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. MegaBassMan13
    Jan 30, 2013
    10
    First off, this is my favorite game of all time. This game has an amazing nostalgia factor and the graphics style is my favorite of all Zelda games. I love the sailing mechanics, it felt open when sailing. It is kind of like Far Cry of Elder Scrolls, you want to walk everywhere because the world is beautiful and there are things you can do when not completing dungeons. The story isFirst off, this is my favorite game of all time. This game has an amazing nostalgia factor and the graphics style is my favorite of all Zelda games. I love the sailing mechanics, it felt open when sailing. It is kind of like Far Cry of Elder Scrolls, you want to walk everywhere because the world is beautiful and there are things you can do when not completing dungeons. The story is great, and with the official timeline out, it fits in. I love the characters and they are interesting. I want to delve into the lore of this game because the Zelda lore is terrific. The gameplay is terrific and the dungeons are great. The one I did not like as much was the final dungeon, it felt too short. The final dungeon of OoT was great, it was the perfect size. But other than that, I love everything about the game. The items are great (the telescope is the only exception), which is one thing Zelda does right. The items are always creative. The quests are great, using the advantage of the Great Sea and boat travel. The Wind Waker was great playing the different songs on, it felt easy to use but a bit more complex than other Zelda games. I love almost everything about this game. If I could give it a 9.9, I would. This game is a must-own for any gamer. Get OoT, MM, and this game. You will have enough Zelda games for quite some times.… Expand
  2. shprea
    Jun 21, 2013
    10
    Simply put, this game is a masterpiece. It takes the solid structure of OoT and the creativity of MM and perfects them both. It's not without flaw, but the faults are easy to overlook. One of the best Zelda games around.
    9.6/10
  3. JoshBresser
    Mar 23, 2013
    9
    This game is a beautifully crafted masterpiece. The graphics are not only colorful and vibrant, they really are timeless. This game doesn't look like a game from 2003 by any means.

    The game itself is rather easy, but offers hours upon hours of a fun gaming experience. The sailing gets a bit tedious after awhile and requires the right mindset to be in for a proper experience. However,    This game is a beautifully crafted masterpiece. The graphics are not only colorful and vibrant, they really are timeless. This game doesn't look like a game from 2003 by any means.

    The game itself is rather easy, but offers hours upon hours of a fun gaming experience. The sailing gets a bit tedious after awhile and requires the right mindset to be in for a proper experience. However, this is fitting for a game like this as it sets an adventurous tone. The middle part of the game drags a little bit, with the whole triforce fetch quest (to avoid spoilers, I won't go into here.) Let's just say that it takes a lot of time and is pretty repetitive.

    Overall, this game is one of the stronger Legend of Zelda titles out there. If you haven't picked it up yet, what are you waiting for?     … Expand
  4. JohnWitten
    Aug 12, 2013
    10
    Honestly, if I had to choose one of the Zelda titles to be my first and foremost favorite LoZ title of all time, I wouldn't choose Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, A Link to the Past, or any other game- I would choose Wind Waker. Everything from the reinvented art style to the awesome assortment of gadgets and gizmos you collect over your high flying high seas adventure just screams outHonestly, if I had to choose one of the Zelda titles to be my first and foremost favorite LoZ title of all time, I wouldn't choose Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, A Link to the Past, or any other game- I would choose Wind Waker. Everything from the reinvented art style to the awesome assortment of gadgets and gizmos you collect over your high flying high seas adventure just screams out 'epic!' to me for some reason. The boss fights were almost always phenomenal and invigorating. The areas of the world opened up to you after defeating bosses, collecting new items, or learning new tricks were always fun to explore and awesome to experience firsthand. Interacting with the awesome NPCs from Beetle to Pearl or Tetra was always exciting and even humorous or scary at times. Gannon's reimagined form was terrifying and powerful, the twist with Zelda comes at the perfect time, and tying all of that in to the original, driving story line behind nearly ever Zelda game- with Hyrule meeting some odd end or being trapped elsewhere, was epic if there ever was a true sense of the word. All in all, I loved the way the GC used the controls, even how it tied in your GB or GBA with the Tingle Tuner and other funny gizmos. The open world was one of the largest yet, and is still almost as big as others such as Twilight Princess. The experience was just...beyond true words for me. And for that reason, Wind Waker is the only perfect ten that I've ever given out in the years I've been reviewing games, and it is completely deserving of the hundreds of hours I've spent playing and replaying excellent dungeons such as Tower of the Gods and Earth Temple. You go Nintendo, and all because of what you did with this game, which is easily my favorite one out of all the others you've ever crafted. This is my love letter for Zelda essentially, and I implore you to at least give it a try if you haven't yet.… Expand
  5. BillzHere
    Jul 22, 2014
    10
    What can be said about this game other than that it truly defines Ethereal. I grew up with this game as a kid, it was certainly gaming at it's finest.

    Where do we begin? This game presents a great story, a very immersive one at that. The game controls and runs as smooth as butter. Combat is exciting and is as smooth as the rest of the gameplay. One of my favorite features of this game    What can be said about this game other than that it truly defines Ethereal. I grew up with this game as a kid, it was certainly gaming at it's finest.

    Where do we begin? This game presents a great story, a very immersive one at that. The game controls and runs as smooth as butter. Combat is exciting and is as smooth as the rest of the gameplay. One of my favorite features of this game is that enemies react to getting hit, losing armor, or not even having a weapon; it provides a good laugh or chuckle seeing them react to it. Level design is fantastic, dungeons are fun but can also be puzzling and difficult at some points (as to expect from a Legend of Zelda game). The game's style is great and is very attractive, but a major positive about this game is it's soundtrack. This game has one of the most memorable soundtracks I've ever played in a video game. I remember just about every boss theme, and area tune that plays every now and then.

