Zelda Boss Confirms No More HD Remakes In 2021

Sorry, Zelda fans, it looks like your boat has been put in dry dock and you're left howling at the moon. Nintendo bosses have debunked the idea of The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and Twilight Princess HD remasters in 2021.

By now, we're sure you all know this year marks the milestone 35th anniversary for The Legend of Zelda franchise. As well as the blow that Breath of the Wild 2 won't release until 2022, there's the devastating prospect that we've got all we're getting in term of anniversary releases.

What was the Zelda HD remake rumour?

A somewhat divisive announcement earlier this year confirmed The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword would be getting a HD remaster for the Nintendo Switch. The 2011 Wii title might not be the best-loved entry in the long-running series, however, it opened the floodgates to a flurry of rumours and "insider" leaks that more remakes would be on the way.

At the top of the list, we were teased with the prospect of 2003's Wind Waker and 2006's Twilight Princess coming to the Switch. Only recently, the journalist who made the claims reassured us more Zelda HD remakes could still be on the way. Sadly, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma made a seemingly throwaway comment that slashed our hopes with the Master Sword.

While we were too occupied keeping lookout for more info on Breath of the Wild 2 at E3 2021, we might've missed Aonuma saying “we don’t have any campaigns or other Nintendo Switch games planned” when referring to the 35th anniversary. It's a strange turn of events considering Nintendo trademarked "Wind Waker" and "Phantom Hourglass" last July.

So what's going on? Although we once held out hope for some sort of Zelda Collection akin to Super Mario 3D All-Stars celebrating the plumber's 35th anniversary, it sounds like it was one of those rumours that never amounted to anything. There's a chance was in the works, but maybe COVID-19 got in the way and scuppered Nintendo's plans?

Could we still see more Zelda HD remakes?

Just because 2021 is out for the count, that doesn't mean Aonuma and co. aren't working on HD remasters further down the line. It's important to remember Skyward Sword is the start of the story chronologically. Thinking about things logically, Nintendo could remaster the games in order and take a leaf out of Capcom's book like it did with Resident Evil. 

If this was the case, Skyward Sword HD would be followed by Minish Cap, Four Swords, and then Ocarina of Time. There's the option of just focussing on 3D Zelda games, meaning Skyward Sword would be followed by the lauded Ocarina. Away from fans trying to tune up the beloved 1998 game, there were recent rumours an official release for the Switch was on the way.

We're adamant that more HD Zelda remakes are on the way, however, it would be stupid to speculate when. A remastered collection is seemingly dead in the water, but returning to Capcom's model, there's a chance Nintendo will release a HD remake each year. There are plenty of Zelda games to get through, and as one of the developer's most marketable IPs, it would be foolish to put all our eggs in the Breath of the Wild 2 basket.

For now though, you're stuck playing Skyward Sword HD and deciding whether you want to spend your money on Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda. We'd probably save our rupees for the next HD remake.