The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

 GameCube
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 1644 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,460 out of 1644
  2. Mixed: 110 out of 1644
  3. Negative: 74 out of 1644
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  1. VLG
    Aug 23, 2023
    6
    A good adventure game, kind of original, but pretty much shallow and boring.
  2. SoulSuckingCat
    Jun 29, 2022
    6
    There is a popular saying that this game's art style has aged well. Sure I will give it that, but that does not mean it is any less appealing that when it was released. With a weak story and excessive amount of sailing that becomes a slog to get through even late in the game. There are some unique weapons in the game, but otherwise it is your standard Zelda fair. Unfortunately due to someThere is a popular saying that this game's art style has aged well. Sure I will give it that, but that does not mean it is any less appealing that when it was released. With a weak story and excessive amount of sailing that becomes a slog to get through even late in the game. There are some unique weapons in the game, but otherwise it is your standard Zelda fair. Unfortunately due to some aspects of the game the replay value is very low. If you have not played it before it is worth a play through, otherwise your mileage may vary.… Expand
  3. gareththestuff
    Apr 26, 2021
    6
    I really wanted to like this. Majoras Mask and Ocarina of Time are my favorite games of all time. I can't like this. Too easy, not enough dungeons, expolaration is half baked, and, most of all, its not the best. I'm sorry Wind Waker.
  4. DJKrimson
    Mar 2, 2021
    7
    I've played pretty much all Zelda games and I gotta say that WW (and PH) isn't that high on my list and I'd say it's just a decent game. The sailing is annoying because it takes so much time to change the wind direction, the exploring isn't rewarding enough and there are too few dungeons.
  5. Cafe_8bits
    Nov 14, 2019
    7
    During my high school years, Wind Waker was my favorite game ever. Sadly, as i play other good adventure games, Wind Waker falls more and more in my personal ranking. Its not a perefect game. Its quite repetitive, and sometimes its level design got annoying... But its still one of the most creative and best Zeldas ive ever played.
    Wind Waker will always have a place in my heart.
  6. Otisnemes
    Jun 29, 2018
    7
    The Legend of Zelda: The Wait Waker. Seriously. Everything has an animation or you have to read text everytime you pick an "important" object (even tho you have read it dozens of times).
    Talking about dungeons, there are not that many, and they're not that great either (two of them, where you have company, are very tedious). Bosses, are meh.
    Now talking about the good stuff, I love the    The Legend of Zelda: The Wait Waker. Seriously. Everything has an animation or you have to read text everytime you pick an "important" object (even tho you have read it dozens of times).
    Talking about dungeons, there are not that many, and they're not that great either (two of them, where you have company, are very tedious). Bosses, are meh.

    Now talking about the good stuff, I love the graphics, and music, they fit the game very very well.
    The ocean is kinda cool too, I get it, sometimes you are just sailing a lot of time, but the ocean is a loading zone after all. There are a lot of things to do too, almost every island has it's own puzzle or secondary quest (that you got to remember, no diary or questlog, which is nice).

    Overall, I liked the game, but I was rushing the end just because I was soo bored with it.    … Expand
  7. Shadow1
    May 27, 2016
    6
    I don't like The Legend of Zelda . This is one of the worst Nintendo Franchise . Best The Legend of Zelda Game is The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess . Wind Waker is normal, but isn't one of the best games on Gamecube . I think best games on Gamecube is Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 4, Sonic Adventure DX, Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, Shadow The Hedgehog and not much The Legend of Zelda withI don't like The Legend of Zelda . This is one of the worst Nintendo Franchise . Best The Legend of Zelda Game is The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess . Wind Waker is normal, but isn't one of the best games on Gamecube . I think best games on Gamecube is Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 4, Sonic Adventure DX, Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, Shadow The Hedgehog and not much The Legend of Zelda with Paper Mario The Thousand-year door . Wind Waker is children part of The Legend of Zelda . Graphics in this game is normal for 2003, there are worse and in The Legend of Zelda not bad gameplay .… Expand
  8. Shireke
    Dec 9, 2015
    7
    A great game for its time, maybe even the best game of that decade. Ocarina of the Time set a "before" and an "after" for 3d videogames, and its gameplay has remained in every adventure game after it.

    But right now, it is only the oldest 3D Zelda game out there, and it shows. The gameplay gets clunky and the story and characters can't compete with newer games on the saga.