    Out of all the Legend of Zelda games, I have to say that this game is probably the best. I recommend it to anyone.    … Expand
  6. Ridikulus
    Jun 22, 2013
    10
    Wind Waker is a very fun and epic game. Many have complained about the game being too short and sailing being boring, but in my opinion sailing was relaxing and, maybe I was just stupid or did a lot of sidequests, but the game felt really long to me. The dungeons are fun and diverse, there is a lot to see and do on the Great Sea, combat was fun (although too easy for the most part),Wind Waker is a very fun and epic game. Many have complained about the game being too short and sailing being boring, but in my opinion sailing was relaxing and, maybe I was just stupid or did a lot of sidequests, but the game felt really long to me. The dungeons are fun and diverse, there is a lot to see and do on the Great Sea, combat was fun (although too easy for the most part), characters are mostly great and unforgettable and the story was good too. There are a few flaws, like the easiness, but I enjoyed it so much, that I'm giving it a perfect ten.… Expand
  7. noel94
    Aug 20, 2013
    10
    I quite literally adore this game, forget that it is even part of a series, this is my favorite game ever.

    Are you looking for a game that you can sit down and play casually for half an hour before work? Are you looking for one that you could spend hours on without getting bored? Well you can do either with this game. The player friendly attitude of this game welcomes any type of gamer,    I quite literally adore this game, forget that it is even part of a series, this is my favorite game ever.

    Are you looking for a game that you can sit down and play casually for half an hour before work? Are you looking for one that you could spend hours on without getting bored? Well you can do either with this game. The player friendly attitude of this game welcomes any type of gamer, and I found myself sucked into the story for hours at a time. Its easy to say to yourself 'I'll complete this dungeon and go to bed' but then you find yourself curious as to where the adventure goes next and if it isn't your first play through of the game it's just as easy to find yourself remembering the next brilliant part of the story and playing for a bit longer.

    The one thing that will strike you about the game is the graphics, which are a lot more cartoony than some fans may appreciate but I think they work perfectly. They are a constant reminder of how you should be feeling whilst playing this game, calm and relaxed. Whether you like the graphics or not there is no denying that Link's facial expressions are hilarious and more importantly informative, you can always tell how our young hero is feeling. If he is angry you can tell, if he is frightened he will look scared and if he is happy then you will see this expression etched across his face.

    The gameplay is flawless and everything works how you feel it should, combat is fun and item usage easy. The gameplay in this game does everything it should, and because it is so easy to grasp you can put your focus into enjoying the well told story.

    Though this is quite a short game (for Zelda standards) this to just adds to the relaxed and light hearted atmosphere, it doesn't take long to get to the next part of the story and keeps momentum going for the most part.

    The main theme of this game is the sailing which is good fun and is a great way to add exploration to the game. It is easy to pick up and is an interesting way to travel around the huge world. There is one part of the story where the sailing did become a bit of a chore but I am not going to give away spoilers and people who have already played this will know what I am referring to anyway, but this is the only part of the game I didn't enjoy.

    The fairly low difficulty of the game does not make the experience at all unenjoyable but again fits with the atmosphere of the game. Everything just feels right.

    If you have already played this game, then go and play it again, if you have not then get yourself a copy! Either on GameCube or wait until the Wii U HD release. You will not regret it.    … Expand
  8. Shigeru
    Sep 7, 2013
    7
    It brought an easy to control camera, fluent animation and a feeling of continuity to the franchise. The game feels rushed during the second half of the plot, though, and spending so much time just getting from one island to another gets tedious pretty soon.
  9. LairdEJM
    Sep 11, 2013
    9
    Very engaging, with a new take on the Zelda universe with the addition of the great sea, and cell shaded graphics. Although starts off a little sluggishly the game delivers an excellent plot where Link finds a new world on each island. The islands themselves are always exciting to stumble across, however I feel that they are a bit small and don't give the sense of habitability and realism.Very engaging, with a new take on the Zelda universe with the addition of the great sea, and cell shaded graphics. Although starts off a little sluggishly the game delivers an excellent plot where Link finds a new world on each island. The islands themselves are always exciting to stumble across, however I feel that they are a bit small and don't give the sense of habitability and realism.
    Nonetheless the game is rightly considered a classic, with many brilliant moments, my favourite being the construction of the Triforce during a difficult and challenging but thoroughly rewarding hunt.

