The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GameCube)

The Legend of Zelda series practically defined adventure gaming for an entire generation, appearing on each Nintendo console from the NES and Super NES to the Nintendo 64. And the first thing you'll notice about The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker is that it looks completely different from any previous Zelda title.

Nintendo has opted to use cell-shading technology here; the result is that the game looks like a cartoon. Die-hard Zelda purists initially howled at this change, arguing that it made the game look like a kids' title, but the finished product looks fantastic. The cartoon animation style allows for better expression of the characters and several of the animations--such as Link trying to pick up an object that's too heavy--are so cute that you can't help but laugh a little.

Link travels from island to island on a talking boat and you're not going to make it far without the wind blowing in the direction you want to go. Link gains the ability to change the direction of the wind early in the game and you'll do so frequently, not only to power your boat but also to solve puzzles. Clever use of wind makes Wind Waker stand out from more conventional adventure games.

Puzzles are innovative and refreshing, and despite getting stuck a handful of times, we never felt too frustrated to keep playing. The locales you'll visit are invariably exotic and fun to explore, and the host of bizarre creatures you'll encounter (friendly and otherwise) are always surprising. Moreover, though its look is radically different, Wind Waker feels like a classic Zelda game--it's everything you've come to expect from the series, and it's one of the best adventure games to date. --Jon Grover

"Will bring joy into your life and make you feel like you're starring in the greatest story ever told. 10/10."

"Brilliant. 9/10."

"Essential. 97%."

Since the series' debut in 1987, Link's games have been the stuff of legend--universally appealing adventures that emerge as beloved triumphs of gameplay, presentation, innovation, graphics and fun. In The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Link debuts on the GameCube with a new cartoon-style look, but the game is still serious about adventure. The series' classic mix of sword-swinging action, perplexing puzzles and stirring story lines remains intact while the new Toon Rendering graphics enable the characters of Link's world to be incredibly lively and expressive.

The narrative immediately places Link in a dire situation, and emotions hit a fever pitch when the young hero witnesses his sister being snatched by a giant bird. Link embarks on an epic voyage to locate his sister, unravelling a mystery that deftly blends unique, stylised graphics with the much-heralded mechanics of the N64's gaming milestone The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time. Link travels from island to island by sailboat, and as a result the wind plays a key role in the game. In an innovative twist, The Wind Waker will take advantage of the Nintendo GameCube/Game Boy Advance Link Cable. By using the cable to connect to a Game Boy Advance (no software necessary), players will gain access to new items and features.