A comparison video of the title screen (seen below) shows the huge differences and how it pushes the Wii U graphically.

Online Capabilities: Wind Waker HD uses Miiverse with something called the Tingle Bottle. In Wind Waker HD, after rescuing Tingle, you are given the Tingle Bottle, which allows the user to upload pictographs (including selfies  ) or text posts to Miiverse which are then broadcasted to someone else’s Great Sea to be collected like a message in a bottle.

Tingle’s purpose outside the story in the original however was with the Tingle Tuner, which connected the Gameboy Advance (second screen technology way before this gen, kudos to Nintendo) which allowed players to aid themselves with hints and bombs from the use of the Gameboy Advance.

Personally, I was hoping more for a Tingle Tuner-esque ability to be utilized in Wind Waker HD but the MiiVerse adds a fun diversion and the selfie function is very entertaining.

Replay Value: Nintendo made some very intelligent changes which I brought on in my Gameplay section. The addition of Hero Mode is especially important to note as something important to replay value. I completed my first run of Wind Waker HD and took it upon myself to do a Hero Mode run the second time along, which is currently in progress.

Like previous Zeldas, there is also the draw of collection such as all the treasures from the treasure maps present from the original as well as new ones, all the heart containers, the merchant trading side-quests for all the city block customization and the Deku Tree side-quest of speeding across the ocean with the expiring water.

Final Verdict: Anticipating this game’s release from announce gave me high expectations due to the nostalgia the original gave me. This remake did NOT disappoint. The addition of Hero Mode, the redone visuals and music, the ability to play authentically with a controller or take the Gamepad, the Gamepad’s way of making play seamless, it all makes Wind Waker HD that much better. This is what a remake should be. Developers everywhere trying to make some money off your old titles? Call Nintendo for some lessons.

And Nintendo? This is the type of encore I wanted for Wind Waker.

Overall Score: 9.8/10

RGN Rating: Platinum Game

Developers: Nintendo EAD3, Hexadrive, Digitalscape

Publisher: Nintendo

Available On: Wii U (Digital or Physical)

Review Copy Info- This game was purchased by RealGamerNewz for the purpose of this review.

(Bonus: Matt’s Score Breakdown)

• Gameplay- 30/30
• Graphics- 5/5
• Online Capabilities – 4/5
• Replay Value- 10/10
• Overall- 49/50, an 98%.