OVERBlueWake 0.8.0: The Wind Waker Recompiled gets an experimental native Android build
BlueWake, a static recompilation of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, now has an experimental native Android build. Version 0.8.0, released October 18, joins existing builds for Windows, Linux, macOS, iPhone and iPad. Like the other versions, it isn't an emulator: the GameCube game's code is translated into native code, and on Android it runs on arm64 and draws through Vulkan with a touch overlay standing in for a controller.How you get it on Android
There's no ready-made APK. You build it yourself on a Windows PC from your own USA (GZLE01) disc image, following the project's Android guide, because the app contains game code translated from your disc. The developer stresses that the APK you build is yours alone and shouldn't be shared. So far it has been checked on one phone, a Galaxy Z Fold 7 with a Snapdragon 8 Elite, where it reached about 30 FPS once the build was tuned on the device. Its speed drops as the phone heats up, so a handheld with active cooling should do better.
Also new in 0.8.0
- An optional Wind Waker HD look: longer draw distance, bloom, ambient occlusion, cloud shadows and torch light.
- HD textures made in the app from your own Wind Waker HD game.
- Speed improvements on Windows and Linux, about 9% on the Steam Deck.
- Gyro aiming with DualSense, DualShock 4, Switch Pro and Steam Deck controls, 21:9 widescreen, and a stage select.
Busy scenes can still drop below full speed on slower CPUs, including the Steam Deck. If you're comfortable building it, BlueWake is one of the most polished Wind Waker ports around. Find it in our Android ports directory and on the project's GitHub releases.