So badass.

Game Info.

Genre Adventure

Publisher/Developer Nintendo

Release 3/03

It's already 2006. A lot has been said about the first GameCube Zelda adventure, Wind Waker, but not much has been said by me. Did I just leave this colossal title out of my 16+ GameCube game collection? No, I got it the day it came out. It's just so damn good that it's taken me 3 years to muster up the words to describe it: I love Wind Waker.

Gameplay
So what are Zelda games usually about? First off, you're a strange elf-like boy with no family or attachments to home. Your life takes a sudden turn and within 5 minutes of gameplay, you're the destined hero of Hyrule.
Wind Waker starts out a bit differently (and doesn't stop there). You're a regular island boy living with his younger sister and beloved grandma. Suddenly, a giant bird kidnaps your sister, and you're forced to join a band of pirates in order to rescue her. Rather than suddenly becoming the hero, your rescue plans are thwarted and you end up on a new island with no one to turn to but a talking red sail boat with no sail. Where do you start? Get a sail, of course.
And so the odyssey begins. Zelda games typically have a large game world to explore, but this game definitely takes the cake; it may even have the largest game world ever made! Rather than riding on horseback through a prairie, Wind Waker sees you sailing on the open seas between dozens of islands. A lot of what this game is all about is exploration--you're never given a complete map of the world, you have to map it out yourself. This aspect of the game has gotten a lot of smack talk from gamers (almost as much as the graphics, in fact), but I find it mind-blowingly new and exciting.
Of course, these islands are still host to humongous dungeons with terrifying monster battles and treasures to find, including the legendary Triforce, so the classic Zelda gameplay is still present at Wind Waker's core. In fact, Nintendo says the forthcoming GameCube/Revolution game, Twilight Princess, will be the last Zelda of this kind. I wonder what Link will do when he's not collecting the Triforce pieces and fighting Ganon. Hopefully something as deep and engaging as the exploration elements introduced in this game.
9/10

Control
The 3D Zelda controls reach their ultimate refinement in Wind Waker. This game just "feels" right. The jumps, rope swings, gliding, and sailing are each done with such precision and care that it all adds up to a sensual interactive experience that even so many great games are lacking.
9/10

Replay Value
The temples are all fantastic and praiseworthy, and the treks in between each one are almost always a blast by themselves. One notable quest, however, has to be one of the most tedious things I've done in an epic game before: the Triforce quest. You have to collect maps scattered all across the seas to collect Triforce pieces scattered all across the seas, and in the end, it really just feels like a cheap attempt at extending the game's play time. In fact, it's been admitted by Nintendo that there was at least one temple that the team had to cut out in order to get the game out reasonably on time. Honestly, it shows. Something's missing from this game and the tediously long Triforce quest doesn't help.
That being said, there are still so many amazing things to go for in this big game. It'll keep you busy for weeks, no doubt. The charm of the whole thing is such that I've also gone back and played it three times now, and I hardly ever do that for games as epic as this one.
8/10

Graphics
Quick note, because it still needs to be said: the "simple" look some screenshots suggest is not an indicator that this cel-shaded style was easier or cheaper for Nintendo to make. No, it takes a LOT of horsepower for a console to run this game. Experts say the PlayStation 2 could never, ever handle it. So Nintendo wasn't being lazy when they decided to make Wind Waker cel-shaded, they were being bold. Just setting the story straight.
Wind Waker's graphics are definitely a departure for the series. Most of today's Zelda fans have been weaned on Ocarina of Time with its anime/realistic style, so this game's anime/cartoony style is a bit of a shock to the system. I, however, never completed a Zelda game until this one, so I've experienced this visual style without any prejudice.
Frankly, I'm sick and tired of this stupid debate! This game is fantastic because of its style, not in spite of it. Don't be swayed by the baby fanboys who can't stop sucking on their momma's ocarina; this game is lush, original, meticulously detailed, and overall, gorgeous. Every inch of it breathes life like the Kokiri Forest itself. Jump in and experience all the amazing, unique effects that'll leave yourself saying "I didn't think a video game could do that!". It's really that amazing.
9/10

Sound
Oh boy, this is a soundtrack for the ages. Awesome remakes of classic Zelda tunes, awesome new tunes, and a satisfying set of sound effects. Echoes and various wind effects also lend a lot to the game's vibe. Fantastic stuff, all around.
9/10

Overall
Like Final Fantasy X did for the Final Fantasy series, Wind Waker has finally turned me on to the Zelda series. Even growing up as a Nintendo kid, I never understood the appeal of tracking down the Triforce pieces and crushing Ganon, but this game's luscious graphics, heartrending soundtrack, and heavy exploration elements have got me hooked for good.
The Bottom Line: It's a powerful and unique game that no matter what, you will not forget.

FINAL SCORE: 9/10
=Amazing=
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