The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

First released in: 2002
Developed by: Nintendo
Published by: Nintendo

It’s notable for: Surprising the dickens out of Zelda fans with a cel-shaded new look. Naysayers called it “kiddy” and felt that Nintendo was dumbing down the series, and then they ate their words. Wind Waker defied expectations twice, first with its unprecedented graphics, and second by working brilliantly. It is one of the best games on the GameCube, and was more original than just about anything anyone was doing at the time, including Nintendo.

It inspired: Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, some of the engine for Twilight Princess, girlfriends to break up with us.

Blah blah blah: “Wind Waker is the only reason I have a GameCube…I don’t regret buying an entire system just for that one game.” -Charlie Barratt, Senior Editor (US)

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