Zeruda no densetsu: Kaze no takuto HD

As I said in my review for the GameCube version of The Wind Waker: this game may not be the best Zelda game there is, but it is a classic adventure that has shaped the future of the series for the best. It took storytelling to a whole new level, and the seeds of later developments in the series, such as an intricate sword fighting system, a less linear narrative and a more active role for supporting characters in the story, can clearly be seen here. I will go as far as saying that there would not have been a Twilight Princess without the Wind Waker, or at the very least it would not have been as good. But when I heard there was going to be a remake for the Wii U, my first thought was that the remake trend that has gone through Hollywood has finally hit the gaming world as well. Despite some detractors, Wind Waker was an artistic success, so why remake it? Was the game too ahead of its time, and would it feel more at home in the 2010s? Could the good people at Nintendo no longer live with the fact that this game was a financial disappointment? Or was the power and interface of the Wii U just something that this game would benefit from?

It is said that the makers created HD demos of multiple Zelda games, and Wind Waker came out as the best. Now I am not entirely convinced that money wasn't a big motivation for this HD remake, but I will fully admit that this is definitely not just a simple high-definition port. Of course, the basic premise of a 3D adventure on a big sea is still intact. Those who did not like the original game will probably not be won over by it now, but those who only had some reservations about it should definitely give it a chance. And those who loved the Cube version should fully embrace it.

The original had a bit of a bad start; an early demo for the GameCube set the wrong expectations, and many fans were unpleasantly surprised with the cell-shaded splendor that Wind Waker had to offer. But those who could (and can) appreciate this less dark and slightly more kid-friendly approach will be blown away by the amazing graphics and lighting effects. The power of the Wii U is used to make the surroundings and textures even more immersive and alive. Whether it is a forest in the full sun, a fiery subterranean temple or the sea surrounded by dark clouds, every scene looks like it comes straight from a big-budget animation studio. Together with the full 5.1 soundtrack, it puts the player right in the middle of the adventure. The backdrop is still a big vast ocean for most of the time, but now you can spot even tiny islands and enemies in the distance. Sailing through a lightning storm with pouring rain never felt so epic, and neither did the swordfighting.

It is good to see that the makers have listened to the complaints about the gameplay. Since sailing can take up such a long time (especially during the sidequests and the inescapable backtracking), they have added an item called the Swift Sail, which can be obtained fairly early in the game. It removes the constant need to change the direction of the wind via the Wind Waker, and greatly increases the speed of the boat. Coupled with the warping system via Cyclones, tedious traveling is a thing of the past. One mandatory mission, the search for the Triforce, has been simplified considerably, so it doesn't take ages anymore. The Wii U pad is used to great effect to control targeting items, such as the Bow, Grappling Hook, Boomerang and Hookshot, so the Wiimote isn't that sorely missed. Maps and the Item menu are also displayed on the Wii U pad, so the act of assigning items to action buttons can be done without pausing. Most of the items used on the boat, such as the Sail, the Wind Waker, the Grappling Hook and the Cannon, even come pre-assigned to quick-buttons, removing the tedious need to equip these over and over again altogether. But perhaps the new element that is most fun is the Tingle Bottle, which can be used to send messages and pictures to other players via the Miiverse. All in all, the game has eliminated many of the elements that used to frustrate and annoy, without sacrificing the difficulty level.

One thing that unfortunately wasn't fixed is the dungeons: there are only seven (the Forsaken Fortress is visited twice, but the first time is more for narrative purposes, so I count it as one). That doesn't sound very small, but there are only three in the main quest before the final one (which has the most awesome and epic finale), and only about four dungeons are really memorable and/or challenging. A lot of the missions in between feel more like fetch quests than legitimate battles. This game is still relatively easy compared to some Zelda installments. It would have been nice if they had done something about that, because like with the Cube version, the player will need to do some sidequests to extend the playing time and get the idea that a true quest has been undertaken.

So taken in account the passage of time, the recent developments in Zelda gaming, and the nice improvements, I award this remake the same score as I did with the Cube version. It isn't a completely different gaming experience, some of its shortcomings are still there, but for those who have pleasant nostalgic feelings to the Great See, this is definitely a must. If the upcoming Twilight Princess HD remake is done just as good, we're in for a treat!

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker is one of the more notable entries in the Legend of Zelda franchise. It followed one of the most critically acclaimed games ever made at the time, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and dared to change just about every aspect that people loved about it. Instead of being dark and more realistic like its predecessor, Wind Waker went in the complete opposite direction, choosing to be bright, colorful, and very cartoony.

Originally released on the Nintendo Gamecube in 2003, the game is based in an open sea full of little islands, and not much else. The player plays as the reincarnated Hero of Time, who, despite being a child, discovers that he has to stop the evil intentions of the resurrected Ganon and rescue the descendant of princess Zelda. Its slightly changed-up story is by far one of the most interesting in the series, but its departure from its darker predecessor to its new bright and cartoony style was met with a lot of criticism, not least of which came from me.

I played the game when it was first released, and enjoyed it, but longed for the return of the old, darker look. That being said, Wind Waker has grown on me over the years, and after playing its HD remastered version, I find myself appreciating it in ways my 12-year-old self probably couldn't have.

