Download & install
Check your game version: US GameCube → BlueWake; US/European Wii U HD → ZeldaWWHDRecomp. Neither project accepts European or Japanese GameCube data. Open Other options for HD on Windows or BlueWake project instructions on Linux/Mac/Deck.
Windows
v0.7.0 ·
Playable Hybrid
You need: US GameCube version (GZLE01, revision 0), as an ISO or GCM disc image
Why this port: A ready-made download for US GameCube data; for Wii U HD, use ZeldaWWHDRecomp under Other options on Windows.
Before you start: Windows 10 or 11 on an Intel/AMD PC with AVX2, a processor feature this program needs (Intel Haswell or AMD Ryzen and newer), and Direct3D 12 graphics support, the graphics system used by this program. Your disc image is your game disc saved as one file; you need an existing file whose name ends in .iso or .gcm.
- Download the Windows zip from the BlueWake Release page. Right-click it, choose Extract All, and keep the whole folder together.
- Open BlueWake.exe and choose your existing GameCube disc image when asked.
- Use J on the keyboard for the on-screen A prompt to enter the game. Once you can move Link, turn the camera and hear the game, you are ready to play.
If a program will not start, see Troubleshooting.
Other options on Windows
ZeldaWWHDRecomp
v0.3.0 ·
Playable Hybrid
You need: US or European Wii U HD base game (version 0, without the update), as an existing game folder containing code, content and meta
Before you start: install the available Windows system updates first. For Intel/AMD PCs, use Windows 10 (version 1903 or newer) or Windows 11 with graphics support for Vulkan 1.3, or Vulkan 1.1/1.2 through the port's automatic compatibility mode (Vulkan is the graphics system used by this port). Choose windows-x86_64 for an Intel/AMD PC, or windows-arm64 for a Windows ARM device such as a Snapdragon X laptop; the ARM package needs Windows 11. First setup needs an internet connection to prepare the program. Have your existing HD game folder ready, with the code, content and meta folders inside it.
- Download your Windows zip from the ZeldaWWHDRecomp Release page, extract the whole folder and open Wind Waker HD.exe.
- Click Continue, then Choose extracted game folder... and select your existing HD game folder. Once the game check passes, leave Prepare shaders now selected to prepare graphics before playing, then click Next and wait for setup to finish.
- For a new playthrough, choose Start with a new save → Continue → Play.
- Enter the game. Once you can move Link, turn the camera and hear the game, you are ready to play.
Linux
v0.3.0 ·
Playable Hybrid
You need: US or European Wii U HD base game (version 0, without the update), as an existing game folder containing code, content and meta
Why this port: A ready-made program for Wii U HD data; GameCube players can find BlueWake's project instructions under Other options on Linux.
Before you start: Ubuntu 22.04 or newer, or another Linux system with glibc 2.35 or newer (a system library this program needs to run). Use an Intel/AMD or ARM computer with graphics support for Vulkan 1.3, or Vulkan 1.1/1.2 through the port's automatic compatibility mode (Vulkan is the graphics system used by this program). First setup needs an internet connection. Have the HD game folder described in the card ready.
- Download the Linux AppImage (a Linux program file) from the ZeldaWWHDRecomp Release page: linux-x86_64 for Intel/AMD, or linux-aarch64 for ARM.
- Right-click the AppImage, open Properties → Permissions and turn on Allow executing file as program or Is executable. Close Properties, then double-click the file.
- Click Continue → Choose extracted game folder... and select your existing HD game folder. Once the game check passes, leave Prepare shaders now selected to prepare graphics before playing, then click Next and wait for setup to finish.
- Choose Start with a new save → Continue → Play. Once you can move Link, turn the camera and hear the game, you are ready to play.
For a launch or setup problem, see Troubleshooting.
Other options on Linux
Latest project release: v0.7.0 ·
Playable Hybrid
You need: US GameCube version (GZLE01, revision 0), as an ISO or GCM disc image
BlueWake has no ready-made Linux download. If you know how to build the program yourself, see the Linux section of the BlueWake README for a personal build.
macOS
v0.3.0 ·
Playable Hybrid
You need: US or European Wii U HD base game (version 0, without the update), as an existing game folder containing code, content and meta
Why this port: A ready-made program for Wii U HD data; GameCube players can find BlueWake's project instructions under Other options on macOS.
