Nintendo Okie

This week the Zelda Symphony Orchestra debuted its 25^th Anniversary celebration show in both the USA and UK, stunning audiences with beautiful renditions of some of the greatest music ever composed in the gaming industry. With guest appearances from Eiji Aonuma and Koji Kondo, along with the welcome arrival of Zelda Williams to the UK for the show, attendees were blown away by the level of dedication Nintendo showed to creating a special event for one of their flagship series (which makes it all the more annoying I couldn’t get a ticket…).

But why is it that the Zelda series has such iconic music? The Mario series has music that sits up there as some of the greatest music of all time, so why is it that when asked to name the best video game soundtrack, Nintendo fans will instantly name a Zelda game? In my mind it’s all down to the memories tied to the game itself, along with the composition of the pieces themselves. The songs alone are soaring and majestic pieces of music that are a joy to listen to, but couple them with some of the most emotional and gripping moments in gaming, these tunes become more than just collections of notes – they become a feeling and a part of your personal history.

So with that in mind, and to celebrate the 25^th Anniversary Zelda Symphony tour’s start, I have decided to take a look back at five pieces of music from my favourite Zelda game of them all and take a look at just why these pieces of music are so important to me. The game of course is The Wind Waker, and I’ve spoken at length in numerous articles just why that game is so important to me and why it will probably always be my favourite Zelda. From the anticipation leading up to the game, to its utterly timeless art style, Wind Waker will be a testament to all things Zelda for many years to come, and its musical score will be remember as one of the finest ever created.

Intro Music

Imagine the scene. A 12 year old version of me has recently received a Gamecube and since receiving it has waited in feverish anticipation for the release of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, despite never having played a Zelda game before; I remember quite clearly reading the same preview in CVG day after day waiting for this game. Never had I been so wrapped up in the pre-release hype for a game, and I don’t think I ever will be again.

After months of waiting though, this is the first thing I heard when I loaded the game up and saw the endless sprawl of the Great Sea in the opening menu pan. Having not played Ocarina of Time at this point, I had never seen anything like it, and hearing this song will always remind me of the first time I played The Wind Waker. It’s also an absolutely brilliant piece of music; it’s upbeat and cheery just like the game, and also features a really nice transition around the 3 minute mark.

Outset Island

Setting foot onto Outset Island for the first time is one of those moments I will never forget. I don’t know what I thought it would be like, but a gorgeously rendered island which was full of life was not what I was expecting at all. From the top of the Watch Tower (why they need one is beyond me) to the little group of huts, everything on that island was fun to explore, and despite it being a brilliant area of the game, it was only a glimpse of what lay ahead.

The song itself is wonderfully upbeat and carefree, and is one of those classic entry level Zelda songs that stays with you throughout the remainder of the game. Recently I’ve also discovered a bit of Kokiri Forest mixed into the song too, which just goes to show that Nintendo know how to put cameos in their songs!

Dragon Roost Island

Dragon Roost Island is just one of those theme tunes which are instantly catchy and memorable. As soon as you approach the island, you hear that unmistakable beginning, and the approach just becomes all that more enjoyable. It’s a superb sailing song and I fondly remember sailing to the island and just enjoying the music and revelling in the all round epic feeling that the song gave the island.

It’s songs like this that just spur you on to complete the game. I remember getting lost on Dragon Roost Island with no idea what to do, but rather than getting angry, the music calmed me and made me carry on. That’s what a good tune can do – it can keep you in the game even when you probably should take a break.

Legendary Hero

I toyed with leaving this as an honourable mention, but in the end, it sets the stage for the game so well that it has to go on the list. It’s a sombre and very moving piece of music which is set to the tale of the Hero of Time, and the aftermath of his return to the past at the end of Ocarina of Time. The thing that makes this so special is how well it syncs up with the story being told. There’s the slow introduction, leading up to the classic and iconic Zelda theme mixed in as Link seals Ganon away at the end of Ocarina of Time, which is then followed by a fade out into a much darker tune as Ganon makes his return before building back up for the beginning of a new chapter.

Not only does this song serve as the link between two of the series’ most iconic games, but it also stands alone as the story of the Hero of Time and the lead in to the Hero of the Wind. It’s a piece of music whose brilliance can only really be understood by true fans of the series who understand the chronology of what they are seeing and hearing. It’s a true testament to the strength of the Zelda plot and proof if ever it was needed, that Nintendo love throwing in classic tunes.

Great Ocean Theme

This is easily my number one video game song of all time, which is why I saved it until last. This song can only be described as epic. It’s an absolutely magical theme that captivates not only the huge undertaking that Link is setting out on, but also captures the absolute beauty of the game. Sailing from island to island became fun thanks to this superb piece of music which makes you want to just go out on an adventure every time you hear it. It’s one of those iconic pieces of music which can sum up an entire game, and this song defines Wind Waker – its epic and it’s beautiful.

When I first played Wind Waker, this was the song that kept me going on those long sea voyages. Its brilliance has never been surpassed in my mind and it remains today as one of the key reasons why I adore this game so much.

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So there you have it. Five pieces of music which to me, show why The Wind Waker has such a special place in my, and many other gamers hearts. There are obviously quite a few more I haven’t had mentioned, so head over to the comments and let me know what you favourite Wind Waker tracks are.