The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princesswas originally released on the GameCube and Wii, serving as the major launch game for the Wii in November 2006 before the GameCube version followed with a release in December. The title got a remaster on the Wii U, a console that surprisingly madealmost everyZeldagame easily accessibleon one device. The Wii U was not a very popular console, however, ultimately failing to deliver on the high expectations as the follow-up to the Wii, one of the most successful consoles ever.
Surprisingly,Twilight Princessdid not get an HD portto the Switch. In 2021, 10 years after its original release,The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HDwas released for Switch 1 and brought along with it a way to play without the sometimes finicky motion controls of the original.Twilight Princesshas been rumored for a while to begetting a second updated release, andI’m now convinced that it skipped the Switch for one major reason,but a Switch 2 version could likely be on the table.
Skyward Sword HD On Switch Has Motion Control Issues
It Was A Frustrating Experience At Times
Skyward Sword HDwas a great attempt to bring the game to a bigger audience on the Switch. To make the game functional for the console’s main drawing point (it being a hybrid console that can be played at home or on the go), anew button control scheme option was introduced, removing motion controls completely. The motion controls remained in the game as an option, though, andthey were mostly comparable to the original Wii’s version in functionality and efficiency, for better or worse.
The controls forSkyward Swordhave always beenone of the biggest points of contention for the title. For example, Reddit userAimlessPeacockpraises the motion controls (despite also admitting they are sometimes unresponsive) and calls the button controls"cumbersome.“In another Reddit thread,ineed2asksmthncalls the button controls"funky"and that they"dampen the playing experience,“while also saying the motion controls have issues but less so than the button controls.
Twilight Princess May Have Skipped Switch 1 Because Of Motion Controls
Despite The Game Previously Being On GameCube
Twilight Princessgot a Wii U HD remaster in 2016, the same year thatNintendo denied ceasing production on the console, with the Switch 1 releasing just a few months later. A lot ofquality-of-life improvements were implemented in the update, like being able to switch from human form to wolf form without having to talk to Midna.Skyward Sword HDreceived similar general improvements in its remaster, but it still maintained its motion controls, unlikeTwilight Princess HD,which removed them completely.
A port ofTwilight Princess HDto the Switch 1 never happened, and with the Switch being a way more popular console, it might be a little surprising on the surface thatNintendo didn’t double-dip for both consoles.Twilight Princesswas released on the GameCube as well, so it already had a control scheme without motion controls. But with the mixed reception ofSkyward Sword HDand the generally less positive fan response to that title overTwilight Princess, it’s not too surprising that Nintendo hasn’t attempted another port yet; it seems like it’s waiting for the right console and the right time.
Twilight Princess Would Be A Perfect Fit For Switch 2
Especially With The Improved Motion Controls
Despite it already getting an HD remaster,Twilight Princesswould fit in well on the Switch 2. Reportedly, the Switch 2’s improved controller gyros havegreatly improved the motion controls forSkyward Sword HD, and whileTwilight Princesson Wii did have motion controls, they were not nearly as integral to the experience asSkyward Sword’s. With a new console that currently lacks a newZeldatitle, and withBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomgetting Switch 2 Editions,Twilight Princesscould be primed for another release.
Twilight Princessremains a fan-favoriteZelda, even almost 20 years later, so a re-release on Switch 2 with the improved motion controls and the original GameCube controlscould be the opportunity Nintendo has been waiting for. With several otherZeldatitles, includingWind Wakerbeing a part of the newGameCube library for Nintendo Switch Onlinefor Switch 2, there’s an opportunity to take the “Zeldamachine” that the Wii U was (since it had just about everyZeldagame at the time playable on it) and put it on the go with the Switch 2.
Twilight Princesssaw a lot of success on both GameCube and Wii, and the HD remaster was popular enough on the Wii U for there to be quite a bit of fan demand for another re-release of the game.The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princessis one of very fewZeldagames that isn’t playable on the Switch or Switch 2, but I would bet that another re-release of Link and Midna’s adventure is sometime soon in the Switch 2’s future.
