bit-tech Shopping: Nintendo Zelda: Wind Waker (GC)

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: great looking cel shaded graphics

Weaknesses: sailing the oceans can get boring at times

Summary: LEGEND OF ZELDA THE WIND WAKER is a third person platformer/ hack n slash for the Gamecube. This game is definitely one of the best for the system and since it is exclusive solely on the Cube, it will make many gamers go out and get a Gamecube. If you have played the two Zelda games for the N64, then u will be very familiar with the game play for this one. You still can not jump because the computer will do it for u but it does not take away from the fun game play. As Link, you have various tools and weapons to help u fulfill your mission such as boomerangs , swords, and even a grappling hook. Later on, you will have to climb aboard a small sailboat and travel to many different locations in the ocean such as tropical islands and even underwater dungeons. This game is a lot of fun just on the exploration concept alone because the game land is simply huge. There are also a great variety of enemies and massive end bosses that require u to figure out the correct attack patterns to beat them. The music is also excellent and has different melodies depending on the environment Link is presently on. The boat exploring can get tedious after a while, but that little fault is tiny compared to the great amount of fun this game has to offer.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Day

Strengths: very nice cel-shaded graphics, good story

Weaknesses: fetch quest and traveling by boat can be tedious

Summary: At the start, your character sails from island to island in a boat trying to rescue your sister and the story grows from there. The cel shaded graphic are very nicely done. You have the typical Zelda weapons to use: arrows, bombs, sword, boomerang and adds a few things, like the grappling hook. You can eventually control the direction of the wind.It's a fun game and can be had for a decent price. I would recommend it.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Month

Strengths: Pretty graphics

Weaknesses: Riding in the boat gets old quickly

Summary: In Windwaker, Link controls the wind which helps him sail from island to island. Riding in a boat is intially fun but quickly gets old, especially when you have to backtrack to islands you've already visited. Whether or not you like the new cartoony, cel-shaded look for Link...Windwaker is still a fun, challenging and expansive game. It's also fun seeing the cel-shaded interpretations of various characters and monsters from previous games.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 18 Months

Strengths: If you're a Zelda fan, then this is a must have!!!

Weaknesses: My only complaint is that the world is so huge that it takes quite a bit of time to travel(via boat) from one location to the next one.

Summary: This is a very cool game! The graphics, control system, and gameplay are all very good. The Wind Waker is a pretty good game. It sticks close to the Zelda formula, so fans of the series should know exactly what they are getting into. It's not so hard that you'll never beat it like some Zelda games, but it's not too easy that you'll play it being bored.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Years

Strengths: Already a classic Zelda game. In a unique cel-shaded (cartoon) style.

Weaknesses: Sailing mechanic can become a bit tedious

Summary: The Legend of Zelda Wind Waker is the main Zelda franchise entry for the Nintendo Gamecube (with Four Swords being meant as a multiplayer game and Twilight Princess considered by many as a Wii game). It has already become a classic, and is a must buy for any Gamecube or Wii owner. All of the classic Zelda game mechanics are here from the rupee collecting to arrow shooting to bomb placing. And also like other Zelda games it contains a unique element to set it apart from the others. In this case it is the ability to control the wind direction which is used to solve puzzles and control the direction you sail. This game is also different in that it takes place in a world dominated by water (with many islands to stop off on and treasure chests located under the water). I found the sailing to be quite enjoyable though it does drag a bit before you gain the ability to warp. The underwater treasure chests and floating platforms (invariably with enemies and treasure) keep the ocean parts more interesting, though. But like other Zelda games there are dungeons and the standard array of enemies to fight. The art style for this game was somewhat controversial in that Nintendo went away from the "realistic" looking Zeldas of the Nintendo 64 and chose a more cartoony cel-shaded look. Some people don't like this but I found it very refreshing. The bright colors and art design are stunning. Basically, if you are a new Gamecube or, more likely, Wii, owner you owe it to yourself to grab this game as soon as possible. It is a Player's Choice game so should retail for no more than $20.