  9. PersianReviewer
    Mar 30, 2015
    7
    Wind Waker is another favorable entry into the Zelda franchise. For me, I wasn't a big fan of the graphics. Looks like this type of graphics were you like it, or you don't. This was only part of the problem I had with this particular game. The story for me was too short, and it lacked that vast open world exploring which I expected so much from Wind Waker. The temples weren't thatWind Waker is another favorable entry into the Zelda franchise. For me, I wasn't a big fan of the graphics. Looks like this type of graphics were you like it, or you don't. This was only part of the problem I had with this particular game. The story for me was too short, and it lacked that vast open world exploring which I expected so much from Wind Waker. The temples weren't that challenging, and some, like the Forbidden Forest and Wind Temple, were very boring and not compelling. The final boss fight with Ganon however was incredible. Having the doomed Hyrule wash away while the Hero of Time fought against evil itself is what made this boss fight one of the best in the franchise. So overall, good game, but not alot of action until the very end. Otherwise, worth the money.… Expand
  10. Steeldude
    Oct 13, 2014
    7
    Easy bosses, very few dungeons and an unimaginative world with islands that serve little purpose. My least favorite 3D Zelda game. If all islands were expanded upon and contained interesting and unique locations, the score would be much higher.
  11. cc742a
    Aug 17, 2014
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Wind waker is a game I see in a bit of an awkward spot. It is never easy to follow up 2 of the best games of all time, and because of that everyone who saw the original trailer was skeptical. Now about 10 years later lets have a look back on this game. Well for one, the graphic still look fine, better than the re release in fact with those awful amounts of bloom. Problems begin with the sailing. I know some people love it, but i just saw it as unbearable, too little stretched over too much. changing the winds was also a tedious process that deserves mentioning. Anyway, the game controls alright in all other aspects, but heres my main gripe. WW represents the fact that the legend of zelda has no idea what to do after being the best game ever. Its like the boston red sox, unable to follow a succesful year and instead just saying hey remember that. I hate how (SPOILER... is the one person who hasent plaid this gone? good) you visit hyrule, because it shows a game that wants to associate with oot. its the 2nd fiddle trying to hand out with first chair, following him around taking notes. Mabey the one other "problem" ww fixed was it gave link a personality, but why does he need that? He was fine as a blank hero forced into a role, there was no problem with that. In every zelda game the enemies had been more interesting than the hero, and theres no problem with that. Finaly, lets discuss gameplay. Its zelda, it hasent changed. its good, reliable, but my problem with windwaker it lacks variety. MM added the masks and an interesting attack pattern, oot set the foundation. ww goes back to square one on this. dungeon design is interesting, but without any great items (besides the deku leaf) it lacks a fun way to explore. So all in all, i cant say ww was bad, but it refused to be the leap loz needed to stay with the times. It almost represents nintendo entirely, saying hey remember when we made (every nintendo series ever) lets make it again. sequels are only good if they add somthing nintendo. all in all ww needed to do more, but was never bad to play, just boring… Expand
  12. Snescube
    Jan 29, 2014
    6
    I would like say this is my opinion so if this bothers you its not my fault but i thought about half of this game was tedious mainly the triforce shards. If I wanted a collectathon game id play banjo kazooie. which was a great game but the sailing and the collecting is dumb,one last thing making tingle apart of this game was so stupid or is that just my i give this a 6/10
  13. Shigeru
    Sep 7, 2013
    7
    It brought an easy to control camera, fluent animation and a feeling of continuity to the franchise. The game feels rushed during the second half of the plot, though, and spending so much time just getting from one island to another gets tedious pretty soon.