    Well worth a purchase as it is a true legend, no pun intended.    … Expand
  10. DragooDJ
    Sep 18, 2013
    10
    The Best Game In The Whole UNIVERSE!!!! I loved it! So amazing,so...AWESOME!!!! Better than the other zelda games(Expect from Ocarina Of Time and Majora's Mask)
  11. Mangekeyo
    Sep 17, 2013
    10
    While most people say Ocarina of Time is the greatest game of all time (and it certainly is a true masterpiece) there is one Zelda which is even better: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. The game is possibly the greatest game ever created or if not, atleast the best on the gamecube. The game's visuals (which are unfairly criticized) are gorgeous even 10 years later. While the gameplayWhile most people say Ocarina of Time is the greatest game of all time (and it certainly is a true masterpiece) there is one Zelda which is even better: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. The game is possibly the greatest game ever created or if not, atleast the best on the gamecube. The game's visuals (which are unfairly criticized) are gorgeous even 10 years later. While the gameplay is mostly the same as Ocarina, the few slight tweaks and adjustments mix it, the games only poor section the the infamous Triforce Quest, however the rest of the game is incredible enough to overshadow that portion. Very few games can even come close to the amazing experience of The Wind Waker.… Expand
  12. YellowMan64
    Sep 18, 2013
    9
    It's better than Ocarina of Time in my opinion, but the sailing and Triforce quest is annoying. Using the Wind Waker for changing direction of the wind and the command melody gets extremely annoying.
    Advice for people that haven't played the game: Buy lots of bait from Beedle's, and put them out for a fish as you play the game, not all at the last minute. It helps a bunch.
  13. Klingozu
    Oct 23, 2013
    10
    Holy this IS the best game Ever EVERYBODY who dont like are brain****ted the time where I played this was the BEST time in my hole entire life I THANK YOU NINTENDO shame on me for playing this I don't deserve it.
  14. AugustusCB
    Dec 1, 2013
    9
    The Wind Waker is as good and as magical as any Zelda game can get. There is yet to be game that gives such an amazing sense of adventure as its being played. The combat feels refined, the characters and story are memorable, and the presentation with its stunning visuals, charming art style, and marvelous soundtrack fits perfectly with the experience. It's something great to experience toThe Wind Waker is as good and as magical as any Zelda game can get. There is yet to be game that gives such an amazing sense of adventure as its being played. The combat feels refined, the characters and story are memorable, and the presentation with its stunning visuals, charming art style, and marvelous soundtrack fits perfectly with the experience. It's something great to experience to this day. This is the series at its finest.… Expand
  15. MisterButter
    Dec 12, 2013
    10
    The best part about this game, is the big giant open world to explore, you can just sail for hours and never get bored. Sure some people may complain about the different style of graphics but that is what makes this game unique.
  16. OrochiSlayer
    Dec 20, 2013
    9
    The only reason I'm not giving this a ten is because sailing is kind of boring but that's what the Cyclone Song is for!!! The graphics look amazing, the music was great, and it had the only camera in a 3D Zelda game that I DIDN'T HATE!
  17. scarypancake
    Dec 20, 2013
    9
    This game is one of the best games I've played for GameCube! The graphics are awesome and shiny. The gameplay is very good when you actually know what you are doing. I used to play this game when I was 4 years old.
  18. poyumaps
    Dec 27, 2014
    10
    I review my games truthfully, and I have to be honest with you, the person reading this review... this game is AMAZING. I am not even a fan of the Zelda games, but the vast and colourful world was a huge step from the depressing world that was Majora's Mask (It was still a great game, just not a favourite of mine).

    The creativity put into this game was incredible! With jars that    I review my games truthfully, and I have to be honest with you, the person reading this review... this game is AMAZING. I am not even a fan of the Zelda games, but the vast and colourful world was a huge step from the depressing world that was Majora's Mask (It was still a great game, just not a favourite of mine).

    The creativity put into this game was incredible! With jars that teleport you back to the beginning, midway and to the boss door so you won't have to slog back to the beginning if you need supplies was pretty awesome. The follow up Zelda (Twilight Princess) just didn't feel as warm and cheerful as this game. Because when you sister gets abducted you just have that feeling to go rescue her as when you played Twilight Princess you just didn't know what was happening.

    The art style really captivated me, the cel-shaded look really brought the beauty of the game out and the amount of blue in this game almost blinds you it looks incredible!

    A great feature they added in this game was sailing from destination to destination. Sometimes you got interrupted with an enemy that you needed to kill or you find some goodies that you need to fetch makes it very interesting to see what else is in the ocean.

    The one truly thing about this game that was the icing on the cake was the soundtrack. With the catchy tunes when you first arrive on an island (Dragon Roost FTW!) from when you go into a boss battle and that intense music that gets you motivated to kick some butt!

    Lastly, not much to say about gameplay as its the same with every other Zelda game. Fluent controllers, perfect camera angle, and its easy to slice someone up without missing. The puzzles can be tedious at points but when you finally solve it, it feels like you just became God for about 5 seconds.

    I recommend this game to anyone who owns a Gamecube (or a Wii U and grab the HD version). Its a 10 for me, the one game that felt almost near perfection because nothing is perfect so it deserves a 10.    … Expand
  19. Snescube
    Jan 29, 2014
    6
    I would like say this is my opinion so if this bothers you its not my fault but i thought about half of this game was tedious mainly the triforce shards. If I wanted a collectathon game id play banjo kazooie. which was a great game but the sailing and the collecting is dumb,one last thing making tingle apart of this game was so stupid or is that just my i give this a 6/10
  20. thegamermaimer
    May 11, 2014
    10
    I remember all the hate this game got when it first came out. I was just a kid and had no preconceived notions, so I gave it a chance and bought it new. Nostalgia aside, this game is truly one of those experiences that only Nintendo can provide. Its just magical, and if you doubt me, just give it a try.
  21. Togepix
    Jun 3, 2014
    10
    Cool artstyle, great gameplay, flawless story and an amazing soundtrack. What more can you ask for?

    I can understand how some wouldn't take the game seriously because of the artstyle, but this **** is not to be underestimated. I felt sorry for the game, at the time, as many fans were disappointed in the way it looked, but I believe so many were really suprised when it came out. The    Cool artstyle, great gameplay, flawless story and an amazing soundtrack. What more can you ask for?

