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Review : Legend of Zelda : The Windwaker for GameCube
Of all the games on the market this year Legend of Zelda : The Windwaker is probably the most important to Nintendo. The Big N needs a home run with this game to establish the Gamecube place in history and fend off the Xbox and PS2.
So you may be asking your self if Miyamoto still has the magic touch? Yes he does.. oh how he still does. He started with Donkey Kong and has been personally involved with every important Nintendo hit of the last twenty years with the noted exception of Pokemon.
This game sold an impressive 600,000 copies on the first day alone. I have no doubt that this will be in the top three best sellers of 2003.
The bonus disk was a really good idea. It gave people a real reason to put money down and reserve it and to familiarize gamers with the series. Players who started with Zelda on NES need no introduction but the Bonus Disk helped us remember how much we love Zelda and to build anticipation in the newer generations of gamers.
I remember shortages of Zelda 2 all too well and luckily Nintendo did not repeat the same mistake of releasing the game before they made enough copies to go around.
Now one of the biggest things that the uninformed and quick to react are going off about is the new art style that is slightly cel-shaded and favors cute and expressive over realism. I think that it is brilliant and it really adds to the game's look and feel. Nintendo needed a way to distinguish this game from all the Jak and Daxter type games out there and I think that they have succeeded in building a rich creative world for players to explore and discover.
The art direction is full of Polynesian and Chinese influences rather than European midevil design but some of the look and feel of the older Zelda games are still there so it is a weird fusion of European and Pacific Islander themes. Much in the same way that the films of Hayao Miyazaki are animation that is made in Japan but is influenced from around the world and is not bound by the cliches of the industry. Miyamoto games are not a slave to the industry standard and history.
One really nice treat is the music that is ethnic and orchestrated at the same time. I am not sure if it is a super midi music playing on the Gamecube hardware or if it is streaming MP3 files of the disk. It really dosen't matter but it is really great music.
This game is much more cinematic than previous ones and is chock full of real time cut scenes. It reminded me of Monkey Island and other graphical adventures.
There is a really exciting GBA integration where you can control a little helper using the GBA link cable. I have yet to get there in the game but it sounds really spiffy.
It has a good learning curve that is easy to pick up and perform tasks but I know that it will go into the complex trademark Zelda logic puzzles later on in the game.
The game play is very similar to Ocarina of Time and the controls are almost the same as the bonus disk games. This is a good idea as to not reinvent the wheel but not to plagerize the past. The game has a unique but at the same time retro look and feel similar to NES Link.
Update: If you are stuck at a point in the game and would like to refer to a walk-through might I suggest the FAQs over at Gamefaqs.com. The Windwaker FAQs and guides are kept heee-yah. I am going to see if I can beat it without using any guides.
This should not be dismissed as a kid game and it should be given the respect that it deserves but it is not coasting on history and the Zelda name. I have never been disappointed by a Zelda game and this is one of the great reasons to love console games.
Jake at March 26, 2003 
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Comments
i had a really weird sex dream about you last night that involved elevators, watching dvds, las vegas, drag racing with my mom, led zeppling records, and my cousin laurie.
that is all.
Posted by: jodi at March 26, 2003 11:29 AM
I think you just got blogspamed!
Back to the subject, my copy of the Wind Waker is supposed to come in tomorrow. All I can say is it better be here because I'm not sure I can handle another day of reading reviews!
Posted by: roXet at March 26, 2003 11:32 AM
Nah I know Jodi and I am flattered. And people wonder why I have a blog.
Posted by: Jake at March 26, 2003 11:35 AM
Ooooohhhhh, I see. That post sounded suspiciously like one that I saw that a bot supposedly posted on somebody's weblog the other day. =)
Posted by: roXet at March 26, 2003 11:54 AM
nah, it's not spammed. it's true. sadly, he didn't have a topic that i could post to that fit my comment. so, jake, you need to write a post about strangers who have sex dreams about me.
Posted by: jodi at March 26, 2003 11:54 AM
well, all i can say is: i want, i want, i want! :)
i love Zelda...all of 'em...
Posted by: lilly at March 26, 2003 4:53 PM
Shigeru was actually involved in Pokémon - he was a mentor figure to Satoshi Tajiri during it's 6 or so year development period and because of that, his name was that of the main rival in the original Japanese games.
Posted by: l33t k1w1 at March 26, 2003 6:07 PM
It's Windwaker not Windwalker. Ha ha ha, you stupid Americans so stupid! Wind WALKER doesn't make any sense does it! You smoking crack like Shigeru Miyamoto again.
Posted by: BBQ at March 27, 2003 7:40 PM
It was all an elaborate plan to get the number one search engine hit for Legend of Zelda the Wind WALKer.
Damn close to. and I would have gotten away with it too if it haden't been for your meddling kids.
Miyamoto is more into mushrooms.
Posted by: Jake at March 27, 2003 7:48 PM
Wind Waker is the best pirate simulator EVER. I yelled "Argh Matey!" five times and I didn't even think anything of it.
Posted by: Gavin at March 27, 2003 11:10 PM
I have just gotten the windwaker and you will not be dissapointed i love it played it all night. great job nintendo
Posted by: mill-z at March 28, 2003 4:27 AM
Yep, the game is definitely as good as any other Zelda game and doesn't get lazy in its execution. The amound of side quests, and the size of them reminds me of Morrowind (which is a much larger game tho), but I don't have to boot up my Winblows box to play Zelda :)
I was playing Mario Sunshine recently, and got up to 67 sprites, but I imagine I won't be going back to it for a few weeks (and I still have yet to start Metroid).