  14. hawaiianhappy
    Nov 15, 2012
    7
    To be fair, I played through the game multiple times and finished the game twice. There are no flaws with the game that include gameplay, glitches, or anything bad. But there is one thing that has completely killed the mood of the game. It is the reason why my friends who borrow the game from me never finished it. The problem is the part where you are collecting the Triforce Shards.To be fair, I played through the game multiple times and finished the game twice. There are no flaws with the game that include gameplay, glitches, or anything bad. But there is one thing that has completely killed the mood of the game. It is the reason why my friends who borrow the game from me never finished it. The problem is the part where you are collecting the Triforce Shards. The task requires collecting about 3200 ruppies, 21 joy pendants, and collecting the triforce charts, decoding them with said ruppies, and then going out and fetching them. It took me forever to find out how to get into the Oasis for the last triforce chart. I can't believe I am saying this but at least in OOT Navi would give you a hint on where to go, sure she yells HEY way too much but at least she probably could have told me to go to outset island to start. This whole sequence with the shards ruin the experience and slows the game down, and it's very unfortunate because before this you were in 3 dungeons that reveal a lot and get you immersed in the game, but then this whole triforce shard part shows up and it's a complete buzzkill.… Expand
  15. RangerGxi
    May 21, 2012
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great character development, Very enjoyable but standard plot and Excellent soundtrack The quirky and silly nature of link is enjoyable but the boat rides were simply boring. Maybe I'm blinded by Nostalgia but the Ocarina of Time horse rides didn't feel this boring. My guess is the lack of naval combat in the game. The "Temples" were fun for the most part and employed classic's like the hookshot but also added new mechanics like the flying leaf. It's a must buy for young children who enjoy puzzle games, which I would think is a niche market.… Expand
  16. Tokyochuchu
    Apr 7, 2012
    7
    Wind Waker is a pretty much a perfect game that suddenly and unexpectedly shoots itself in the foot. The graphical style is a love-it-or-hate-it type of affair. I really fell on the former side of that argument. I think the visuals are super-cute, colorful and expressive. The general gameplay and dungeons are superb, bringing out all the best traits of the Zelda franchise: Tight controls,Wind Waker is a pretty much a perfect game that suddenly and unexpectedly shoots itself in the foot. The graphical style is a love-it-or-hate-it type of affair. I really fell on the former side of that argument. I think the visuals are super-cute, colorful and expressive. The general gameplay and dungeons are superb, bringing out all the best traits of the Zelda franchise: Tight controls, imaginative puzzle, spectacular bosses... Just perfect! Then... BANG!! You're sent off on a seemingly endless fetch-quest across the ocean, finding shards of the tri-force that have been hidden around the world. No more dungeons or bosses. Just you, your boat and a map. I know that actually sounds like fun, but it's really not. It's just busy work you have to suffer through to reach the finale. BUT ... When you finally do emerge from all that crap, you'll find that the end sequences and final boss of the game are truly unforgettable. So, just about worth holding out for.… Expand
  17. DrEggman
    Nov 16, 2011
    7
    The wind waker has a great storyline and fairly good character development. The sword fighting aspect is better than in any zelda so far and the new parry attack is a welcome addition to links move set. What is a let-down with this game is that part of the game was rushed to get it out for the fans. Instead of having two extra dungeons a tedious fetch quest which lasts for several hoursThe wind waker has a great storyline and fairly good character development. The sword fighting aspect is better than in any zelda so far and the new parry attack is a welcome addition to links move set. What is a let-down with this game is that part of the game was rushed to get it out for the fans. Instead of having two extra dungeons a tedious fetch quest which lasts for several hours was implemented, and quite frankly along with the tedious sailing around it spoiled the game. I had no fun playing it and it is the part I dread when I go to relay the game. The final boss was also a joke, he was far too easy and after being built up to be an uber powerful villain he ended up being a pushover. I also find that this game is not for a mainstream audience. The childish cartoony look is not only lacking detail (at some points the villains abnormally large nose is invisible) but does not appeal to the masses and I find it to be the least visually appealing in any 3d console zelda title. I will say that the dungeon music is bland, but the rest of the soundtrack is very good even if it is Midi. All in all worth a buy if you are a fan of Zelda, just not what I would say best represents the series.… Expand
  18. ArkonBlade
    Mar 22, 2011
    6
    first off the graphics much like every one where shunning when it was first shown (and rightfully so) are rancid dog crap . i dont know what nintendo was thinking going for this dorky saturday morning cartoon look . that aside you still have the solid zelda gameplay and puzzles . problem is its not near enough its just to short . looking at ocarana of time which was 40-60 hours this gamefirst off the graphics much like every one where shunning when it was first shown (and rightfully so) are rancid dog crap . i dont know what nintendo was thinking going for this dorky saturday morning cartoon look . that aside you still have the solid zelda gameplay and puzzles . problem is its not near enough its just to short . looking at ocarana of time which was 40-60 hours this game is easily beatin in 20 hours and yes thats not doing every thing in the game but a good chunck of it . you could toss in another 10 hours if you do and thats mainly do to all the sailing you will be doing . infact thats what you will be spending about 30% or more of your time doing ... sailing a boat ... it just doesnt have the magic that ocarana of time or prevous zelda games had but is still heald together by its core game play and puzzles . deffinitly not recommended for any one new to the zelda franchise and only the hardcore and i mean the very hardcore and thoose who can get past thoose pissy looking graphics . dont defend them look at twighlight princess .. thats how this game should have looked and it should have had more dungeons and alot less sailing.… Expand
  19. SpotR
    Nov 8, 2009
    6
    The game is not that good. It starts out fun and exciting but gets boring really fast. Sailing is a major pain. Changing the wind whenever you want to go a different direction gets old really fast. Also, you cant enjoy the dungeons because for half of them, you have to control another character as well as yourself.
