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. AndreB.
    May 12, 2004
    10
    This game is amazing. It is utterly perfect in every aspect. The graphics are beautiful. They look as good as any Xbox or PC game. The sound is great, including the music. The gameplay is perfect. This game has some of the best gameplay ever. It really feels like Zelda, even with the cel-shaded graphics. Of course it caused controversy, but now that I've played it I couldn't This game is amazing. It is utterly perfect in every aspect. The graphics are beautiful. They look as good as any Xbox or PC game. The sound is great, including the music. The gameplay is perfect. This game has some of the best gameplay ever. It really feels like Zelda, even with the cel-shaded graphics. Of course it caused controversy, but now that I've played it I couldn't imagine this game without cel-shading. Anyway, this game is perfect.… Expand
  2. TedWilsonMattosdeAzevedo
    May 5, 2004
    10
    It´s the game of the year, that´s for sure, some people can talk bad about the game, but who told that never played thegame well, I have this game, I finished, and I can say one thing: This is one of the best games ever created. Perfect cel-shading graphics, incredible battle style, the sea, everything is perfect, the only thing that don´t get to be a problem is because It´s the game of the year, that´s for sure, some people can talk bad about the game, but who told that never played thegame well, I have this game, I finished, and I can say one thing: This is one of the best games ever created. Perfect cel-shading graphics, incredible battle style, the sea, everything is perfect, the only thing that don´t get to be a problem is because the game is a bit short compared to the other Zeldas. But this game is perfect. even with that little defect.… Expand
  3. LiNkZB.
    Apr 20, 2004
    9
    I loved this game, I finished it twice and I don't get bored by it, although OoT is better in my opinion I still give this game a 9 ^_^.
  4. S.J.
    Apr 13, 2004
    10
    Beautiful absolutely beautiful, sound is crisp , and visuals are great.
  5. ArneL.
    Apr 1, 2004
    10
    It's great... everybody that says it's to similar to oot are right but oot is the best game of all time so thats not a bad score. if you don´t have it buy it.
  6. JarkkoJ.
    Mar 25, 2004
    10
    I think this game is one of the best games ever made. Graphics are fantastic and gameplay is excellent. There is only one bad thing... it was too easy.
  7. Mike
    Mar 11, 2004
    7
    If you're a real zelda fan the graphics won't matter to you. but there's a little too much sillyness with the looks of the poeple. all in all it pretty much followed the zelda story except with the botan and talking boat.
  8. BrianK.
    Jan 6, 2004
    3
    I really hated this game!! I gave it a 3 because of the pretty good graphics but thats it. Too Kiddy like!!
  9. CozoniW.
    Jan 3, 2004
    9
    My first Zelda experience. But allthough it has suberbly origonal graphics, immaculate combat and some genius puzzles- it wasnt perfect. The exploring over the oceans was flawed to say the least, became a little repetitive just when you thought the action was hotting up and also wasnt that difficult - expecially when you are flipping between Metroid Prime and Pro evolution soccer 3 which My first Zelda experience. But allthough it has suberbly origonal graphics, immaculate combat and some genius puzzles- it wasnt perfect. The exploring over the oceans was flawed to say the least, became a little repetitive just when you thought the action was hotting up and also wasnt that difficult - expecially when you are flipping between Metroid Prime and Pro evolution soccer 3 which really are hard! But you have to give it at least a 9 because it is part of a select few games who are on a different planet to 90% of other games.… Expand
  10. JonathanA.
    Jan 2, 2004
    10
    I love this game, Its non-stop action!!!!!!
  11. ChrisM.
    Jan 1, 2004
    4
    After the exciting epic that was Ocarina of Time (OOT) and the fun filled Majora's Mask this game was a big dissapointment. It just failed to capture my attention like OOT did.