    I can understand how some wouldn't take the game seriously because of the artstyle, but this **** is not to be underestimated. I felt sorry for the game, at the time, as many fans were disappointed in the way it looked, but I believe so many were really suprised when it came out. The story, as I said, is the unique part about this game, along with the beautiful music. One of my faves. Thank you, Nintendo.    … Expand
  22. Shireke
    Dec 9, 2015
    7
    A great game for its time, maybe even the best game of that decade. Ocarina of the Time set a "before" and an "after" for 3d videogames, and its gameplay has remained in every adventure game after it.

    But right now, it is only the oldest 3D Zelda game out there, and it shows. The gameplay gets clunky and the story and characters can't compete with newer games on the saga.
  23. cc742a
    Aug 17, 2014
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Wind waker is a game I see in a bit of an awkward spot. It is never easy to follow up 2 of the best games of all time, and because of that everyone who saw the original trailer was skeptical. Now about 10 years later lets have a look back on this game. Well for one, the graphic still look fine, better than the re release in fact with those awful amounts of bloom. Problems begin with the sailing. I know some people love it, but i just saw it as unbearable, too little stretched over too much. changing the winds was also a tedious process that deserves mentioning. Anyway, the game controls alright in all other aspects, but heres my main gripe. WW represents the fact that the legend of zelda has no idea what to do after being the best game ever. Its like the boston red sox, unable to follow a succesful year and instead just saying hey remember that. I hate how (SPOILER... is the one person who hasent plaid this gone? good) you visit hyrule, because it shows a game that wants to associate with oot. its the 2nd fiddle trying to hand out with first chair, following him around taking notes. Mabey the one other "problem" ww fixed was it gave link a personality, but why does he need that? He was fine as a blank hero forced into a role, there was no problem with that. In every zelda game the enemies had been more interesting than the hero, and theres no problem with that. Finaly, lets discuss gameplay. Its zelda, it hasent changed. its good, reliable, but my problem with windwaker it lacks variety. MM added the masks and an interesting attack pattern, oot set the foundation. ww goes back to square one on this. dungeon design is interesting, but without any great items (besides the deku leaf) it lacks a fun way to explore. So all in all, i cant say ww was bad, but it refused to be the leap loz needed to stay with the times. It almost represents nintendo entirely, saying hey remember when we made (every nintendo series ever) lets make it again. sequels are only good if they add somthing nintendo. all in all ww needed to do more, but was never bad to play, just boring… Expand
  24. hon777
    Sep 20, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game gave me the opposite reaction of Twilight Princess. When I saw they had decided to make a cartoonish Zelda, it was a massive turn-off for me, so much that I hesitated to play it (the complete opposite of Twilight Princess where I was excited to play it). Then when I got the game, it exceeded my expectations (once again opposite of Twilight Princess where it failed my expectations), the overworld is beautiful and the exploration is just magical. The characters were vibrant and memorable, and the gameplay was well done (though it did not bring much gameplay to the series). The one qualm I have with this game is that the sailing takes too long, even when warp points start to appear in the game. The Triforce quest was also boring and took away from the excitement I had in this time so that when I got to Ganondorf I had to hype myself up again. However, overall that does not take away from how good this game was. 9.3/10… Expand
  25. Steeldude
    Oct 13, 2014
    7
    Easy bosses, very few dungeons and an unimaginative world with islands that serve little purpose. My least favorite 3D Zelda game. If all islands were expanded upon and contained interesting and unique locations, the score would be much higher.
  26. Sephiroth_X
    Oct 25, 2014
    9
    After a link to the past, this is my favorite zelda, may be not as challenging as ocarina but the nice world in which happens this tale won me over, love the visuals, they are stunning.

