As the successor to the genre-defining Super Mario 64, the Nintendo GameCube exclusive, Super Mario Sunshine, had a lot to live up to. When the game was first released in July 2002, critics largely agreed that, although it wasn't able to reach the heights of its forebearers, it was very good overall. Super Mario Sunshine ultimately went on to sell over 5 million copies worldwide. However, it wasn't able to meet Nintendo's financial expectations, partly due to the GameCube's poor commercial performance and the game's failure to match its predecessor in sales. As a result, Super Mario Sunshine became somewhat of a cult classic within the Mario repertoire.
For many years, Super Mario Sunshine couldn't be enjoyed on modern platforms. In order to experience it legally, fans had to play it on either the GameCube or the backwards-compatible Wii. Eventually, Nintendo ported the game to the Nintendo Switch as part of the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection in 2020, and it now intends to bring Super Mario Sunshine back on the Switch 2 via Nintendo Switch Online. Since the Switch 2 can already play most Switch 1 games, it's a bit odd that Nintendo is releasing the same game on its platforms twice. That said, this does at least bode well for the potential of a future Wind Waker HD re-release.
Nintendo Switch 2 Will Almost Be the Perfect Super Mario Machine at Launch
When the Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, it will very nearly be the perfect machine for fans of Super Mario.
Super Mario Sunshine's Switch 2 Re-Release Shows that a Wind Waker HD Port is Still Possible
GameCube Games, Like TLOZ: The Wind Waker, Are Coming to Switch 2 via NSO
For those who are out of the loop, Nintendo confirmed during its latest Switch 2 Direct that GameCube games will finally be added to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service later this year. It was noted, though, that this GameCube catalog will only be available on the Nintendo Switch 2 and not last-generation consoles. 3 of the 10 GameCube games that have already been confirmed for the service will be available on the Switch 2 on launch day. These include F-Zero GX, Soulcalibur 2, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
Up until now, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was probably one of the most requested Zelda games for the Nintendo Switch. This 2002 GameCube classic was initially derided by fans due to its cel-shaded art style, but as the years went by, the negative sentiment surrounding the game started to change, and it's now regarded as a fan-favorite. Much like Super Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker has been inaccessible on modern platforms for several years. Although Nintendo did release a 2013 remaster of the game for the Wii U under the name Wind Waker HD, it hasn't ported it to any other platforms ever since.
Nintendo is Willing to Let Games be Accessible in Several Different Ways on the Same Platform
The version of The Wind Waker that's coming to Switch 2 via NSO is not going to be Wind Waker HD, but will instead be the original GameCube port of the game. Because of this NSO re-release, some are concerned that Nintendo will never develop a native port of Wind Waker HD for the Switch 2. However, this isn't necessarily the case. As previously discussed, Super Mario Sunshine is going to be available on the Switch 2 via two different means: Nintendo Switch Online and Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Just because Nintendo has released a game in one way doesn't mean it won't release it in another.
Even Nintendo of America's own senior vice president of product development, Nate Bihldorff, said something to a similar effect. During a recent interview with Kinda Funny Games, Bihldorff was asked about whether The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker's debut on NSO will prevent the Switch 2 from getting the game's Wii U re-release. In response, he simply stated that "all options are on the table." This means that fans shouldn't give up hope for a Wind Waker HD re-release just yet, as it could eventually happen someday.
- Released
- March 24, 2003
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Havok
