Ranking Every Legend Of Zelda Game From Worst To Best
7. The Wind Waker
After Wind Waker's reveal at Space World 2001 ended with a sly wink from Link, jaws hit the floor, unanimous in astonishment but not necessarily amazement. With many failing to understand Nintendo's stylistic choice, ironically dismissing it as juvenile, the new cel-shaded quest faced an uphill battle to win over those who had been wowed by the 'realistic' Zelda demo displayed a year earlier. In the end, the quality of the game proved the naysayers wrong.
Anyone who complained about the aesthetic found themselves looking very foolish indeed, as Wind Waker's risky, avant-garde visuals emerged an artistic triumph. The game is suffused with a lively personality rarely seen in an industry obsessed with realism, but there's also considerable substance to support the style, the enchanting atmosphere underpinned by an array of arresting dungeons and possibly the most satisfying combat in the series.
It's not flawless: the sailing is just as somnolent as in Phantom Hourglass, the second act treasure trawl is a trial, and there's clearly a whole chunk of the game missing. However, these drawbacks only marginally take the wind out of the sails of this masterpiece, one overflowing with that intangible magic only Nintendo know how to produce.