The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD Platform: WiiU Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Total score: 17.5 out of 10 stars - GOOSE: 8 - D.A.R.R.E.N.: 9.5

DARREN

Hmm, it's not quite right...

GOOSE

Hold on!

DARREN

That's it! It's a perfect Kerry O'Brien. Quick, to the mailroom!

GOOSE

This had better work Darren, or the mailman will eat us alive!

DARREN

Don't worry, Goose - this plan is foolproof. ENGAGE 'KERRY'!

KERRY

Hello, this is Kerry O'Brien! I've come to collect the package for Bajo and Hex.

MAILMAN

...Oh, Mister Kerry, Sir! Right! Ahh, right away sir!

MAILMAN

Are you alright mister Kerry? You look... a bit unwell. Sir!

KERRY

Just leave the package on the desk... and... hop away on one leg!

GOOSE

Darren! Too much!

DARREN

Aha!

MAILMAN

Yes sir, right away sir!

GOOSE

It worked! We got it! We got Wind Waker!

DARREN

Alright Goose, now follow me! I've got a boat ready and everything!

GOOSE

A BOAT?!

MAILMAN

Oh! Sorry sir!

---

GOOSE

Wow Darren! I almost didn't believe when you said you had a real boat! What's it called?!

DARREN

Welcome aboard the H.R.M.S Circuit Breaker!

GOOSE

Ahh now of course that stands for 'Her Royal Majesty's Service' right?

DARREN

No at all Goose! It's Her Robot Majesty!

GOOSE

AH! Well tis a fine vessel Captain Daz and it's the perfect setting to take a look at the HD release of the classic Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

DARREN

Anchors away Goose!... The Wind Waker was originally released in 2003 on the Nintendo Gamecube, and it instantly divided many Zelda fans with its cell shaded art style that gave the game a bright and colourful cartoon look.

GOOSE

After the wonderfully dark Majora's Mask for the N64, Links first outing on the GameCube had a few fans worried that this new look was a bit too cutesy...

DARREN

Fortunately the game received many positive reviews for its unique spin on the Zelda legend and it would go on to become one of the most beloved games in the series.

GOOSE

Now it's had a slick new coat of HD paint and some nifty upgrades for release on the WiiU; and while Nintendo are known for reusing many of their characters games; DARREN after 10 years I was more than happy to revisit the Great Sea and set off again on this old adventure.

DARREN

You begin the game as Link who lives on the tiny 'Outset Island'. While celebrating his birthday, a mysterious bird appears, dropping a young pirate girl named Tetra before then kidnapping Link's sister. After saving Tetra - Link must set off with these Pirates to save his sister and uncover the identity of a mysterious stranger who is planning to cover all the oceans in darkness.... No prizes for guessing who that is Goose!

GOOSE

Totally Darren! In fact, be prepared to meet many familiar characters and enemy types from the other Zelda games, but I guess that is what makes these games so much fun to play...

DARREN

Indeed. Of course the big difference in The Wind Waker is how you traverse the land, or in this case it's sailing across wide expanses of ocean in the 'King of Red Lions' your trusty sailboat companion.

GOOSE

DARREN I remember this was another thing that many people either loved or hated about this game. Link uses a magical baton known as the Windwaker to change the wind's direction and sail from one island to the next. For many, the sheer size of the ocean was overwhelming, and players easily got tired of the long trips between locations; but Darren I remember loving the freedom this allowed, as you peered off to the horizon and spotted your next port of call. Even today when compared with many other open world games, the ocean in Wind Waker still feels massive! And now with the WiiU pad serving as a sea chart there's no need to constantly pause to check your location which is welcome change.

DARREN

As Link sails between the main islands to meet new characters complete dungeons he can also detour to many smaller islands scattered in-between to search for treasure, battle enemy outposts or solve mysteries that can require multiple visits...

GOOSE

And these little distractions are some of my favourite parts of the game! Probably even more than the dungeons, now don't get me wrong Darren, I really enjoyed them; they're all cleverly designed full of interesting puzzles, but they do feel awkwardly placed throughout the game. For instance during the first half of Links quest he sets out to find three ancient pearls. You complete the first two dungeons receiving a pearl each time , but then you just sail around for a while before being GIVEN the third pearl, no dungeon!

DARREN

Affirmative, It IS a big game, but just not always for the right reasons... especially when compared to newer games in the series such as Twilight Princess or Skyward Sword, but you must remember those games came out after The Wind Waker so it's not really fair to compare them..

GOOSE

It's just hard not to Darren! I guess I was just hoping to see a few more added features in this re-release, like an extra dungeon or two, or maybe even an orchestral version of the game's music.

DARREN

Well it's not all the same Goose, for instance Nintendo has added a handy new item, the 'Swift Sail', that now allows Link to sail at almost twice the speed and all without the need to change wind direction.

GOOSE

Yes that is a great addition, and they have cut down on one particularly long quest near the end of the game that frustrated many gamers. Add to this the WiiU pad as an active inventory, the ability to write messages for other online players, plus a new heroic difficulty mode and you can see they have thought long and hard about how to improve on the original.

DARREN

The game's graphics have also had a considerable overhaul, with new lighting effects, focus blur, and a softer palette that can now be enjoyed in wonderful widescreen... hahahaahh just look at all that ocean to be explored!

GOOSE

Yes it looks really pretty Darren, that HD is super crisp! But to be honest, I never thought the original needed much of an upgrade. It was such a clever, simple art style. I even went back to check the original version and to be honest I think I kind of preferred it!

DARREN

Another good point Goose, but I think you're forgetting the best thing about this re-release, that it will finally give Spawnlings who never played the original a chance to set sail across this vast wonderful world for the very first time!

GOOSE

Yes you're right Darren! This game still holds up as one of the most adventurous in the series. It's packed with fun characters, daring heroics and that particular flavour of adventure than only Zelda games can truly capture. I am a little disappointed we didn't get a brand new Zelda on the WiiU first, but this will definitely keep me busy until then. I'm giving it 8/10 rubber chickens.

DARREN

Well it's still one of my favourite games of all time, and any excuse to recapture that breathtaking sense of adventure easily earns a 9.5/10 rubber chickens from me!

GOOSE

Ok now, what course shall I set now Capt'n Dazza?

DARREN

Without a strong tail wind, I'll never make it back in time for the Skylanders review. I'll have to use my rocket boots, sorry Goose! Good luck navigating home yourself...

GOOSE

Umm ok! I'm sure I'll be fine... I'll just... oh no! Darren blasted a hole in the hull!....Oh dear! Not good! Not good! DARREN! Come Back!