The Endless Legacy of Zelda Remakes
The Legend of Zelda stands as one of gaming’s most influential franchises, a saga beloved for its innovation, visual artistry, and memorable adventures. Now, as rumors swirl about a new version of Ocarina of Time for the upcoming Switch 2, the conversation among longtime fans has shifted—what classic Zelda games actually deserve the full remake treatment next?
The Wind Waker: Artistic Icon Ready for a New Era
For many, The Wind Waker is synonymous with bold artistic choices. Its cel-shaded style initially divided fans but has since become iconic. While an HD remaster landed on Wii U, nothing matches the potential of a full-scale remake that leverages modern hardware. The adventures of Toon Link, with improved environmental effects and enhanced exploration, would find new life and even greater appreciation on Switch 2—especially if Nintendo carefully preserves what made its visuals unique in the first place.
Twilight Princess: The Mature Epic Deserving Fresh Perspective
Twilight Princess brought a darker, more adult tone to Hyrule, eschewing the vibrance of Wind Waker for a brooding atmosphere. While its HD remaster has been in demand for Switch, there’s a growing appetite for a proper remake. Improved models, deeper quality-of-life upgrades, and creative new content could give this title a chance to stand apart from the crowded genre of fantasy action-adventures, which exploded during its original release.
Tri Force Heroes: Multiplayer Zelda Stranded on 3DS
Tri Force Heroes offers a cooperative Zelda experience that’s rare even by today’s standards. Restricted to the 3DS era, it’s now a lost gem—almost inaccessible unless you own the original cartridge. A remake, optimized for modern online play and Switch 2’s flexibility, could rejuvenate its frantic teamwork-based puzzles, introducing this joyful outlier to a much wider audience craving fun with friends in Zelda’s world.
Spirit Tracks & Phantom Hourglass: The Forgotten Handheld Sequels
Both Spirit Tracks and Phantom Hourglass followed Wind Waker’s timeline but have become difficult to access for new players. These DS titles, with their experimentation in controls and gameplay, deserve redemption. Imagine a Switch 2 collection bringing their stories, inventive dungeons, and memorable companions together, with smoother controls and updated graphics, ensuring their place as more than just historical curiosities.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link – A Bold, Overlooked Classic
The Adventure of Link is one of the franchise’s most unique entries, diverging into side-scrolling action and RPG elements. Though divisive, it would benefit enormously from a thoughtful, modern remake. By adopting a vibrant visual style—perhaps inspired by Link’s Awakening on Switch—developers could reintroduce its tough-as-nails gameplay and complex overworld to new generations, adding depth and accessibility without dulling its challenge.
Majora’s Mask: Cult Classic Poised for a Second Spotlight
With buzz around an Ocarina of Time remake, its strange and soulful sequel, Majora’s Mask, is the logical next step. Renowned for its darker themes and innovative time loop mechanics, Majora’s Mask is a cult favorite that has always lived a bit in its predecessor’s shadow. On more powerful hardware, with new visual effects and UI enhancements, it could finally get the spotlight it’s long deserved.
A Link Between Worlds: Modern Magic Stuck on 3DS
Often ranked among the top Zelda games, A Link Between Worlds managed to blend the nostalgia of the SNES era with fresh ideas and clever puzzles. However, being exclusive to the 3DS means many recent fans have never experienced it. A remake or enhanced port for Switch 2, updated for HD screens and smoother controls, would let more players enjoy its balance of classic and modern Zelda DNA.
The Switch 2 represents not just the next step for hardware but a fresh canvas for these adventures. With technical leaps in processing, audio, and display, the possibilities for beloved Zelda stories—whether they’re cult classics or genre-defining entries—have never been more exciting.
