The Nintendo Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker introduces subtle yet significant changes that benefit speedrunners. Speedrunning has long been a popular activity among Zelda fans, though certain entries in the franchise are notably easier to complete quickly. With the updates on Switch 2, The Wind Waker becomes more approachable, making it easier for players to enjoy speedrunning.
Nintendo announced the arrival of The Wind Waker on Switch 2 during its April 2 Direct event. Unlike full remakes or remasters, this version makes use of an emulator, with various improvements that fans have started to explore. YouTuber and speedrunner Linkus7 illustrated these enhancements on June 25, highlighting key changes that make speedrunning more accessible.
One of the most significant updates concerns a glitch that previously allowed players to pass through out-of-bounds areas and interact with chests to skip sections of dungeons. In the original version, landing on the chest caused the level not to load, and attempting to play the Song of Passing would result in a game crash. This issue has been resolved in the Switch 2 version, allowing players to effectively utilize the glitch and the song to progress through dungeons more swiftly.
While not as groundbreaking as the skips in Ocarina of Time, this adjustment still significantly saves time for speedrunners. The second update involves the manual super-swimming mechanic, in which players can make Link swim rapidly to build speed across the map. On the GameCube, this process was challenging.
However, the button remapping functionality in the Switch 2 has made it easier for players to execute super-swimming by quickly changing directions. While The Wind Waker remains one of the more complex Zelda games to fully complete, these enhancements facilitate a faster gameplay experience, even for novice speedrunners. The full impact of these updates on the Zelda speedrunning community remains to be seen, but the Switch 2 may herald a new chapter for Wind Waker runs.
This classic Zelda adventure begins with Link facing a family crisis as his sister is abducted by a monstrous bird. His quest leads to an expansive world filled with unique animation and revolutionary gameplay elements, building upon the successes of Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask. Characters express a wide range of emotions, creating a vibrant atmosphere that immerses players further into the action.
Additionally, players enjoy the intuitive control system that the Zelda series is known for, allowing them to engage with the game in a familiar and satisfying way.