  20. Lev
    Aug 23, 2009
    6
    At first, the new graphical style looked very lively and refreshing, but it gets dull very soon. There aren't much new gameplay elements compared to OoT, and as many others stated before me, the sailing part is very boring, the using the windwaker is boring, the dungeons are that great and well...I think Nintendo should just just stop raping Zelda. OoT was very good for it's own At first, the new graphical style looked very lively and refreshing, but it gets dull very soon. There aren't much new gameplay elements compared to OoT, and as many others stated before me, the sailing part is very boring, the using the windwaker is boring, the dungeons are that great and well...I think Nintendo should just just stop raping Zelda. OoT was very good for it's own time and is still a decent game. But it was enough once. I have to say that I really liked the intro though. The lino-cut ,(or maybe fake lino-cut) stilized images were great.… Expand
  21. GamingLlama
    Sep 22, 2007
    5
    I actually found the sailing quite fun. I liked discovering new islands and such which weren't on the map. I also enjoyed using Link's sword and the variety of combo attacks. The windwaker gets less lame once you learn how to do more than just control wind with it. The plot line is good--a boy from a small island village who goes off to rescue his kidnapped sister and ends up in I actually found the sailing quite fun. I liked discovering new islands and such which weren't on the map. I also enjoyed using Link's sword and the variety of combo attacks. The windwaker gets less lame once you learn how to do more than just control wind with it. The plot line is good--a boy from a small island village who goes off to rescue his kidnapped sister and ends up in an epic quest to fight the darkness of evil. There were a couple things about this game that frustrated me, however. One is the limit to rupies and such, and having to find faeries to increase your capacity. The only reason why I was able to find 90% of the faeries I did manage to find was because I accidently ran into them by sailing. And I haven't found all of them yet. Another was when Link has to swing across ropes on the pirate ship to get the bombs. No enemies here, just moving ropes. It's way too boring and pointless to be the main part of the plot that it is. It'd be better off as a mini game. Then you can't even fight for the majority of the first dungeon. Just sneak past the guards and avoid the rabid animals. It's fun for the first couple hours, but then constantly getting lost in an endless maze in which you can't even take out your frustration on passing enemies is not fun at all. I had to rely on a walkthrough for this level, which completely defeats the whole point of actually playing the game. Which brings me to my last point. The dungeons are extremely large and complicated, but they're basically empty. The few monsters that do pop up are so wimpy, it makes Link seem like some cold hearted bully. As the game goes on monsters become more numerous and difficult, but they still aren't enough for the complexity of the dungeons.… Expand
  22. DanB.
    Nov 15, 2006
    5
    REPETITIVE. Having to fight the same bosses at the end that you already beat earlier in the game felt like they were artificially inflating the length of the game. Sailing was BORING and took forever. Having to watch the same 15 second animation over and over again when you changed wind direction was annoying. By the end of the game, I just didnt care anymore if I finished it or not.
  23. MichelleL.
    Oct 14, 2006
    5
    I love Zelda and bought a GC just to play Zelda on, however I was disappointed in this game. I hated how you had to sail everywhere, it took forever and even when you warped to places, having to change the wind direction and such, was a pain. There were not enough dungeons and the graphics were so cartoony and cheesey, not what I was used to with the N64 Zelda games. All in all, I played I love Zelda and bought a GC just to play Zelda on, however I was disappointed in this game. I hated how you had to sail everywhere, it took forever and even when you warped to places, having to change the wind direction and such, was a pain. There were not enough dungeons and the graphics were so cartoony and cheesey, not what I was used to with the N64 Zelda games. All in all, I played it because it was Zelda. Took me almost 2 years to finish because I disliked it so much. The only reason I did finish the game was because I have beaten all other Zelda games and wanted to keep my record.… Expand
  24. StefanieF.
    Sep 2, 2006
    7
    this game was quite a disappointment. after i went to the two temples, i was like ok now when do i start getting te triforce whatever in the dungeons (assuming it was liek oot) and then all i had to do was sail around? what the hell! seriously, the graphics are cute, the enemies and sounds are even cute, but the dungeons? why werent there more than two dungeons? who decided to make it this game was quite a disappointment. after i went to the two temples, i was like ok now when do i start getting te triforce whatever in the dungeons (assuming it was liek oot) and then all i had to do was sail around? what the hell! seriously, the graphics are cute, the enemies and sounds are even cute, but the dungeons? why werent there more than two dungeons? who decided to make it this small? i do like how you can start aq second quest but that isnt the point. if you are looking for a zelda classic that you can beat in a week or so, then look here.… Expand
  25. MaryK.
    May 17, 2006
    6
    The graphics wern't the best. It was annoying to have to change the wind direction all the time. It was fun exploring. Over all OOT was the best.