Before you start: both projects require an Apple silicon Mac (M1 or newer); ZeldaWWHDRecomp also needs macOS 14 or newer. The app uses Metal, Apple's graphics system. Keep an internet connection for first setup; if the app offers Apple's Command Line Tools installer (software it needs to prepare the game), finish that installer. Have your existing HD game folder ready.
- Download the Mac zip from the ZeldaWWHDRecomp Release page, unpack it and open Wind Waker HD.app inside that folder. Keep the whole folder together when moving it.
- If macOS blocks the first open, on macOS 14 right-click the app and choose Open → Open. On newer macOS, dismiss the message, then use System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway.
- Click Continue → Choose extracted game folder... and select your existing HD game folder. Once the game check passes, leave Prepare shaders now selected to prepare graphics before playing, then click Next and wait for setup to finish.
- Choose Start with a new save → Continue → Play. Once you can move Link, turn the camera and hear the game, you are ready to play.
If the app or setup stops, see Troubleshooting.
Other options on macOS
Latest project release: v0.7.0 ·
Playable Hybrid
You need: US GameCube version (GZLE01, revision 0), as an ISO or GCM disc image
BlueWake has no ready-made Mac download. If you know how to build the program yourself, see the Mac section of the BlueWake README for a personal build.
Steam Deck
v0.3.0 ·
Playable Hybrid
You need: US or European Wii U HD base game (version 0, without the update), as an existing game folder containing code, content and meta
Why this port: A ready-made Linux program for Wii U HD data; GameCube players can find BlueWake's project instructions under Other options on Steam Deck.
Before you start: Steam Deck's Linux desktop, an internet connection for first setup and your existing HD game folder. The AppImage is a Linux program file.
- Press Steam → Power → Switch to Desktop. Download the linux-x86_64 AppImage from the ZeldaWWHDRecomp Release page.
- Right-click it, choose Properties → Permissions, tick Is executable, close Properties and double-click the AppImage.
- Click Continue → Choose extracted game folder... and select your existing HD game folder. Once the game check passes, leave Prepare shaders now selected to prepare graphics before playing, then click Next and wait for setup to finish. Choose Start with a new save → Continue → Play.
- In Desktop Steam, choose Games → Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library → Browse, select the AppImage and click Add Selected Programs. Use Return to Gaming Mode and open it from your library.
- Hold View (the button with two squares, left of the screen) for half a second to open settings. Under Graphics, choose 30 fps (original). Once both sticks, buttons and sound work, you are ready to play.
For trouble starting on Deck, see Troubleshooting.
Other options on Steam Deck
Latest project release: v0.7.0 ·
Playable Hybrid
You need: US GameCube version (GZLE01, revision 0), as an ISO or GCM disc image
BlueWake has no ready-made Steam Deck download. If you know how to build the program yourself, see the Linux section of the BlueWake README for a personal build.
Troubleshooting
BlueWake
If Windows does nothing when you open the program, check the processor and graphics requirements above. Keep all the extracted program files together. If the disc check rejects your file, compare its edition with You need in the card; this project accepts only the supported US GameCube revision.
If the mouse stops controlling the camera, click inside the game again; Esc releases it. Short stalls when changing areas can happen. For slow play, open F1 → Display, lower the render resolution and leave Smooth Motion off.
If clouds or waves flicker, switch Display → Smooth Motion to Off. The Windows download can also keep showing the first island's map in Sea Chart. The fix is in source builds; follow BlueWake Issue 263 for a Windows update.
ZeldaWWHDRecomp
If the game check rejects your HD folder, compare the edition and base-game requirement in the download card. Setup checks the game program itself; a folder with an update already applied will not match. Keep the existing folder as it is and read the setup error.
If the Linux AppImage reports a FUSE error (the system component used to open it), use the fallback in the ZeldaWWHDRecomp README.
For stutter or slow motion, open F1 → Graphics and choose 30 fps (original) before trying higher frame rates. On Windows and Linux, the port automatically uses a compatibility mode for older Intel/AMD graphics drivers. If it still crashes shortly after opening, update the graphics driver.
If setup stops, read its error and use Copy log. For a game crash, include the crash log from data/captures in a zip installation, or ~/.local/share/wwhd/captures for the Linux AppImage (~ means your home folder). Use this project's Issues with your operating system, graphics card, driver and where the problem happened.
