When Will The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker Arrive on Nintendo Switch?

Zelda fans have been treated to an array of incredible games on the Nintendo Switch, but one title is still missing: The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. Since its initial release on Nintendo GameCube in 2002, Wind Waker has become one of the best games in the series. With a HD remaster on Wii U, fans are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to play the game on the hybrid console.

A Complex Port

Given Nintendo's recent track record of porting GameCube games, such as Pikmin 1 + 2, it is possible that Wind Waker will eventually make its way to the Switch. However, as one of the older games in the series, it may prove to be a more complex challenge. With Skyward Sword already ported to Switch, the release of Twilight Princess and Wind Waker is only a matter of time.

We believe that Nintendo will release a Twilight Princess port before Wind Waker. Given the grittier story and motion controls that make sense on the Switch's Joy-Con, it is more likely that Nintendo will prioritize this title. If both games are as complex to port, it makes sense to start with Twilight Princess.

Cultural Influences on Game Development

One potential explanation for the delay in Wind Waker's release on Switch lies in Nintendo's cultural background. In Japanese culture, once a project is completed, the work put into it is often discarded. This has led to complications with remastering classic games, as exemplified by the Silent Hill remasters.

Lack of Leaks and Rumors

Unfortunately, there are few credible rumors and leaks surrounding the Wind Waker port. A report from August 2022 suggested a Nintendo Direct featuring Wind Waker and Twilight Princess was in the works, but it never materialized.

Speculating on the Release Date

Without an official confirmation or credible leaks, predicting the release date of Wind Waker on Switch is challenging. Given the priority Nintendo is likely to place on DLC for Tears of the Kingdom and the potential release of the Switch's successor console in 2024, we estimate that Wind Waker on Switch may not arrive until 2025 at the earliest.

A Potential Switch 2 Launch Title

However, Nintendo might surprise fans by announcing a Wind Waker port before other projects, using it as a launch title for the next console or a switch exclusive.

Games Already Released on Switch:

• Link's Awakening
• Breath of the Wild
• Tears of the Kingdom
• Skyward Sword
• Cadence of Hyrule

Games Missing on Switch:

• Wind Waker
• Twilight Princess

While Nintendo has made progress in re-releasing classic games on the Switch, there are still a few titles, like Wind Waker, that remain missing. Their eventual release might depend on various factors, such as new console releases or hardware, which is to be determined in time.