The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GameCube)

Though it has platform elements, this is still essentially an adventure game, so you won't need the ninja-like skills necessary to master the moves in Super Mario Sunshine. What you will need is lateral thinking to solve the not-too-difficult puzzles WW offers, many of which require imaginative use of the items you find along the way. It's these -- the Deku Leaf, the boomerang, the grappling hook, the Wind Waker itself etc. -- that really make the story. Each has a specific yet flexible role in the development so that you never feel either totally stumped or that the game is simply telling you what to do.

Apart from this, the graphics, animation and sound effects are so gorgeous that you'll enjoy just pottering around in Wind Waker. I can't believe there are people who don't like the cel shading approach. Not only does it fit perfectly with the older -- I mean pre-OoT -- Zelda games, the fact that you're not bombarded with textures and polygons means you can actually SEE what's in front of you all the time. Limiting textures and shading also means that the tonal range has far more impact -- when things are bright and dark in Wind Waker, they're REALLY bright and dark. And sidestepping the 'realism' issue also allows for more fluid, dynamic animation.

Wind Waker is challenging but never discouragingly difficult, and there are enough extras and mini-challenges to keep you coming back. But the best thing to be said is that as a 'place to be' this game has no equal. Purists might complain about the 'cartoony' graphics and 'kiddy Link' (have they forgotten 'A Link to the Past'?) but I think this is a quantum leap forward in gaming environments. It will take some years for everyone else to catch up with Nintendo on this form.

As far as controls go, its pretty much the same as Ocarina Of Time. Battling is never confusing, you rarely lose control of your camera angles ... pretty much spot on. Then again, the guy who made Zelda DID design the joypad in the first place. One touch I do like with the battles is the way the music increases in stature as you approach bad guys, each hit with your sword is stylishly freeze framed and a dramatic fanfare plays. Real satisfaction from smacking a bad guy up.

The story is also nicely advanced too, the concept that in times of need a hero clad in green always appears to fulfil the hero of destiny role. Hyrule is now trapped under water due to one instance where the hero does not appear and the gods decide to bury the realm underwater. As a result, the map of this game in mainly water based. This is the new central gameplay feature. Sailing and wind manipulation (as opposed to the Ocarina playing in the previous games). Some magazines found the sailing tiresome in some instances, I personally don't mind that, I'm quite happy to sail round the gorgeous world of Hyrule. There are plenty of side islands and quests not related to the game play to keep you busy for hours. The story is a bit meatier than the usual Zelda too (its not quite Final Fantasy though!), not just dungeon, outside, dungeon, outside as in past games. A nice kidnap/pirates plot draws you into the game before your destiny unfolds. Nintendo, however, have decided to make their games smaller so they can knock them out quicker. This means that in 2004, we get another Zelda, BUT this one has considerably less dungeons than the previous games. A shame, since the meaty 'figuring out the puzzles in dungeons' aspect is what is so appealing about the series. A minor blip on this fantastic game, but enough for me to knock one star off!

I can really recommend this, its a charming game with a fantastic history, stunning to look at and a joy to play. Looking forward to the next installment that Nintendo are promising for next year. There was also a limited edition version of this game released containing the N64 stunner, The Ocarina Of Time, do have a search for it and you will own the finest Zelda games money can buy!

The new graphics are initially shocking, but after about 5 minutes they melt their way into the experience and you'll never imagine how you got by without them. They're beautiful throughout, and they give the game oodles of character and beauty that will have you grinning from ear to ear. Link is wonderfully expressive, with his giant eyes reacting to his environment in lots of funny little ways, such as the sadness when leaving his home village, the delight when he defeats a boss and the brilliant suspicious look when he sidles along walls, Solid Snake-style.

The controls are even more refined than in the N64 games - real-time battle flows elegantly by simply bashing away at the B button, the direction you tilt the control stick making the difference to how you strike your sword (a short tutorial eases you into it nicely), with the ability to shield and jump out of the way of oncoming attacks being right where you need them. It's fluid and very intuitive - and the way each strike you make alters the music (kind of like Rez) is a great touch to make combat even more of a joy. The sound in general is fantastic - some brilliant music to acompany the various villages you explore, as well as remixed themes from the old games. Music in the set pieces is often very moving, and gives the game a brilliant theatrical atmosphere.

Getting from the beginning to the end won't take as long as in previous Zelda's, but the world is so huge and expansive it's not hard to find a host of enjoyable side-quests to dissolve the hours away. The game's many characters have individual personalities, and usually a problem or two to go with it - being the helpful young chap that you are, you can help these people out by talking a theif into turning good, delivering letters, taking photographs and even collecting pigs, being rewarded with much-needed cash and Heart Pieces. For those who look for it, there's a stunning depth to this game that can keep you occupied for ages, even when the story has reached it's dramatic end.

The narrative side of the game isn't as strong as most RPGs, but for a Zelda game it's quite beefier than usual, with more plot-changing set pieces and interesting characters than before. The initial aim is to rescue Link's sister, who was abducted by a giant bird who also tried to kidnap a pirate girl, Tetra, who looks just like her before it was shot down. The pirates help Link to get to where his sister is being held, but it's not long before it becomes clear that there's more to this than a bird with a penchant for stealing young girls. Pretty soon you're travelling the world in a talking boat, trying to stop a familiar foe from finding the three pieces of the Triforce and causing devastation. Zelda fans will probably be clearer on the story, but it's explained well enough for newcomers to enjoy as well.

The Wind Waker is a beautiful, enormous, charming and brilliantly playable adventure with the potential to take weeks of your life. The only problem with it is the sailing - simple journeys from one place to another across the vast sea take several minutes, and can be quite boring, with some annoying ocean-dwelling enemies showing up now and again to slow your progress. Also, changing the direction of the wind (via the Wind Waker conductor's baton from the title) can be a pain when you only want to travel a short distance, but you can't sail that way because the wind's against you. These are really only minor flaws though - the overall experience is so brilliant and absorbing, you'll barely notice. The best Nintendo game on Gamecube so far, hands down.