The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) was the first 3D video game in the series and it was absolutely spectacular. In my opinion, it's the best video game ever. Two years later Nintendo released the Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (2000), which was alright. Not as good as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time but it was alright.
The Nintendo 64 was succeeded by the GameCube, Nintendo's sixth generation video game console. By this time, Microsoft has entered the gaming industry with the Xbox and Sony had beaten the Nintendo 64 in sales with their PlayStation. Nintendo was gaining a reputation that they cater mainly to kids, not to mature video gamers. The Legend of Zelda was the only major first party title of Nintendo that didn't suffer from such a reputation. So obviously, one would think that Nintendo would create the latest installment of the Legend of Zelda that would further distance Nintendo or at least the Legend of Zelda from such a reputation - especially since the Legend of Zelda is one of the most successful first party titles of Nintendo. Unfortunately, the completely opposite happened.
Nintendo released the Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker for the GameCube, changing the animation style from realistic to cartoonish. As if that wasn't bad enough, the Wind Waker is considerably easier than Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. It gets even worse. The Wind Waker is mainly a clone to Ocarina of Time, offering next to nothing new to the franchise. It's as if Nintendo wanted kids to buy the GameCube and their old gamers to switch to PlayStation 2 or the Xbox. If that was the intention, then Nintendo has definitely succeeded. Both PlayStation 2 and the Xbox have beaten the GameCube in sales and throughout its lifespan, the GameCube hasn't gotten ride of its reputation as being a video game console for kids.
Nintendo's other major franchise, Mario, suffered a similar faith (i.e. Super Mario Sunshine, in which Mario has to fight enemies with a water gun). The GameCube is without a doubt the worst video game console Nintendo has ever produced and the Wind Waker is the worst Legend of Zelda video game Nintendo has ever produced (aside from Link's Awakening, I haven't play any Legend of Zelda video game on hand-held systems but I have played every Legend of Zelda video game on all of Nintendo's home systems).
Fortunately, Nintendo came to their senses and released the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for both the GameCube and the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo's seventh generation video game console. Twilight Princess returned the realistic animation style of Legend of Zelda and although the game play is the same as before, the game is a little more challenging than Wind Waker.
Nonetheless, the Wind Waker did win some awards and was praised by some fans (who of course would never dare to criticize Nintendo). If you are new to the Legend of Zelda, the Wind Waker will be somewhat impressive because, as mentioned before, it's largely a clone of Ocarina of Time. It's basically like a special version of Ocarina of Time for children. For those who are familiar with the older Legend of Zelda video games, Wind Waker will be a disappointment.
The Nintendo 64 was succeeded by the GameCube, Nintendo's sixth generation video game console. By this time, Microsoft has entered the gaming industry with the Xbox and Sony had beaten the Nintendo 64 in sales with their PlayStation. Nintendo was gaining a reputation that they cater mainly to kids, not to mature video gamers. The Legend of Zelda was the only major first party title of Nintendo that didn't suffer from such a reputation. So obviously, one would think that Nintendo would create the latest installment of the Legend of Zelda that would further distance Nintendo or at least the Legend of Zelda from such a reputation - especially since the Legend of Zelda is one of the most successful first party titles of Nintendo. Unfortunately, the completely opposite happened.
Nintendo released the Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker for the GameCube, changing the animation style from realistic to cartoonish. As if that wasn't bad enough, the Wind Waker is considerably easier than Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. It gets even worse. The Wind Waker is mainly a clone to Ocarina of Time, offering next to nothing new to the franchise. It's as if Nintendo wanted kids to buy the GameCube and their old gamers to switch to PlayStation 2 or the Xbox. If that was the intention, then Nintendo has definitely succeeded. Both PlayStation 2 and the Xbox have beaten the GameCube in sales and throughout its lifespan, the GameCube hasn't gotten ride of its reputation as being a video game console for kids.
Nintendo's other major franchise, Mario, suffered a similar faith (i.e. Super Mario Sunshine, in which Mario has to fight enemies with a water gun). The GameCube is without a doubt the worst video game console Nintendo has ever produced and the Wind Waker is the worst Legend of Zelda video game Nintendo has ever produced (aside from Link's Awakening, I haven't play any Legend of Zelda video game on hand-held systems but I have played every Legend of Zelda video game on all of Nintendo's home systems).
Fortunately, Nintendo came to their senses and released the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for both the GameCube and the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo's seventh generation video game console. Twilight Princess returned the realistic animation style of Legend of Zelda and although the game play is the same as before, the game is a little more challenging than Wind Waker.
Nonetheless, the Wind Waker did win some awards and was praised by some fans (who of course would never dare to criticize Nintendo). If you are new to the Legend of Zelda, the Wind Waker will be somewhat impressive because, as mentioned before, it's largely a clone of Ocarina of Time. It's basically like a special version of Ocarina of Time for children. For those who are familiar with the older Legend of Zelda video games, Wind Waker will be a disappointment.