'Wind Waker' a link to past for 'Legend of Zelda' series

By Marc Saltzman
Gannett News Service

Link returns in a new "Legend of Zelda" to save his sister. "The Wind Waker" plays out in "cel-shading" animation on Nintendo GameCube. Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker 'The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker' Platform: Nintendo GameCube Genre: Action/Adventure Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Web Site: www.zelda.com Price: $49.99 Rating: E for everyone out of 5 stars

That said, new "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" does have a few new tricks up its sleeve.

"The Wind Waker" for the Nintendo GameCube begins on a peaceful island where young Link — the character that players portray — is given a ceremonial green garb to mark entrance into manhood. Link's birthday takes a turn for the worse when a huge bird swoops down and snatches his younger sister. Armed with his trusty sword and shield, Link sets sail with a band of pirates in hopes that he can find his sibling and uncover the reason for the kidnapping.

Ultimately, Link takes control of his own ship, which talks and seems to have a mind of its own, as he makes his way through troubled waters looking for clues, chatting with folks in island towns and traipsing through dungeons to battle foes large and small.

Using his sword, Link can master a number of combat moves such as thrusting, vertical spins, horizontal swings and roll attacks. These offensive maneuvers are performed by combining the A, B and left trigger buttons on the GameCube controller. Other moves include swimming, climbing, throwing objects and using items such as a boomerang or empty bottles to store potions. It's up to players to map these items to the ancillary buttons (X, Y and Z) for one-touch access.

While combat and magic are typical fare for a "Legend of Zelda" adventure, "Wind Waker" offers new items to play with, including a telescope and grappling hook, and most important, the Wind Waker — a magical baton that allows Link to control the wind and set sail in the direction of his choosing.

Link also will learn to compose songs with the Wind Waker that will control the wind patterns and even call on cyclones.

Similarly, the Deku Leaf is a new item that can blow gusts of air to knock down enemies or be used as a kind of hang glider.

Another twist to this game is in the visual department. "The Wind Waker" uses the popular "cel-shading" or "toon-shading" technique that makes the game look like a Saturday morning cartoon. The decision to use this graphical style is smart because it perfectly suits this kind of fantasy romp. Link and other characters also can show facial animation that helps bring more emotion to the tale.

"Zelda" sports one final twist. If the GameCube is connected to a Game Boy Advance (using the appropriate cable, sold separately), it unlocks a two-player cooperative mode, hidden secrets and a cute "Tingle" character who can provide advice about playing the game. No software is needed on the Game Boy Advance.

Easily the finest game to grace the GameCube to date, "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" will not disappoint dedicated fans of the series and will likely attract a whole new generation of gamers .