Nintendo

Zelda: Wind Waker Sequel Cancelled Because of a Horse

Dammit, Epona.

Same, Link. Same.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess wasn’t always as we know it today. Originally, it was in development as a sequel to the GameCube title Wind Waker. Such a game was announced in 2004 shortly after Wind Waker’s release, but Nintendo was forced to go in another direction.

This news comes from an interview with art director Satoru Takizawa in The Legend of Zelda: Art & Artifacts, a new companion book to the 2013 Hyrule Historia. The book is out now in Japan as Hyrule Graphics but doesn’t release worldwide until February 2017.

In the interview, as translated by Nintendo Everything, Takizawa says Wind Waker 2 was going to be set on land, rather than the original’s more sea-based adventuring. Being on land, Link would have ridden his trusted mighty steed Epona to travel. However, Toon Link’s condensed proportions didn’t work on horseback, and an adult Link wouldn’t have worked with the style.

“So, while we were stuck on those problems,” Takizawa explains, “we became aware of the greater demand for a more realistic, taller Link. High-budget live-action fantasy movies were also huge at the time, so with all things considered, we decided to have at it.”

Toon Link v Twilight Link

Hey, The Lord of the Rings movies affected us all, pal.

So with their more realistically proportioned Link in mind, Nintendo brought on Yusuke Nakano to design him. Thus, Twilight Princess was born. A contrast to Wind Waker, Twilight Princess ended up a much darker game, more in line with Ocarina of Time as Takizawa suggested. It was received well at the time but simply didn’t meet that classic status like Ocarina, Majora’s Mask, or Wind Waker.

I, for one, could have done with a Wind Waker sequel. While I liked Twilight Princess, I really enjoy lighter Zelda games. Plus, Wind Waker has such a sophisticated, likeable Link.

I rest my case.

okay

Mischa McGill

Mischa grew up with video games and still has a deep love for many - especially fun, colorful RPGs. Some of her favorites include Pokémon, Animal Crossing, Pikmin, Fantasy Life, Kingdom Hearts, Skyrim, Civilization V, and Stardew Valley. She loves nights in with her boyfriend cooking Mexican food, watching Studio Ghibli movies, and going head-to-head in their favorite games. Mischa might not beat you in Super Smash Bros, but she owns a replica of Arwen’s sword and Hermione’s wand, so... don’t rub it in too much.

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View Comments

Jorb says:

December 7, 2016 at 6:11 am

Phantom Hourglass. There's your Wind Waker sequel.
- Mischa says:
  
  December 9, 2016 at 4:34 am
  
  Sure. But it's a DS game, as opposed to Wind Waker 2 (hopefully would've gotten a new title), which would have been a direct sequel on GameCube. Regardless, I was just reporting on Takizawa's comments on WW2 switching development to Twilight Princess. :)