Despite The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker being one of the GameCube games appearing on Nintendo Switch Online when Switch 2 drops, that doesn't mean the Wii U version won't be ported to the Switch platform.
Kinda Funny Games asked Nintendo SVP Nate Bihldorff if having Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch Online precluded the Switch 2 getting the updated Wii U port at a later date. "[Bihldorff] was very quick to say 'no,' like, all options are on the table," said Kinda Funny host Tim Gettys. "Obviously, nothing's confirmed one way or another, but there are many examples of games that are on NSO and can still get them in a different way."
While the list of examples is small, some include the Blaster Master and Wild Guns. Several NES and Game Boy Blaster Master games are available on NSO. However, the series was rebooted with Blaster Master Zero and is available on Switch. The SNES version of Wild Guns is available on NSO, and the game received an enhanced remaster called Wild Guns Reloaded, which is also available on Switch.
The Wii U version has a bevy of new features and quality-of-life improvements that make it a much smoother experience. However, there will also be improvements to the GameCube version when it lands on Switch 2. Games can receive a resolution boost and faster loading times, as well as online multiplayer functionality.
There were rumors of Wind Waker and Twilight Princess being ported to the first Switch several years ago, but those never came to fruition. However, it seems like that still might be possible with Nintendo Switch 2.
Source
Kinda Funny Games asked Nintendo SVP Nate Bihldorff if having Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch Online precluded the Switch 2 getting the updated Wii U port at a later date. "[Bihldorff] was very quick to say 'no,' like, all options are on the table," said Kinda Funny host Tim Gettys. "Obviously, nothing's confirmed one way or another, but there are many examples of games that are on NSO and can still get them in a different way."
While the list of examples is small, some include the Blaster Master and Wild Guns. Several NES and Game Boy Blaster Master games are available on NSO. However, the series was rebooted with Blaster Master Zero and is available on Switch. The SNES version of Wild Guns is available on NSO, and the game received an enhanced remaster called Wild Guns Reloaded, which is also available on Switch.
The Wii U version has a bevy of new features and quality-of-life improvements that make it a much smoother experience. However, there will also be improvements to the GameCube version when it lands on Switch 2. Games can receive a resolution boost and faster loading times, as well as online multiplayer functionality.
There were rumors of Wind Waker and Twilight Princess being ported to the first Switch several years ago, but those never came to fruition. However, it seems like that still might be possible with Nintendo Switch 2.
Source