Wind Waker HD: a key moment for the Zelda franchise
Intelligence Summary
- Discover Wind Waker HD’s impact on the Zelda franchise and what it means for the future of remasters.
In short
- Wind Waker HD was released on September 20, 2013 for Wii U, with improved graphics and gameplay.
- The original Wind Waker launched on December 13, 2003 for GameCube and has since earned cult status.
- Despite Wind Waker’s popularity, it is often seen as less influential than Ocarina of Time.
GAME-scanner analysis
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD not only improved the visual experience of the original, but also introduced several quality-of-life upgrades. This sparked renewed interest in the franchise, especially among new players who may never have played the GameCube version. However, the HD release remains exclusive to Wii U, raising questions about its accessibility to a wider audience, especially now that Nintendo has added the original Wind Waker to the Switch Online GameCube library. That could affect sales of the HD version, as players may prefer the more accessible Switch release.
What does this mean for players?
For players who have not experienced the original Wind Waker, Wind Waker HD is an excellent entry point into the world of Zelda. The improved graphics and gameplay make it an appealing option, but its Wii U exclusivity may frustrate fans hoping for a Switch port. Recent announcements around the Zelda franchise, such as the focus on Ocarina of Time in the 40th anniversary Direct, could also fuel demand for remasters of other titles.
Timeline
2003-12-13: The original Wind Waker is released on GameCube.
2013-09-20: Wind Waker HD is released on Wii U.
2022: The original Wind Waker is added to the Switch Online GameCube library.