1. The Wind Waker, of course.
I got into the Zelda series in 1998 with Ocarina of Time. I wasn't about to miss a major console release. I bought and played The Wind Waker on the day of its release.
The story's a bit different for Twilight Princess. I bought the game close to its release, but didn't have a Wii for another week or so. I bought the Wii strictly for Twilight Princess, because I was determined to get the "full" experience. For a long time, it was the only Wii game I owned. That made just playing the game an expensive endeavor.
2. Yes, I loved The Wind Waker when I first played it.
I was initially skeptical , mainly because I was a teenager and I thought the art style was "kiddie." But when I played it, it totally blew me away. It had an even tighter narrative structure than my still-favorite game in the Zelda series, Ocarina of Time, it had a spirited atmosphere, great characterization, and quality gameplay that focused on exploration.
3. I hated Twilight Princess when I first played it, and still do.
I have never experienced such a bland and uninspired world. It was supposedly crafted as a "love letter to Ocarina of Time fans," but it was so different in such important ways that it's hard to believe they even looked back at Ocarina when they made this. As a Zelda game, it's atrocious. On its own merits, it's still one of the worst gaming experiences I have ever had.
Had I played Twilight Princess first, my opinion would not be any different. Trotting through a linear overworld that's devoid of the wonder of exploration is not my idea of a good time. Interestingly, Okami launched around the same time, and it was exactly the sort of experience I expect from a Zelda game. It boasted vibrant characters and addictive gameplay. I still think Twilight Princess gets a pass from everyone just because it's a Zelda game, even if it lacks the elements that have made the series so great over the years.
It is interesting to contrast Twilight Princess with The Wind Waker, isn't it? On the one hand, you have a distinctly Japanese game with an aesthetic Miyamoto himself said he's been trying to invoke since the release of the first title in the series. On the other, you have a halfhearted attempt to appeal to the Western market. I like to draw the comparisons, but again, it's not just because I played The Wind Waker first; it's because that game so perfectly captured the childlike wonder of Hyrule that's been an essential component to every quality Zelda title, while the other game...well, you know my thoughts by now.