First and foremost, in regards to The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, the new updated graphics must be mentioned. They are absolutely stunning! Nintendo adjusted the color gamut and the lighting, changed some of the effects, altered the appearance of the clouds and sunlight, and DANG does it look pretty. I found myself sometimes just looking at the screen, not even caring to play. It was like a work of art. It has an effect that more realistic games just can't compete with. It has style! It is a 100% improvement over the old version of the game, and the graphics alone, in all of their cartoony glory, make it worth playing.

Its graphics aside, Wind Waker also had some of the best gameplay in the series, perfecting the auto-targeting system that its predecessor introduced, and adding elements of sneakiness that the series never had before. Puzzles and dungeons aren't the best or most memorable compared to other Zelda games, however, and the game is by far one of the easiest titles to beat in the series.

One of the biggest drags on the game is the sailing required to get from one island to the next. The act of sailing can easily take up a good third or quarter of the time spent in the game, and aside from dodging the occasional shark, mine, or octopus, there really isn't much to do while you are traveling. Added to that, if you want to go in another direction, you have to change the direction of the wind, which involves playing a song and can be a bit time-consuming. The HD version does address this, however, adding an extra, optional item called the Swift Sail, which allows you to sail twice as fast and eliminates the need to change the wind's direction as it does it for you automatically.

Another item that was added to the HD version is the selfie camera. In the original version, you could find a camera hidden on one of the islands, and use it to complete some of the side quests in the game. In the newer version, you can now turn the camera back on your character and have him make faces over whatever happens to be behind you. You can then upload those onto Nintendo's social network and have people Like and comment on it. I can't tell you how many selfies I took with bosses and clever (I thought) captions in the background. Of all the additions Nintendo added to this game, this one was by far the best. I'd be surprised if more games don't have this Twitter-esk function in the future. It was a blast to use!

As I said before, the dungeons in the game are not as memorable or difficult as some of the others in the series. There also seemed to be fewer of them, as well. The final dungeon, however, is an exception. It, along with the final showdown with Ganon is actually one of the best finales of any game I've played. I don't want to spoil anything, so all I'll say is that it was pretty dang epic.

Some people are now calling this game a masterpiece. I wouldn't go that far, although it may be close. There are certainly things that could be better about it. The sailing was tedious, despite being a novel idea when the game was first introduced, and the dungeons could definitely have been more difficult. It leaves something to be said of a game that can be played ten years after its release and not feel outdated. By the nature of hardware limitations and changes in storytelling trends, such games are extremely rare. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker is definitely one of those games. Even its graphics, updated to HD or not, thanks to its heavy cartoon style, hold up better than even some of the newer entries in the series.

Overall, I give this game a 9 out of 10.

When a Classic Sets Sail Again, Smoother and Sharper Than Ever

Wind Waker HD isn't just a remaster - it's a full-on rebirth. A legendary tale, polished to perfection without losing an ounce of its soul. Nintendo didn't just bring this classic to modern hardware... they made it sing even louder across the sea.

And this time, the wind listens quicker.

Visually? A Glow-Up for the Ages

The original Wind Waker was already stunning. But the HD version?

1080p resolution turns every cel-shaded island into a vivid painting in motion.

Lighting effects give new emotional depth to sunrises, rainstorms, and dungeon shadows.

Characters' expressions hit harder, animations feel more alive, and the sea... that sea sparkles like a dream.

The stylized art style meant it aged well - but in HD?

It looks like it was meant for this generation.

Gameplay Tweaks That Matter

Nintendo heard the fans. And they did their homework.

Swift Sail: The godsend. Less time fiddling with wind direction, more time exploring. Sailing now feels fluid, fun, and fast exactly what the game needed.

Tingle Bottle (Miiverse): Okay, RIP to Miiverse, but when it worked, it made the ocean feel alive with messages in bottles from other players. A subtle, brilliant way to make a lonely sea feel shared.

Item Menus on GamePad: No more pausing to switch gear. Real-time inventory management makes combat and puzzle-solving smoother, tighter, and just straight-up better.

It's still the Wind Waker you remember - but now it respects your time, without sacrificing the charm.

Dungeon Changes - Minor but Meaningful

Nintendo made slight pacing improvements, especially in the Triforce Quest, which originally slowed down the final act. Now?

Streamlined shard hunting - less tedium, more momentum.

Faster sailing + better hints = a smoother, more satisfying third act.

The emotional beats land better when the gameplay isn't dragging behind them. Smart, subtle upgrades - no compromise.

The Legend Reaffirmed

Every moment of Wind Waker HD reminds you why this game is sacred in the Zelda canon.

But this version does something even rarer - it reminds you how to fall in love with a story all over again.

Grandma's soup hits harder.

Tetra's arc glows brighter.

That ending? Still one of the boldest in franchise history.

And now, it all plays in widescreen, full HD glory with that timeless soundtrack echoing through your speakers.

Why It's a 10 Again

Because Nintendo didn't just slap on new textures - they honored the legend.

They fixed the friction, kept the heart, and gave Wind Waker the legacy release it always deserved.

This is the version to play. Whether it's your first voyage or your fiftieth.