  12. GreekBoyAndrew
    Dec 15, 2003
    9
    OK, we all know that the game play is great. There has been a big debate on wether the graphics are amazing or just crap. I think that the graphics are ok however they don't use the potenital of the gamecube. What people don't realise is that its not just the graphics, its the fact that link is small, skinny and gay looking. Can the hero of time really look as stupid????? on theOK, we all know that the game play is great. There has been a big debate on wether the graphics are amazing or just crap. I think that the graphics are ok however they don't use the potenital of the gamecube. What people don't realise is that its not just the graphics, its the fact that link is small, skinny and gay looking. Can the hero of time really look as stupid????? on the other hand if the graphics were the same but he was big, musclular and a hard ass then i dont think anyone would complain! in conclusion i feel that you should go out and buy this game because the storyline, gameplay and whole atmosphere of the game is amazing. you can't rate this game after 30 mins of playing it!… Expand
  13. NeilB.
    Dec 10, 2003
    10
    This is Truly the Best game I have ever played, the graphics are amazing! Me and my Best friend had hours of playing this! This is definitely a Must-Play Game!
  14. Sariachan
    Dec 7, 2003
    10
    One of the best Zelda game I ever played, I loved Link's new style of fighting, the cell-shaded graphics, the soundtrack, and the overall greatness of this game.
  15. Nathan
    Dec 5, 2003
    9
    First, i would like to say that i am 14. i thought this game was great. simply put. im giving it a nine because i think that making link a cartoon wasnt the greatest idea, but the storyline and game sequence was good. the side-quests were also very good. i have played past zelda games including the very first one, and i would have to say that this comes in third, behind the legend of First, i would like to say that i am 14. i thought this game was great. simply put. im giving it a nine because i think that making link a cartoon wasnt the greatest idea, but the storyline and game sequence was good. the side-quests were also very good. i have played past zelda games including the very first one, and i would have to say that this comes in third, behind the legend of zelda (the first one) and ocarina of time. also, if people are saying its 'gay', its only because the graphics couldve been better, but graphics dont make a game great...… Expand
  16. JaiDave
    Dec 3, 2003
    4
    [***SPOILER***] This game was a big disappointment to me. I am a very big Zelda fan from way back and have closely followed the story from nearly of all the games until now. The graphics were terrible considering they were planning to originally make the game with graphics like "Ocarina of Time". Instead, they decided to make the game very cartoonish and child-like, which is reflected in[***SPOILER***] This game was a big disappointment to me. I am a very big Zelda fan from way back and have closely followed the story from nearly of all the games until now. The graphics were terrible considering they were planning to originally make the game with graphics like "Ocarina of Time". Instead, they decided to make the game very cartoonish and child-like, which is reflected in the graphics of the game. Imagine how great it would be if they actually made the game with Gamecube graphics similar to the "Ocarina of Time". If you want a comparison, just look for "Zelda 128" and compare the graphics in the demo with the actually graphics of the finished product. Very disappointing indeed. Secondly, the plot of the game was horrific and seemed highly unrealistic and nearly impossible. I mean come on, do you really believe that Link would not show up to challenge Gannon? Of course Link would show up! Even at the very end of the game, the story does not make any sense. GAME ENDING SPOILER: Why would the King of Hyrule want to wish that his kingdom remain at the bottom of the ocean? He got to the Triforce first, and he could have wished for anything in the universe, but no, he had to wish for hyrule to remain submerged under the ocean instead of wishing for Gannon to be destroyed and Hyrule to live on forever. He could even wish for Gannon to be sealed away with a special power emitted from seven magical objects and then have them scattered all around the world so that Nintendo could make another game. END OF SPOILER: Third, the gameplay was VERY monotonous. Having to hit your weapon's teacher 500 times with your sword to gain a measly Heart Piece is not my idea of a fun time. If that wasn't bad enough, you have to put up with the countless hours sailing around the world, because 99% of the world is water and the other 1% is composed of scattered islands on the world map. Fourth, the music was mediocre. There was little variety in the various musical themes of the game. There wasn't the same amount of emotional intensity in the music as there was in previous games like "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" or "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past". Lastly, the fun factor of the game dropped like a lead weight in water compared to the previous Zelda games. It was a refreshing relief when I played "A Link to the Past" after this game because "A Link to the Past" was so much more fun than this poorly made game. And this game became Game of the Year? Something is definitely not right here. If you are a true Zelda fan and have been playing Zelda games for as long as I have, you will feel cheated after you purchase this game. I feel like I have just spent $50 for nothing. Shiguru Miamoto definitely needs to wake up and see what has become of one of the best video game characters of all time (the best is Chrono from "Chrono Trigger") and make serious ammends for this awful game before this gamer will touch another Zelda game.… Expand
  17. MarkL.
    Dec 1, 2003
    9
    A masterpiece better than ocarina of time.
