While Nintendo has been mostly silent regarding future plans forThe Legend of Zelda, one small update to the Nintendo Music app has fans hopeful for a newWind Wakerport - though probably without reason. Originally released for the GameCube in 2002,Wind Waker’s unique visual style and setting have made it one of the most beloved entries in the franchise, and although the game received an HD remaster on the Wii U in 2013, it’s been notably absent from Nintendo’s modern platforms.
As posted byWario64on X, however, a recent update tothe Nintendo Music app has added theWind Wakersoundtrack, which is (unfortunately) about the highest level of attention Nintendo has paid to the title since the launch of the Switch. Though it’s a small move, it has made a small subsection of fans, likeZodyrusandtreexmvon X, more hopeful aboutthe possibility of a more modernWind Waker HDport, releasing the game to a wider audience on a more popular console than it had previously been available on. The latter user took to the platform to write in hope: “In preparation for Wind Waker HD as a launch title for Switch 2?”
Why Are Fans So Eager For Wind Waker On Switch 2?
Wind Waker HD Is Currently Stuck On Nintendo’s Least Popular Console
WhileWind Waker HD’s 2013 release technically makes its latest release more modern than some other classic Nintendo titles,the HD port is crucially “stuck” on the Wii U- by far the least successful out of Nintendo’s last three consoles, and the one with the smallest audience. As a result, a significant portion ofZeldafans are cut off from being able to access the HD remaster, and the only other official way to playWind Wakerwould be to play the original release of the game on the Wii or GameCube, which are obviously no longer in production.
The Legend of Zelda Should Repeat This One Big Wind Waker Change
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker stands out among other Zelda games, and the franchise would benefit from repeating one of its biggest changes.
Wind Wakerisn’t the onlyZeldagame with this problem -Twilight Princess, notably, is in almost exactly the same situation - but as more Wii U titles have continued to make their way to the Switch, effectively rendering the older console obsolete,Zeldatitles have largely failed to follow. While the release of theSuper Mario 3D All-StarscollectionandSkyward Sword HDhad some fans getting their hopes up forWind WakerandTwilight Princessto make their way to the Switch - or at this point, Switch 2 - neither game has managed to make an appearance.
Our Take: The Soundtrack Probably Doesn’t Mean Much
Unfortunately, A Nintendo Music Update Isn’t A Good Indicator Of A Wind Waker Port
While it would be nice to get a newWind Waker HDport for the Switch or Switch 2, the addition of the OST toNintendo Music probably isn’t a real indicator of an upcoming release.Nintendo Music regularly receives updateswith new game OSTs, none of which seem to have been indicative of upcoming releases. With no other potential indicators of aWind Wakerport,it’s probably safer for fans not to get their hopes up.
It’s Time To Let Go Of Zelda: Wind Waker & Twilight Princess On Nintendo Switch
The perfect Switch ports probably aren’t happening, but that sad fact doesn’t mean that these classic Zelda games will never be seen again.
Maintaining the availability of older games has rarely been a priority for Nintendo, and despite vocal demand from fans, much of theZeldaseries remains unavailable through official means on modern platforms. With the impending release of the company’s next console, fans ofThe Legend of Zeldacan be hopeful that the series' classic titles will be made available in one form or another, but so far, there are no clear indicators that that will be the case - forWind Wakeror any other game in the series.
