• GameCube

The Legend of Zelda series practically defined adventure gaming for an entire generation. Link, the hero of the adventure games, delighted millions by starring in games for each Nintendo console from the NES and Super NES to the Nintendo 64. Link brings this beloved franchise to the Nintendo GameCube in The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and he's more animated than ever.

The first thing you'll notice about The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker is that it looks completely different from any previous title in the franchise. Nintendo has opted to use cel-shading technology on Wind Waker; the result is that the game looks like a cartoon. Die-hard Zelda purists initially howled at this change, arguing that the game skews too young. I think it's fantastic. The cartoon animation style allows for better expression of the characters, and several of the animations--like Link trying to pick up an object that's too heavy--are so cute that you can't help but laugh a little.

The second thing you’ll notice is a focus on wind. Instead of trotting around on foot, Link travels from island to island on a talking boat, but he doesn't get far without the wind blowing in right direction. Luckily, you'll learn how to change the direction of the wind early in the game, and you'll do so frequently--not only to power your boat but also to solve puzzles. Clever use of wind makes Wind Waker stand out from more conventional adventure games.

The third thing you’ll notice is that the game is just plain fun. Puzzles are innovative and refreshing, and despite some tricky puzzles, I never felt too frustrated to keep playing. The locales you'll visit are invariably exotic and fun to explore, and the host of bizarre creatures you'll encounter (friendly and otherwise) are always a kick in the pants. Moreover, though the look is radically different, Wind Waker feels like a classic Zelda game. Veterans of the early games in the franchise will experience more than a bit of nostalgia while playing it.

The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker is everything you've come to expect from a Zelda game, and it's one of the best adventure games to date. This is a must-have title for any GameCube owner. --Jon "Safety Monkey" Grover

Pros:

• New cel-shaded animation looks great
• Puzzles and characters are a lot of fun
• There's a special place in the heart of any gamer who's ever owned a Nintendo console, and that place is shaped like a Triforce

Cons:

• Some Zelda purists may be turned off by the cartoon look

Disappointing.

I'm one of the biggest fans of Ocarina of Time on the planet Earth. I loved EVERYTHING about Ocarina, and it's followup, Majora's Mask. So obviously, I was highly anticipating The Wind Waker, the third Zelda game to go 3-D.

It starts off decent enough, and the first three dungeons are pretty satisfying, and the cel-shaded graphics are extremely well done, even if you prefer realistic presentations. Technically, they're brilliant.

After the first three dungeons, however, it becomes evident that the game was rushed. The next two go from decent to horrible (not to mention that I didn't die ONCE in the whole game, it's that easy), and after that you're sent on a fetch-quest all over the oceanic world, which by the way is FAR too large for its own good.

Keep in mind that as a game, it's not terrible. But as a successor to Ocarina of Time, it just doesn't hold up for me. The dungeons aren't anywhere near as good, the overworld is too large, the game is too humorous for something like this, and there is no real sense of accomplishment: Ooh, I solved this extra puzzle that I didn't have to, what do I get!?!?!...

Oh...it's...a...necklace...great.

It's good, but it's not worth [the money]if you ask me.

Zelda fan since the beginning

If one were to describe the newest Zelda game as dull or boring or not up to the hype, they would be saying that gameplay itself has turned to mush. Zelda defines gameplay, always has, always will, period. People can say what they want, but the Zelda games, since the first one released for NES in the 80's, has captured gamers hearts all over the world. Then, the SNES version came out, A Link to the Past, and the world was even more stunned. Zelda is the best example of how to a fantasy adventure game that bests even some of the best offerings from the RPG big guns (Square being the biggest of those). Link's jump to 3D on the N64 was met with the best game of the year award in almost every video game magazine to date (Ocarina of Time) and Majora's mask, though not as good, still sold like hotcakes. Now, with the Gamecube, gamers old and young alike are treated to gameplay at its best. Now, I said gameplay, which includes storyline, control, and fun factor. In all of those categories, WindWaker scores max points, inflicting damage on those who say that Zelda is for kids. Get over it, I'm 26 and would play a Zelda game before I'd play any offering on X-Box or Playstation 2. Graphics? So they're not the coolest way to display Link...fine, but they're still great!!! At least Nintendo went in an intuitive direction with the style of the game! Needless to say, Zelda keeps to its roots of gameplay, immense storyline, great graphics, great control, and tons of hours of fun! How can you go wrong?!

Good game great price

I recommend this game to anyone who is looking for something to satisfy a young niece or nefew for a good bargain. It's a very enjoyable game for the younger age group.