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The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Wakeris included in thenew Gamecube NSO classics collection, alongsideF-Zero GXandSoul Calibur 2. Though the game is about two decades old, or perhaps because of its age, the game has some quirks that can be hard for new players to figure out, like the lack of a quest journal, the vaguely open-ended progression system, and mechanics that aren’t re-explained if you skip through dialogue.
This list of the best tips for new players inThe Wind Wakergoes over seven things you should keep in mind whengoing back into thisZeldaclassic. Whether it’s your first time sailing on the Great Sea or your fiftieth, theseThe Wind Wakertips & tricks can help you learn what to do first, what to prioritize later, and how to get the most out of this oceanic odyssey.
1Follow The Main Story Until You Get The Master Sword
The Game Opens Up After Hyrule Castle
Over the years,The Wind Wakerhas received some criticism for its slow pace and linear progression. Though it’s true that sailing across the Great Sea can take quite a long time,after you get the Master Sword, the game really opens up.
After you complete the Forsaken Fortress, Dragon Roost Island, Forbidden Woods, and Tower of the Gods dungeons, you will be sent underwater to get the Master Sword. When you get back to the surface, your primary objective is to go to the Forsaken Fortress again.
However, with the Bomb Bag and Bow in hand, you’ll be able to take on the majority of side content inThe Wind Waker. Follow the main story until you return to the surface from the Mysterious Castle, then take a break to explore the vast number of islands. You’ll find Heart Pieces, permanent upgrades, and other special items off the beaten path, so be sure to talk to every NPC and land on every island you encounter.
If you continue to follow the main story to the Forsaken Fortress, you will eventually be sent back out to the Great Sea to hunt down several Triforce Shards, which is another chance to explore more of the game’s open world.
2Buy The Bait Bag From Beedle’s Shop Ship
Fish Bait Is Essential For Charting The Great Sea
One of the first things that you should buy from Beedle’s Shop Ship is the Bait Bag. On Dragon Roost Island, you’ll see Beedle’s Shop Ship just off the coast. After you get the Wind Waker from the King of Red Lions, swim or sail out to Beedle and enter the ship.
The Bait Bag costs 20 Rupees.If you don’t have enough Rupeeswhen you get to Dragon Roost Island, cut down some grass or break pots around the exterior of the island to quickly get some cash. you may also complete the Post Sorting minigame on the second level of the interior Dragon Roost Island area.
It’s essential to get the Bait Bag early because it allows you to get and use All-Purpose Bait. There are other items this pouch can hold, like Hyoi Pears that allow Link to control seagulls, but it’s very important to keep a good stock of All-Purpose Bait to unlock the full world map.
3Use Fish Bait To Fill Out Your Map
Complete Your Sea Chart With Fish Bait
Indeed, All-Purpose Bait can be used to add more detail tosquares of the large Great Sea map, adding outlines of the islands on that square to both the world map and the zoomed-in view of the square. To do this, purchase some All-Purpose Bait from any Beedle’s Shop Ship, then assign it to one of your item buttons (X, Y, or Z) from your Bait Bag. You must open the Bait Bag from your inventory first to see your stock of All-Purpose Bait. Equip it by pressing the item button you want to assign it to.
Then, look around the main island on any square for a fish jumping in and out of the water repeatedly. Slow down as you get close, and the fish will slowly swim towards your boat. Spread some All-Purpose Bait in the water and the fish will swim up, eat it, and offer to mark the location on your map.
The fish will then impart some information about the island or, in rare cases, hint at secrets and other areas within the Great Sea.
There are a total of 49 squares in theWind Wakerworld map, but you only need 46 o completely fill out every square. That’s because the Forsaken Fortress, Outset Island, and Windfall Island are added to your map by default.
4Explore Windfall Island To Find Several Minigames
Heart Pieces, Rupees, And Other Rewards On Windfall Island
Windfall Island is one of the most iconic locations inThe Wind Waker. You’ll arrive here after your first encounter at the Forsaken Fortress, where you will be tasked to find a sail for the King of Red Lions.
The sail can be purchased for 80 Rupees from the parka-wearing vendor just below the Cafe Bar, butthere’s plenty of side contentin Windfall Island to check out before you continue with the main quest.
Later on in the game, there is even more for Link to do on Windfall Island. Once you get the Wind Waker, a Wallet Upgrade, or progress the story to the point that you are told to return to Windfall Island, head back to find more unlockables and secrets.
5Grapple Hook Enemies To Get Special Items
Steal Enemy Spoils & High-Tier Items With The Grappling Hook
Normally, you can only get Spoils items (Skull Necklaces, Joy Pendants, and the like) by defeating the enemy associated with them. However, once you get the Grapple Hook, you will be able to steal items from enemies without killing them. When you throw a Grappling Hook at a target, if it connects, it will return with a high-tier item from that enemy’s loot table.
If you use the Grappling Hook against a Deku Baba, it will give you a Deku Baba Seed. If you throw the Grapple Hook at a Moblin, you’ll usually get a Skull Necklace. Throw it at a Kargarok (flying bird enemy) to get a Golden Feather, or a regular Bokoblin to get a Joy Pendant. Grappling non-armoredDarknuts will give you a Knight’s Crest, too.
Get into the habit of throwing your Grappling Hook at enemies before you engage in combat with them. Nine times out of ten, you’ll get a Spoils item that can be used to complete various gifting quests throughout the game.
6Find Great Fairies To Unlock Permanent Upgrades
Great Fairies Always Grant A Permanent Upgrade
There are three containers Link can upgrade byfinding Great Fairy FountainsinThe Wind Waker: his Wallet, his Bomb Bag, and his Quiver. There are two upgrades for each of these containers for a total of six Great Fairy locations.
It doesn’t matter which order you find the Great Fairies in, you will always get the first upgrade for the Fairy’s associated container from the first you find, and the second from the second. The Wallet can be upgraded to hold 1,000 Rupees then 5,000 Rupees, while the Quiver and Bomb Bag can be upgraded from a 30 to a 60 to a maximum 99 capacity.
7Return To Grandma With A Fairy For Elixir Soup
Heal Your Grandma To Get The Best Potion In The Game
One of the most useful potions in the game can be found all the way back on Link’s home island, Outset Island. After you acquire the Bomb Bag and head back to Outset Island to find Jabun, go into Link’s Grandma’s house to find out that she has been struck by some kind of illness.
As she mumbles in her sleep, unbottle a Fairy while standing next to (and facing) her to heal her affliction. you may find Fairies at any Great Fairy Fountain or near the entrance to boss chambers within dungeons.
Exit the building and return, andLink’s Grandma will offer him some soupto take with him on his journey. As long as you have an empty bottle, you’re able to come back to Outset Island to get one portion of Elixir Soup.
It’s one of the most powerful potions in the game, as it will completely refill your Hearts and Magic and give you a 2x damage buff until the next time you take damage. Though you can only have one bottle of Grandma’s Soup at a time, it contains two servings.
