The Zelda franchise is both beloved and contentious. With almost forty years of games, there are disagreements over which games are the best or even good. The Wind Waker, first released on the Gamecube in 2003, was controversial at its time. An emphasis on soft cel-shaded graphics and a stylized art direction was not what fans were clamoring for. When Twilight Princess came out with a mature art style, fans claimed it was the true follow-up to the N64 legends. However, The Wind Waker was underrated for its time and still has many critiques put on its name. While it is not perfect, it is an extremely important part of the Zelda mythos.
Toon Link is Lovable
The art style of The Wind Waker was immediately blasted by the older crowd of gamers upon reveal. While Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask came across as dark and odd, this new style was seen as childish and cartoony. Despite this, the style has earned fans over time. The expressiveness of what the Super Smash Bros. series calls “Toon Link” helps tell the story far better than in prior installments. We see his joy, his fear, and his desperation. With a story initially centered on Link’s desire to rescue his sister, he needed to take the stage as a main character. Without dialogue, his facial expressions make him a capable vessel for us to go on this journey with.
An Enhanced Story
Every new console has shown improvements in how Zelda can tell its story. While the N64 games added dramatic flair and cutscenes, The Wind Waker went to the next level. Link’s story was the most personal yet, losing his sister to kidnapping. He is introduced to many larger-than-life characters, and it puts into perspective his youth contrasted against the epic legacy of the world he explores. Characters speak in an old tongue that the player can’t understand on a first playthrough. We are shown a world beneath the waves that is lost to time and memory. A dramatic and dark tale about loss and moving on is woven.
Loving the Past, Embracing the Future
The Wind Waker doesn’t spurn the past but isn’t bound to it. In the story, we see that Ganondorf’s primary motivation is to claim that which he covets: Hyrule’s prosperity. The king of Hyrule has kept himself and his kingdom in stasis, seemingly waiting for his descendants to return and raise it once more. When Link travels to Hyrule beneath the waves, the game is reverent in showing us what players remember from Ocarina of Time with images of the Sages. And yet, the conclusion is for Link and Zelda to forge a new kingdom. In this way, Miyamoto wanted to tell people that he was moving on from the past while not hating it.
Final Thoughts
For those who haven’t played The Wind Waker, it’s a worthwhile ride. The Wii U port includes improved graphics and resolves some gameplay hiccups. The old Gamecube version is in and of itself still fun for what it is, of course. If you can track down these old consoles, it’s worth giving a look. Hopefully, Nintendo will bring this game and others to modern hardware once again so new players can experience it. Even if fans rejected The Wind Waker‘s desire to move on at the time, it became essential for Zelda to grow. The Wind Waker is a love letter to the past and a push to look to the future, which is a message we all need.
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