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. GameMan2005
    Aug 23, 2023
    10
    One of the most beautiful games I have ever seen, and the soundtrack is wonderful as well. Exploring the Great Sea and the dungeons is a lot of fun.
  2. VLG
    Aug 23, 2023
    6
    A good adventure game, kind of original, but pretty much shallow and boring.
  3. RefinedInsights
    Aug 16, 2023
    8
    A good Zelda game that has aged well and has better replay value than some of the others. Overall I wasn't a big fan of the cartoony animation. I liked the more realistic, gritty look of Ocarina, Majoras Mask, and Twilight Princess.
  4. Bcshiguemichi
    Aug 6, 2023
    10
    Best Zelda ever. From the action dynamics to the history. One thing that I really liked about this game is that you don’t get lost trying to understand what you need to do and at the same time is still challenging.
  5. Luisdmo
    Jun 25, 2023
    10
    One of my favorite games of all time. Csn be top 5 easily. Best zelda I have ever played. Graphics still looking so good on 2023.
  6. TheManOFruit
    Jun 24, 2023
    10
    How do you follow up Ocarina of Time and Majoras Mask? By going in a completely different direction. With a bright and cheery atmosphere the wind waker will draw you in like a magnet.
  7. Bokoblin
    Jun 15, 2023
    0
    worst zelda games ever to exist worse than the cdi pnes I would rather play twilight princess the artstyle for windwaker makes me wanna die and the story is crap

    all the negative reviews are realistic and I couldn't even have a single bit of joy. don't listen to the positive reviews they are all wrong soundtrack is awful I give it a 1 artstyle gets a -10 story:0 characters:-1 controls:2    worst zelda games ever to exist worse than the cdi pnes I would rather play twilight princess the artstyle for windwaker makes me wanna die and the story is crap

    all the negative reviews are realistic and I couldn't even have a single bit of joy. don't listen to the positive reviews they are all wrong soundtrack is awful I give it a 1
    artstyle gets a -10
    story:0
    characters:-1
    controls:2
    the single most overrated game in existence
    ocarina of time is better if you're looking for old games then twilight princess is the best traditional Zelda game and finally breath of the wild is the best game in existence    … Expand
  8. miguellopez99
    Jun 1, 2023
    10
    98/100 .
  9. ZackH25
    Jun 1, 2023
    9
    A fun and fairly easy Zelda game. Had good but relatively not great dungeons. The story is quite good and Ganondorf is an excellent final boss in this game, especially with the music in the background. The open world is fun when on an island but it can get repetitive sailing all the time. The arena area where you fight a bunch of different enemies by falling down a hole is extremely fun.A fun and fairly easy Zelda game. Had good but relatively not great dungeons. The story is quite good and Ganondorf is an excellent final boss in this game, especially with the music in the background. The open world is fun when on an island but it can get repetitive sailing all the time. The arena area where you fight a bunch of different enemies by falling down a hole is extremely fun. The best dungeon is either the foresaken fortress or the shadow temple. Overall a great Zelda game let down by some of its dungeons.… Expand
  10. OceanofBagels
    May 13, 2023
    10
    This is my favorite game of all time. I couldn’t possibly recommend it more.
  11. Evenstar1985
    May 8, 2023
    10
    I'll be honest, I was ready to hate on this game when I first saw the cell shaded graphics, the only reason I bought it, was for the limited edition that had a second disk for Zelda Ocarina of Time included because my brother sold the N64 and the GC was the first ever console I bought with my own money.

    After beating OoT I decided to give this game a try just to confirm my hate, man was    I'll be honest, I was ready to hate on this game when I first saw the cell shaded graphics, the only reason I bought it, was for the limited edition that had a second disk for Zelda Ocarina of Time included because my brother sold the N64 and the GC was the first ever console I bought with my own money.

    After beating OoT I decided to give this game a try just to confirm my hate, man was I 1000% wrong by judging a game by it's graphics, the amazing open sea exploration, oh my god the music! The great story like all Zelda games, the gameplay.

    This game was also a wake up call to me to never judge a game again by it's graphics.    … Expand
  12. chochinx16
    Apr 29, 2023
    9
    From my humble opinion, it is the most underrated game in the saga of the legend of zelda since it has a fun gameplay and a fun story and also has charismatic characters. Although it was criticized at the time for its graphics, I think it is the best experience to start in the Legend of Zelda franchise, since the game is very fun and creative and I only have one problem, which isFrom my humble opinion, it is the most underrated game in the saga of the legend of zelda since it has a fun gameplay and a fun story and also has charismatic characters. Although it was criticized at the time for its graphics, I think it is the best experience to start in the Legend of Zelda franchise, since the game is very fun and creative and I only have one problem, which is collecting the fragments of the triforce apart from that it seems to me a phenomenal and almost perfect game… Expand
  13. Fletch1027
    Feb 21, 2023
    9
    A fun Zelda game with great music, fun character designs and one of the most charming versions of Hyrule.
  14. someone11111222
    Dec 15, 2022
    4
    The whole "everything is on an island" idea quite literally gets in the way of the game. It doesn't do anything except waste time. You have to change the wind direction every time you want to go somewhere, because hurr durr you're in a boat. Gets old fast, they should have just made it something in the menu you select quickly, or better yet, eff the wind and the sail works in anyThe whole "everything is on an island" idea quite literally gets in the way of the game. It doesn't do anything except waste time. You have to change the wind direction every time you want to go somewhere, because hurr durr you're in a boat. Gets old fast, they should have just made it something in the menu you select quickly, or better yet, eff the wind and the sail works in any direction you want.

    The whole part with the triforce SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN THE GAME AT ALL. You have to find a MAP that lets you find OTHER MAPS that FINALLY have a location of the piece of the triforce, and you need like 15 of them. Every step of the way it costs 500 rupees to have a map translated, so you need to collect 5,000+ rupees to beat the game. If you didn't know that you have a problem by the time the end of the game comes with the map business, have fun grinding for a few days before you can move further. You're "supposed" to treat it as a side-quest that you do bits and pieces of here and there throughout the game, but it's just SO boring that most players put it off, hoping there will be something at the end of the game that does it for them, but that doesn't happen.

    They screwed up the spin attack. HOW could you do that? You have to unlock it which is the first problem, but it makes you think it's good. It takes too long to charge up so most of the time you will get hit and not be able to use it. If you manage to charge it up, you spin for 10 seconds while Link screams, which is stupid but most importantly HE THEN STOPS AND IS DIZZY. Oh my god how could you screw that up? That would be like putting his pogo move in the game but making it damage you or something.

    The sneaking part of the game is forced and stupid, but at least it doesn't last long. It's at the beginning of the game before you have any items.

    The hookshot is not in the game, they use a stupid rope and claw thing. It's so bad because you can only use it in "approved" places, ie where there is a pole sticking out to latch onto. The hookshot was so good in OOT because it made you think about what was wood or vines or not and what you could or could not hook into. Also with the claw rope you have to swing across and time it, which just wastes time. That should have been automatic.

    The guy on the boat who baits you in to grind and get his bracelets or whatever is a complete waste of time, all he does at the end is says thank you. So you wasted your time. WHY IS THIS IN THE GAME!

    The cartoon style is fine, that doesn't really make a big difference. A lot of characters look stupid with their gorilla style arms, but it's fine overall it's a stylistic choice. It's dumb but it doesn't ruin the game.

    It's definitely trying to be a Zelda game and the main part of the game is great. The dungeons are great and the story is great. Nintendo at least learned from their mistakes, but they were definitely mistakes, because when they made an HD remaster of this game, several of the problems I've mentioned were removed. The only things they really kept from Wind Waker was the leaf item, where you use it as a little parachute to float across gaps, and also this was the first game where they started a huge deep dungeon that is very challenging and just a fun slaughterfest.

    Nobody plays this game after their first time for a reason. It's not a completely terrible game but for being a Zelda... nobody remembers this or pines to play for it after their first time. You don't see people being nostalgic for it but you do for Zelda games both before and after. Things in other Zelda games were kept for the next one but this is definitely the dark horse of the series because it's all just a bunch of experiments that didn't work. Gamecube games exploded in value and it looks like the HD remake are both expensive. Both of them are a waste of money but if for some stupid reason you think you want to play this, the HD version on the Wii U is cheaper and also better in every way because they removed a lot of completely pointless things that are in the game. If this was your first Zelda game, you probably liked it but I feel really bad for you.    … Expand
  15. Crimson9
    Dec 12, 2022
    8
    Wind Waker continues the Zelda formula from Ocarina of time, but opens the rather tiny overworld of Ocarina into a massive ocean with lots and lots to explore. Beyond that, there isn't too much innovation to be found here, other than the wonderful art style. But at this point, the Zelda formula had not gotten stale, and I think the new story, the art style, the whimsical atmosphere, theWind Waker continues the Zelda formula from Ocarina of time, but opens the rather tiny overworld of Ocarina into a massive ocean with lots and lots to explore. Beyond that, there isn't too much innovation to be found here, other than the wonderful art style. But at this point, the Zelda formula had not gotten stale, and I think the new story, the art style, the whimsical atmosphere, the wonderful score, the minor enhancements to gameplay, and the huge world are all enough to make this game worthy of high praise. the only major criticism I have is that the dungeons are a step backwards from Ocarina's.… Expand
  16. DanielGG91
    Nov 15, 2022
    10
    Un cambio radical viniendo de los 2 anteriores juegos de sobremesa de Zelda de Nintendo, pero una apuesta fresca y super divertida. Juegazo muy recomendado para todos los públicos, a pesar de que pueda parecer más infantil se disfruta mucho aun siendo adulto.
  17. Xunkar
    Oct 8, 2022
    4
    While the game has interesting visuals, everything else quickly falls apart. The mechanics are far more tedious than in any other entry in the series, especially at sea and in dungeons that rely on the awfully slow character-switching song. The seemingly open-world is massive but also quite empty, full of invisible walls and required equipment that deter the player from exploring until theWhile the game has interesting visuals, everything else quickly falls apart. The mechanics are far more tedious than in any other entry in the series, especially at sea and in dungeons that rely on the awfully slow character-switching song. The seemingly open-world is massive but also quite empty, full of invisible walls and required equipment that deter the player from exploring until the very end of the game.… Expand
  18. Jattaman
    Sep 24, 2022
    8
    Bel capitolo di Zelda, con un colorato mondo in cell shading.
    Vario e divertente.
  19. donkaapo
    Sep 11, 2022
    10
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  20. FireBroFilms
    Aug 15, 2022
    8
    ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎
  21. ylnylmn
    Jul 10, 2022
    9
    Like Ocarina and Majora, I played until the end without getting bored. I'm someone who can get bored of other games quickly, but Zelda games draw me in. Zelda has come up with a new formula with Wind Waker. Some aspects are good and some aspects are bad. In fact, if we look at the basics of the game, the OOT mechanics are still valid. Other than the concept, not much has been changed.Like Ocarina and Majora, I played until the end without getting bored. I'm someone who can get bored of other games quickly, but Zelda games draw me in. Zelda has come up with a new formula with Wind Waker. Some aspects are good and some aspects are bad. In fact, if we look at the basics of the game, the OOT mechanics are still valid. Other than the concept, not much has been changed. That's why there hasn't been a game that impressed me as much as OOT. The good aspects of the game do not end with counting. Main things I don't like. Dungeons are more mundane and simple than OOT. Boat riding can be tiring at times. You have to constantly change the wind direction. Sometimes it can be difficult to find the treasure even if you are in treasure sound. There are few important NPCs and towns, which made the game feel a bit empty. The drawings and music of the game are very very good. Very good game overall.… Expand
  22. Leviata_Reis26
    Jul 5, 2022
    10
    Jogo muito divertido , belos graficos , musica top , e a jogabilidade superou "Ocarina of Time & Majora Mask" . Incrivel que "Zelda : Wind Waker" e melhor que todo "Resident Evil" , "Kratos of War" e "The Last of Us" , e é melhor que "Star Wars : Force Unleashed" de Playstation 3 . Tive que anotar duas paginas pra completar missões e progredir a historia , mas o "Zelda" de Nintendo 64 eJogo muito divertido , belos graficos , musica top , e a jogabilidade superou "Ocarina of Time & Majora Mask" . Incrivel que "Zelda : Wind Waker" e melhor que todo "Resident Evil" , "Kratos of War" e "The Last of Us" , e é melhor que "Star Wars : Force Unleashed" de Playstation 3 . Tive que anotar duas paginas pra completar missões e progredir a historia , mas o "Zelda" de Nintendo 64 e mais dificil . Esse jogo e rico em detalhes , mas o tema sombrio de "Majora Mask" e mais cativante . "Zelda : Wind Waker" 10/10 .… Expand
  23. 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
  24. joadson
    Jun 28, 2022
    10
    A game with unique graphics of the franchise with a very good design and great gameplay one of the funniest games in the zelda franchise
  25. GDsReviews
    May 27, 2022
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Wind Waker is the record low point in Zelda for me with a flat cartoon art style that looks far more primitive than N64 Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask that were on a significantly less powerful system then the Game Cube, and a featureless ocean to travel over.

    Now looking back, this game goes from just being plain bad to flat out deplorable. What happened? The most fundamental reason is the story. The more you grasp and think about it, the more sickening it feels. In the intro, we find that the Hyrulian leaders flood the entire land to contain the evil in Ganondorf, with only a few hilltops remaining above water. In Ocarina of Time, we see Ganondorf reek a seven year long reign of terror, but the land remains intact, and he did not completely decimate it. In Wind Waker, his goal is actually to see the kingdom of Hyrule drained of this ocean.

    So who do you feel is the real villain here? A Ganondorf that despite unleashing of dark reign of terror wants to see everyone back in their own lands again, or the Hyrulian leaders who basically drowned and displaced everyone just for one man in the end? I would go with the Hyrulian leaders here despite Ganondorf being certainly a truly evil and cunning tyrant in Ocarina of Time. He feels less evil here, and yet you are forced to preserve this ocean’s legacy of mass genocide and displacement in Wind Waker.

    Because of this, I felt like I was playing the villain, and that completely crossed the line for me. I find it morally reprehensible when you have no choice but to play a villain in a video game. Wind Waker’s deplorable factor also gets bumped up a notch when Tetra is revealed as a total brown faced Zelda that sinks this game even further. (Zelda’s disguise in Ocarina of Time in Sheik by sharp contrast has just a slight tan that could easily have come from being on the run outside for 7 years.)

