The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker’s Toughest Section Isn’t A Reason to Skip It On Switch 2

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker: While I had only skimmed the surface of Ocarina of Time and watched my siblings enjoy a few portable Zelda adventures, it was The Wind Waker in 2003 that truly pulled me into the world of Hyrule.

That striking cel-shaded style and unforgettable charm marked the start of my Zelda obsession.

Now part of the Nintendo Switch 2 lineup via the online subscription, The Wind Waker resurfaces with three other beloved GameCube titles. It’s not the HD treatment fans once got, but rather a pure retro experience, quirks like the Triforce piece collection included.

Rather than dwell on the drawn-out endgame, let’s turn our attention to a place that left a lasting impression: the Forsaken Fortress.

Why the Forsaken Fortress Is Your First Big Challenge In The Wind Waker?

Before the grand adventure kicks off, Wind Waker grounds you in the simplicity of Link’s life on Outset Island, teaching you the basics of gameplay while you chase pigs, fend off a kid with a snotty nose, and celebrate Link’s birthday.

The calm is broken when a giant bird kidnaps his sister, leading him to join up with pirates. Rushing is an option, but the emotional impact is richer if you take the time to appreciate the life Link is leaving behind.

With Outset Island in the rearview, your path to the Forsaken Fortress is paved with a couple of cutscenes and some pesky platforming segments.

Awaiting you is Ganondorf’s ominous lair, an immense wooden fortress watched by relentless Bokoblin spotlights and brutish Moblins. It’s a terrifying sight, especially for a kid like Link, but his heart is set on saving his sister, no matter how high the stakes.

Well, the above portion of the game always gave me the chills. I’d duck into barrels and hope to stay unseen, but if the guards caught me, the blaring alert and swift imprisonment made me jump every time. It felt harsh, maybe even too harsh, for a section so early in the game.

Revisiting this part on the Nintendo Switch 2 emulator had me bracing for the worst, but it turns out, I had no reason to worry.

As Intense As It Felt Back Then, It’s Actually Pretty Forgiving Now

As kids, even the shortest video game levels felt monumental. While Wind Waker’s sea remains as immersive as ever, the Forsaken Fortress doesn’t quite live up to those childhood memories, revealing itself as a more streamlined challenge.

There are basic corridors, minor foes like bats and imps, and patrolling guards. A large pool with platforms anchors the dungeon’s center, while rotating searchlights threaten capture. Disable them all, and you’ll unlock the prison room that holds your sister.

There are just a handful of enemies to worry about, and since you start without a sword, you’ll rely on long sticks found in pots.

The fearsome Moblins of my childhood are now easily outmaneuvered, thanks to their clunky movements and simple patrols.

What felt like an impossible level back then now took me less than ten minutes to finish. And with that, the King of Red Lions enters the scene, and the real adventure begins.

It’s satisfying to find the fortress easier now, but part of me misses the thrill and fear it once inspired. As games evolve and players grow, perceptions shift. Wind Waker still feels like a masterpiece, Triforce grind and all. The once-frightening fortress is now a nostalgic triumph.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

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