  18. DaveB.
    Nov 18, 2003
    7
    It's fun, it's a quality game, but it's not just a tad too childish, it's way too childish! I hope that the sequel is similar, but aimed at a broader audience.
  19. SaraB.
    Nov 8, 2003
    10
    It's really an 11 but they don't go up that high!it's the greatest game i've played since OoT! i love the cell graphics and the well there's to much that i like about the game to put it all on here!
  20. A.W.
    Nov 4, 2003
    5
    Pretty average. Ok, the dungeons were quite good and even though i'm against the cel-shading graphics, they are very good, but it's too short, the sailing and wind changing is one of the most tedious things i've ever done and, because of all the islands and finding maps etc., i could not be bothered doing all the side quests and mini games. 'nuff said.
  21. JoelS.
    Oct 29, 2003
    9
    All right all you little winers out there. MAYBE, JUST MAYBE! if you guys got around the graphix and stuff like that you might realize that the game is pretty good, ok i admit, it wasn't as good as ocarina of time but it was awesome, i was intrigued by the storyline, i thought it was awesome and the only other things i didn't really like to much where, the length, being too All right all you little winers out there. MAYBE, JUST MAYBE! if you guys got around the graphix and stuff like that you might realize that the game is pretty good, ok i admit, it wasn't as good as ocarina of time but it was awesome, i was intrigued by the storyline, i thought it was awesome and the only other things i didn't really like to much where, the length, being too short, and the talking boat rather then a horse and a baton, like come on wheres the " Ocarina " that was the Bomb!!!!!!! come on you people, besides the things i just named, theres nothing "bad" about the game and if you think its too "kiddy" or you think the graphix are "gay" and think the storyline sux and that nothing about the game is any good then DON"T PLAY IT!!! WINERS!!!!!! … Expand
  22. DamonZ.
    Oct 19, 2003
    10
    This is the best game i have ever had the pleasure of playing.
  23. EricH.
    Sep 28, 2003
    8
    The reviews written by magazine and internet critics explain the good parts of the game but I don't believe the game deserves a 10 or a 9. The reason is that the game has flaws. The game is too easy. Players do not get as many dungeons like in other zelda games. I find the small amounts of land in the game annoying but that is just a personal complaint. The first part of the game is The reviews written by magazine and internet critics explain the good parts of the game but I don't believe the game deserves a 10 or a 9. The reason is that the game has flaws. The game is too easy. Players do not get as many dungeons like in other zelda games. I find the small amounts of land in the game annoying but that is just a personal complaint. The first part of the game is real good. Then the second part is bleh... you have to find maps that lead to the triforce. The problem with that is to get the maps you have to go down several holes and fight bad guys which pose no challenge. Then you have to pay a fairy to decode the maps and then go pull up the treasure beneath the sea. … Expand
  24. JayB.
    Sep 28, 2003
    0
    Even if this game had the best graphics in the world, this would probably be one of the most overrated, poorly designed games I have ever bought in my life, being made only as a result of the publicity and money made from Ocarina of Time. Stop giving this sorry game pity votes!
  25. AzizK.
    Sep 22, 2003
    10
    LINK IS DA@BEST!
  26. CarolynB.
    Aug 10, 2003
    10
    The legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is awesome! im always excited to see new boses and i love the animation. its a hard game with all the puzzles, but thats what makes so cool. this is why i rate this a 10.
  27. GameKing
    Aug 9, 2003
    10
    This game is the best GC game ive ever played (except for super smash bros melee.) i havnt even finished it and i still think its the best!!!!!! all my friends that have a GC have it. theres monsters to fight chalenges to take on etc.this is y i gave it a 10.
  28. GameDemon
    Aug 6, 2003
    6
    game is pretty good overall, but falls short in nearly every area (story, gameplay, etc.)
  29. LinkFan
    Aug 6, 2003
    4
    The gameplay is simplistic and easy. The story is poor and contradicts itself and the other Zelda games, it seems to be written by someone who read up on Zelda for 2 minutes before making the story, the graphics are horrible. It's not just the graphics, this game SUCKS. maybe a 5 year old would like it.
  30. AdamS.
    Aug 4, 2003
    1
    Poor.
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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 »