Nate Bihldorff, who recently spoke with Kinda Funny’s Tim Gettys. According to Gettys, Bihldorff says that a game being added to the Nintendo Switch Online library doesn’t necessarily prevent a remaster from being released in the future.

Zelda: Wind Waker HD Could Come to Switch 2 After All

Bihldorff also pointed out that there are several games on Nintendo Switch Online that are still available in some other form for players who don’t want to commit to Nintendo’s subscription service. Of course, this doesn’t confirm that The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, only that it is still possible for the game to be re-released as a standalone port even after the original is added to the Switch Online catalog.

Legend of Zelda fans already have much to look forward to on the Nintendo Switch 2, with a new Hyrule Warriors sequel coming later this year. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are also getting updated for the Switch 2, complete with new Voice Memories that expand on the lore of the games. With all this on the way, the timing could be just right for updated re-releases of classic Zelda entries like The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess.