Is The Wind Waker Getting a Switch Version? Everything We Know So Far

There are several infamous asks Nintendo fans have asked for over the years. A Mother 3 English translation, DS games brought to the Switch, among others. However, one of the most prominent is a port of two of the most famous The Legend of Zelda games to its beloved hybrid console — Twilight Princess HD and The Wind Waker HD. Today, we’re going to focus on the latter. What is the likelihood The Wind Waker Switch reveal will happen so people can play this WiiU exclusive?

The Wind Waker’s Console History

The Wind Waker was originally released on the GameCube in 2002. With the Wii being backward compatible, thankfully, the game was still playable on Nintendo’s following console. However, when the WiiU came onto the scene, gamers couldn’t play the original Wind Waker on the new-fangled console.

To the surprise of many, The Wind Waker HD was released 11 years later, in 2013, as a WiiU exclusive. While many diehard Nintendo fans already committed to this failing console, many did not. This left tons of Zelda fans in the dust, preventing them from experiencing the game with upgraded graphics and additional content. 

Ever since, the game has been locked to the WiiU. The only options people had to play this game were to whip out the GameCube disc — which is exorbitantly expensive to come by nowadays — or locate a WiiU. Many have transitioned to the Switch, unplugging old consoles and letting them collect dust. With the Switch’s sales success, many believed this game, alongside Twilight Princess, had a high chance of receiving a port.

Skyward Sword, which was originally released on the Wii, had an anniversary HD release on the Switch. Link’s Awakening received an entire remake. Additionally, Nintendo has put tons of old Zelda titles in the Nintendo Classics library with the Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Therefore, Wind Waker on the Switch didn’t seem like that much of an ask.

However, the Switch was nearing the end of its life, and fans were losing hope. In January 2025, Nintendo announced its new console, so fans diverted their attention, hoping The Wind Waker would make itself known.

The Upcoming Switch 2

Nintendo held one of its famous Directs, a showcase of upcoming games and tech, on April 2, 2025. This was the highly anticipated reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, the sequel to the Switch. The presentation showed the launch titles, the console’s specs and its litany of new features. Many expected one of the launch titles would be the WiiU HD ports because the most recent Zelda title, Echoes of Wisdom, only came out in September prior — it was too soon to announce a completely new title. 

Or, so the fans thought. The major Zelda-related announcement was for a spin-off game, The Legend of Zelda: Age of Imprisonment, the third installment in the Dynasty Warriors-style hack-and-slash games. 

But, there was another reveal. The Nintendo Switch Online subscription would now include GameCube titles for the first time — exclusive to the Switch 2. There will be three titles available on launch day, June 5, 2025 — F-ZERO GX, Soulcalibur II, and, unexpectedly, The Wind Waker.

Fans got The Wind Waker on the Switch 2, but not in the way they expected.

What to Expect from The Wind Waker on the Switch 2

This port is of the standard GameCube version of the game. It does not include any of the features, such as the Swift Sail, available in the HD remaster.

However, Nintendo noted that the games included in the Nintendo Classics would have graphical upgrades. The image quality would be clearer and have more vibrancy. Additionally, players can add retro screen filters and experience the game in widescreen. Nintendo is also selling a wireless GameCube controller, exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers only, which will allow nostalgic fans to have a retro experience on modern hardware.

For now, this is the only way Zelda fans will be able to play The Wind Waker on the Switch 2. Note that this will not be available for those who keep their original Switch. Additionally, other notable Zelda titles on the GameCube, such as Twilight Princess and Four Swords Adventures, are notably absent from the initial and upcoming roster of releases for this add-on.

What Does This Mean for the HD Port?

The future of an HD port coming to the Switch 2 is impossible to predict — though many have tried. What fans know for certain is that the HD ports, at this point, will never be released on the original Switch console. The only hope fans have is to wait for it to come to the Switch 2 eventually. 

With Age of Imprisonment coming out in Winter 2025, it’s likely Nintendo will not announce these ports — if they exist — until 2026 or later. Zelda fans will also have the Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom to keep them busy and, hopefully, patient.

Porting the standard version of The Wind Waker does not mean Nintendo would never bring the HD to the new console, though some fear this may be the case. However, looking at the Switch’s catalog, it included Super Mario 64 in its Nintendo Classics library while also releasing it remastered as part of the Super Mario 3D All Stars collection. This signifies anything is possible, even if it means having a game on the console multiple times.

This was likely a strategic move from Nintendo’s perspective. Fans have been begging for these beloved GameCube titles to be on Switch for awhile. Perhaps this is it buying itself some time until it’s ready for a formal release of the HD darlings.

Zelda’s Switch 2 Future

The Switch 2 looks promising, especially for Zelda fans. There are already many older titles being brought over from the Nintendo Classics library. Additionally, the console is backward compatible, allowing people to play Echoes of Wisdom, Age of Calamity, among others, on the Switch 2. Wind Waker HD fans will have to wait a little longer because Nintendo hasn’t given anyone any hints about when these ports could appear on shelves — if they ever do.