Nintendo is running on a Zelda high. With the release of Breath of the Wild, the franchise’s popularity exploded to an all-new high. Link’s Awakening has been an absolute hit, being the fastest-selling game in Europe in 2019. It’s time to take off the big gloves and release an HD collection of the series for the Nintendo Switch. This is long overdue, and considering The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess both received HD ports on the Wii U (a lackluster, dead system), there is no reason why the series shouldn’t receive the same treatment on the Switch. That, coupled with the remasters of Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask by Grezzo (in HD) would make for killer collection and would not only introduce new fans to these old-school classics, but give a diverse taste of the history of Zelda to a new generation of fans, including some of the greatest games of all-time.
Zelda is one of the most popular (and oldest) Nintendo franchises. It has spanned almost 20 games over 33 years and, with the help of the Nintendo Switch, has become Nintendo’s premier series. At this point, including classic Zelda or Skyward Sword in an HD collection is a pipe dream. However. If such a collection were to be limited to four games: Twilight Princess, The Wind Waker, Ocarina of Time, and Majora’s Mask, it would be perfect. Nintendo could feasibly price the collection at $59.99 with these four games (two of them 3DS games in HD, two of them Wii U games, which let’s be honest, came out on a failed system.) This is both the collection we need right now and the one that we deserve. Nintendo would have the opportunity to introduce these classic games to new fans who either were not born when the previous titles came out (Wind Waker is 17 years old, Twilight Princess 12, Ocarina of Time 20, and Majora’s Mask 19.) This is a great opportunity to expand the Zelda brand and cement it as Nintendo’s top franchise. Although I wish that one of my favorite Zelda games was to make the cut, this probably won’t happen.
Skyward Sword has the best story in any Zelda game. Unfortunately given the motion controls in the game, it probably won’t receive an HD port to the Nintendo Switch, unfortunately. It’s one of the best and most unappreciated Zelda games, but, this is a reality. I previously thought this was a possibility, but it was shot down by Eiji Aonuma. Now, this doesn’t mean it’s out of the realm of possibility, but the likelihood is slim. Which is why I kept my Wii U, which I transferred all my save data onto. Plus, if Skyward Sword HD came out, it would be a stand-alone title – much like Link’s Awakening, which is, I must say, one of the best HD ports to ever be released. This doesn’t take away from the merit of Skyward Sword – it’s still one of the best Zelda games. Unfortunately, to be frank, it’s low on the priority list for Nintendo and I would much rather see a Zelda HD Collection of the four aforementioned titles than I would of one game. I own Skyward Sword. I have the Zelda Wii Remote. All is good in the world. While it would be incredible to experience Skyward Sword in HD, it may not be possible unless the Wii Remote becomes compatible with the Switch, which isn’t happening. It’s a shame, but not the end of the world.
Four games: The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Ocarina of Time, and Majora’s Mask. That’s it. So many who missed out on these classics on their original systems or the Wii U and 3DS remasters will have a chance to experience the games for the very first time, especially given the immense popularity of the series right now thanks to Breath of the Wild and Link’s Awakening. With Breath of the Wild 2 on the horizon, what better way to celebrate the series than to release an HD collection of four of the series’ greatest entries? It makes sense both on Nintendo’s part and for gamers. While I personally believe that Breath of the Wild is overrated, there’s no doubt that it has spawned a new generation of Zelda fans. It revolutionized the series like no other game in the franchise has other done. Giving gamers the opportunity to play these games both for the first time (for those new to the franchise) and to give older gamers the opportunity to revisit these games for the first time in a long while makes perfect sense.
The Legend of Zelda is the greatest franchise of all-time. With old-school Zelda games on the Switch such as The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II, and A Link to the Past, this is the perfect opportunity to release a Legend of Zelda HD Collection for the Nintendo Switch. It’s not a matter of whether they’ll do it or not, it’s a matter of time. This is the perfect time Nintendo.
Search your feelings, you know it to be true.