    The only good parts are the soundtrack, and one scene where Tetra puts Link in a barrel, and catapults him into Forsaken Fortress to a spectacular failure and barrel of laughs.    … Expand
  26. Yaacgold24
    May 10, 2022
    10
    It is the best game i have ever played in my life. Really playable even 19 years after the release.
  27. RedLion
    May 2, 2022
    9
    The windwaker is a masterpiece. it may have some big flaws but everything from the exploration to the music to the artstyle it's just amazing. the only few flaws are the dungeon design and the triforce piece quest. I would make it a 9.5 if I could
  28. Brainfrez99122
    Apr 14, 2022
    10
    From start to finish this game is a joy to play with so much charm I'm smiling throughout the adventure. The characters are weird yet lovable the sailing is relaxing yet adventurous and that soundtrack is easily one of the best in the series. Combine all of that with an overworld with secrets to uncover tight controls and solid story this an easy game to recommend. Visually this holds upFrom start to finish this game is a joy to play with so much charm I'm smiling throughout the adventure. The characters are weird yet lovable the sailing is relaxing yet adventurous and that soundtrack is easily one of the best in the series. Combine all of that with an overworld with secrets to uncover tight controls and solid story this an easy game to recommend. Visually this holds up extremely well it still looks good even to this day and has truly stood the test of time. Items are far more versatile in this entry compared to most of the games in series in and out of combat every item you'll be using throughout the entire game while still feeling fluid and organic to play. I wish their were more dungeons in the game and it was a harder but unless your 5 most entry's in the series are pretty easy anyways and with general feel good atmosphere that the game is going for it does fit the whole experience. I don't think the triforce hunt is that bad at all and asking the player to explore the overworld in a game about exploring works here. Another criticism against the game is its use of space with people counting up the squares and breaking it down to which islands are story relevant and which one are not and while I do think it can utilize it space better every 3d entry in this series has the same issue arguably worse (except  botw) and if they decreased the size of the world too much it'd feel more like the great puddle rather then the great ocean. The ending is incredibly climactic and satisfying and ends right when it should this game holds up and deserves a perfect score by modern standards 5/5… Expand
  29. Mr_Fish
    Apr 11, 2022
    10
    This game confirms that Tingle is a serial murderer and link aids him in his escape from prison
  30. ElRagnarLocro
    Mar 31, 2022
    9
    A estas alturas ya es repetitivo hablar de la saga Zelda, que se transformó en sinónimo de excelencia. Wind Waker no se queda atrás en los estándares de la saga y es precioso en todo. Lo único negativo que puedo decir es que se hecha en falta la presencia de grandes escenarios para moverse y explorar en tierra. La idea del mar es excelente y lo hace el gran juego que es, pero siento queA estas alturas ya es repetitivo hablar de la saga Zelda, que se transformó en sinónimo de excelencia. Wind Waker no se queda atrás en los estándares de la saga y es precioso en todo. Lo único negativo que puedo decir es que se hecha en falta la presencia de grandes escenarios para moverse y explorar en tierra. La idea del mar es excelente y lo hace el gran juego que es, pero siento que las islas presentes por el mapa son demasiados pequeñas y no tienen tanto por explorar dentro de ellas, y ni hablar que algunas son solo islas de un solo puzzle.
    Nota final: 9    … Expand
  31. Kadaz
    Mar 29, 2022
    10
    This game is amazing. Probably my favorite 3d Zelda. The ship was a nice addition.
  32. kyle20ellis
    Mar 10, 2022
    10
    Warning: Spoilers
    You know I really don't hesitate to use the word masterpiece here, and I can assure you I'm not one to whip out the word lightly! It is so damn enormously charming and endlessly fun to play and get into. You get monsters, pirates, bird folk, adorable tiny leaf people, a ghost ship that's a real pain in the ass and a half to track down, a funny talking boat that helps you    Warning: Spoilers
    You know I really don't hesitate to use the word masterpiece here, and I can assure you I'm not one to whip out the word lightly! It is so damn enormously charming and endlessly fun to play and get into. You get monsters, pirates, bird folk, adorable tiny leaf people, a ghost ship that's a real pain in the ass and a half to track down, a funny talking boat that helps you to explore the sea and haul up endless treasure, and a classically evil dark lord who's far more powerful than you and who laughs in the face of dragons! It's seriously one of the most memorable and satisfying gaming experiences ever. From the moment you are able to move around and hit the pigs until they turn demonic and chase you off the little island you're hooked and the other reviewers that say so are right, you really can't help getting sucked into the world of Wind Waker and falling in love with it, at least I sure couldn't. I love the cell shaded style that it has, I think it makes it, it's gorgeously vibrant and it allowed for a lot more expressionful movement in the faces of the characters than ever before, with the whole story being told without a single real word being spoken, just very expressionful murmuring, and I loved that. And the whole wind conducting and sailing motif is really the heart and soul of it all... Yes the sailing never ends but it gives the game the grand sense of vastness and of exploration that makes it feel like a truly epic adventure, and the at the time 'controversial' cell-shaded style goes together with the big tone and theme of it. The child version of Link is my favourite version of the character, I got Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks initially because of that and they were good games in their own right, if mere shadows of this one. For me it was fun just to explore and do all the side quests and smash the myriad types of Moblins and Chuchus into puffs of purple smoke with your sword! And the boss battles are suitably daunting, my favourite one is the battle against the giant bird, it's so satisfying to crush and conquer with the Skull Hammer the winged beast that swiped your little sister! My one complaint is that it's a bit on the easy side, with only the final extended boss fight against Ganon being genuinely difficult to defeat. It is a bit grindy at points, but that's hardly something to moan about the way I see it, at least it makes you work to progress through it a little. Anyway it's amazingly fun and I'll always love it, as it is a joy and a great classic of video-gaming. Thank you, and may you ride the fair winds of destiny wherever they may lead you!!!    … Expand
  33. DarkwingSchmuck
    Mar 4, 2022
    9
    To this day, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker boasts the most charming and visually appealing aesthetic in the entire franchise. This gorgeous game builds off the excellent Ocarina of Time in many ways, though it does feature fewer dungeons than its predecessor. Furthermore, while its core sailing mechanic is a grand time at first, it does eventually wear out its welcome, and late inTo this day, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker boasts the most charming and visually appealing aesthetic in the entire franchise. This gorgeous game builds off the excellent Ocarina of Time in many ways, though it does feature fewer dungeons than its predecessor. Furthermore, while its core sailing mechanic is a grand time at first, it does eventually wear out its welcome, and late in the game you're forced to utilize it for one of the most tedious quests in any Zelda title.… Expand
  34. Marwans
    Feb 24, 2022
    10
    An amazing piece of work! I love this game. It is very entertaining. The bad thing is the water the ocean is quite extensive but this doesn't mean it's bad it has an amazing soundtrack as well as its design.
  35. Mirza57
    Jan 26, 2022
    10
    I think there is a problem in the brain of those who find the visual, art design and graphics of this game bad.
  36. B00tador
    Nov 28, 2021
    8
    After OoT, this is the 2nd best 3D Zelda game for me. Timeless art style, best Ganon
  37. JoeyPL5
    Nov 16, 2021
    10
    This is the best 3D Zelda pre-Breath of the Wild. What you do in between dungeons is actually fun (@Twilight Princess) and the world and music are gorgeous.
  38. SkyrimGod
    Oct 4, 2021
    10
    The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker is a timeless masterpiece
    in game design. The world, the combat and the cel shaded art style
    make this such a unique game. I don't care if it's the nostolga glasses
    but it's a top 3 Zelda game to me and a top 10 video game in my book.
    Oh and dare I say the best Zelda soundtrck besides TP and OOT.
  39. grimreapersims
    Sep 26, 2021
    10
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  40. MadEagle
    Sep 17, 2021
    10
    Great game for the time it was released and still holds up. Have replayed it again and it’s still so good. Graphics are charming and the story is amazing.
  41. joash
    Sep 9, 2021
    10
    The most beautiful, charming, and funny game I have ever played, this game is way underrated!
  42. Veskass
    Aug 6, 2021
    9
    If we take away the cursed quest for Triforce Fragments, this game is incredible. A successful atmosphere, endearing characters and much more dynamic gameplay.
  43. Uncle_Steve
    Jul 14, 2021
    9
    The most fascinating and unique Zelda game in my opinion. The ocean world is very big, the story is simple and gripping and the dungeons are fun, albeit very easy. With more development time, there definitely could've been more. It included a bonus Disk with Ocarina of Time, which made this game a phenomenal value for 60 bucks back then in 2003.
  44. Sweatymother
    May 9, 2021
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Okay. So, you might be here, looking for another gem to adorn your Gamecube console with. And from all the 9's and 10's you have been scrolling past, you may be expecting the creme of crop, the pinnacle of the Legend of Zelda series. I would recommend going into the game blind, but it's too late for that now. Your expectations could not be higher right now, and that's a bad thing. This game has a big nostalgia factor and if you are under the age of ten, it may become your favorite game. But for me that is not the case.  I got into Zelda games as an adult so I have zero nostalgia for the series. If you are already an avid Zelda fanatic then you are going to buy the game anyway. If you're not, save you're money. A get Luigi's Mansion or Paper Mario: The The Thousand Year Door. Those games are worth your time If you are a Mario fan. Anyway, anything past this sentence will be spoiler material so proceed with caution. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker [WW], is an average adventure game. You got the vague evil forces, the kidnapped relatives, the dungeons, the bosses, the final boss, then happily ever after. The first part of the game follows the classic Zelda formula: collect three mystical gems then get the master sword. For that it what it is, it's okay. It stays true to the formula. The complaints I have for this section of the game are that the game actively discourages you from straying off the beaten path. It may seem like a nit pick, but it's Zelda. These games expect you to discover essential plot points out of natural curiosity. And if you don't explore, the game doesn't tell you what you need to do in order to advance. For example: there is a point in the game you find a rather large island called the Mother and Child Isle's. The island is shaped like the top of a dormant volcano. The problem is that the volcano walls completely surround the interior area that you want to explore with no apparent way to get in. So, like any fan of Zelda games, I assumed I was missing the item necessary to gain access. As it turns out, you need to WARP to that island to get inside. This would be fine, of course, if the game gave you a hint at what you need to do. I made sure to talk to every npc I ran across and every fish in the ocean so I would be well prepared for the adventure. But I came across this by blind luck. The Mother and Child isle happened to be the close to my destination so I warped there. If I wasn't lucky I would've been very frustrated. Keep in mind this isn't a minor issue. You HAVE to do this in order to advance at all. The other complaint I have for this early section of the game, is that the dungeons are really easy the are only 2 of them. 2 dungeons for three mystical objects. I was glad I didn't have to do another throwaway dungeon but that's just lazy game design. Other than that the game has been tolerable up until this point. Alright, now you have finally got the master sword it's time to dungeon crawl until you fight Ganon. No more f***ing around. At least that's what you would expect. It is Zelda after all. Don't you think this would be the best part of the game? The buildup to the climactic clash with Ganon? Right? Well f*** you and your high hopes! You do 1 more decent dungeon and 1 crappy one. Both tedious as all he'll. Remember the water temple from the n64 OOT? Well it's that bad. You have to play the same, insanely tedious song every 20 seconds. I'm not even exaggerating. And if you have poor rhythm, you are f***ed. Oh yeah I didn't mention you have to not only play the notes in order, but in time too. The dungeons aren't even the worst part. Buts it's the lack of them. You can't model a game after oot and only include 4 dungeons. Next is the infamous triforce shard quest. Here's how I remember it. You need to find 8 triforce shards. First you have to find a treasure map called Tingle's chart (which you won't have if you followed the in game prompts). Tingle's chart shows you where to find these other maps called the triforce charts. Sounds simple enough. The only thing is, you CANT READ THE THE TRIFORCE CHARTS!!! You have to take them to a specific location and get them deciphered. Whatever I guess I'll go get them deciphered. The only thing is. It costs 398 rupees for EACH TRIFORCE CHART to be deciphered. And rupees aren't super abundant unless you know where to look. It was around this time I called it off. I deleted my save file and watched the final events of the game play out on YouTube to satisfy any lingering curiosity I had for the end of the game. I focused mainly on the bad things about the game but there are good things to say. Gameplay is pretty solid. Camera control is nice. The music is great. It just just doesn't have that usual Nintendo polish. It feels like it was developed by a third party. If you want to experience to game. Watch a playthrough on YouTube. It will save you time and frustration. Thanks for reading and I hope you can find a better game to play :)… Expand
  45. Bottlecaps
    May 8, 2021
    10
    The legend of zelda wind waker is timeless im playing this game in 2021 on my game cube and it feels like a breath of fresh air , im so use to games not working on launch , Samey game design , cover shooters and souls like action rpgs mired with micro transactions , most games that have come out recently will be forgotten about within the year. this never happens to any of the legend ofThe legend of zelda wind waker is timeless im playing this game in 2021 on my game cube and it feels like a breath of fresh air , im so use to games not working on launch , Samey game design , cover shooters and souls like action rpgs mired with micro transactions , most games that have come out recently will be forgotten about within the year. this never happens to any of the legend of zelda games , especially wind waker being just about 20 years old

    Story: you are a young man whos just aged a year ? YEAh its your birthday and it doesn't tell you how old link is but thats ok , you are gifted the hero of times tunic or at least a replica turns out you are actually a bit player in a historic battle for good an evil fought over the ancient and sunken land of hyrule witch you sail the seas in search mystical powers , BUT first you have to save your sister from that evil. the story is both personal and grand at the same time link starts off just trying to save his sister but ends up in the middle of an ancient war between 2 ghosts , with one of the most violent endings to a legend of zelda game , i can still remember vividly how hard my heart was pounding fighting Gannon for the first time
    Story: 10/10

    World building: now when I was a kid a lot of this **** went over my head and I didn't realize most of what I was seeing or reading , alot of the zelda games are their own thing but this game feels like a sequel to oot not just in story but in world , hyrule is covered by sea the hyrule you knew is covered by sea creating the ocean and island landscapes , this was done by the gods to seal gannons power away witch worked for a while . dragon roost island is likely the top of death mountain , the forbidden forest is the shell of the deku tree from oot with the seedling being the new deku tree , and there are lots of little details like this, links village is obviously descendants of of kokoriko forest seeing as its the closest settlement to the deku tree , windfall must be descendant from hyrule based on teh cloths and culture of the island. i could go on about this game for hours and how much detail there is in the world and its story
    World building: 10/10

    Graphics: wind waker at the time of its release was controversial because it looked like a cartoon , to a 10 year old boy thats nothing it looks like my cartoons , but this stylistic choice has saved the game from ever looking old EVER like i said this is 2021 and this game feels and looks like it hasn't aged a day its really hard to belive this is a 20 year old game , they say the best designs are timeless , the wheel , sliced bread and now wind waker
    Graphics:10/10

    Gameplay: the game play is silky smooth , every bad guy has a weakness to exploit and a strategy to beat them , every dungeon and item are designed wonderfully , its exciting getting new gear in this game because you know you will use it , unlike i the modern day looter shooters where replacing your gear is every 3 minutes , but wind waker everything has a purpose , it will be used , weather its the chu jelly or the pendants , the sword play is silky smooth SILKY SMOOTH you make a mistake its your fault , I'm already pretty decent at this game so i managed to not even die once this whole playthrough , but I didn't feel like the game was too easy it always felt "just right" because id still take hits , id still screw up but i knew how to recover . my only gripe with this game is the triforce hunt , I some how managed to find them all without the internet back in the day and this playthrough I used my past knowledge with a little bit of luck , also SO MUCH SAILING it slows the game right down , i know the triforce hunts streamlined in the hd version but this is the game cube version
    Gameplay: 9.8/10

    Sound design: music is fantastic , sound effects fantastic but also annoying at times , doing the outset gauntlet for the triforce shard all i heard was link go " AHHHHHHHHHH" for like 10 times in a row going down hole after hole. but those are nit picks to say the least , i don't want to give this game a perfect score but its going to be close. this game is just an allrounder , its the gordie Howe of video games
    sound design 9.9/10
    10+10+10+9.8+ 9.9= 49.7
    49.7/5= 9.94/10
    Legend of zelda wind waker is a timeless game , it will always be good because if how its made and the love put into it , even 20 years later it dose not show its age    … Expand
  46. 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.
  47. Revali
    Apr 8, 2021
    10
    Wind maker é um dos Zelda mais diferenciados na minha opinião, isso deixa o jogo bem único, no começo eu não gostei muito, mas depois de 2 horas jogando eu comecei a amar esse jogo! A jogabilidade é ótima, o combate é INCRÍVEL, as aventuras são bem divertidas, os gráficos são bem feitos, a história é cativante, nunca imaginei que Zelda iria combinar com "piratas" e eu me enganei MUITO.Wind maker é um dos Zelda mais diferenciados na minha opinião, isso deixa o jogo bem único, no começo eu não gostei muito, mas depois de 2 horas jogando eu comecei a amar esse jogo! A jogabilidade é ótima, o combate é INCRÍVEL, as aventuras são bem divertidas, os gráficos são bem feitos, a história é cativante, nunca imaginei que Zelda iria combinar com "piratas" e eu me enganei MUITO.
  48. Raknner44
    Mar 16, 2021
    0
    Que hayan puesto un combate contra 3 armaduras ya era mal diseño e injusto. Pero después pusieron un combate contra 4 armaduras, no entiendo como se supone que uno tenga que enfrentarse y ganar, es absolutamente ridículo. Eso sumado al mal diseño de VARIAS de sus partes hace que el viaje ya no sea muy agradable que digamos, el peor legend of Zelda de todos con muchísima diferencia
  49. 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.
  50. Dom007
    Jan 20, 2021
    10
    With an excellent storyline, charming graphic style and memorable soundtrack. This game is no doubt great and massively enjoyable. The game has some downsides such as some weak dungeons, the confusing triforce quest and the frustrating minigames, bringing the experience to more or less a 9.7/10 but it's certianly worthy of that score.
  51. mofal
    Jan 12, 2021
    10
    This is the best game of all time. It is pleasant and challenging and great for gaming for long hours. It's positive and pleasant tone allows for the gamer to be relaxed and happy for the entire gave me experience rather than stressed out and sweating like many other games. It's puzzles are very challenging it's bosses are rather easy but memorable nonetheless. 10 out of 10
  52. Janek1907
    Dec 22, 2020
    8
    Zelda the Windwaker is a really good game and I definitely had fun with it. But yes, there are some things that aren’t perfect. A think that the game is good, but a bit overrated.

    positives - beautiful art-style - fantastic soundtrack - amazing dungeons - good and fair bosses negatives - story has way more potential than used - Nothing really to explore in the world - control of the    Zelda the Windwaker is a really good game and I definitely had fun with it. But yes, there are some things that aren’t perfect. A think that the game is good, but a bit overrated.

    positives - beautiful art-style
    - fantastic soundtrack
    - amazing dungeons
    - good and fair bosses

    negatives - story has way more potential than used
    - Nothing really to explore in the world
    - control of the character is often very bad

    All together added I think an 8 is the right score for this game. I recommend this game for every Zelda fan and gamers who like big dungeons with lots of secrets. The game is not very hard, so it’s also good for casuals or starters.
    Gamers who like to explore a big world and to follow a story, the game won’t be the perfect game.    … Expand
  53. MaoZedong
    Dec 1, 2020
    9
    It is easily one of the best games from the GameCube, and if played on an emulator with a widescreen hack, it looks like it could be a modern game. The dungeon design is some of the weakest in the series, but still very fun. The triforce piece hunt is annoying though, and I wish they kept the cut dungeons.
  54. spencerplewe
    Nov 14, 2020
    9
    With an expressive art style, fun personalities, wonderful music, and the unmistakably tried and true controls of the series, The Wind Waker is a unique main Zelda entry that took a major risk in shifting its aesthetic and world building formula, and largely pays off.
  55. AbeFiletti
    Nov 12, 2020
    10
    My first Legend of Zelda game is still one of the best. The Wind Waker is probably the most likeable game ever. How can you say this is a bad game. Everyone complained about the graphics when it came out, but now it is praised for it's beautiful cell shaded look. Every thing clicks in this game. The characters are so good. Tetra, Link, and Ganondorf are the standouts. Tetra is so cool. IMy first Legend of Zelda game is still one of the best. The Wind Waker is probably the most likeable game ever. How can you say this is a bad game. Everyone complained about the graphics when it came out, but now it is praised for it's beautiful cell shaded look. Every thing clicks in this game. The characters are so good. Tetra, Link, and Ganondorf are the standouts. Tetra is so cool. I mean she is the leader of a pirate gang, how can she not be cool. Link is like only 12 in this game and he has some of the best I'm awesome moments. Finally, unlike any other version in the series, the villain is actually a character. I don't want to spoil the game but Ganondorf actually has morals, and an actual reason for the things he's doing. The dungeons (although lacking of many) are really good. There isn't a bad dungeon, and everyone of them feel original. The story is super engaging, and immersive. From beginning to end you are wondering what will happen next. But you can't talk about Wind Waker without talking about what makes it special. I am of course talking about the sailing. It is so fun to just get distracted by the great sea. The thing that makes it fun is that every island is unique and has it's own special thing about it. When you see in island in the distance you are always obligated to go towards it. Wind Waker might have my favorite videogame score of all time. I think it's is at least the best in the series. It has bangers like the title theme, Molgera, Outset Island, The Great Sea, Windfall Island, the credits music, and I could keep going. I only give my top 5 games a 10/10, and Wind Waker, being my 2nd favorite game, deserves a 10/10.… Expand
  56. Kakadu
    Oct 5, 2020
    10
    Definitely an absolute masterpiece and still one of the best games in the franchise and genre. One of my favorite childhood games.
  57. chochin
    Aug 22, 2020
    10
    good game has an incredible soundtrack, a very good story and a great gameplay. Sometimes it can be a bit frustrating or difficult but that to my liking gives it a touch of challenge, you have to use creativity and logic it is a very good game my only negative point is that it takes a little while for the red mask to go from one point to point another but everything else for me is perfectgood game has an incredible soundtrack, a very good story and a great gameplay. Sometimes it can be a bit frustrating or difficult but that to my liking gives it a touch of challenge, you have to use creativity and logic it is a very good game my only negative point is that it takes a little while for the red mask to go from one point to point another but everything else for me is perfect great game, great soundtrack and great gameplay without a doubt a 10/10… Expand
  58. manugd22
    Jul 20, 2020
    10
    Mi videojuego de Zelda favorito, mi infancia, simplemente eso. Cada vez que juego me transmite unos recuerdos muy bonitos del pasado.
  59. Okevin212
    Jul 19, 2020
    9
    I had to get used to the cel graphics. This game is super fun I love the deku leaf. Controlling the wind, riding a boat through the open sea, looking for treasure, this game was a nice twist. Really fun.
  60. aaasss555
    Jul 17, 2020
    10
    This game changed my life! Great memories with this master piece, played 15 times.
  61. Toasty87
    Jul 16, 2020
    9
    Still holds up today with its beautiful animation and sound rough in small parts though.
  62. Classy
    Jun 28, 2020
    9
    My favourite Zelda game. The reason i gave it a 9 because the wii u version is on an entirely different planet.
  63. INU4SH4
    Jun 22, 2020
    9
    It's 2020 and today I finally finished this Nintendo Gem.

