The Legend of Zeldaseries has evolved since its first installment in 1986. Though the plot has usually remained the same with Link saving Princess Zelda, the franchise has introduced new worlds, mechanics, and artistic styles along the way. Over the years, the games have explored dark, mysterious settings inTwilight Princess, vast open landscapes inBreath of the Wild, and even charming, miniature-like designs inEchoes of Wisdom. Each entry into the series has brought something unique to the table, but some leave a lasting impression in a way that’s hard to forget.
With the Switch 2 coming soon, it’s a great time to revisit a classicZeldagame with a unique charm. It wasn’t just the story or dungeons that made it unique; its bold, expressive style made it stand out. Recent games have used watercolor or toy-like visuals, but this classic still stands out and deserves another chance. With the power of Nintendo’s next console, bringing back this vibrant art style could make for an unforgettable adventure.
Wind Waker’s Art Design Was Controversial, Then Praised
Some Believed Wind Waker’s Art Design Was Too Childish
WhenThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Wakerwas first revealed, it sparked debates among fans who had been expecting a more realistic art style. Instead, Nintendo went in a completely different direction, introducing a bright, cel-shaded world that looked more like a cartoon than anything the series had done before. Some were captivated by its charm. Others, not so much,believing the game seemed too childish. I was one of those who thought the game was too childish at first, but quickly fell in love with the art style as soon as I started playing it.
The Legend of Zelda Should Repeat This One Big Wind Waker Change
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker stands out among other Zelda games, and the franchise would benefit from repeating one of its biggest changes.
At the time, realistic graphics were becoming the norm, and many thoughtWind Wakerwas a step backward. Despite the negativity, Nintendo stuck to its vision, and when the game finally released, it didn’t take long for opinions to change. Once players actually got their hands onWind Waker, they realized just how well the art style worked.
Wind Waker, unfortunately, hadsome content cut from its final release.
The bold, colorful visuals made the world feel alive, with expressive characters and animation that gave everything a unique personality. The ocean shimmered under the sun, storms rolled in with dramatic lighting, and Link’s exaggerated facial expressions made every moment feel more alive.
Over time,Wind Wakerearned the recognition it deserved. The art style, once criticized, helped the game age well, avoiding the outdated look of many early 3D games. When Nintendo remasteredWind Wakerfor the Wii U, the graphics still looked great. What started as a controversial choice became one ofZelda’smost praised.
A Zelda Game On Switch 2 Should Repeat Wind Waker’s Style
Every newZeldagame brings something new to the table, often in terms of artistic style. Recent titles likeBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomhave used a soft, watercolor style, while games likeLink’s AwakeningandEchoes of Wisdomhave a toy-like feel. These styles are great, but with the Switch 2 coming,it’s the perfect time to bring back something bold, likeWind Waker’sbright, cel-shaded art.
While other games from that era may seem outdated,Wind Wakerstill holds up. A newZeldawith this style could stand out like no recent game has.
Wind Wakerstood out not just for its gameplay but also for its art, which made the world feel alive. The bright colors, expressive characters, and smooth animation gave it a timeless look that still looks great today. While other games from that era may seem outdated,Wind Wakerstill holds up. A newZeldawith this style could stand out like no recent game has.
This style also makes storytelling more fun.Wind Waker’sanimations gave characters a lot of personality, from Link’s big expressions to how NPCs reacted to events. The world felt full of life, making every moment more engaging. With today’s technology, a new game could take this even further, with smoother animations, richer environments, and even more expressive characters.
It’s been over 20 years sinceWind Waker, and noZeldagame has looked quite like it. Now is the perfect time to change that.
The Switch 2 Could Make Toon Link & Characters Look Even Better
The Switch 2 Has Better Hardware Than The Gamecube
Undoubtedly, Toon Link is now seen as an iconic figure inZelda’shistory. His expressive, cartoony look inWind Wakerwas a big part of what made the game so entertaining. His big facial expressions, smooth animations, and colorful world made every moment fun. While the art style was initially controversial, it has since becomeone of the most beloved inZeldahistory. This style could look even better with the Switch 2’s upgraded hardware.
The Legend Of Zelda Should Revive And Improve Its Most Trivial Spin-Off Title
One fun but lesser-known Legend of Zelda spin-off title could still become an incredible game if it receives a well-deserved full remake.
One of the best things aboutWind Waker’sdesign was how much emotion was shown through simple animations. Link’s surprised eyes, serious frown, and little smirks made him feel more alive. Other characters, like Tetra and the King of Red Lions, had strong personalities that came through in their designs. With better graphics and animation, these details could become even more expressive.
The environments could also look even better with the Switch 2’s power.Wind Waker’scel-shaded world was already beautiful, but with modern lighting and effects, it could look richer. The ocean could sparkle under the sun, islands could feel fuller, and towns could have even more character. The bold, colorful art style could stand out more, making every location feel like a painting come to life.
Bringing back Toon Link andWind Waker’sart style wouldn’t just be for nostalgia. It would be a smart choice. Many modern games go for realism, but a stylized world can be just as amazing. The Switch 2 could make this art style shine brighter than ever, offering aZeldagame that feels unique, timeless, and visually unforgettable.
A Wind Waker Remake On Switch 2 Wouldn’t Be Enough
Forget A Wind Waker Remake, We Deserve Something New
AWind Wakerremake on the Switch 2 would be exciting, but it wouldn’t be enough. The game already had an HD remaster on the Wii U, which improved the visuals and fixed some gameplay issues. While a port of that version would be nice,whatZeldareally needs is a brand-new game that captures what madeWind Wakerso special.
A remake would bring back the bright, cel-shaded art style fans love, but it wouldn’t push the series forward.Zeldathrives on reinvention, and just replayingWind Wakerwouldn’t capture the same magic. Instead of revisiting an old adventure, a new game or even asequel to Wind Wakercould take the bold visuals, charm, and freedom ofWind Wakerand create something new and exciting.
The Switch 2’s better hardware could bring a bigger, more detailed world to life.Wind Waker’socean was large but felt empty, with small islands spread across a huge map. A new game could improve this with better environments, exploration, and even smoother sailing mechanics. The art style could be refined with improved animations, more expressive characters, and a world that feels more alive.
Most importantly, a new game would offer newer gameplay ideas.Wind Wakerhad unique mechanics like the sailing system and the Wind Waker baton. A new game could add new tools, creative puzzles, and a new story, all while keeping the adventurous spirit of the original.
AWind Wakerremake would be nice, butZeldadeserves more. Instead of just looking back, Nintendo has the chance to bring back the playful, colorful world ofWind Wakerin a completely new adventure. The Switch 2 could make thatThe Legend of Zeldavision a reality in a way that no simple remake ever could.
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda franchise follows the adventures of Link, an elf-like Hylian, and Princess Zelda as they protect the land of Hyrule from the evil warlord-turned-demon king Ganon. The series is known for its mix of action, adventure, and puzzle-solving elements, often revolving around the collection of the Triforce, a powerful relic left by the goddesses who created Hyrule. Each game features different incarnations of Link and Zelda, maintaining core elements while introducing new characters and settings.