Controls
BlueWake
Use WASD to move, J/K/U/I for the game's A/B/X/Y buttons, E/R/Q for L/R/Z, and Return for Start. Click inside the game for mouse-camera control; Esc releases the mouse. F1 opens settings; use Controls → Controller buttons to change gamepad buttons. The same tab has keyboard and mouse button settings. On a Mac, you may need Fn+F1.
ZeldaWWHDRecomp
Use WASD to move, the arrow keys for the camera, K or Space for A, J for B and Enter for Start. Open settings with F1 (or Cmd+, on Mac), then Controls to change keys or gamepad buttons. On a controller, hold Select/Minus for half a second, or press Home, to open settings; on Deck, use View as described above.
The second window is the Wii U GamePad screen for maps, items and menus. Click it to use its touch controls. In settings, Display can put that screen in a corner of the main picture or hide it.
Mods & enhancements
In BlueWake, open F1 → Mods for widescreen and Better Wind Waker, which adds options such as faster sailing and instant text. Restart BlueWake after changing mods. Smooth Motion in Display, also toggled with F10, adds pictures between the game's normal frames for smoother movement; it starts off. Turn it off if movement or graphics look wrong.
In ZeldaWWHDRecomp, open F1 → Graphics for resolution and frame-rate choices. Its 60, 120 and 240 FPS modes (frames per second) add pictures between the original 30 updates per second. True 60 changes how parts of the game update and is experimental; start with the original mode if play slows down.
Open Mods → Built-in for mouse camera, direct right-stick camera, sailing speed and other game changes; these options start off. Mods → Community manages additional mods inside the program. Mac controller vibration is not available in this port.
Which port should I use?
Your game edition decides which project you can run; compare the remaining setup and control differences here.
| What matters | BlueWake | ZeldaWWHDRecomp |
|---|---|---|
| Installing on Windows | Unpack a zip, open the program and choose your disc image. | First setup prepares the program from your existing HD folder and needs internet. |
| Installing on Mac, Linux or Deck | No ready-made download; experienced builders can follow the project instructions. | Start with a ready-made package; first setup prepares the game locally. |
| Keyboard controls | J is A; click the game for mouse-camera play. | K or Space is A; arrow-key camera, with an optional mouse-camera mod. |
| Wider screens and smoother movement | Widescreen and optional Smooth Motion. | Aspect-ratio and frame-rate settings, plus in-game mod management. |
PC port vs emulator
Both projects turn Wind Waker's game code into a PC program ahead of play. BlueWake still uses graphics, audio and other support code derived from Dolphin. ZeldaWWHDRecomp has its own graphics system and reuses parts of Cemu for graphics translation. Hybrid means the game runs as a PC program while reusing some supporting code from an emulator.
An emulator is a program that runs games made for another system. Dolphin covers many GameCube and Wii games; Cemu covers Wii U games, including HD. Choose a port for its game-specific controls and enhancements, and keep an existing setup that plays well while trying one.
FAQ
Is this an official PC release or a Steam version?
No. BlueWake and ZeldaWWHDRecomp are unofficial community projects. A Non-Steam Game entry is a shortcut to the program you already have.
What happened to Wind Waker Recomp?
It has merged into BlueWake. Its downloads and bug reports have moved there; use the current BlueWake links above.
Update history
| Project | Latest version | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| ZeldaWWHDRecomp | v0.3.0 | |
| BlueWake | v0.7.0 |
Community
Sources
- BlueWake README
- BlueWake release notes
- BlueWake Windows guide
- BlueWake Linux guide
- BlueWake Mac build guide
- BlueWake Linux player report
- BlueWake Steam Deck player feedback
- BlueWake Smooth Motion flicker
- BlueWake Sea Chart issue
- Wind Waker Recomp migration notice
- ZeldaWWHDRecomp README
- ZeldaWWHDRecomp release notes
- ZeldaWWHDRecomp setup interface
- ZeldaWWHDRecomp setup guide
- ZeldaWWHDRecomp Steam Deck settings feedback
- ZeldaWWHDRecomp Steam Deck performance advice
- ZeldaWWHDRecomp Intel graphics startup issue
- How ZeldaWWHDRecomp works
- AppImage graphical permissions
- Steam Deck Desktop FAQ
- Steam Non-Steam shortcuts
- Dolphin project overview
- Cemu project overview