Legend Of Zelda GCN 2 Preview Nintendo has already told us that we can expect a sequel to this year’s Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker later next year, but the truth is, little to nothing is known about this upcoming Zelda installment. And, it isn’t technically the “next” Zelda, as Nintendo will most likely be releasing both Legend of Zelda: Four Swords for GameCube and Legend of Zelda: Tetra’s Trackers before we get our hands on The Wind Waker 2, as many are calling it – even Nintendo. Everything you’ll read here is not confirmed, for the most part, and is based on speculation, so don’t get your hopes too high. Since a lot of this is speculation on The Wind Waker 2, there are a few spoilers for those who haven’t finished The Wind Waker. Proceed with caution! What has been confirmed, though, is the visual style that Nintendo will be using to bring The Wind Waker 2 to life. Hoping for a realistic incarnation? You’re out of luck, but those who loved the cel-shaded style of graphics that were the heart of The Wind Waker are in luck. Nintendo has confirmed that the next GameCube Zelda will use the “toon-shaded” visuals to bring Link and his world to life. Nintendo has also confirmed that it is sticking to The Wind Waker’s engine, thus it can pump out a sequel to The Wind Waker much sooner. Had Nintendo decided to go back to the Space World 2000 style of visuals, which showcased a realistic and cutting-edge graphical presentation, chances are we wouldn’t get another Zelda this generation. However, that’s not a concern for gamers now, as Nintendo’s sequel to The Wind Waker will play nearly identical to its predecessor, but will just feel a bit more evolved. One thing Nintendo is changing, though, is Link’s character model. What exactly that means has not been explained by the Big N, but there are several possibilities. One being that Nintendo may let gamers play as an adult Link in The Wind Waker’s sequel – maybe his model will be expressed via a more anime-style. Another possibility is that his character model may just be older – perhaps around fourteen, fifteen years old? The Link in The Wind Waker is upon his 12th birthday; that said, if The Wind Waker 2 is truly a direct sequel, things will be taking place after the events that unfolded in The Wind Waker. But it doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. IGN.com did this mock-up of what Link could have looked like in The Wind Waker nearly a year ago. Maybe the new model for Link will look similar Perhaps upon their quest to find a “new Hyrule”, as explained at the end of The Wind Waker by Princess Zelda – Link has grown significantly older? Maybe even become an adult, as we dreamt in the paragraph above. No matter what exactly Nintendo plans to do with Link’s model, the world around him will still be very similar to that of The Wind Waker, according to Nintendo. Nonetheless, a few gripes with The Wind Waker by many gamers, such as Link’s character model, as explained above, are being dealt with. Another problem some had with The Wind Waker was its difficulty. Perhaps Nintendo will, for the first time, include a difficulty setting in the Legend of Zelda GCN 2. Anything’s possible. We’re also expecting the sequel to take place more on land this time, as opposed on an ocean. Perhaps a cel-shaded Epona will be introduced? Or maybe some newer form of transportation? Anything is very possible at this time. In The Wind Waker players get to briefly explore old Hyrule. Maybe a gorgeous new land will await gamers in The Wind Waker 2. Legend of Zelda GCN 2 – the tentative title for “The Wind Waker 2” is set to release next year, according to Nintendo. We’re expecting that Nintendo will be aiming for a summer or winter release. Most likely the latter – to help battle the competitions big titles of 2004. Nintendo Insider will have much more on the Legend of Zelda GCN 2 throughout the year.