The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker has some new game plus rewards for players, one of which is quite literally nothing. That's not as disappointing as the phrasing implies, and the reward itself does change the game somewhat. Still, the fact that one of the game's rewards for beating it is so ridiculous can't help but be amusing.
Wind Waker is the flagship Legend of Zelda title for the Gamecube, and one of the better games in the series despite an initially shaky reception. Overall, it's one of the best games on the Gamecube, and hopefully Wind Waker can come to Switch for players to experience again. But its adventure doesn't have to come to a close after defeating the final boss, as players can start over with a new game plus.
Of the new game plus features, a couple are obviously useful. First, the player will instantly receive a Picture Box DX, allowing them to take color snapshots right from the beginning. This can help the player pick up a color picture of the first boss, Gohma, which isn't possible on a first run. The player can also properly understand the ancient Hylian language spoken by characters like Valoo and Jabu on a new game plus, This can provide a little more insight for the player on these mysterious figures, as well as providing a deeper peek into the game's lore. After seeing what happened to Wind Waker's Greatfish Isle, many would likely appreciate a chance to learn more information.
Wind Waker's New Hero's Clothes Are Link's Prologue Outfit
However, the most unusual new game plus bonus comes at the beginning of the game. Normally during the opening chapter, Link's grandmother will give him the hero's clothes, which consist of Link's iconic green tunic and hat from most games in the series. However, on new game plus, the player will instead receive the Hero's New Clothes, which are invisible. Link has a comically baffled reaction to receiving them, and puts them on over his starting outfit. As a result, the player spends the entirety of a new game plus run wearing a lobster-print shirt and orange pants. Amusingly enough, Wind Waker's pajamas resemble Link's BOTW outfit, so he's essentially already wearing hero's clothes.
Beyond the new outfit and Link's funny reaction when he first receives it, the new clothes actually have some effect on the game. There are a few characters who comment on Link's clothes, and their dialogue changes a bit in response to Link's new outfit. Interestingly, when the Great Deku Tree speaks to Link in Hylian, he mentions that he wears the hero's clothes. Considering that this dialogue can't be deciphered by the player on their first playthrough, this can imply that the ancient Hylian characters see the Hero's New Clothes as Link's iconic outfit. Whatever the Hero's New Clothes truly are, they are a fun alternate outfit to wear while the player travels the memorable islands of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
New game plus bonuses are great incentives for replay value, and Wind Waker's own bonuses do their job in that department. Even though the Hero's New Clothes are essentialy rewarding the player with nothing, they still make a new playthrough feel different. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is one of the series' quirkiest games, and the Hero's New Clothes play a role in that distinction.