Favorite Tunes #74: Wind Waker 10th Anniversary Edition

10 years. Can you really believe it's been that long since The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker released? This game that so many in the gaming community once bared it's fangs at due to it's radically different art style is now regarded as a classic and a lot of fan's favorite Zelda games. It's certainly one of my favorites. This game was drop dead gorgeous a decade ago but Nintendo saw fit to give it an HD overhaul. To commemorate the ten year anniversary of the Wind Waker and the release of Wind Waker HD, this entire edition of Favorite Tunes features music from the game that gave birth to Toon Link. Enjoy.

Title - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GCN, Wii U)

Zelda games have always had great title themes, but something about this one really gets me. Being a game with a heavy focus on wind, the game's soundtrack makes use of lots of wind instruments. You've heard people say "dat bass" and what not. Well now it's all about dat flute and dem bagpipes.

Outset Island - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Wii U)

Ah, Link's hometown. The outset of Link's adventure is aptly named Outset Island. On Link's birthday, his ordinary life is turned upside down when a bird kidnaps his sister. If he's to get her back, he must leave the island and his friends and family behind. I get especially choked up when Link waves goodbye to his grandmother. This track got some remastering work done to it.

The Great Sea - The Legend of Zelda: The Wink Waker (GCN, Wii U)

What was a bothersome chore to many, sailing, was actually an aspect of the game I didn't really mind. Unlike past versions of Hyrule, this one was flooded, which meant a lot of overworld exploration would be done by ship. It was a new element to the series to be sure, but you couldn't just jump onto the King of Red Lions and go in any direction. First you had to set the wind in the direction you want to go, make sure you had your sail equipped and then set off. Sailing the vast ocean in Wind Waker was honestly one of my favorite experiences in a Zelda game.

Mini-Boss - The Legend of Zelda: The WinD Waker (GCN, Wii U)

The Wind Waker had more dungeons than Majora's Mask but still far fewer than most Zelda games. Combat was more fun in the Wind Waker than in any other Zelda game at this point and who couldn't get in the mood to hack and slash with this mini boss theme? There may have been a low dungeon count in this game, but they sure kept the mini bosses coming.

Windfall Island - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Wii U)

Who doesn't love this island? Lots to see and do, a gang of kids walking around like they own the place and Link doing his best Frank Welker cat meow. Windfall Island is also home to lots and I do mean LOTS of side quests.

Gohdan - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GCN, Wii U)

The Wind Waker was a notable Zelda title in a lot of regards, in terms of visuals, sound and even the bosses. One thing that certainly helped the bosses stand out was giving each boss their own theme. Gohdan here has to be one of the coolest looking faces and pair of hands I've ever seen in a video game and this is all caped off with an engaging boss theme.

Phantom Ganon - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GCN, Wii U)

The last time we saw Phantom Ganon, he rode on a horse and jumped through paintings. It seems he's sincle sold his steed and got a fantastic makeover and I must say that I approve. Phantom Ganon confronts like just before he sneaks inside the Forsake Fortress and the battle is a reminiscent of the first battle with Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time. Interesting note, the intro to this course is an updated version of the jingle that plays when Link encounters Ganon in the original Legend of Zelda.

Molgera - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Wii U)

Molgera isn't one of my favorite boss battles in Wind Waker, but I cannot get enough of his theme. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it's set to the highest so I can hear it frequently in Toon Link's stage. For the HD version of Wind Waker, this song was remastered. There's a bit more piazza to the flute and trumpet.

Ganondorf Battle - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GCN, Wii U)

I think this is the first time in the series where Ganon was portrayed as being more than just a power hungry, laughing maniacal madman. He's actually got reasons for doing what he's doing other than just being the bad guy, reasons that I won't spoil for those that have not made it up to this point in the game.

Staff Credits - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GCN, Wii U)

How many themes can you hear mixed in with this glorious staff roll theme? Well, there's the Title theme, a bit of The Great Sea, Zelda's Theme, a bit of The Legend of Zelda theme and maybe some that I missed. I usually don't get to attached to medley staff roll themes, but this one really grabbed me.

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