Summary
As rumors around the Switch 2 ramp up, fans have spotted a potentialLegend of Zelda: The Wind Wakerleak 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-awaitedWind WakerSwitch 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 aWind Wakerremaster was coming for the Switchas far back as 2022. Fast-forward a couple of years later, and there’s still no updated version of the game or ofZelda’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.
The latest rumor comes from Redditor International-Mess75. The userfound a listing forThe Wind Waker HDfor 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 forMetro 2033: ReduxandDarksiders 3before they came out. Considering howaZeldaremaster would fill a gap in the console’s lineupfor 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 aWind Waker HDSwitch port, bringing the game to the console would make sense as a marketing strategy. The upcomingSwitch 2 would benefit from aWind Wakerremasteror aTwilight Princessport, as it could make the new handheld the definitive place to play the entireZeldaseries. 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 mainlineZeldatitle to the platform, yetWind WakerandTwilight Princesshave yet to make their debuts. Rumors suggestthe Switch 2 could launch in 2025, leaving Nintendo without much time to announce aWind Wakerport 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.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD
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.
