Why is Zelda Twilight Princess Shunned by Nintendo?

[telekill]

I recently saw that the Switch 2 (with a Nintendo online account) gives users access to nearly every mainline Zelda entry. Some of the handheld ones were missing and spinoff games like Four Swords haven't become accessible yet, but Twilight Princess is really the only mainline Zelda that you can't play in some form on the Switch 2.

The game remains my favorite in the series, from the fun gameplay, the wolf mechanics, the storytelling, and even the incredible score, Twilight Princess, by all measures, would be a hit for many who enjoy the series. We've seen some nods, like a few of the amiibo (I have Wolf Link) or outfit unlocks on Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, but largely, the game is ignored.

There have been rumors floating around for near a decade that a port has been in the works along with Wind Waker HD for Switch and now Switch 2, but we've seen a lazy port onto the Nintendo Online infrastructure for Wind Waker instead of a physical release or even something you can purchase a license for. There's been no word from Nintendo directly on what they're doing with Twilight Princess, but if all we get is a lazy Gamecube port to their online infrastructure, it would be severely disappointing.

I did speak with a Nintendo rep a couple years ago who asked me if I could have any game from Nintendo's lineup that isn't available on Switch, what would I want, and I immediately said Twilight Princess. He leaned in telling me Nintendo is cooking something up. So what happened?

Some theories I've seen are that the port is ready but they've delayed it. I've seen that they may just add it to their online infrastructure. I've seen that they were waiting for the 20th anniversary (which is this year), and I've recently seen that Twilight Princess is planned as the next remake after OoT, given the direct timeline tie-in.

I expect it's all just wind at this point until Nintendo confirms if there are any plans, but at this point, I'd be happy with a physical port of Twilight Princess HD from Wii-U.

What are your thoughts?

[ssj4yamgeta]

Yeah I've wanted Switch ports of Twilight Princess HD and Wind Waker HD ever since I bought my Switch in 2017 or 2018. Every year there were rumors that it was "definitely happening", but they never panned out. After nearly a decade of waiting, I gave up on Nintendo and just downloaded the ROMs of the Wii U versions. Problem solved. If they ever do get ported in the future, the Switch for damn sure won't get the ports anymore. They'll be Switch 2 or more likely Switch 3 only, neither of which I'll be buying.

[kamikazekeeg]

Nintendo often feels like a company that wants to put things out because they have something interesting they can do with it, an anniversary, something that fills a gap in their release schedule, and that they'll sit on something longer than they should because of that.  I don't know why they've been waiting so long to put out Twilight Princess HD and Wind Waker HD, it's kinda absurd at this point that they ignored the entire Switch 1 generation, but missing the 40th and things being unsure for the 20th of Twilight Princess coming up is not great.

Part of me thinks because they didn't want to put anything out now with Ocarina of Time coming up and that perhaps we could see them next year maybe, like heck, announce the Twilight Princess HD release for the 20th anniversary next month.  Part of me is going to be annoyed when all they do is put out the NSO version, as I think the HD version is the definitive version of that game, I want the HD games, but I guess it's better than nothing at this point.

I really hope they aren't remaking the game and that's what is causing the delay, it doesn't need it at all and I think it makes more sense to remake Majora's Mask next.

[sworddude]

Probably cause it's too edgy for current era Nintendo

Super shame cause I really want a dark zelda again, and twilight princess is the best we got. although ocarina of time remake might fill that hole somewhat but twilight princess went all out.

[marvelvscapcom2]

If I had to guess. You'll be fed soon, gotta wait for your turn in the sun id imagine. Nintendo's nostalgia recycling and IP milking makes me lean towards them doing it eventually. Just gotta worry if Majoras Mask will be next in line as people rope it closer to OOT I feel. So a Majora remake could happen.  But they'll prob do both.  Basically printing money.  Since TP is OOT spiritual sucessor really. I bet they'll be planning this for 2027 after the OOT remake hype is well established.  Prob what the Nintendo dude meant when he told you that.


Tbh if its a remake I support it partially. I think the OOT stuff is cool at minimum. Full remake is what TP needs. I'm so sick of remasters and HD ports that it's borderline sickening. Shit console ports from LAST GEN for 80 is enough for me to throw away half the industry and I have. Charge me 80 for metroid prime when I can literally just buy it for 40 on gamecube. It's plagued almost all forms of media including film.  People wonder why films like Obsession or Games like Pragmata do so well.  Well maybe because its not RESIDENT EVIL 4.... 4.   Or Scarface 2026.   Nobody wants to deal with the same slop over and over.   


At least OOT is being evolved from N64 and 3DS hardware. It never really looked good. Now it will. Even still if they dont add quests, add mechanics, new bosses and better music id consider it a failure.  If its a 1 to 1 remake I think its leaving out room for newness.

I mean had people telling me this OOT is gonna outsell GTA 6.  Like really?


Tbh though. Give me a new vision or concept than all this stuff.  Half of switch 2s library is switch 1s and the other half are bizarre reimaginings of old concepts that are tired.  Overall im happy to avoid Gen 9 altogether. Will never budge on that. I'm with Ssj on anything being switch 2 exclusive means i'll never play it.   

[sworddude]

Tbh if its a remake I support it partially. I think the OOT stuff is cool at minimum. Full remake is what TP needs. I'm so sick of remasters and HD ports that it's borderline sickening.

definitely would favor something new aswell instead of just a port with new visuals or worse HD ports.

[aliensstudios]

Game was released on three consecutive gens of Nintendo hardware, it'll probably be added to the GameCube NSO app sometime too. It has a really good looking re-compile also. You could buy a Wii U console, jailbreak it and play the HD remake for roughly the price of the physical Wii U disc on its own. If you want to play this game in HD options exist. Not saying this game won't get a Switch/Switch 2 version sometime, but it's not happening in 2026