Announced during the January 23, 2013 Nintendo Direct broadcast, the HD remake of The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker was released on Wii U on September 20, 2013 (digitally), followed by an on-disc release on October 4, 2013. It was initially scheduled to be released on October 18, 2013, but was moved up to an earlier date. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata noted that the game was meant to help ease the wait for the next big Zelda game (which was also revealed during the broadcast).

The Wii U version of the game generally features the same content, but gives players the option to play entirely on the GamePad. You can switch from your TV to the GamePad by pressing the select button. It also features both upgraded graphics and Miiverse integration.

On the visual side of things, the game definitely retains its core visual style, but with the addition of some noticeable visual flourishes (such as enhanced lighting to lend the cel-shading a more vibrant, dynamic look).

• Wind Waker HD is playable with the GamePad or Pro Controller
• Players can control the Wind Waker songs using the touchscreen and aiming certain items is done by moving the gamepad around, taking advantage of the gyroscopes.
• Thanks to the Swift Sail item, the boat can now travel much faster, allowing for easier movement between islands.
• Hard mode for expert players
• Some quest changes, including the need to rescue Tingle to obtain the sail (and the removal of the Tingle Tuner feature), elimination of some required fetch quests, such as?a streamlined Triforce quest, and more

In regards to additional content, unfortunately, in a developer interview with Eiji Aonuma it was revealed that absolutely no dungeons axed from the original GameCube title are included in?The Wind Waker HD. When asked why, Aonuma said, "quite honestly, those dungeons we removed we used in other games, so we can't use them in this version!"?

Wind Waker HD Changes

This section details the differences, both large and small, between The Wind Waker and The Wind Waker HD.

Hero Mode

Similar to the mode of the same name in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword,?Hero Mode?presents Wind Waker experts with a more difficult version of the game.?Enemies?hit harder and health can only be regained through the use of?Potions. Unlike in Skyward Sword, Hero Mode is also available for players right from the start of the game and can be switched on or off at the file select screen.

Picto Box and Miiverse

The?Picto Box?is?an in-game camera predominantly used for side-quests in the original version, has also received significant upgrades. The upgraded camera can still be used to snap photos of unsuspecting villagers or enemies, but now those pictures can be posted on the Wii U's Miiverse. Link can also take self-photographs. Players can switch between happy, sad, and surprised emotions before they take a snapshot. Miiverse contributors can capture moments of sea-faring bliss, dungeon exploration, or a sentimental selfie with Grandma and share them online. The camera can also now hold 12 shots, instead of 3. In order to obtain it, players can forgo the Forest Firefly fetch quest, finding it in a cavern hidden in the back of Tingle's jail cell. ?

Swift Sail

Swift Sail?is an upgraded canvas sail in Wind Waker HD with a red insignia that speeds up all the boat-based travel, allowing players to quickly steer and sail in any direction regardless of the wind. The Swift Sail can be acquired at the?Auction House?after completion of the?Dragon Roost Cavern. However, there is no alert to signal the special sail's availability.

• How to get the Swift Sail

Heart Pieces and Treasure Charts

Both Pieces of Heart and Treasure Charts have been added to Wind Waker HD.

Piece of Heart #44 is no longer located at the bottom of the Savage Labyrinth on Outset Island. In order to obtain the last Heart Piece, travel to Pawprint Isle and use the Hookshot on the strange looking tree. Drop into the nearby hole and clear the cave of Wizrobes and the enemies they summon to get Treasure Chart #46. This new Treasure Chart leads to D-7: Two-Eye Reef, and contains Piece of Heart #44.

The Wind Waker HD also includes 5 new Treasure Charts, bringing the count to 46. These replace the 5 Triforce Charts that are now no longer used with 5 Triforce Shards being obtainable from their chests. 4 of these charts lead to chests containing 100 to 200 rupees (one of which has replaced the Hero's Charm as the reward for giving Miss Marie 40 Joy Pendants). The last Treasure Chart now leads to the final Heart Piece.

• See all Pieces of Heart?in Wind Waker HD
• See all Treasure Charts?in Wind Waker HD

Minor Changes

• The Hero's Charm has been moved from its location on Windfall Island, and is no longer the reward for giving Miss Marie 40 Joy Pendants. The reward is now Treasure Chart #45, and leads to 200 Rupees. The Hero's Charm is now the reward for clearing all 50 levels of the Savage Labyrinth, which replaces Piece of Heart #44 (Now found via Treasure Chart #46)
• 5 Triforce Charts have been removed, and the chests that contained them now contain Triforce Shards. The locations these charts led to are now used by 5 new Treasure Charts.
• The Wind Waker is now permanently mapped to D-pad Up, and when using the Wind Waker, the GamePad now lists all available songs as a reference.
• After playing a song once, further uses of the song in a game session now skip the scene of Link replaying the song and the confirmation that follows. For instance, repeated playing of Wind's Requiem now leads directly to the wind direction selector.
• When using the Sea Chart, tips given by the talking fish can be replayed without having to give him more bait, as his tips might imply. Instead, tap on the quadrant and tap the fish icon to replay the message.
• When using the Grappling Hook, Link no longer has to stop moving to change direction. The player can now swing and pivot at the same time.
• The player can now move and aim in first person when using the Hookshot, Grappling Hook, Telescope, Boomerang and Hero's Bow. Using the dual analogue sticks, the player can aim the weapon and move around, allowing Link to target multiple enemies with the boomerang while still being able to move freely.
• The Player can also enter first person mode at any time by pressing in on the right analog stick.
• Link can now retract thrown weapons like the Boomerang, Hookshot and Grappling hook by pressing the weapon's button again in mid throw. However, the player can no longer 'spam' attacks as these weapons now require one tap to ready and another to throw, and will retract if the button is pressed before the weapon hits its target.
• The fetch quest to get Lenzo a Forest Firefly to get the Deluxe Picto Box?has been eliminated