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. TaylorJ.
    Mar 16, 2003
    10
    This is simply the best use of animation I have EVER seen in a game. Sure "GTA: Vice City" and "Xenosaga" were realistic but it's nothing to the crispness of "Wind Waker". It's gameplay style is the best of the series.
  2. JobB.
    Mar 16, 2003
    10
    I own a PS2, XBox, and a Gamecube and am known to be very hard on game reviews. I started playing this game with great skepticism, but it has been impossible to not be consistently blown away. I have beaten the import version twice and can honestly say this: That in my 15 years of gaming this is BY FAR the best piece of interactive entertainment I have come across. This game is so close I own a PS2, XBox, and a Gamecube and am known to be very hard on game reviews. I started playing this game with great skepticism, but it has been impossible to not be consistently blown away. I have beaten the import version twice and can honestly say this: That in my 15 years of gaming this is BY FAR the best piece of interactive entertainment I have come across. This game is so close to perfection I beleive Nintendo raised the bar too high for their own good. I seriously doubt any game, even Nintendo's own, will compare to this work of art in years to come. Let me summarize my review to all skeptics (whether because of the game's cel-shading or Link's age, etc) with this: The Wind Waker is the most compelling argument that interactive entertainment really is art, and everything from concept to execution are worthy of nothing less than a plethora of Academy Awards. No self-respecting gamer can call himself one if they don't pick up this game and wallow in its masterful beaufy. If you don't at the very least give "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" a try, you don't deserve the right to play videogames at all. … Expand
  3. JerradH.
    Mar 13, 2003
    8
    Fun game and a worthy edition to the Zelda series, but because of the graphical style that I really don't care for (I don't mind kiddie Link, I just don't like toddler meth-addict Link), and the occasional bit of boring repetitiveness in the gameplay department, its still not as good as Ocarina of Time, and Metroid Prime still rules the Gamecube roost.
  4. DannyG.
    Mar 12, 2003
    10
    This is the best game ever! NUFF SAID.
  5. KirstieM.
    Mar 12, 2003
    10
    This is a totaly amazing game. no other can beat it.
  6. DaveN.
    Mar 11, 2003
    10
    The person who gave this game a 3 has some serious issues!
  7. StevenM.
    Mar 10, 2003
    10
    Truly a master peice well done Nintendo, yet another classic.
  8. GegM.
    Mar 10, 2003
    10
    This is the best game i've ever played in my life.
  9. Cyrone
    Mar 8, 2003
    10
    Simply brilliant. I can't even say in words how perfect, how genious Nintendo is. Its such a shame that everyone has a bad image of Gamecube, but hopefully Zelda will change it all. Very satisfying battles and gameplay!
  10. DanS.
    Mar 8, 2003
    10
    One of the best games ever.
  11. SeanM.
    Mar 7, 2003
    10
    I cant believe you people who rated this game badly because it didnt have real life graphics! Have you ever play The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past? That Is the best game ever made for any system anywhere, anytime. This game will be awesome! It's not about whether the graphics are good or not its about how fun the game is! I think this game will kick some major ass. I thought I cant believe you people who rated this game badly because it didnt have real life graphics! Have you ever play The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past? That Is the best game ever made for any system anywhere, anytime. This game will be awesome! It's not about whether the graphics are good or not its about how fun the game is! I think this game will kick some major ass. I thought Ocarina Of Time was good but then I realized how good A Link To The Past was for SNES. I realized that games with cartoon graphics are way the hell better because they concentrate on the story more. You want to get sucked in to the game. Thats what Zelda is all about. I know that SNES is old but still A Link To The Past is the best game ever made and I'm positive this game will kick as much ass as the SNES version did. NUFF SAID!… Expand
  12. BrianS.
    Mar 7, 2003
    10
    How someone can give this a 3 is beyond me. The graphics are great, especially the animation, and the gameplay is classic.
