Back during the Wii U days, things weren't exactly the greatest for Nintendo. The Wii U wasn't doing so well sales-wise, and while the system did have a few shining moments like Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart 8, overall the console was a failure. Even Super Smash Bros. for Wii U was subsequently replaced with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Mario Kart 8 saw a Deluxe re-release on the Switch just shortly after launch. There is one series of fantastic Wii U games that didn't make it to Nintendo Switch yet: each The Legend of Zelda remaster.
Of the few great Wii U games on the system, some of the most popular titles were The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD remasters. While the Nintendo Switch featured The Legend of Zelda's next big step in Breath of the Wild, the Switch also got the fantastic Link's Awakening remake as well. Now there will presumably be a long lull in Zelda games on the Switch until Breath of the Wild's sequel, but there doesn't have to be. Bringing the Zelda remasters from Wii U to Nintendo Switch would be the perfect way to help bridge that gap until Breath of the Wild's sequel finally releases.
The Down Time Between New Zelda Releases
2020 was shaping up to be a lull year for Zelda games, at least until recently. Back in 2017, one of the Nintendo Switch's flagship launch games was The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Bringing the franchise forward via the open world transition, Breath of the Wild has easily become one of the most popular games on the hybrid console. Many open world games are, to this day, adopting its elegant simplicity like Ghost of Tsushima. Then in 2019, Nintendo released The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake, a shot-for-shot rebuild of the original game in a familiar but unique 3D art style. This year has seen a number of Nintendo releases slow down, but that doesn't have to be so for Zelda.
Now rumors of Ocarina of Time coming to the Switch, in some fashion, have started making the rounds thanks to a few trademark filings in Australia and Europe. While this wouldn't be the first time that Ocarina of Time would be re-released, it could potentially be a remaster as a result. This could be a sign that Nintendo is attempting to fill the lack of Breath of the Wild 2 announcements with an Ocarina of Time remaster, which isn't a bad idea. But if Ocarina of Time can receive its own new remaster, that's even more reason to port over the Wind Waker and Twilight Princess HD remasters as well.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker/Twilight Princess HD
Considering Mario Kart 8 Deluxe made its way over to the Nintendo Switch soon after the console's release, it seems like a no-brainer to bring over the popular Zelda remasters as well. While it's a shame that some of the best games on Wii U were remasters, both Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD are still constrained to Nintendo's old platform. Even Mario Kart 8 has a lower metacritic rating compared to the Wind Waker remaster on Wii U, and yet both Legend of Zelda titles are still not available on Switch, even though Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is. Even if an Ocarina of Time remaster is coming to Switch, the Wii U remaster should come along as well.
Both remasters have several quality-of-life changes that enhance the experience of both games. Wind Waker HD in particular has a lot of good mechanical and quest improvements, like how the Swift Sail (found at Windfall auction house) allows for full speed sailing with the wind always at Link's back. Twilight Princess HD reduces the amount of Tears of Light in the beginning areas to make finishing the activity quicker. Among other improvements both mechanically and graphically, both games are superior to their original counterparts. Bringing both games back over to the Switch would require a little legwork, but otherwise wouldn't be too difficult to port.
Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 is Still Years Away
These two remasters have likely been in waiting because of the two recently released Legend of Zelda titles. Releasing these remasters in between Breath of the Wild and Link's Awakening, even though the remasters likely wouldn't compete with the new games, still probably would've been distracting. Not to mention how the sales likely would be affected by the newer Zelda titles, as Breath of the Wild continues to be a consistent bestseller on the Nintendo eShop. But while there's a solid gap in time before Breath of the Wild's sequel, now would be the perfect time to release Wind Waker and Twilight Princess HD.
Considering Breath of the Wild 2 is still a long ways away, Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD on Switch could be the perfect opportunity to bide time for Zelda fans. While initial rumors of Breath of the Wild 2 suggested the game is coming along further than expected, the truth is that there's likely still plenty of development time ahead for the sequel. The game has only been announced since E3 2019, so the turnaround realistically would be late 2021 at best. Obviously, fans are ecstatic for the sequel, but for now, returning to the classic Zelda remasters would be an easy second choice on Switch.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is out now on Switch.