    Wind Waker is an exceptional open-world adventure game. Surely a must for fans of the genre. Its world and aesthetics are pretty unique to this day and I rarely find a video game world that hooked me this badly. Every island was fun to discover and explore and I really appreciated the small details and secrets. When it comes    It's 2020 and today I finally finished this Nintendo Gem.

    Wind Waker is an exceptional open-world adventure game. Surely a must for fans of the genre. Its world and aesthetics are pretty unique to this day and I rarely find a video game world that hooked me this badly. Every island was fun to discover and explore and I really appreciated the small details and secrets.

    When it comes to story, it starts quite slow and simple but later on, it becomes really interesting and quite mind-blowing. The characters and the dialog were pretty comical and fitted the game's visuals like a glove. Gameplay-wise it was simple but at the same time pretty challenging when it came to some bosses and challenges. Just what I expected from a LoZ game.

    Now, let's talk about the small things that held this game from being a true masterpiece to me. There were a few times when cruising though the ocean and backtracking before unlocking 'fast-travel' that turned out a bit tedious and at times some instructions and puzzles weren't very comprehensive. But that's pretty much all the negative stuff I have to point out.

    Overall, great game and definitely on par with my favorites Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild. I'd give it a 9 or 9.5/10.    … Expand
  64. Jessicaw
    Jun 22, 2020
    10
    Everything about this game is fun and loveable. The soundtrack was amazing, the characters were interesting and the world felt bigger than it truly was. It had fun twists, even if they were expected and a good story line.
  65. Sepferod
    Jun 20, 2020
    8
    Первая игра о Зельде с большим и открытым миром,интересная с неустаревающей графикой,до сих пор выглядит замечательно,всем рекомендую.
  66. Nikg92
    Jun 2, 2020
    10
    This was one of my favorite childhood games. The cell-shaded graphics came as a surprise to some, but Zelda fans know that Nintendo likes to be creative and switch up the art style for this franchise; it was a welcome surprise to me. I also really enjoyed the cartoon-like aesthetic and sounds. I say if you're too 'grown' for the cartoon-aesthetic then maybe you're too 'grown' for videoThis was one of my favorite childhood games. The cell-shaded graphics came as a surprise to some, but Zelda fans know that Nintendo likes to be creative and switch up the art style for this franchise; it was a welcome surprise to me. I also really enjoyed the cartoon-like aesthetic and sounds. I say if you're too 'grown' for the cartoon-aesthetic then maybe you're too 'grown' for video games, saying cartoons are only for kids is ironically childish.
    They stayed true to the spirit of Zelda games and its lore. The storytelling was phenomenal and the music was beautiful. They came a long way in terms of working out a fluid controller and camera system compared to their N64 titles, though it was finicky at times, particularly in dungeons and while sailing. The sailing sometimes seemed monotonous but on the other hand, it was a good time to take a breather and reflect on my progress. Like most other popular Zelda titles, the replay potential is great and the story is long allowing 100+ hours of enjoyable gameplay for completionists like myself. My main complaints for this title is that there is a considerable amount of backtracking in some dungeons and the beginning of the game contains a lot of unskippable dialog and cutscenes; forcing repeat players to navigate through an intro that is over an hour to start a new game.    … Expand
  67. bancandrei
    May 13, 2020
    8
    This game nails the atmosphere and nails it hard. One of the best games about the innocent joy of exploration. Criticized at launch for the art style, it pretty much ensured that it has aged marvelously, probably best game of all time in that regard.
    The story, the joy of exploring and the childlike wonder of this world make it a game worth checking out by anyone. Simply put this is a    This game nails the atmosphere and nails it hard. One of the best games about the innocent joy of exploration. Criticized at launch for the art style, it pretty much ensured that it has aged marvelously, probably best game of all time in that regard.
    The story, the joy of exploring and the childlike wonder of this world make it a game worth checking out by anyone. Simply put this is a game that sparks joy.    … Expand
  68. tcost
    Apr 12, 2020
    10
    Big legend among the other Zelda legends... Favourite game of all time. Gameplay, visual style, most impressive zelda story so far, and best ending ever: very unexpected and satisfying. 10/10 for this legend. Will never be forgotten, thank you zelda team.
  69. tukumalu
    Mar 17, 2020
    10
    A timeless classic with ahead of its time open world design and gameplay. There are tedious sections that got made up by a satisfying ending
  70. RonRocker777
    Mar 5, 2020
    3
    En ningún momento me emocionó, se hacía tedioso navegar por tantos minutos al comienzo, jefes muy fáciles de vencer, etc. Un Zelda sobrevalorado como TP /

    A game that never touched me, it became tedious to navigate for so many minutes at the beginning, bosses very easy to beat. An overrated Zelda as TP.
  71. gandoulf
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    This is the best zelda ever. The donjon, the OST, the graphics.... All is perfect !
  72. 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.
  73. JayNxtGen
    Nov 10, 2019
    9
    The Wind Waker the first game I owned on the Nintendo Gamecube and I still love to this day with the Wii U HD release.

    This game is one of the best adventures you could have even by todays standards the graphics are timeless and the world is rich making even Sea of Thieves look weak (and I like Sea of Thieves) each island had a different feel and theme and it makes things feel so fresh    The Wind Waker the first game I owned on the Nintendo Gamecube and I still love to this day with the Wii U HD release.

    This game is one of the best adventures you could have even by todays standards the graphics are timeless and the world is rich making even Sea of Thieves look weak (and I like Sea of Thieves) each island had a different feel and theme and it makes things feel so fresh from a dark sea fortress to a happy little town with weird people and mysteries. if you want to jump into this game I would suggest the Wii U version as it does make improvements to quality of life issues such as the tri-force hunt and travel speed. Nintendo did it again and made one of the best adventure games ever.    … Expand
  74. castillo2war
    Sep 21, 2019
    9
    Only problem this game has, for me, is Tingle. The game would be a perfect 10/10 if it had no Tingle.
  75. DarrionVale
    Aug 14, 2019
    9
    My personal rating for "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" (GC): 8,6/10 - Awesome
    Gameplay: 9
    Video: 8
    Audio: 8
    Scope: 9
    Balance: 8,5
    Story: 7
  76. vervain
    Jul 4, 2019
    10
    For fans of exploration-based games, this chapter in the Zelda franchise is not to be missed.
  77. brendo214
    May 21, 2019
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game has the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. The Link in this game is so adorable and funny (especially with the faces he makes). The game is simply beautiful. But then there are moments like the frustration that is the Wind Temple. And oh my lord, I don't think I've ever gotten more frustrated by a boss in a video game than I did with the abomination that is this game's Ganon fight. But at the end of the day, the highs overshadowed the lows, and I ended up really enjoying this game. And that's what matters.… Expand
  78. Llauses
    May 12, 2019
    10
    Arguably the best 3D Zelda game, improving almost every aspect from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. It has everything you expect from a Zelda game: a very good story, great music and fun dungeons; but now with amazing visuals and a brand new gameplay on the sea that works really well. Nintendo putt out another masterpiece.
  79. Bitbat
    Apr 28, 2019
    10
    For anyone who has owned a GameCube, this is a must play. They do have a remastered version of this game which is available on the wii u. I spent hours on this game, however I never got to finish it. The cel shaded art style is really great as it provides a unique feel that the other games do not have.