  13. RyanH.
    Mar 7, 2003
    3
    I played this on demo at a local game store. The sounds were annoying, as every time Link moved he made a stupid grunting sound. The graphics were too cartoony and a big turn-off. The gameplay was counter-intuitive. I will not purchase this game. The original Zelda games were not children's games. Sure, they were appropriate for Everyone, but they were not designed specifically to I played this on demo at a local game store. The sounds were annoying, as every time Link moved he made a stupid grunting sound. The graphics were too cartoony and a big turn-off. The gameplay was counter-intuitive. I will not purchase this game. The original Zelda games were not children's games. Sure, they were appropriate for Everyone, but they were not designed specifically to appeal to 8 year olds and exclude adults. This is the worst Zelda game ever, and I think its sales will reflect that. Nintendo has really lost touch.… Expand
  14. DamirM.
    Mar 6, 2003
    10
    Simply put, this is the best Zelda game ever.
  15. Mac
    Mar 1, 2003
    10
    To everybody complaining about the graphics, would you rather Nintendo do the same boring thing that almost every other comany does of just making their games more life-like? Or would you rather they create them like art, which is what a truly good game is. Zelda has always been cartoony, and that's not just due to graphics restrictions. I'd say that OoT was the exception, not the rule.
  16. BrendonM.
    Feb 24, 2003
    10
    In my opinion, this game is GREAT. It has good sound,a good plot, and good graphics. I don't have much to say, but if you buy it, you won't be sorry
  17. JamesL.
    Feb 24, 2003
    10
    This will be one of the greatest titles for this gen. of consoles, and of all time. I love the new Link! cant wait to see hat the next Link will look like!
  18. NickB.
    Feb 24, 2003
    9
    I'm sick of everyone say that this game looks stupid because of the cartoonish graphics. I bet not one of the people that have gave it a bad score because of that have not played the demo. I played the demo at the store and the game is awesome. The level you get to play has lava all over the place and the screen actually kinda waves from the heat, like when you look over the fire. I'm sick of everyone say that this game looks stupid because of the cartoonish graphics. I bet not one of the people that have gave it a bad score because of that have not played the demo. I played the demo at the store and the game is awesome. The level you get to play has lava all over the place and the screen actually kinda waves from the heat, like when you look over the fire. It's an awesome game and I can't wait to play the whole thing.… Expand
  19. TylerL.
    Feb 22, 2003
    10
    I'm so sick and tired of people who judges the book by its cover. Like Tom said its judged on how it is played not by how childish it looks. If you even played the game you will love it just as much as the previous Zelda games.
  20. GeorgioF.
    Feb 22, 2003
    10
    i can honestly say that i have every single ZELDA game that was ever made. This game is awesome i am all over it if i could i would rate it a 17.
  21. OmegaB.
    Feb 22, 2003
    2
    I can't believe this......... they could have made this game look so awsome! i mean...........wtf is nintendo thinking!? It looks like they designed the game for 6 year old kids......... NINTENDO, you guys better get your act together or i forsee gamecube not making it to gamecube 2. Thank God i bought a Ps2 instead! I mean i was gonna get a GC (just for Zelda)...... i'm glad i I can't believe this......... they could have made this game look so awsome! i mean...........wtf is nintendo thinking!? It looks like they designed the game for 6 year old kids......... NINTENDO, you guys better get your act together or i forsee gamecube not making it to gamecube 2. Thank God i bought a Ps2 instead! I mean i was gonna get a GC (just for Zelda)...... i'm glad i didn't!… Expand
  22. TomJ.
    Feb 21, 2003
    10
    It got a 97, "Lara" because most people aren't as superficial as yourself. The game was reviewed based on how it PLAYED, not on how it LOOKS.
  23. [Anonymous]
    Feb 21, 2003
    10
    To the previous reviewer- Nice to see you TRY things first before you make a judgement about them...
  24. LaraL.
    Feb 20, 2003
    0
    I LOVE Zelda games, but this one had me ticked. Seeing a cartoonish version of Link was abosolute AGONY for me. This isn't Zelda! Oh, and look, the game got a *cough* *cough* 97. WHY???
  25. CliffB.
    Feb 8, 2003
    10
    What can do you expect, anything less. This game continues the Zelda legend with it's own superb changes. It carries on the francises name with honor.
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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

All reviews »
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
See all critic reviews »