Gaming anniversaries can be special because they invoke a feeling of nostalgia and help us see games in new light depending on the history that has occurred since their launch. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is an excellent example of this. The game came out on December 13th, 2002, and it didn’t have the hype that many past games in the franchise had. In contrast, many felt the title might not “feel like a Zelda game.” This was because Nintendo had dropped a teaser for a stunning fight between Link and Ganondorf, and everyone expected that visual style in the next game.
However, Nintendo pulled a 180 and gave us the cel-shaded The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. That wasn’t the only thing that changed that gamers called out at first. The idea of sailing around the game world was odd in their eyes. Moreover, the game had connections to past titles that indicated a darker timeline than what was already said in previous games. As a result, there was a lot of confusion, leading to many having hate for the title before it came out.
However, once the game was released, things changed immediately. Reviewers praised the game for its slick cel-shaded look and its great gameplay features. The title absolutely felt like past games in the series but with some twists and improvements all its own. The story was also praised for its profound and mature beats. Not the least was the death of Ganon.
The title has widely become one of the most popular in The Legend of Zelda line, and it was so beloved that it got two sequels on handhelds later on.
Online, fans are celebrating the game, and the comments in threads like the one above prove that the love for the title hasn’t died over the course of 20 years.
Many said it was in their top 2-5 regarding best games in the series. Some even noted that it was their first in the series and thus would always have a “special place in their hearts.” Several gamers talked about why they felt it was so special, citing the visuals, music, story beats, and the freedom of sailing around the game’s world.
Some even brought up the early controversy around the title and noted it may have unintentionally been the best thing for the franchise, given how things turned out. Feel free to share your thoughts on the game in the comments below!
Source: Twitter