    In addition the Wind Waker is really fun to use and the bosses provide a satisfying fight.
  80. peterjack
    Apr 6, 2019
    10
    My second favorite Zelda, after Breath of the Wild. The sailing mechanic is such an innovative and fun take on traditional Zelda.
  81. Ernest_Figueroa
    Nov 23, 2018
    9
    Un excelente juego de la saga, la grafica cartoon no me agrada, música excelente, la historia inicia bien y luego se estanca, aun así la exploración de las islas es un llamado al explorador que todos llevamos dentro. Esta historia me a gustado mucho y ganon se lleva mi respeto para siempre.
  82. joacoandresen
    Oct 25, 2018
    10
    Beautiful in every single way, from the amazing art-style to the mind bending puzzles, The Wind Waker is one of the most unique Zelda games. Although there is that one quest everyone hates (including me), it can't take down this amazing game.

    If you own a GameCube, play it. If you own a Wii U, play it. If you don't own any of those systems, buy one at a sale and play it. It is that    Beautiful in every single way, from the amazing art-style to the mind bending puzzles, The Wind Waker is one of the most unique Zelda games. Although there is that one quest everyone hates (including me), it can't take down this amazing game.

    If you own a GameCube, play it. If you own a Wii U, play it. If you don't own any of those systems, buy one at a sale and play it. It is that good. No Zelda fan can miss this one.    … Expand
  83. yitus
    Sep 18, 2018
    10
    This The Legend of the Zelda is my favorite by far. I have been lucky to have played all the Zelda's that have come to the market and this marked me a before and after in the saga (on a personal level). It's aesthetic cartoon, gameplay, characters, music, scenarios, open world, dialogues, history ... is a cluster of things that make it become today in my favorite Zelda. With this I do notThis The Legend of the Zelda is my favorite by far. I have been lucky to have played all the Zelda's that have come to the market and this marked me a before and after in the saga (on a personal level). It's aesthetic cartoon, gameplay, characters, music, scenarios, open world, dialogues, history ... is a cluster of things that make it become today in my favorite Zelda. With this I do not mean that the other The Legend of Zelda are not good, on the contrary, they are all fantastic, but personally The Wind Waker is my favorite.… Expand
  84. cynicalshade
    Aug 30, 2018
    4
    Not a single moment where I actually enjoyed this game, it's genuinely tedious to playthrough, with the game rarely telling you where you should go and what you should do.
  85. Jawey
    Jul 21, 2018
    10
    This game is one of the best games ever made. It has an amazing story, the combat is fun, the animation is beautiful and the soundtrack is breathtaking. While the triforce quest was a little tedious it's not as bad as some people have said and other great franchises like Halo and GTA had similar parts that were tedious. The ending for this game is one of the best endings in video games andThis game is one of the best games ever made. It has an amazing story, the combat is fun, the animation is beautiful and the soundtrack is breathtaking. While the triforce quest was a little tedious it's not as bad as some people have said and other great franchises like Halo and GTA had similar parts that were tedious. The ending for this game is one of the best endings in video games and disproves the myth that nintendo makes childish games. This game is unfortunately criminally underrated due to it being released on two unsuccessful consoles, the gamecube and wii u and the sequel getting cancelled was sad since the wind waker needs a proper sequel that takes place right after the game ends.… Expand
  86. 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
  87. ktjayhawk77
    Jun 14, 2018
    8
    Great classic Zelda game-great gameplay and tight controls. I loved pretty much everything about it, but would have given this a 10 if you were required to complete a dungeon to get the third pearl-you are pretty much just given it and it’s not really earned. It just seems the game was rushed a little and they didn’t have time to add that extra dungeon in. The dungeons are cool butGreat classic Zelda game-great gameplay and tight controls. I loved pretty much everything about it, but would have given this a 10 if you were required to complete a dungeon to get the third pearl-you are pretty much just given it and it’s not really earned. It just seems the game was rushed a little and they didn’t have time to add that extra dungeon in. The dungeons are cool but nothing about them really stood out like some in other Zelda titles ie Twilight Princess. The stealth mission in the Forsaken Fortress was kinda annoying as well, but this is coming from someone who doesn’t like stealth based missions. Unlike most, I actually liked the Triforce fetch quest, but I’m into that whole exploring and collecting things in games. Great game, but should have had made a dungeon for the third pearl- that was my biggest gripe with the game. Still, a must-own for any Zelda fanatic!… Expand
  88. forevernes
    May 20, 2018
    9
    Un Zelda distinto y especial, uno de los the legend of zelda más profundos, nota 9.5
  89. wegie125
    May 4, 2018
    9
    I don't care what people think, this game was so much fun, it was a real branch away from the zelda games we had been getting before. It had gone from being super dark and something that actually felt scary to something like this that was more cartoony and had me more attached as a kid because it felt like something that was more inviting. Obviously that is just the looks and the gameI don't care what people think, this game was so much fun, it was a real branch away from the zelda games we had been getting before. It had gone from being super dark and something that actually felt scary to something like this that was more cartoony and had me more attached as a kid because it felt like something that was more inviting. Obviously that is just the looks and the game itself was something that I never beat, still to this day I don't know what it is like to have that experience. I hope that they recreate this game one more time because I was one of the many that never got he Wiiu but currently has a switch.… Expand
  90. Meta1234
    Apr 25, 2018
    8
    The Zelda game returned on the Gamecube console with an original sea concept and nice cartoony graphics.

    Great effort, 2 point deduction due to multiple story reuses.
  91. Adubis27
    Mar 19, 2018
    10
    10/10, this game is unrealistically good. Go play it if you can, be it on the Wii U or GCN. The greatest game to ever sport "The Legend of Zelda" in the title.
  92. Artyfonseca
    Feb 25, 2018
    10
    Now I don't really care about the Cartoonish Graphics that this game had as it only added to the huge amount of creativity that this game had. The Boss Fight's in this game were epic especially Ganondorf's and The Gohmas. It had a unique Story I mean the fact that Hyrule is Underwater, We've never seen that in a Zelda game before. The Gameplay in this game is also good and the Combat. InNow I don't really care about the Cartoonish Graphics that this game had as it only added to the huge amount of creativity that this game had. The Boss Fight's in this game were epic especially Ganondorf's and The Gohmas. It had a unique Story I mean the fact that Hyrule is Underwater, We've never seen that in a Zelda game before. The Gameplay in this game is also good and the Combat. In General this is a Masterpiece and for me the Best Game on the Gamecube.… Expand
  93. Lyndxn
    Feb 12, 2018
    10
    Although the triforce part was a bit annoying, this game is still very enjoyable and fun.
  94. joehi1
    Jan 15, 2018
    9
    The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker is a visual masterpiece and an amazing addition to the already phenomenal series. Wind Waker completely overhauled the graphics of the Zelda series, and while some may say that the graphics catered too much to a younger audience, in reality, the cell shaded graphics are the best fit for Zelda. Wind Waker offers some of the most fluid gameplay ZeldaThe Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker is a visual masterpiece and an amazing addition to the already phenomenal series. Wind Waker completely overhauled the graphics of the Zelda series, and while some may say that the graphics catered too much to a younger audience, in reality, the cell shaded graphics are the best fit for Zelda. Wind Waker offers some of the most fluid gameplay Zelda series, with fast-paced exciting combat, and one of the first experiences of an open world in video games. A large part of Wind Waker involves riding on the sea and it's truly amazing how free you feel while operating the King of Red Lions. Sailing around gives the game such an open feeling that makes the player feel as if they are in control of where they want to go and not the feeling of linearity that players so used to in the Zelda franchise. Puzzles are still as fun as ever, and the game does a fairly good job at directing you where you have to go to continue the story without outright forcing you to go there. The story is still as charming as ever to the triforce shard quests do feel quite boring and uninspired, causing a part of the game to lose its immersiveness. Overall Wind Waker is by far one of the greatest games ever created by Nintendo and probably one of the greatest games ever made. Wind Waker proves that changes to a well-established franchise are not always a bad thing and can sometimes rejuvenate a franchise and make it feel new to players all over again