  26. Carl
    May 6, 2006
    7
    Its well put together, and the graphics are fantastic, but the game is just too easy and the whole thing feels rushed. There arn't enough dungeons, theres not enough land, and the music is terrible. It lacks the 'magic' of previous Zeldas and comes across as kind of shallow and forgetable. It's more of a throwaway game, something Zelda has never been before.
  27. ShelbyM.
    Apr 8, 2006
    5
    it is an ok game but for the third pearl you get you don't have to do anything! when me and my BFF Rebecca were playing (we are HUGE zelda fans) we beat the deku tree and went to the place to blow up the rock slab and we were kinda hoping that we would have to do somthing to get the pearl! i mean come on! they just got lazy at that part! i mean it just comes out of the whales bell! it is an ok game but for the third pearl you get you don't have to do anything! when me and my BFF Rebecca were playing (we are HUGE zelda fans) we beat the deku tree and went to the place to blow up the rock slab and we were kinda hoping that we would have to do somthing to get the pearl! i mean come on! they just got lazy at that part! i mean it just comes out of the whales bell! and why dont you grow up in this game! if i was rating ocarina of time i would give it a ten! that is the best zelda game ever, OoT i beat that game atleast 5 times that is how much i love it!… Expand
  28. I.Lynch
    Mar 25, 2006
    7
    I wanted desperatly to reall like this game, but it just doesnt feel right. But nintendo did pull of the cell shading perfectly.
  29. Puffy
    Nov 10, 2005
    7
    Here's the deal........... nintendo tryed to put the graphics based on a child look cause he is a child thru this adventure.. ii for one dont like the look ..... the game is ok ...... one down fall i found was this game has some ruff camra angles ......there is times ur really fightin the camera to stay in the riht postion .........i can name countless times were the camra woudl beHere's the deal........... nintendo tryed to put the graphics based on a child look cause he is a child thru this adventure.. ii for one dont like the look ..... the game is ok ...... one down fall i found was this game has some ruff camra angles ......there is times ur really fightin the camera to stay in the riht postion .........i can name countless times were the camra woudl be like way opssite of were i need it n the l targting not even no were near helpin....... for that fact not even goin in to postin were u need it ..it coudl use a lil more fine tunning....... one thing for sure about this game its not oot.....its a ok adventure its got good iideas ...... like havin to use a big sword to break the wood or thrown the fire thru the wood or jumpin down pots........its got its bad pints n has its good .....i ve played worse games .....if u can look past the look u may ienjoy parts of it........ this is one them games were its not for evreryone .... i suggest rentin it or playin at a frinends or borrowin it ...its not the worst game ever made.... in all honstey u have to give nintendo credit for tryin somethin new ..i think i would have gave this game a 8 if i weent for the camra angles at tiimes… Expand
  30. Gareth
    Nov 4, 2005
    5
    Not the worst game ever as someone said here but its easliy the worst Zelda since the 2D one years back. The game itself is about 5 hours long with the rest of the time spent sailing aimlessly. Decent graphics and a cool black and white level and pirate hideout level cant compensate for lack of gameplay, lack of imagination and poor level design. Free with my copy came a bonus disc of Not the worst game ever as someone said here but its easliy the worst Zelda since the 2D one years back. The game itself is about 5 hours long with the rest of the time spent sailing aimlessly. Decent graphics and a cool black and white level and pirate hideout level cant compensate for lack of gameplay, lack of imagination and poor level design. Free with my copy came a bonus disc of Ocarena of time...which, well, is far far better and is a great reason to buy this if they still come packaged together. Other wise, dont bother, wait till the new one gets here or...i dunno...buy a playstation...… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best GameCube Game of 2003
1
#1 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2003
4
#4 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 80 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 80
  3. Negative: 0 out of 80
  1. Weekly Famitsu
    100
    10 / 10 / 10/ 10 - 40 platinum
  2. NTSC-uk
    100
    When one picks up the controller, the ability to step into that time and place (never more hauntingly beautiful than in this latest instalment) never loses its allure. Even the most hardened of cynics would have to admit that this title is something else entirely. It's the stuff of dreams. [JPN Import]
    Read full review
  3. Eurogamer
    100
    Simply a stunning, magical game.
    Read full review
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