    Only bad thing i can say about this game is the boat travel, gets tedious quickly and thanks to it i never played it again. Ive read that in the WiiU remake they fixed this so im getting it for sure!
  27. Courageismight
    Nov 28, 2014
    10
    Windwaker fantastic game lacks some sophistication on some levels and has some lack of replay value but the characters in the game are incredible and so are the controls not a whiff of the wretched WII MOTE GARBAGE great puzzles a fascinating ocean great storyline enemies and a great plot with seriousness and humor both in it its a game that everyone should like.
    If you don't like this    Windwaker fantastic game lacks some sophistication on some levels and has some lack of replay value but the characters in the game are incredible and so are the controls not a whiff of the wretched WII MOTE GARBAGE great puzzles a fascinating ocean great storyline enemies and a great plot with seriousness and humor both in it its a game that everyone should like.
    If you don't like this game you should try Ocarina of Time a game SO good I have NOTHING to say bad about it because its completely sophisticated and it has almost everything that you liked about Windwaker except the ocean and some of the humor.
    Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword are also good as for Hyrule Warriors its good but has problems
    Windwaker definitely worth playing and getting but thats just my opinion I am impartial to giving it a high rating    … Expand
  28. WheelzFourReelz
    Dec 30, 2014
    8
    This game does have some frustrating moments and the controls take some getting used to, but The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is a very fun and charming game that everyone needs to play.
  29. LuisAntonio
    Dec 6, 2015
    9
    A lot of red numbers again. Jesus. Anyway, this is one of the best zelda´s. The graphics are excelent, the music gives you a feel of liberty, the gameplay is very good. One of the best games of 2003. In the other side I would like more islands hehe. At the beginning I was not comfortable with the design of the characters, but now I think that was a good move from nintendo because it gaveA lot of red numbers again. Jesus. Anyway, this is one of the best zelda´s. The graphics are excelent, the music gives you a feel of liberty, the gameplay is very good. One of the best games of 2003. In the other side I would like more islands hehe. At the beginning I was not comfortable with the design of the characters, but now I think that was a good move from nintendo because it gave to zelda´s franchise a new perspective. If you have the game keep it. If you dont have it, get it now !!… Expand
  30. Ross115
    Aug 11, 2015
    10
    Even though I'm not a Legend of Zelda fan (I'm mostly a Playstation gamer) this is easily one of my favourite games of all time and the best game on the GameCube hands down (followed closely by Super Smash Bros Melee). The beautiful for it's time graphics, the memorable characters, the great level design in the dungeons, the brilliant combat along with plenty of interesting items and theEven though I'm not a Legend of Zelda fan (I'm mostly a Playstation gamer) this is easily one of my favourite games of all time and the best game on the GameCube hands down (followed closely by Super Smash Bros Melee). The beautiful for it's time graphics, the memorable characters, the great level design in the dungeons, the brilliant combat along with plenty of interesting items and the interesting islands waiting for you to explore are some of the many reasons why this entry in the series is up there with Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.… Expand
  31. DailySalesman
    Mar 22, 2015
    9
    The Wind Waker had quite a challenge ahead of it: overcoming Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask would be no easy feat. Unfortunately, it didn't accomplish it but it's still an excellent Zelda experience nonetheless. One of my favorite things here is the graphical art style. It's definitely timeless. The sea exploring and combat are all nice even if sailing for hours on end will getThe Wind Waker had quite a challenge ahead of it: overcoming Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask would be no easy feat. Unfortunately, it didn't accomplish it but it's still an excellent Zelda experience nonetheless. One of my favorite things here is the graphical art style. It's definitely timeless. The sea exploring and combat are all nice even if sailing for hours on end will get repetitive. That's really the only thing keeping the game from getting a perfect score. Other than that, The Wind Waker is an amazing game.… Expand
  32. PersianReviewer
    Mar 30, 2015
    7
    Wind Waker is another favorable entry into the Zelda franchise. For me, I wasn't a big fan of the graphics. Looks like this type of graphics were you like it, or you don't. This was only part of the problem I had with this particular game. The story for me was too short, and it lacked that vast open world exploring which I expected so much from Wind Waker. The temples weren't thatWind Waker is another favorable entry into the Zelda franchise. For me, I wasn't a big fan of the graphics. Looks like this type of graphics were you like it, or you don't. This was only part of the problem I had with this particular game. The story for me was too short, and it lacked that vast open world exploring which I expected so much from Wind Waker. The temples weren't that challenging, and some, like the Forbidden Forest and Wind Temple, were very boring and not compelling. The final boss fight with Ganon however was incredible. Having the doomed Hyrule wash away while the Hero of Time fought against evil itself is what made this boss fight one of the best in the franchise. So overall, good game, but not alot of action until the very end. Otherwise, worth the money.… Expand
  33. Shadobeaf
    Apr 11, 2015
    10
    This game was my childhood. Although I watched my big brother play it when I was young, I loved it. Now I have Wind Waker after losing it a few years ago. It has brought back so many childhood memories.
  34. DanHazy
    Mar 1, 2016
    9
    So you will know what type of gamer is writing this review, I'll list three of my favorite games
    .
    Atelier Totori Danganronpa Fire Emblem  THE BAD: So, as you may have heard, the game has blurry backgrounds. This was intentional and not many liked this. Believe me, it will bother you for the first few hours, but you quickly get used to it and won't even notice it after awhile.    So you will know what type of gamer is writing this review, I'll list three of my favorite games
    .
    Atelier Totori
    Danganronpa
    Fire Emblem 

    THE BAD:

    So, as you may have heard, the game has blurry backgrounds. This was intentional and not many liked this. Believe me, it will bother you for the first few hours, but you quickly get used to it and won't even notice it after awhile. 

    THE GOOD:

    GRAPHICS: Great look and art style. Very unique and colorful. This is part of what made the Wind Waker such a gem. 

    MUSIC: Great music, some of the best music you will hear in a platformer.

    GAMEPLAY: In my opinion, the Wind Waker has the best gameplay of any other Zelda title because they took out much of the complexity of the puzzles that is in a usual Zelda title.
      
    CLOSING COMMENTS:

    I'm not really a platformer guy, but this game was an exception. It's the best platformer I have played and I've played quiet a few in my day. Super Mario Sunshine runs a close second, but I still have to give the prize to the Wind Waker. 

    I recommend this game to anyone under 13. It may not be a game for every adult out there. Check out some YouTube videos of this game if you still do not know if it's right for you.

    That wraps this review up, hope it helps.     … Expand
  35. redyoshi777
    Jun 25, 2015
    9
    This game is the first game I've ever played in my life and i just love it. Collecting everything is such an adventure, and the characters are awesome. this game rocks!
  36. forevernes
    May 20, 2018
    9
    Un Zelda distinto y especial, uno de los the legend of zelda más profundos, nota 9.5
  37. 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
  38. xKahta
    Sep 4, 2015
    10
    A masterpiece that will always have a special place in my heart ... It's truly a magical game. My uncle bought it for me when I was 4 and I still play it to this day .. And it was so ahead of its time, every charcter evey place in the universe has its own personnality. Possibly one of the most underreated game of all time :)

    PS: Sorry for my bad english, but I had to write this review.    A masterpiece that will always have a special place in my heart ... It's truly a magical game. My uncle bought it for me when I was 4 and I still play it to this day .. And it was so ahead of its time, every charcter evey place in the universe has its own personnality. Possibly one of the most underreated game of all time :)

