Nintendo Showcasing Breath of the Wild Remaster During Switch 2 Direct?

The Legend of Zelda has a long history of coinciding with Nintendo console introductions. In past generations, Nintendo frequently utilized a Zelda game to demonstrate new hardware.  Breath of the Wild, for example, debuted with the Nintendo Switch in 2017, and its popularity helped fuel the console's early momentum. With Breath of the Wild selling over 30 million copies and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, selling over 22 million by the time of filming, it's apparent that Zelda is both a fan favorite and a business force.

So, as we prepare for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2nd, one franchise that has been in fans' thoughts is the Legend of Zelda. With huge announcements expected for a new Mario Kart game and the long-awaited next-generation 3D Mario, many may presume that the popular Zelda property will not be represented in the next showcase.

However, various speculations and leaks suggest that Zelda projects may make an appearance, possibly even before the new hardware is released. We might see a new Zelda game or multiple projects during this Direct, especially given the possibility of a new Zelda experience on next-generation hardware.

One of the first major theories is that a Breath of the Wild Remaster will be released, particularly for the Nintendo Switch 2. Leaked internal code names have referred to a project called "U-King-O", which many believe could be the Breath of the Wild Remastered. It is not uncommon for Nintendo to revisit a major title with a visual upgrade or enhanced resolution for new consoles.

For instance, Mario Kart 8 was remastered as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe—it may seem premature to revisit a game like Breath of the Wild when it has only been eight years since its initial release. However, given the game's tremendous popularity, a remaster may make sense, especially if Nintendo wants to demonstrate the potential of the Switch 2's technology.

This story is supported by rumors from Gamescom 2023, which claim Nintendo showed developers a 4K, 60 FPS version of Breath of the Wild.  This version appears to be a technical demonstration running on technology comparable to what the Switch 2 is slated to offer. If this is correct, it indicates that the game is in development, either for the Switch 2 or as a marketing tool to demonstrate the potential of the new console.

Another intriguing potential comes from Nintendo's long-time collaborator Grezzo, the team behind the Link's Awakening remake and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom for the 3DS. Leaked internal code names for Grezzo have fueled rumors that the studio is working on a new Zelda project, possibly a 3D remake of Ocarina of Time or a 2D top-down Zelda game similar to their prior work.

While the notion of a full recreation of Ocarina of Time from the ground up for the Switch 2 is thrilling, it's also possible that the code name refers to a 2D Zelda game, such as the Oracle series, which is believed to be remade or remastered. 

Given Grezzo's track record with Link's Awakening, a 2D remake is probably a possibility. If this is the case, we may not see the game during the Switch 2 Direct—especially if it's a 2D Zelda title—but it's still possible that a more ambitious 3D recreation of Ocarina of Time may be displayed as a visual showcase for the console's capabilities.

One of the most anticipated prospective Zelda offerings for the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is a remastered collection of Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. These two GameCube-era favorites have long been expected to return, with fresh Korean translations recently appearing and Russian shops showing Wind Waker on the Nintendo Switch. Both games were previously remastered for the Wii U, but there is suspicion that the Switch 2 will have a newer, more refined version of these titles, possibly with improved graphics or additional features.

However, it remains unclear whether Wind Waker and Twilight Princess will be released alongside the new platform.  Given that these titles have already been remastered, it's plausible that Nintendo will just copy them over to the new console rather than invest in full-blown remakes. 

While these games are most likely backward compatible with the Switch 2, they are unlikely to be the primary emphasis of the next Direct. If they do appear, they may be part of a broader list of backward-compatible titles.

Perhaps the most intriguing but distant possibility is a teaser for the next major 3D Zelda title. While it is a long shot, it is not impossible for Nintendo to acknowledge that development on the next 3D Zelda game has begun. When Tears of the Kingdom was first revealed—as a successor to Breath of the Wild at the time—we were treated to a brief sequence demonstrating the game's landscape and tone before it went silent for several years.

Given the success of Tears of the Kingdom and the fact that the game's production was delayed by a year, it's reasonable to believe that a portion of the development team has already begun work on the next Zelda project. 

A modest glimpse into the forthcoming 3D Zelda—whether in the form of a new gameplay video or a teaser trailer—could help set the franchise's future direction. The timetable could be similar to Tears of the Kingdom, which was publicized four years before its actual publication. If the next Zelda game is released in 2029, it will be the franchise's 40th anniversary.

As the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct approaches, fans are excited to discover what the future holds for the Legend of Zelda brand. While the possibility of seeing big Zelda titles is unknown, there are other projects on the horizon that could make an appearance, including a remastered version of Breath of the Wild, a potential remake of Ocarina of Time, and even a 3D Zelda teaser. Whatever the decision, one thing is certain: Zelda will likely play a significant role in Nintendo's future, and the Switch 2 could be the ideal platform to showcase it.