Zelda Rumours Hint At More Classic Remasters For 2021
For some, the wait between the last main Nintendo Direct in September 2019 and February 17's felt longer than the Zelda timeline. However, when the house that Mario built finally unveiled what it's been working on, there was plenty of news from the fields of Hyrule - just not what we were all expecting. As well as the announcement of the Expansion Pass for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, we were right with rumours that a HD remaster of Skyward Sword is on the way, and there was the reveal of some cute tie-in Joy-Cons to celebrate the occasion.
Unfortunately, the lack of an update with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 was only the start of the disappointment when it came to everyone's favourite dungeon puzzler. Considering 2021 is the 35th anniversary of the Zelda series, many had hoped there would be a few more announcements. Up there with Mario and Pokemon, Zelda is one of Nintendo's big IPs. An expansion and a remaster doesn't quite cut the mustard, but fear not, there are whispers that more remasters are coming soon.
What Zelda classic remasters are rumoured for 2021?
Only recently, you might remember we spoke about a mysterious trademark in Australia for Phantom Hourglass - suggesting the 2007 DS game could be part of a remastered Zelda collection. The long-awaited Nintendo Direct would be the perfect time to announce a collection of Zelda favourites for the Switch, but as franchise overseer Eiji Aounuma came and went, there was no announcement.
According to VGC journalist Andy Robinson, remastered versions of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess are also coming to the Nintendo Switch in 2021. Although Robinson didn't reveal his source, he's "100%" sure both titles will get to swing their respective Master Swords this year. If you still aren't convinced by the words of just one man, it's important to note Robinson was the one who first broke the news of the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection for the plumber's 35th anniversary. Eurogamer's Tom Phillips also backed up Robinson's claims and said, "See you in a couple of months".
Will there be more Zelda classic remasters in 2021?
It's unclear whether Wind Waker and Twilight Princess will come as part of a collection or separately, but if we're going down the same path as Mario, a third game could be bundled in with the darling duo. Both Wind Waker and Twilight Princess were originally released on the GameCube in 2002 and 2006 respectively. The pair have previously been made available as part of the Wii U Virtual Console, while both have been long-rumoured for an overhaul for Nintendo Switch.
Circling back to that cryptic Phantom Hourglass trademark, it's interesting to note it was released just one year after Twilight Princess AND served as a prequel to Wind Waker. Going against the idea of a collection including Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and Phantom Hourglass, both Wind Waker and Hourglass fit into the adult timeline where Ganon is sealed away, while Twilight Princess sits alongside Majora's Mask and Fours Swords Adventures in the child timeline where Ganon is stopped. Are you keeping up?
What's most interesting is the fact Wind Waker and Twilight Princess are so different in both aesthetics and storyline. Wind Waker was a refreshing breath of fresh air after the sometimes gloomy days of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, while the childlike cell-shaded graphics proved to be a big hit. Twilight Princess is arguably one of the darkest outings in the franchise's history, and despite coming so close to the end of the GameCube's life cycle, was the best-selling Zelda game of all time until it was toppled by Breath of the Wild.
With Wind Waker and Twilight Princess being easy sells for Nintendo in terms of long-awaited Zelda remasters for the Switch, it remains to be seen whether this is the end of the announcements for Link's birthday year, or we'll be dancing to Tingle's tune for a bit longer.
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