    PS: Sorry for my bad english, but I had to write this review. ^^
    Big ♥ - xKahta    … Expand
  39. Alef123
    Nov 4, 2015
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a Passable zelda game, only good, at the start was awesome with those cartoon graphics and everything, those expressions were good. Then the second act come, the earth temple was great but the wind temple was awfull. Then the search for the treasure chart and triforces i was dead by that part of boring. It's a good zelda game to beat but it's because is a zelda game. Expect good things at first expression but also expect things drop excitment after.… Expand
  40. EpicLadySponge
    Feb 23, 2016
    10
    Behold, my GameCube owners and Legend of Zelda fans, there's something you forgot to pick up if you're new to the fan base. It's the Wind Waker. Don't miss your shot to get this once in a lifetime game!
  41. Adrenalin
    Jan 3, 2016
    10
    The best Zelda ever, at least until now. Superb gameplay, story, music, graphics (for its time) and above all open world (especially for its time). However, if I look at games like Skyward Sword I think this franchise is dead. - Not forgetting that the average solo RPG just outclasses the Zelda-concept these days. Zelda: NX has to be a better Skyrim or Link will probably only live on inThe best Zelda ever, at least until now. Superb gameplay, story, music, graphics (for its time) and above all open world (especially for its time). However, if I look at games like Skyward Sword I think this franchise is dead. - Not forgetting that the average solo RPG just outclasses the Zelda-concept these days. Zelda: NX has to be a better Skyrim or Link will probably only live on in Smash like Pit and other legacy characters.… Expand
  42. yoshistar456
    Mar 21, 2016
    8
    What many consider the best Zelda game along with Ocarina of Time, uh, no. I don't hate this game, but I can never say this is the best Zelda by far. Let's start off with the problems. The soundtrack is a tiny eensy little bit dull. Especially for a Zelda game. The great sea is really, really huge and bare. It has to be the most expansive overworld in any Zelda game. But it's a little easyWhat many consider the best Zelda game along with Ocarina of Time, uh, no. I don't hate this game, but I can never say this is the best Zelda by far. Let's start off with the problems. The soundtrack is a tiny eensy little bit dull. Especially for a Zelda game. The great sea is really, really huge and bare. It has to be the most expansive overworld in any Zelda game. But it's a little easy to get lost, so watch out. Also, the dungeon design is somewhat simple. Never in this game did I have a part that stumped me for hours trying to figure out what to do next. Now the positives. This game is absolutely gorgeous. It's in my opinion, the best looking game on the Gamecube. Next, the story, oh god the story. It's one of the best in the series. I won't spoil it, but all I can say is... wow. Next, the combat. This game's combat is arguably the best in the Zelda franchise. It makes some enemies, like Darknuts, really, REALLY fun to fight. It feels really good to attack enemies again and again. When you killed the enemy, it makes you feel like you've killed a real life monster. In the end, Wind Waker, while not the best game in the series, is still something I recommend you beat at least once.… Expand
  43. KayVen17
    Jan 4, 2017
    9
    Deutsche Review - Kritik

    Der folgende Test ist in 5 Kategorien zusammengefasst. Diese 5 Kartegorien ergeben die Gesamtpunktzahl von 0 - 100 Punkten. Um einen passenden Userscore zu geben wird auf oder abgerundet. Bei 84 Punkten ergibt das einen User Score von 8. Bei 86 einen von Userscore von 9. Falls eine 85 kommt entscheide ich ob ich es eher positiv oder negativ nehme. Regeln    Deutsche Review - Kritik

    Der folgende Test ist in 5 Kategorien zusammengefasst. Diese 5 Kartegorien ergeben die Gesamtpunktzahl von 0 - 100 Punkten. Um einen passenden Userscore zu geben wird auf oder abgerundet. Bei 84 Punkten ergibt das einen User Score von 8. Bei 86 einen von Userscore von 9. Falls eine 85 kommt entscheide ich ob ich es eher positiv oder negativ nehme. Regeln verstanden?
    Dann sind hier meine Punkte.

    Mein persönlicher Score = 92/100
    Mein User Score = 9/10    … Expand
  44. GamecubeLover
    Jul 3, 2016
    10
    Your killing me Nintendo with these amazing games! Nintendo never makes me mad with this series. This game yet again is perfect. The graphics look so amazing and so relaxing. The story is great. Controls are amazing and I recommend it with all my heart. Play it now!
  45. mvpeter24
    Jul 2, 2016
    8
    The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is the most divisive Zelda game ever. When it came out, fans criticized its visual style, but now, the game should be scrutinized for much different reasons.

    This is a Zelda game, and there are no *bad* Zelda games. But, admittedly, this game may be the weakest of the five currently released 3D Zelda titles. For all its highs, the game has more    The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is the most divisive Zelda game ever. When it came out, fans criticized its visual style, but now, the game should be scrutinized for much different reasons.

    This is a Zelda game, and there are no *bad* Zelda games. But, admittedly, this game may be the weakest of the five currently released 3D Zelda titles. For all its highs, the game has more lows than any of the others in the series. More than anything else, this game seems bipolar, giving us some of the best moments in any Zelda game, but burying these moments under unnecessary sloppy gameplay and tedium.

    The game's atmosphere, visuals, and story are the best we've ever seen from the franchise. The sense of adventure in a Zelda game has never been as palpable as it is here in The Wind Waker. Sailing, while painfully slow, gives the player a sense of wonder that is unmatched in other Zelda titles. The graphics look incredible even 15 years down the line. The cel-shading graphical style may have been controversial at the time the game was made, but it has aged better than any other game in its generation. In terms of the story, Ganondorf's plight has never been as poignant as it is in this game. The game inspires you to care for its characters through dialogue that will make you laugh (mostly from Tetra) and make you think (mostly from Ganondorf).

