The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD is now available on Nintendo Wii U eShop

Written by Brandon Hofer on September 21, 2013

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD News: Link arrives on the Wii U in cel shaded form with the HD remake of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD is now available for download on the Nintendo eShop for Wii U. Fans who do not own a Wii U system can opt for the limited-edition bundle, which comes with a black Deluxe Wii U console; a GamePad controller adorned with the gold Hyrule crest and symbols from the game; a download code for the digital version ofHyrule Historia, a book that details the chronology, history and artwork of The Legend of Zelda series; and a code to download The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD from the Nintendo eShop. The bundle is available at a suggested retail price of $299.99. Current Wii U owners can also download the game on Sept. 20 from the Nintendo eShop for $49.99.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker tells the story of a young boy on an island who sets out on a quest after his sister is kidnapped by a giant bird. Along the way, he encounters a talking boat, interacts with many interesting characters, explores numerous exquisitely designed dungeons and helps a kingdom emerge from under a shadow of evil. The original game, created for Nintendo GameCube, earned a Metacritic score of 96, ranking it among some of the most elite video games of all time. Some changes include Miiverse functionality that lets players with broadband Internet access attach helpful messages or fun images to Tingle Bottles, which will then wash up on the shore in another player’s game. Also, the game now includes the “Swift Sail,” which doubles the speed of Link’s boat, the King of Red Lions.

“For more than 10 years, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker has remained a standout entry in one of the most beloved series of all time with its distinctive graphics, fun adventures and charming story,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “This HD version and Wii U bundle are cornerstones of Nintendo’s season of value and variety. These characters and experiences are exclusive to Nintendo systems, and a must-have for video game fans of all kind.”

While the digital version of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is currently available to download, the physical copy won’t be hitting store shelves until October 4. Both the digital and the physical version will cost $49.99, however, the physical version will come with distinctive gold-foil packaging. Which version will you get? Will you download it two weeks early or wait to pick it up from your favorite video game store?