Long-time readers of Kotaku may know that my absolute, unquestioned, favourite video game of all time is The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. There are many reasons for this. The timeless art style, the “open world” design, the inherent charm and humour present throughout.
There’s one more reason though that’s not quite as robust. And it only comes into play every time you sail near Dragon Roost Island.
The Dragon Roost theme is just one of those video game tracks that leaps out of the game and digs hooks into the deepest recesses of your consciousness. Even now, nearly 10 years after the release of this game, I can hear a pipe, or even just look up at a clear blue sky or a calm sea and BAM, this track hits me.
It’s so jaunty. So evocative of the tropical, “new world” design of the game, with its tip of the hat to South American music and properties like Cities of Gold. It’s also a great reminder of the duality of Wind Waker, a game that’s more candy coated than any other title in the series when you’re out on the ocean, or on the outskirts of any of its islands, but which gets surprisingly dark once you venture inside.
How? Because as ridiculously happy and up-beat as this number is, the island it’s played on holds more than its fair share of dark secrets, and once inside its chambers and dungeon you’re treated to the exact opposite of the exterior theme: lots of brooding, evil tunes, the Nintendo equivalent of building tension by slowly dragging a crooked fingernail down a blackboard.
Which can…actually, forget all that, that’s just me over-thinking the game again. This is a JAUNT, with PIPES, and if it doesn’t make you feel good about your day then, shit, I can’t help you.
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