The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
September 20, 
September 26, 
October 4, 
October 5, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is a remaster of The Wind Waker for Nintendo Wii U. It was announced during a Nintendo Direct presentation on January 23rd, 2013, where Eiji Aonuma announced the game, saying that it will have updated HD graphics.[6] The game uses an HD update of the original game's graphics style, combining cel-shading with advanced effects and 1080p resolution. The title was confirmed to be The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD at E3 2013.[7] A special Wii U bundle was also announced featuring The Wind Waker HD. The bundle includes a black Wii U console, and a black Wii U GamePad with a golden Hylian crest along with some Hylian symbols. Additionally, there is a download code for a digital version of The Wind Waker HD, as well as a download code for a digital version of Hyrule Historia. A collector's edition of the game itself was also released with the inclusion of a small Ganondorf figurine.
The Wind Waker HD released digitally on September 20th, 2013, and physically on October 4th in the US and Canada. Furthermore, it released both digitally and physically on September 26th in Japan, on October 4th in Europe, and October 5th in Australia.
Development
At E3 in 2011, Nintendo presented a Zelda HD demo to promote the Wii U's capabilities. This demo used the more realistic graphics from Twilight Princess, and was part of a series of experiments with updating previous games' graphics for the new HD console. As a result of these experiments, The Wind Waker stood out to the developers as a brand-new experience, and they decided to make it into a game.[6]
The Wind Waker HD was released in October 2013 as a treat for fans as they waited for Breath of the Wild, which was under development at the time.[6]
There have been some changes made to the gameplay and aesthetics, which can be viewed below.
Changes from the Original
The following is a list of changes that The Wind Waker HD has made from the original The Wind Waker.
Gameplay
- A Hero Mode has been added. In this mode, enemies do twice the damage, and no Recovery Hearts can be found.[8] The only way to regenerate Link's health is by the use of Potions, Elixir Soup, Fairies, etc.
- A new item called the Swift Sail has been added. This new item allows Link to sail faster than with the normal Sail, and it "always has wind in it", meaning Link will not have to change wind directions. It can be obtained at the Auction House anytime after completing the first dungeon. This is an optional item.
- The quest for the Triforce Shards has been made less tedious. Link can acquire the first five pieces directly, with three remaining. These remaining three will need to be acquired in the traditional way of finding a Triforce Chart, having it deciphered by Tingle, and following the chart to the Triforce piece.
- The Tingle Tuner has been replaced with the Tingle Bottle. The Tingle Bottle allows players to send Miiverse messages in bottles that will wash up on the shores of other players' games.[9]
- Off-TV play is available on the GamePad screen.
- Like in Ocarina of Time 3D, items can now be aimed using the GamePad's built-in gyroscope.
- Players can now move whilst in first person (using the Bow, Boomerang, Hookshot, etc.)
- Because of this, aiming weapons is now done with the right analog stick as opposed to the left when not using gyroscope controls.
- A reticle now appears when using the Cannon for easier targeting.
- Wind Waker, Cannon, and Salvage Arm are bound to the D-pad.
- When using the Deku Leaf, there is now a translucent green icon on the spot that Link would land on if he let go.
- The basic wallet now holds 500 Rupees instead of the original 200.
- Link no longer needs to stop in order to turn while swinging on the Grappling Hook.
- The Picto Box can now hold 12 pictographs instead of the previous 3. Link can also now take "selfies" with his Picto Box.
- Carlov can now be given 12 pictographs at once.
- A Forest Firefly is no longer needed to upgrade the Picto Box to the Deluxe Picto Box; instead, Lenzo gives Link the upgraded box after Link becomes his assistant.
- Pictographs are now given an approval rating as soon as they are taken, allowing players to instantly know if their pictograph is good enough for a figurine.
- Clicking the right stick switches the camera to first person mode.
- The Hero's Charm has been moved to the end of the Savage Labyrinth.
- The Piece of Heart at the end of the Savage Labyrinth has been moved to a sunken treasure chest.
- Forest Water expires in 30 minutes as opposed to the original 20.
- A timer is present next to the Forest Water bottle displaying how much time is left.
- Players have the option of rereading the Fishman's hints from the Sea Chart without feeding him again.
- "Swing" and "Throw" options are swapped when holding enemy weapons.
- The Knuckle figurine is now required to complete the Nintendo Gallery.
- Knuckle will now only appear on Tingle Island after all five Tingle Statues have been collected.
- The treasure chests containing the Tingle Statues can now be found with regular bombs.
- However, there are no hints whatsoever about the existence of the Tingle Statues, as the Tingle Tuner has been removed.
Aesthetics
- Some animations have been sped up (using the Grappling Hook, Wind Waker, etc.)
- Some music and sounds have been remastered.
- The black and white effect in Hyrule Castle has been removed in favor of a new sepia tone effect.
- Shaders and 1080p resolution.
- Shadows are much more true to how they would look in real life.
- The whole ocean can now be loaded at once, meaning islands no longer "pop" in.
- Off-TV Play (on the Wii U GamePad.)
- Drag and Drop item screen.
- Mini-map is displayed on GamePad screen.
Miscellaneous
- The intro can now be skipped.
- Multiple sword slashes occasionally occur when fighting enemies. This seems to be random; however, holding forward and slashing without targeting may result in more.
- A glitch present in the original The Wind Waker allowed Link to conduct the Wind Waker while falling through the air. This has been removed from the HD version.
- The King of Red Lions now slows down when approaching islands.
- The day-night transition on the file select screen has been removed.
- You can now play the game completely on the GamePad if you are in range of your Wii U.
- A patch of flowers near the harbor in Windfall Island is new.
- You can now take selfies of Link in The Wind Waker HD and also make different expressions on his face too.
- The sword can now be used to break wooden planks over warp jars.
- Stationary roll speed has been increased.
Gallery
- Main article: Gallery:The Wind Waker
Official Artwork
Screenshots
- Main article: Category:The Wind Waker HD Screenshot Files
Press Screenshots
References
- ↑ 1.1 1.2 GenGAME
- ↑ Nintendo Earnings Release for Q2 2013
- ↑ Nintendo Software Lineup
- ↑ Nintendo UK Web Site
- ↑ Nintendo Australia Web Site
- ↑ 6.1 6.2 6.3 Nintendo Direct, January 23rd, 2013
- ↑ Wind Waker E3 2013
- ↑ The Wind Waker HD Hero Mode Trailer
- ↑ "You got a Tingle Bottle! Using Miiverse, you can insert a message you've written, and send it out to sea for someone unknown to receive." — The Wind Waker HD, in-game description