THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: WIND WAKER
Alright, today let’s go over one of
my . . . favorites? (Although come to think of it, this is Legend of Zelda,
most of them are my “favorite” for one reason or another. Hmm, it’s my favorite
version of Zelda herself anyway), The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker! The game is
best known for its breathtaking cel-shaded graphics and cartoony design,
despite those aspects earning it undue criticism early on. The story follows a
new Link whose sister is kidnapped by a giant bird, forcing him to set sail
across a vast sea with a band of pirates.
Best known as Toon Link thanks to
Smash, our hero wields a sword and shield with which he can perform horizontal
and vertical slices, thrust, and perform a spin attack. He also carries such
items as a telescope, a bag for spoils, bombs, a grappling hook, a Deku Leaf
with which he can glide and blow wind, a boomerang, the skull hammer, fire and
ice arrows, iron boots, power bracelets, and a mirror shield. He is also known
to hide out in barrels, and carries the eponymous wind waker, a conductor’s baton
with which he can change the flow of the winds and summon a tornado to warp
around the map.
The first of our major supporting characters
is Tetra, a young girl Link’s age and the captain of the pirate crew. She
carries both a cutlass sword and a blunderbuss gun, though she does not seem to
ever use them onscreen unlike Hyrule Warriors, but roping in her crew and ship,
we also have cannonballs, raising platforms, rope swinging, a spoils bag, a
catapult, and bombs at her disposal. Later in the game, she is revealed to be
the direct descendant of Princess Zelda and true inheritor of the name, giving
her access to the arrows of light.
Once separated from Tetra and her
crew, Link joins forces with a talking boat called the King of Red Lions, which
allows him to move around the map on his own. The boat is later revealed to be
the spirit of the last king of Hyrule, King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule. With his
boat form, he carries a sail, an on-board cannon, and a grappling anchor to
fish for sunken treasure, alongside such Wind Waker-based abilities as the
tornado warp.
This game brings with it several
major supporting characters, such as Link’s sister Aryll and his grandmother,
Tingle once again providing you with maps, our first appearance of Beedle the
merchant, traveling around in a boat to sell things to you, the Great Fairy who
will heal you and expand your pouch, and two wind gods named Zephos and Cyclos.
The game also introduced two new species, the Ritos and the Koroks, evolutionary
descendants of the Zoras and the Kokiri respectively. The most important members
of these races are the two new sages, Medli and Makar, who help you through the
game’s temples and can even briefly be playable. Medli, the Rito caretaker of
their prince Komali, can fly just like most of their race, carries a lyre with
which she can play magical songs and reflect light, and gives Link his
grappling hook. The dragon Valoo is also heavily connected to her. Makar is a musician
prone to getting himself into trouble, who plays a violin, can fly with a
spinning leaf, and can plant a tree. His fellow Koroks are also seen spitting
flowers, using Deku Leaves, and throwing Deku Nuts.
Tracking the giant bird to an
immense fortress, you soon discover the identity of the main villain, a toon version
of Ganondorf, returned from the dead after Hyrule was flooded to seal him away.
This version of Ganondorf is a bit different from other incarnations, wielding
a pair of twin swords with which he can slash, launch a furious multi-attack,
block, lunge, and swoop forward. He is also seen to punch and dodge during his
fight. Though I’m hesitant, this just might be a good case for a separate slot.
A phantom form also appears, once again doing its infamous tennis attack style,
as well as a puppet form that mostly just flops around with its body.
The bird from the beginning of the
game, the Helmaroc King, is probably the most iconic boss from the game, with
the abilities shown to fly, peck at you, and destroy the platforms you’re
standing on, but we also have a large centipede version of a Gohma that lives
in lava and bites at Valoo’s tail, a giant plant called Kalle Demos, a floating
idol head called Gohdan, a bunch of Poes stuck together called Jalhalla, and a
flying sand worm called Molgera.
Our returning enemies include: the
Moblins, which are seen carrying spears and dropping from Helmarocs; Keese;
Chuchus, seen hopping, dropping from the ceiling, sparking with electricity,
and turning to stone when hit with light; versions of the Deku Baba called Boko
Babas; and giant forms of the Octorok which cause massive whirlpools, attack
with tentacles, and shoot projectiles at you; aquatic versions of the Peahat
called Seahats; Mothulas; Jackal-headed Darknuts with broadswords, shields, and
spears who punch at you and collapse pillars; Toucan Wizzrobes that can
teleport, cast fire spells, and summon allies; Poes who lay a curse on you;
Stalfos that carry maces; and ReDeads. Bokoblins are our first major new enemy,
smaller versions of the Moblin who carry clubs, swords, shields, broadswords,
are dropped by Helmarocs, and can burst from pots. They also man most of the sea
outposts. Other newcomers include the aforementioned Helmaroc birds, Miniblins
(even smaller Moblins with bombs), and Magtails (basically centipedes that roll
up into balls).
The entire game takes place on the
Great Sea, replacing the kingdom of Hyrule which was flooded centuries ago. You
start on Outset Island, before climbing aboard Tetra’s pirate ship and setting
sail for the Forsaken Fortress. Other notable islands include Windfall Island,
Dragon Roost Island (home of the Ritos), Forest Haven (home of the Koroks),
Great Fish Island, the Tower of the Gods, and the Earth and Wind Temples
respectively. Later in the game, you can descend to the sunken kingdom of
Hyrule, a recreation of Hyrule Castle from Ocarina of Time, as well as Ganon’s
Tower where the final battle is fought.
All items as previously listed, as well as such items as Rupees and
Heart Pieces.
