Nintendo Shouldn't Be Afraid to Double Dip With The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Nintendo’s latest Direct showcase, which took place on April 2, was a massive hit, revealing more details about the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, as well as a vast array of new games that will be coming to the console. While the debut of games like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Kirby Air Riders was an unexpected surprise, however, the showcase also revealed that a few classic Nintendo GameCube games would be ported to the Switch 2 as well, with their release dates coinciding with the console’s launch. One of those games is none other than The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker — an entry Nintendo shouldn’t be afraid to double-dip on after the GameCube version is ported in June.

Longtime fans of The Legend of Zelda likely remember Zelda: The Wind Waker very well, namely for its unique art style and take on classic Zelda storytelling. Initially, its art style proved divisive, as some fans felt that it detracted from the darker, more mature side of Zelda that had defined the series previously. Since then, The Wind Waker has become one of the most loved entries in the series, so it’s addition to Nintendo Switch Online with the launch of the Switch 2 is a welcome one. That being said, there’s still more Nintendo could do with the beloved title, especially if rumors are true.

Zelda Fan Shows Off Wildly Obscure Wind Waker Memorabilia

A Legend of Zelda fan shows off an obscure and highly unusual piece of Wind Waker merchandise they’ve held onto for over two decades.

Zelda: The Wind Waker’s Rumored Remaster/Remake Still Hangs in the Balance

Rumors of a Wind Waker Remaster/Remake for the Switch Have Persisted

Getting the GameCube version of Zelda: The Wind Waker on the Nintendo Switch 2 is one thing, but it might mean a lot more to the series’ oldest fans if it were remastered or completely remade for the upcoming console as well. It’s not a baseless expectation either, as rumors of a Wind Waker remaster or remake for the Nintendo Switch or its successor have persisted for quite some time now. Initially, it was rumored that The Wind Waker would be remastered or remade for the original Nintendo Switch, but more recently, fans have speculated on whether it would be made with the Nintendo Switch 2 in mind.

Nintendo’s decision to release the original GameCube version of Zelda: The Wind Waker suggests that a dedicated remake or remaster may not be coming in the near future, but nothing is impossible.

The main thing at this point is that Zelda: The Wind Waker has already been remastered for the Nintendo Wii U, so remastering it again for the Nintendo Switch 2 might feel a tad unnecessary. Additionally, one could argue that it doesn’t need a remake either, as it is a timeless classic for a reason and really doesn’t have much wrong with it in terms of its gameplay, story, and world. All of that said, a remaster would allow newcomers to experience The Wind Waker in its best form, especially if it was remastered with the Switch 2’s hardware in mind.

Nintendo Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Release a Wind Waker Remaster Alongside or Following the GameCube Port

As such, Nintendo arguably shouldn’t be afraid to release a Zelda: The Wind Waker remaster alongside or following the GameCube version’s port to the Switch 2. Perhaps the GameCube port could serve as a teaser for what’s to come, or simply provide Zelda veterans with a chance to experience The Wind Waker the way they remember it — especially since Nintendo is releasing a Nintendo GameCube controller specifically made for the port. Speaking of the GameCube controller, it might be even better used to control Link in a Wind Waker remaster for the Switch 2.

The main thing at this point is that Zelda: The Wind Waker has already been remastered for the Nintendo Wii U, so remastering it again for the Nintendo Switch 2 might feel a tad unnecessary.

Whether or not a full Zelda: The Wind Waker remaster for the Switch 2 ever materializes, the GameCube version’s port on the upcoming console is already a win for longtime fans. But if Nintendo really wants to bridge the gap between generations, then a revisit of The Wind Waker with fresh eyes could be well worth the effort. A modern remaster would then effectively capitalize on the increasingly common coupling of nostalgia and innovation in the gaming industry, which is what the Switch 2 was made for in the first place.