Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on GameCube just received perfect scores from Jap mag Famitsu - 4 lots of 10 out of 10's.

Definitely one to look forward to in March (US release)

 

can't wait!

 

<blatant hijack>

I'm redoing Zelda - Ocarina of Time on the N64 in preparation for the new release but i'm stuck this time round
I'm in the darkworld and have to go into Death Mountain. You get 1:04minutes, as I don't have my red tunic yet, but can't get anywhere.
IIRC, you need to hookshot across to the wooden bridge below but i can't for the life of me manage.
Anyone remember what to do or have a guide book for this level as i'm at the stage I keep launching the joypad at walls

</blatant hijack>

Merry Xmas,

Paul

 

Scooby - here

 

Cheers Daz You da man

Problem not sorted

 

Problem now* sorted

 

Off to buy a GameCube tomorrow (as they're now £99), in preparation for the US Zelda in March.
Had a thought though...wont the US version be easier as the Yanks are all a bit dim?

Merry Xmas,

Paul

 

A UK mag have got their hands on the JAP version - comments here:


THE WIND WAKER HAS LANDED!

We've got it! It's stupendous! Head inside for tonnes of shots and hands-on love!

17:56 Finally, we have it in our hands. The box is unassuming, almost sickeningly modest; the disc, though standard, seems far too small to carry such gargantuan greatness. And to boot up The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is truly to create a gaming mountain from a molehill.
The anticipation for this game has been unprecedented, and success is utterly essential. But the burning issues for Nintendo fans are: is it better than Ocarina of Time? And was it wise to go cel-shaded?

We're in no position to provide a definitive answer to the first conundrum, but what we can say with full confidence is everything so far has been magnificent, with a great deal that can be termed "classic Zelda" and much, much more.

As for the second issue, despite reams of criticism and a sea of dissenting voices, Nintendo has stood firm and, having experienced just a short section of the game, we fall down on our knees and thank heaven above it did.

Initially, you may not be convinced. The environment appears a little barren at first as Link takes his first uncertain steps in this unfamiliar world.

But the detail of Link himself is astounding and the visual style has been used to bring him to life as never before. The much-discussed eyes, in particular, give the elf a roguish attitude, a smidgen of cheekiness, that makes him seem more vital, more alive than almost any game character you've ever seen.

And any question marks surrounding the environments are obliterated in spectacular style once you delve underground. You'll foul yourself with delight as lava belches contemptuously, heat haze blurs vision like a quivering smudge of Vaseline on the screen, and real-time shadows tango by the flickering firelight.

But this isn't simply technical bravura - Zelda boasts a distinctive style that defies its critics and transcends the identikit swarm of cel-shaded titles that plague the market.

Even in Japanese, The Wind Waker has the power to stir you to your very soul, with spot effects, expressions, beautifully judged music and brilliant sound effects intertwining with elegant ease to tug at your very heart strings.

It's certainly no gameplay revolution - all the Zelda clichés are there, but they have been fashioned with a freshness that makes them seem like they've just been plucked from the mould. And new gameplay elements like a stealth mode and the fantastic way in which you use the wand of the wind take the series into new and exciting directions.

The Wind Waker is a beautiful thing indeed. We'll bring you deeper impressions as we journey further into the heart of Miyamoto-san's creation. Enjoy these shots from early on in the meantime.

Courtesy of C&VG Magazine