REVIEW: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Introduction
It's been almost two weeks since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and, with it, the GameCube addition to Nintendo Switch Online. More importantly, one of the best, albeit controversial titles, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, has been added. Initially released in 2002 as the follow-up to wildly successful Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, it faced some pushback due to its art style and tone. That has evolved over time, becoming one of the most beloved games of all time, so much so that it even got an HD remaster on the Wii U in 2013. So, it'd be a great time to reflect on the game that made my childhood great: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
Story
Set hundreds of years after Ocarina of Time, we follow the journey of a young hero named Link, who must sail the high seas to rescue his kidnapped sister. During his adventure, he explores various scenic locales and confronts many enemies, both new and old. Enemies like the Beamos, Moblins, and Octoroks return, the latter getting a larger variant, while some enemies like the pitchfork-wielding Miniblins see their debut. As Link ventures from one island to another, we also meet many new characters and groups of people. Wind Waker marks the first introduction of the Rito and Koroks, descendants of the Zora and Kokiri, respectively. While Wind Waker introduces many series staples, the central concept is nothing special. What is interesting is the bit of lore we get in the intro. After the defeat of Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time, the Hero of Time leaves the land of Hyrule. In his absence, the evil king escapes his imprisonment and seeks to conquer the land and obtain that golden power, the Triforce. Seeking salvation, the people call out to the gods. This part of the story and lore is much more fascinating, as it's that connection to past games that leads to discussions about the overall Zelda timeline, how the events of past titles lead into this one, and how the events of Wind Waker impact later games.
Presentation
Wind Waker is a charmingly cute game. Its cel-shaded cartoon art style marks a radical departure from the more realistic graphics of previous titles such as Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. While this may disappoint some fans expecting a more serious adventure, like what Twilight Princess would bring later, Wind Waker is still a Zelda game at its core.
One area where this new art style excels is character designs, of which there are many favorites. The characters here feel more expressive than they were in past games, and some of Link's expressions get a genuine chuckle out of me. Link's grandmother, Tetra and her pirate crew, Beetle, and especially Tingle are some of my favorites. Of course, not all of them are winners. The Great Deku Tree in Wind Waker always looked a bit too goofy for my liking, and characters like the Great Fairies look boring and emotionless. These examples are definitely in the minority, but I figured it would be worth noting.
From the title screen to the final battle with Ganondorf, Wind Waker features some of the most memorable tracks in the franchise. Each piece is expertly composed to fit the character of its respective location and elevate the experience. Notable tracks include Dragon Roost Island, whose track mirrors the island's colorful, sunlit cliffs and the Rito's communal, postal-focused culture, the haunting tones of the Tower of the Gods, and the lively and homey feeling of our home of Outset Island. The sound effects are also good, with each swoosh of the sword swing and the sound as your sail catches the wind being perfect.
Gameplay
Wind Waker's best aspect is the gameplay. Let's start with the obvious: Combat is fun and engaging. Much of it is due to the foundation laid down in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. It retains the essence of that system with the lock-on and attacks like the jump slash and spin attack while adding new mechanics like the parry, which allows players to dodge an enemy's attack and launch a counterattack.
The game's main draw is sailing, as Link traverses the world in his boat and works to reclaim his lost sister. And honestly? It's a mixed bag. The sailing is nice, and there are many things to explore and find. However, it can take a while. While the issue is resolved in the HD remaster with the swift sail, experiencing it after playing through the original highlights how significant the problem is. Sometimes I would even set a course for an island and walk away to pass the time.
Many series staples return, like the bow, iron boots, and boomerang, with new additions thrown in along the way. This includes the titular wind waker, which functions similarly to the Ocarina in Ocarina of Time. This time, instead of an instrument, you conduct songs rather than play them, but the result is the same. Some uses include changing the wind direction and passing time. Some items, however, feel limited in their use. The telescope, for example, was something I never found myself using. Maybe once or twice, but it mostly sat in my inventory, taking up space. Another item that took up space was the tingle tuner. The Tingle Tuner is an interesting gadget. It lets you connect a Game Boy Advance to your GameCube using a link cable, turning the GBA into a second screen where you can control Tingle to assist Link during his adventure.
Once activated, Tingle can drop bombs to help clear paths or defeat enemies, provide hints and commentary about nearby islands, reveal hidden Tingle Statues in dungeons, and more. However, I didn't have a Gameboy Advance to use this feature, so it did not serve any purpose in my adventure. Overall, most of them are good, but there are definitely some duds.
Dungeons are fun and refreshing. Beyond their design, it felt good to get a taste of the more traditional Zelda dungeon design after playing through Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. While they may be more linear than the modern dungeons, the ones here have more character and personality through their music, aesthetics, and design.
Would I Recommend?
Wind Waker is a great game. Its charming graphics and characters, combined with top-tier sound, make it a great addition to any gamer's library. While it has issues like the pace of sailing and some items feeling pointless, it remains a testament to the time-tested Zelda formula that has powered the franchise for over 30 years. I recommend Wind Waker to anyone wanting a classic Zelda adventure. If you want to try it out, it is available now on the higher tier of the Nintendo Switch Online service (Expansion Pack). If you have a Wii U sitting around collecting dust, you could also pick up the remaster if you wish to play it that way.
