Just because The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is heading to Nintendo Switch 2 through the GameCube library doesn't rule out a dedicated port of this beloved adventure.
Nintendo of America's senior VP of product development Nate Bihldorff clarified this during an interview with Kinda Funny's Tim Gettys, confirming that availability on Nintendo Switch Online doesn't prevent potential remasters or remakes.
Despite being legendary entries in the Zelda series, both 2003's Wind Waker and Twilight Princess remain conspicuously absent from Switch platforms - including the upcoming Switch 2.
This situation had fans concerned, especially since Wind Waker - previously remastered for Wii U in 2013 - will soon join Nintendo's premium subscription service when Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5.
"We asked plenty of questions," Gettys shared, "and while we didn't get many straight answers (as expected from Nintendo), I specifically asked if the NSO version would block a potential Switch 2 port. Bihldorff immediately said no - all possibilities remain open."
"Nothing's final either way, but we've seen many cases where games appear on NSO while also getting separate releases - whether as remakes or direct ports. The key takeaway? They're not ruling anything out."
Last week's Nintendo Direct revealed that GameCube titles are coming to Nintendo Switch Online's premium tier, marking a major expansion of the classic games library.
The Best Nintendo Switch Online Gamecube Games
This significant update will bring nostalgic gamers back to the early 2000s with instant classics including F-Zero GX and Soulcalibur 2, available at launch this summer alongside Wind Waker. The collection will continue growing over time, with rumored additions like Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness.
In related news, the Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order schedule faced unexpected delays in the US following recent tariff changes. The situation quickly extended northward, with Nintendo Canada postponing their pre-order plans as well.
For complete coverage, check out all announcements from the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct.