Here's what we've got so far:
Characters:
Link: Master Sword, Hylian Shield, Epona, Iron Boots, Megaton Hammer, Pegasus Boots, bombs, fire arrows, ice arrows, light arrows, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, lens of truth
Young Link: jumping, rolling, crawling, Kokiri Sword, Deku shield, Epona, slingshot, Deku stick, bomb flowers, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, Navi, lens of truth, mirror shield, travel back in time three days, slow time, song of soaring, song of storms, song of awakening, bunny hood, camera, heartless soldier, masks, Fierce Deity Mask
Toon Link: sword, shield, horizontal and vertical slices, thrust, spin attack, telescope, bag for spoils, bombs, grappling hook, Deku Leaf, boomerang, skull hammer, fire and ice arrows, iron boots, power bracelets, mirror shield, hide in barrels, wind waker, change winds, tornado
Princess Zelda: Zelda's Lullaby, jewel, light arrows, remove bars, spell of light, seal Ganon
Sheik: Zelda's Lullaby, Sun Song, Song of Storms, Song of Time, Epona's Song, Saria's Song, warp songs, disappear, leap, harp
Tetra: cutlass, blunderbuss, cannonballs, raising platforms, rope swinging, spoils bag, catapult, bombs, arrows of light.
King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule: boat form, sail, cannon, grappling anchor, tornado warp.
Impa: disappear, Zelda's lullaby, Lens of Truth
Saria/Kokiri: Deku Sticks, Deku Nuts, Deku Sprouts, Great Deku Tree, Saria's song, slingshot, Mido
Darunia/Darmani/Goron: rolling, defensive curl, strength, bomb flowers, hammer, dance, punch, ground pound, roll, drums, powder keg
Ruto/Mikau/Zora: swim, dive, high speed swim, punch, fin blades, guitar, blue shield
Nabooru/Gerudo: twin blades, guard, spear, Iron Knuckle
Deku Scrub: launch from flower, fly with flowers, shoot bubbles, Deku Nut, spin dance, pipes
Medli/Rito: fly, lyre, reflect light, grappling hook, Valoo
Makar/Korok: violin, spinning leaf, plant a tree, spitting flowers, Deku Leaves, Deku Nuts
Happy Mask Salesman: draw in fairies, make chicks follow, milk bar, past Garos, Stalchildren, past Gibdos and ReDeads, become a giant, see hearts, detect smells, lead frogs, summon a Keaton, song of healing, shake
Tingle: balloon, maps, magic dust, Tingle Tracker
Beedle: ship
Aryll: telescope
Great Fairy: Din's Fire, Farore's Wind, Nayru's Love, magical power, sword, spin attack, heal, expand pouch
Malon: Epona, Epona's song, Cuccos, Lon Lon Milk, bow
Dampe: dig, float, fire
Kafei: push
Ganondorf: horse, blast of light, waves of darkness, ground pound, ball of lightning
Toon Ganondorf: twin swords, slash, multi-attack, block, lunge, swoop forward, punch, dodge
Phantom Ganon: ride horse, float, lightning tennis
Beast Ganon: two giant swords, barrier of fire.
Skull Kid: dance, steal, float, curses, call down the moon, Tatl and Tael
Majora: spins, tentacles, summon masks, laser beam, weird dance, long tentacles, top
Gohma: climbs, drops eggs, lava, bite
Dodongo: dig, leap, breathe fire, roll around, swallow bombs
Kotake and Koume/Twinrova: quicksand, fly around on brooms, fire and ice magic, combine.
Dark Link
Iron Knuckle/Darknut: giant axe, slam, collapsing pillars, broadswords, shields, spears, punch.
Stalfos: stalchildren, kick, sword, shield, dust breath, floating head, mace
Poe: disappearing, throwing flames, spinning with lanterns, paintings, puzzle blocks, illusions, curse, Jalhalla
Armos: Beamos
Octoroks: Big Octo, spit rocks, projectiles, tentacles, whirlpools
Moblins: charge with spears, clubs shockwaves, spears, Helmarocs
Deku Baba: crawl, hang upside down, Mini Baba, Boko Baba
Deku Scrub: hide, shoot Deku Nuts, merchants
Wolfos
Lizalfos/Dinolfos: jump, swords, breathe fire
Gibdo
Wizzrobe: teleport, spell of ice, staff, fireballs, fire spell, summon ally
Stalchildren
Chuchu: hopping, dropping from the ceiling, sparking with electricity, turning to stone
Gekko: punch, hop, ride a Snapper, Mad Jelly
Garo: hop, attack with swords, pop out of ground, barrier of fire, flaming swords, leap high
Bokoblins: clubs, swords, shields, broadswords, Helmarocs, burst from pots
Helmaroc
Bosses:
Gohma
Dodongo
Barinade
Phantom Ganon
Volvagia
Morpha
Bongo Bongo
Twinrova
Beast Ganon
Odolwa
Goht
Gyorg
Twinmold
Helmaroc King
Kalle Demos
Gohdan
Jalhalla
Molgera
Stages:
Lost Woods
Kokiri Village
Hyrule Field
Lon Lon Ranch
Hyrule Castle
Castle Town
Temple of Time
Kakariko Village
Death Mountain
Zora's Domain
Lake Hylia
Gerudo Valley
Great Deku Tree
Dodongo's Cavern
Lord Jabu-Jabu's Belly
Forest Temple
Fire Temple
Water Temple
Shadow Temple
Spirit Temple
Ganon's Castle
Clock Town
Termina Field
Woodfall
Snowhead
Great Bay
Ikana
Inside the Moon
Great Sea
Outset Island
Pirate Ship
Forsaken Fortress
Windfall Island
Dragon Roost Island
Forest Haven
Great Fish Island
Tower of the Gods
Earth Temple
Wind Temple
Kingdom of Hyrule
Ganon’s Tower
Thanks for reading! Next up, we cover Twilight Princess!