    But while The Wind Waker hits it out of the park in so many respects, the game drags its feet an equal amount. The game's pacing is terrible. The first 3-4 hours of the game are filled with boring and frustrating stealth quests and overlong exposition. When the game finally takes the reins off and sets the player free, it feels like you've already been playing the game forever and leaves a bad taste in your mouth. The final two dungeons in the game: the "Wind Temple" and the "Earth Temple" are among the most forgettable dungeons in series history. The game never really introduces any groundbreaking items or concepts in its dungeons, just sort of rehashing the familiar puzzles we've done before. But, without a doubt, the biggest offense that this game has is its excessively tedious third act. After dungeoncrawling through the first two-thirds of the game, the entire game is mixed up and the player is stunned to find that there are no more dungeons for him to play. Instead, he must comb the open sea, looking for nine mini-dungeons where he will find "Triforce Charts." After obtaining these charts, the player must pay exorbitant amounts of money to have them translated. After they are translated, the player has to further decode the maps and find where they hide their treasure. Then, the player must go fishing in the open sea to for this treasure, called "Triforce Shards". Once all nine shards are obtained, the player can unlock the final boss. If this sounds tedious, it's because it is. This whole section of the game just serves to pad play time, and it is not satisfying at all. Any momentum the game had going for it is totally stopped when the player reaches this point, and the game just slowly crawls along, while the player just wants to fight the final boss already.

    If you're coming into the Zelda series as a new fan, don't pick this game to play as your first Zelda title. The visuals may be enticing, but the pacing is so poor that you should certainly choose a different title to start with. If you're a Zelda veteran, this game might not hit your highest expectations, but you'll still have fun with it.    … Expand
  46. Ferdud
    Sep 26, 2016
    9
    The legend of Zelda The Wind Waker is a highly enjoyable game. The story may seem cliché at times and always stressing the point that you are a hero in a huge adventure that is, personally, unrelateable. The graphics have not aged a bit even though the wii u remaster is indeed better. Gameplay is smooth and it will hardly ever feel repetitive since it masterfully makes the different andThe legend of Zelda The Wind Waker is a highly enjoyable game. The story may seem cliché at times and always stressing the point that you are a hero in a huge adventure that is, personally, unrelateable. The graphics have not aged a bit even though the wii u remaster is indeed better. Gameplay is smooth and it will hardly ever feel repetitive since it masterfully makes the different and varied gadgets to tackle specific enemies. Needless to say, most of these items are carried over from The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask. Niw its time to talk about the new feature of this game, sailing. It never gets to be boring and the sailing song is simply a masterpiece. I actually pissed off whenever an enemy approached me in the sea because not only it was really difficult to hit the bombs but also the music changed. The worst thing that can happen with the wind waker is to pass the island you wanted to go and you need to use it again to change the wind course due to a lack of a proper minimap. Overall The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker is recommendable.
    PS- English is no my mother's tongue so sorry if i made any mistake    … Expand
  47. MaxiThresher
    Mar 18, 2017
    10
    For me, The Wind Waker is the best Zelda ever made. Even if I only played 6 Zelda's (link to the past; ocarina of time; majora's mask; the wind waker; twilight princess and link between world's). The graphics of wind waker are beautifull, funny and very cartoonish/original. The gameplay is very nice, and you have a nice camera control, The gameplay is fun and challenging, the maps areFor me, The Wind Waker is the best Zelda ever made. Even if I only played 6 Zelda's (link to the past; ocarina of time; majora's mask; the wind waker; twilight princess and link between world's). The graphics of wind waker are beautifull, funny and very cartoonish/original. The gameplay is very nice, and you have a nice camera control, The gameplay is fun and challenging, the maps are great and the dungeaon are sometimes easy, and sometimes very hard. The music are funny and very nostalgic.The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is a must have !… Expand
  48. weskergamer
    Apr 8, 2017
    10
    mi juego favorito de toda la saga zelda. Mazmorra super geniales, grandisima historia, personajes memorables y ni hablar de la banda sonora. Es un juego muy especial, una de las mejores obras maestras hechas por nintendo y por la industria del videojuego en general
  49. Rstiles7
    May 16, 2017
    10
    Sometimes games seem to get better as time goes by, meaning that a game that doesn't get the praise it deserves when it first comes out later on does get praised. This is definitely the case with The Wind Waker. When it was first revealed, people instantly started hating it because it wasn't a realistic looking Zelda game along the lines of Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess. However, ISometimes games seem to get better as time goes by, meaning that a game that doesn't get the praise it deserves when it first comes out later on does get praised. This is definitely the case with The Wind Waker. When it was first revealed, people instantly started hating it because it wasn't a realistic looking Zelda game along the lines of Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess. However, I found Wind Waker to be vastly superior to both of those games in almost every way. First off, the story. Wind Waker's story is a much more unique and interesting narrative than almost any Zelda game prior to it had. Hyrule barely even exists within the game, and instead Link sets out on his journey on board a small boat into a huge open ocean with plenty of places to explore in order to rescue his kidnapped sister from a massive bird within an area known as the Forsaken Fortress. Along the way, he eventually learns that he must defeat Ganondorf, the leader of the Forsaken Fortress, in order to restore peace to the world once and for all. Though it's not the best story we've seen in any Zelda game, it's still a great narrative. Next, lets talk about the aspect of this game that fans are the most split on: the sea. Personally, I love the sea, because it really helps capture the feeling of being on a grand adventure by having both large and small islands that are either required to visit or exist for the purpose of being completely optional to visit. But regardless, it is one of my personal favorite over worlds of any Zelda game and one that looks truly amazing. Also, just like most other Zelda games, Wind Waker is home to some very enjoyable gameplay and combat elements that keep the game from feeling stale at all. The dungeon and temple design within this game is fantastic as well, as it is home to some of absolute favorite temples in the entire franchise, most notably the Earth Temple. However, there are some bad moments within the game, the sailing may eventually start to feel tedious after awhile and the Triforce Scavenger Hunt is insanely monotonous (though it can be fun at times as well).