Posted by: Dan at March 30, 2003 5:02 PM
Now If Nintendo would get off their ass an put together a comprehensive on line game play plan. I mean would a network API to developers just kill you Nintendo. I have a spare port on my Cable modem router and a blank expansion slot on my Gamecube for a Ethernet adapter. But I don't want to play Phantasy Star Online and that is the only damn on line game for the Cube.
Posted by: Jake at March 30, 2003 11:41 PM
will you post me information on the legend of zelda wind waker
Posted by: tell me everything for wind waker at May 8, 2003 1:09 PM
What my review was not enought for you?
Go read this
Posted by: Jake at May 8, 2003 1:14 PM
I LOVE ZELDA...i really need to get a game cube..i should sell the ps2 and buy one...JUST FOR THIS AMAZING GAME!! WHUHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Posted by: kristan at May 9, 2003 12:59 AM
No I would not sell your PS2 but save up to get a Gamecube. They might lower the price next week at E3 but I would not bet on it. At $150 with a free game like Zelda the Gamecube is a hell of a deal. I got mine factory refurbished for $110. But I can't reccomend you get rid of your PS2. Save your cash and get a Gamecube eventually.
Posted by: Jake at May 9, 2003 1:15 AM
Why is this game called Zelda when zelda is'nt even in it?
Posted by: nick at July 17, 2003 11:33 AM
Perhapse because it is about Link and the Triforce. Zelda was never a major part of the games it was all Link
Posted by: Jake at July 17, 2003 11:37 AM
I AM SO STUCK IN THE EARTH TEMPLE I DONT KNOW HOW TO USE MY SHIELD AND HER INSTRUMENT TO LIGHT UP BOTH EYES ON THE BIG STATUE SURROUNDED BY THE BLUE MIST
HELLLLLLPPP
Posted by: CHEF at November 12, 2003 1:57 PM
Chef. Take your caps lock off and actually read this page. Then go to http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/gamecube/game/3447.html
and read a guide.
Posted by: Jake at November 12, 2003 2:11 PM
Oi, man, jus one comment, windwaker is a very good game i agree, and i wouldn' mind dancin to the music in it, hell, i'd use it in a party. I don' think i'm goin bak to my ps2 for a little while at least.
Posted by: Mark at November 22, 2003 1:01 PM
my dream is to find a LINK-a-like! LINK in OOT is the man of my dreams! lol sound sad? yes i know! but i cant help but love a strong man with a big......er......sword!!!! lol has anybody else had this problem? also, i need help on windwaker, im stuck! please help me! i need a site with a walkthrough. not for the whole game mind! just this wee bit!
sexy k xxxx
Posted by: sexyk at January 1, 2004 12:53 PM
Well there is a sort of crazy Link look alike who carrys around a baseball bat in a backpack on the streets of Seattle. I think he is a costume roll playing dork who has lost his mind a bit.
Posted by: Jake at January 2, 2004 9:34 AM
DONT WORRY PEOPLE! i found a walkthrough that helped me thru my sticky patch lol
are you serious about the LINK-a-like? maybe i should take a trip to seattle.........!
Posted by: sexyk at January 3, 2004 7:26 AM
I will try to take a picture of him next time I see him.
Posted by: Jake at January 5, 2004 9:56 AM
I need help locating a triforce chart. It is the one in the grotto on Needle Rock Isle. I have lit the 6 torches and opened the chest containing 100 rupees. But, I read the sign, and I notice it says I am to go to the bottom of the sea to guide a lot spirit, but how am I to do that? I am lost here. I hate to ask for help, but a good ROGer can ask for a little help. But he or she must find their own true way through the game as a whole.
Posted by: Oddyseus at January 10, 2004 1:09 AM
is windwaker that good?
and one thing is for sure (i look like Link)
i isn't Link you'r playing.
Posted by: fddf fhg at February 13, 2004 2:16 AM
I am having trouble locating tri force chart #5. I have beaten all the ships and even the gold one where the chart is supose to be. When I used the grappling hook there was no treaure under the ship. Now, when I go back there is also no glowing ring of light like the cheat book indicates. I am a zelda fan from way back and this is the best game yet. But, I am at my whits end and frustrated as I won't be able to beat the game. Can anyone out there help me?
Posted by: Muchie at March 6, 2004 12:59 PM
i am stuck in the earth temple i do not know how to get makar out of that jail. I have tried everything. i have gotten the hook shot but whats next!!
Posted by: raphael herrera at April 11, 2004 2:39 PM
hey jake, tis i, sexyk with new email addy. nasty ganondorf come in the night and took away my internet access. have you been able to find me the link-a-like yet?!
Posted by: MistyJEDI at April 30, 2004 6:40 AM
Link who came to town, come to save, the princess ZELDA
Posted by: link_zelda at August 12, 2005 8:29 PM
I am stuck in the earth temple.I beat the bosses orshall I say skeletons,but after that I got out of the room and went to the boat.But then he said i didn't restore my master sword to full power.I do not know how to finish restoring my master sword to full power.What do I do?
Posted by: Adam at June 4, 2006 3:38 AM
i am stuck on the ghost ship
Posted by: hunter at June 28, 2006 1:22 PM
i need a link 4 a way to find the sea person cause I LOOKED EVERYWHERE AND I ONLY FOUND A STUPID FISH THAT WONT TALK 2 ME.So will u help me jake.
Posted by: steffy at March 31, 2007 5:40 AM
i need help trying to get triforce chart 5. I think i accedentaly(i dont care how u spell that word)killed the gold cannon and didnt take the treasure i dont think i even saw it....well now im back and theres no treasure what do i do know......if i cant do anything i CANT BEAT THE GAME!!!
Posted by: sammy at November 15, 2007 7:15 AM
