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Playing Zelda Windwaker in 2026. Should I just emulate CEMU Wii U version or wait for decomp? (piefed.social)
submitted 2 months ago by to c/games@lemmy.world
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Or emulate the GameCube version via dolphin? I want the experience with the highest visual fidelity possible

The decomp is 73.42% complete at this moment

https://decomp.dev/zeldaret/tww

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[–] 25 points 2 months ago (10 children)

Emulate the WiiU version on Cemu and enable the cheat that removes the obnoxious bloom.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 months ago (9 children)

    Other than the bloom, what's different between the GameCube and WiiU versions?

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  • [–] 11 points 2 months ago (7 children)

    One of the biggest differences is the hunt for the triforce pieces. In the original you need to find and pay to decipher 8 charts and then gather the 8 pieces, in the HD version there are only 3 charts and pieces

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  • [–] 9 points 2 months ago (2 children)

    I haven't played the WiiU version, but doesn't it also have a sail you can get that doesn't require you to constantly change the wind direction?

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  • [–] 9 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

    There is. There are a few roms available for the GC version that add the swift sail with identical behavior, but it's only native in the Wii U version.

    And to clarify a comment above, there are also still 8 triforce pieces, but 5 of them are found directly in locations that used to yield only triforce charts, with only 3 still requiring charts to find on the open ocean.

    But the one best feature that I think cannot be replicated is the Wii U Gamepad menu. It was so convenient to simply have your inventory open at all times and hotswap equipment without having to pause.

    Edit: I stand corrected in that last point. If you use a Steam Deck it looks like you're in luck:

    https://youtu.be/rW0FvU4IB-w

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago

    It has been a while and I've only played the WiiU version once, but I've played the GameCube version many times because that's the one I grew up with. There are probably more changes but the only one I remember is the triforce charts since that always feels like you're pulling teeth on the GameCube

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago

    Oh boy, this brings back memories... I forgot all about that but man did I hate that part. I struggled for a while because it was just so boring. I barely made it and this is when I was still powering through games. If I had to do that over today I would have put the game down and never came back. I also remember being one of the few people who did not like the game and it was mostly due to this part.

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    • [–] 8 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    Wii U version is better than GCN version, even with upscaling in Dolphin, so def stick with that. Quality of life changes and upgraded textures - it's the way to go. Give it a try in emu.

    But low key a Wii U runs for less than $100 these days, and it's got great games (one of the best consoles for Zelda generally) but is also an emulation and homebrew beast. Even the vWii on it can be hacked for GameCube games and standard Wii homebrew. I would just buy a Wii U tbh. I love mine!

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