    In conclusion, The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker is a truly amazing Zelda experience unlike any other that easily trumps Ocarina of Time in nearly every conceivable way. And the HD remake of this masterpiece is just another example of how less realistic graphics can still look breathtaking.    … Expand
  50. Panzidane
    Mar 8, 2017
    10
    ESSE É UM JOGO QUE VOCE PRECISA JOGAR. O jogo é lindo, uma obra prima, um jogo que temos um por geração. Esse jogo precisa ser estudado por todas empresas. Além de ser super divertido, tem fases muito bem projetadas com ótimas musicas, a fluidez combina perfeitamente com o controle de Game Cube que é anatômico demais. RECOMENDADÍSSIMO.
  51. bellonman
    Jun 1, 2017
    8
    The most unique Legend Of Zelda game I've ever played. This game has a surprisingly good story for a series that can sometimes feel a little predictable. The gameplay was expanded upon and can be very rewarding. Where the game gets a little iffy for me is with the lack of dungeons, by the end of the game it feels a little rushed. It seems to me like the creators chose to remove someThe most unique Legend Of Zelda game I've ever played. This game has a surprisingly good story for a series that can sometimes feel a little predictable. The gameplay was expanded upon and can be very rewarding. Where the game gets a little iffy for me is with the lack of dungeons, by the end of the game it feels a little rushed. It seems to me like the creators chose to remove some dungeons to add a triforce scavenger hunt, which is more annoying than it is fun. Overall, still a great Zelda game.… Expand
  52. Kanoonn
    Mar 20, 2017
    10
    I don't know how to say how amazing it was experience of crossed the seas, explore all kind of islands and beat excelent bosses that creep you out the first time you saw it. Most of the people criticize this game just by his graphics. It's really sad that many people can not understand what an artistic direction is. Not all games should take the realistic way. The risky games like windI don't know how to say how amazing it was experience of crossed the seas, explore all kind of islands and beat excelent bosses that creep you out the first time you saw it. Most of the people criticize this game just by his graphics. It's really sad that many people can not understand what an artistic direction is. Not all games should take the realistic way. The risky games like wind waker bring us a beatiful expirience that show us how videogames can not stop to explore the posibilities of art. The draws remembers every minute to those medieval stained glasses of epic legends.

    The music is just perfect and a personal thought: Is really satisfactory see zelda as a badass pirate and not only like a messy princess.    … Expand
  53. TheRocker
    Mar 22, 2017
    10
    Ill say this loud and clear, this game is by far the best Zelda game out there, if you need a game to introduce you to the world of TLoZ this is your game, its the most balanced of them all in terms of difficulty, has the most interesting characters, a very good plot, and the sense of adventure is there ready to take on, the boss battles are really well done (except one) and the dungeonsIll say this loud and clear, this game is by far the best Zelda game out there, if you need a game to introduce you to the world of TLoZ this is your game, its the most balanced of them all in terms of difficulty, has the most interesting characters, a very good plot, and the sense of adventure is there ready to take on, the boss battles are really well done (except one) and the dungeons are very interesting and very easy to differentiate from one another, the combat is solid and there is a good bunch of different enemies, there are numerous objects and collectables around the world complete this game at 100% is really hard but it is fun as hell.

    I personally recommend this game because even though it was not my first Zelda was the one that hooked me up to this universe a thing that the other games haven't done for me.    … Expand
  54. JoseAn13Torres
    Mar 22, 2017
    10
    The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, no tengo nada más que decir, obra maestra, ópera magna de los vídeo juegos, 128 Bits de oro puro en Nintendo GameCube
  55. 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!
  56. 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
  57. 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
  58. 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
  59. 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
  60. 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
  61. 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.
  62. 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
  63. Lyndxn
    Feb 12, 2018
    10
    Although the triforce part was a bit annoying, this game is still very enjoyable and fun.
  64. 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.
  65. 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.
  66. 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.
  67. 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
  68. 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
  69. 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
  70. 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
  71. 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.
  72. 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.
  73. 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.
  74. 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.
  75. 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.
  76. 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
  77. Fletch1027
    Feb 21, 2023
    9
    A fun Zelda game with great music, fun character designs and one of the most charming versions of Hyrule.
  78. 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.
  79. 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
  80. 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.
  81. 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
  82. joash
    Sep 9, 2021
    10
    The most beautiful, charming, and funny game I have ever played, this game is way underrated!
  83. 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
  84. 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.
  85. gandoulf
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    This is the best zelda ever. The donjon, the OST, the graphics.... All is perfect !
  86. 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.
  87. 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.
  88. 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.
  89. 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
  90. 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
  91. 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
  92. 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.
  93. 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
  94. 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.
  95. 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.
  96. grimreapersims
    Sep 26, 2021
    10
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  97. 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.
  98. 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
  99. Jattaman
    Sep 24, 2022
    8
    Bel capitolo di Zelda, con un colorato mondo in cell shading.
    Vario e divertente.
  100. 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.
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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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