You Can Now Play The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker in a Web or Mobile Browser, at Least "Sail" a Part of It

The now acclaimed, and once criticized, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, originally for GameCube, can currently be played on Nintendo Switch 2 through a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. However, many still desire the game as a standalone purchase on Switch or, alternatively, the re-released Wii U HD version alongside Twilight Princess. For now, these wishes remain unfulfilled, even as the Zelda franchise celebrates its 40th anniversary with no mention from Nintendo. Nevertheless, you can play a version of The Wind Waker for free in any browser – well, more or less.

The project in question is a reconstruction using the original assets of Nintendo's best cel-shaded title, not an incorporation or emulation of the original GameCube ISO. In the "Explore the Ocean" mode, you can only sail with Link aboard the King of Red Lions in search of sunken treasures and three Triforce pieces. You can use the arrow keys or WASD on a web browser and spacebar to jump, or touch controls on mobile devices.

Although Link cannot disembark from the boat and explore the islands, he can sail around iconic locations such as Outset Island, Windfall Island, Forsaken Fortress, Forest Haven, Dragon Roost, and the central Tower of the Gods. Players can jump over obstacles, collect rupees, and even customize Link's appearance to take pictures with the Picto Box.

The second mode, "Rupee’s Game," is more arcade-focused, challenging players to collect as many rupees as possible while avoiding floating barrels in a closed lane. If hit three times, you'll return to the main menu. While you can't play the full title and it lacks several gameplay elements of the true Wind Waker, listening to the original soundtrack is always very comforting.

While this is technically impressive, we don't have high hopes. Just as the unofficial Grand Theft Auto: Vice City demo was removed from browsers by Take-Two's order, we believe the same could happen to this "pseudo-playable" version of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Nintendo won't take long to address the matter. The fact that we're reporting this doesn't increase its chances of survival; these things simply happen, and as journalists, we're not to blame for reporting them, as the internet is too vast to hide.