The Legend of Zelda franchise has been a cornerstone of the Nintendo Switch, with its iconic presence continuing to draw in players. Games like Breath of the Wild, Link's Awakening, Skyward Sword HD, and the recent The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom have solidified themselves as fan favorites. Despite these successes, there's still room for another Zelda installment on the Switch. As the Switch reaches its twilight years, the timing seems perfect for a new Zelda remake or remaster to enrich the already impressive Switch library.
While not officially confirmed by Nintendo, speculations hint at a possible launch of the Switch's successor in early 2025. Consequently, the current year might witness fewer major releases as Nintendo gears up for the next console's debut. To address this lull in releases, Nintendo appears inclined towards reviving classic titles through remakes and remasters, evident in releases like Super Mario RPG and the upcoming Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Therefore, it's plausible that another Zelda game could make its way to the Switch before the new console arrives.
Anticipating a Zelda Remake or Remaster in the Switch's Final Year
Despite the recent release of Tears of the Kingdom in 2023, Nintendo might enhance its 2024 lineup by introducing another Zelda title, extending the Switch's lifespan until its successor debuts. Nintendo has adhered to a pattern of unveiling a core Zelda game on the Switch every couple of years, starting with Breath of the Wild in 2017, followed by Link's Awakening in 2019, Skyward Sword HD in 2021, and Tears of the Kingdom in 2023. While this schedule might suggest no new Zelda game for 2024, a remastered Zelda entry could still be a viable option for a swift release.
Currently, Nintendo seems to lack a significant release for the 2024 holiday season, especially after Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door set its release date for May 23 and Luigi's Mansion 2 HD for June 27. Rumors hint at a possible late 2024 launch for the highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4, a fitting farewell for the Switch. However, Nintendo might reserve it as a launch title for the Switch 2, potentially paving the way for a remastered Zelda game to fill the holiday release slot in 2024.
Potential Zelda Games for Remake or Remaster in 2024
The Zelda series boasts numerous contenders for a remake or remaster, appealing to a broad audience due to the franchise's diverse eras. Recreating a game in the charming art style of Link's Awakening's Switch remake would be ideal for other classic handheld entries like the Game Boy Color's Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, or the Game Boy Advance's Minish Cap. While Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask have already received 3DS remasters, HD versions on the Switch would be warmly welcomed.
Among the likely candidates for a 2024 Switch release are Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD, long-rumored to make their way to the Switch. Both titles underwent remastering for the Wii U, making them conspicuous omissions in the Switch's game catalog, given Nintendo's trend of porting Wii U games. With the remastering groundwork already laid, preparing them for a Switch release would require minimal effort, possibly bundled together akin to the Super Mario 3D All-Stars compilation.