    Cons
    Triforce shard quest is still boring.    … Expand
  95. Sausage22
    Nov 7, 2017
    9
    Only thing that is bad about this game is its post-duengons part, without internet its pain in the ass to find all these trioforce parts, and in addition you must pay a lots of rupees. The rest of the game is fantastic, loved it.
  96. SuperSourSauce
    Nov 6, 2017
    10
    Sang in the voice of Pat Benatar and her 1979 classic, Heartbreaker:

    "He's a wind waker!

    Pot breaker!

    Heart taker!

    Chicken shaker!"

    Cartoony Link has aged so well. I freakin' love this game.
  97. MrTacoBob
    Sep 12, 2017
    10
    When I first looked at this game I was skeptical cause the graphics were so out of touch from the other games but you can't judge a book by the cover. And, once I played the game it was fun and felt like any ordinary Legend of Zelda game but a bit better!
  98. NicM
    Sep 3, 2017
    8
    So, I didn't finished the game yet, but I'm going to do a review, anyway. I'll do a more detailed review when I finish it, aight? Also, this review contains mini-spoilers.

    I really liked the presentation of the game more than Ocarina of Time. But's still not great. The graphics are really beautiful, the cartoon style make the game so pretty. I'm not going to give spoilers of the story,    So, I didn't finished the game yet, but I'm going to do a review, anyway. I'll do a more detailed review when I finish it, aight? Also, this review contains mini-spoilers.

    I really liked the presentation of the game more than Ocarina of Time. But's still not great. The graphics are really beautiful, the cartoon style make the game so pretty. I'm not going to give spoilers of the story, but I really liked it. The open world is so good, I really appreciate it, and it is really good to travel through the sea. It can also be scary , if you don't like the sea like me. The combat is great, it isn't annoying, unlike some Zelda games. I don't like how you can't travel faster through the land, but that's fine. The music is great, obviously. The puzzles aren't annoying to complete, unlike Ocarina Of Time, because Zelda have very boring puzzles;but I had fun completing The Wind Waker's puzzles. The game itself is very fun.    … Expand
  99. artificeprime
    Aug 6, 2017
    9
    The Wind Waker succeeds by totally embodying the spirit of adventure that makes most Zelda games great while also offering an experience that is unique. While the visual style isn't quite to my taste, it is a very clean look that makes it one of the more timeless entries in the series. The only thing that holds this game back from reaching the highest echelons of gaming is that it suffersThe Wind Waker succeeds by totally embodying the spirit of adventure that makes most Zelda games great while also offering an experience that is unique. While the visual style isn't quite to my taste, it is a very clean look that makes it one of the more timeless entries in the series. The only thing that holds this game back from reaching the highest echelons of gaming is that it suffers from relatively little content and a lot of tedious backtracking. Despite its minor flaws though I was totally swept away by the adventure and the game also offers some of the most surprising moments in the series.

    The gameplay in Wind Waker takes most of the best aspects of the last couple games while offering some excellent additions. Sailing is Wind Waker's main new mechanic and it works beautifully, it is easy to use while still being fun and immersive. The camera is probably the best I have seen in any game and is far better than the camera was in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. With the second control stick you have complete control and even have multiple levels of zoom (which is a great feature that was unfortunately removed from the next few games in the series). Combat is a bit more simplistic in this game than some of the others but it is fast paced and offers some really fun abilities such as the roll counter attack which looks and feels awesome. it would have been nice to have more items but the ones that you get are mostly excellent. The grappling hook is a great multi purpose item that is both fun to use and very helpful. Wind Waker also offers some of the best stealth sections in any Zelda game. They don't require an immense amount skill but they do a great job of creating tension. Almost everything about the gameplay lends itself to the overall sense of adventure and immersion.

    Story wise Wind Waker is pretty simple but it succeeds in telling a simple story very well. It also does a good job of taking risks with the standard Zelda plot and offers some really great twists and turns. Each major location offers at least a couple memorable moments. From beggining to end I felt immersed in the story and always wanted to find out what was next. Despite its cartoony style it also offers some pretty dark moments. Like most of my favorite Zelda games the story is bittersweet. The ending is probably one of my favorites in a Zelda game. It isn't my favorite Zelda story but its certainly not a bad one.

    The world map is a bit small in terms of land area and there aren't as many dungeons as I would have liked but the vast freedom of exploring the ocean makes up for a lot of that. The Dungeons they do have are pretty good but not the best in the series. I don't really have many complaints about the world I just wish that it had more meaningful locations to visit.

    In terms of characters there aren't a lot in this game but most of the ones that they do have play pretty good role in the story. This games version of Ganondorf seems to have a lot more depth than most of his other incarnations. Unfortunately there are only a couple of Sage like characters that you get to adventure with but at least you get to interact with them quite a bit and the companions do turn out to be quite useful, unlike many of the companions in other Zelda games. The King of Red Lions was also a really interesting and unique sidekick character.

    Visually I find it hard to rate Wind Waker. While I really don't like the style chosen for the characters, I do like the clean graphics and timeless cartoon looking environments. This certainly isn't my favorite look for a Zelda game but playing it years later among all the 3D Zelda games I think it has aged the best. While I don't want to see this style of characters used in anymore mainline Zelda titles I think the idea of focusing on clean elegant design over more realistic looking graphics is a good choice. Overall most aspects of Wind Waker look great, my complaints are more style related than technical failings. For example I really hate the look of the fairies in this game and I don't like how most of the characters look like bobble heads.

    Sound Design is generally an area where the Zelda franchise excels and this is no exception. Every area has a memorable theme and the music is almost perfectly suited to the setting. As an instrument I didn't like the wind waker quite as much as the Ocarina but it serves its purpose both as a mechanic and as a story element. Almost all of the sound design helps to create an immersive experience, I don't really recall any moments where the music or sound effects were annoying. It isn't my favorite Zelda sound track but it is close to the top and it certainly has its own style.

    Over all The Wind Waker is a fantastic game. It is true to the Zelda formula while also having its own identity. I think it would have been a better game with more dungeons, unique items and plot points but the ones it does have are good.

    I give it 91%    … Expand
  100. kawaiikitten
    Jul 29, 2017
    9
    I really liked this game. First off, the music really conveyed the feel and tone of the scenery. If you were in a town, the instruments and tune of the song made it generally feel like a town. If you were in a boss fight, the music really conveyed the action of the scene.

    Next, the graphics were just beautiful. The shadowing and the light effects onto buildings made it feel real and    I really liked this game. First off, the music really conveyed the feel and tone of the scenery. If you were in a town, the instruments and tune of the song made it generally feel like a town. If you were in a boss fight, the music really conveyed the action of the scene.

    Next, the graphics were just beautiful. The shadowing and the light effects onto buildings made it feel real and just made it even more beautiful.

    The story is great too. The lore was amazing and the ending felt satisfying. This is a game I'd recommend, despite the few bugs and glitches, it's great.    … 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

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
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