The game that made me fall in love with Zelda and still my favorite. I replay it fairly regularly (HD version on Switch please), and every time I come back it's sense of adventure is still unmatched. The wide open seas, soaring soundtrack, and charming visuals easily make this the one that feels the most like a Grand Quest with the fate of the world and the people you care about in the balance.
My favorite versions of Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf are all from here. I also really love that we get the most from Link's family in this game - his sister especially really adds emotional depth. And of course the King of Red Lions is an all-timer companion.
The Tri-Force quest in the back half of the game is admittedly rough - but the HD remaster simplifies it so even that I can't complain about. Besides that, I could go on and on with praise; so I'll end this by reiterating how good the music is and that I hope Zelda games going forward are able to recapture Wind Waker's sense of adventure and fable-like qualities. It's really what sticks with me more than anything else - and adventure is what Zelda's all about.
My favorite versions of Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf are all from here. I also really love that we get the most from Link's family in this game - his sister especially really adds emotional depth. And of course the King of Red Lions is an all-timer companion.
The Tri-Force quest in the back half of the game is admittedly rough - but the HD remaster simplifies it so even that I can't complain about. Besides that, I could go on and on with praise; so I'll end this by reiterating how good the music is and that I hope Zelda games going forward are able to recapture Wind Waker's sense of adventure and fable-like qualities. It's really what sticks with me more than anything else - and adventure is what Zelda's all about.