Comprehensive Guide to Missable Figurines and Pictographs in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker on Nintendo Switch Online

A central part of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, originally released for Nintendo GameCube and now available via Nintendo Switch Online's Expansion Pack, is collecting pictographs to complete the daunting Nintendo Gallery.

Developed by Nintendo EAD, The Wind Waker is well-known within the series for its vibrant art direction and expansive Great Sea, but completionists have long debated the challenges tied to its numerous side quests—most notably, the task of photographing nearly every entity in the game.

To fully complete the Nintendo Gallery, players are required to capture a pictograph of a wide array of characters, enemies, and NPCs with their face and most of their body visible.

These can be handed over to Carlov, the NPC responsible for turning pictographs into collectible figurines.

With more than 100 entries to obtain and a limited camera storage of only three shots, the journey to completion is notoriously intricate and time-consuming. Certain figurines and pictographs in The Wind Waker are permanently missable, making planning and timing crucial.

On the Nintendo Switch Online version, there are unique omissions: the character Knuckle and the set of Tingle Statues cannot be obtained, as the game lacks support for the Tingle Tuner, originally accessible via a Game Boy Advance connection.

However, Knuckle’s figurine is not required to finish the Nintendo Gallery in this version, streamlining completion slightly compared to the original. Players need to exercise particular caution with the following missable pictographs: - **Cyclos**, the deity who appears in cyclones across the Great Sea, must be photographed before being attacked with arrows, as defeating him makes his pictograph impossible to acquire. - The **Big Octos** lurking in the sea become unobtainable upon defeat if not photographed first. - **Kogoli**, a Rito found on Dragon Roost Island, disappears after Medli is awakened as the Earth Sage.

Take his picture before progressing that far. - **Phantom Ganon** and the **Helmaroc King** offer only one or two encounters, requiring photographs before their final defeats.

- The **Orange Wizzrobe** in the Wind Temple is a unique mini-boss; missing your chance to photograph this enemy means forfeiting its figurine. - Capturing **Tetra's** pictograph at the bottom of Hyrule Castle unlocks not just her figurine but also those of her entire pirate crew, a one-time opportunity during the storyline. - For **Puppet Ganon**, a multi-phase boss near the game’s end, players must take a photograph during battle, save and quit, and then deliver the pictograph to Carlov in Forest Haven, requiring a re-challenge of the boss to advance. Pro Tip: The camera’s three-image limit makes trips to the Nintendo Gallery frequent—expect dozens of visits for full completion.

To avoid missing shots, players are encouraged to utilize the Nintendo Switch’s restore point feature at critical junctures.

This allows them to retry if Carlov rejects the pictograph, a common occurrence due to strict framing requirements. For best results, pictographs should include both the target’s face and most of their body.

This is particularly challenging for duos, like the gossiping women on Windfall Island, or for those positioned near the ocean’s edge.

Utilizing gliding mechanics to reach a favorable vantage point and maximizing the camera’s zoom can improve the chances of an accepted pictograph.

Players often take multiple photos of tricky subjects to ensure Carlov will accept at least one. Although the task of completing the Nintendo Gallery in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker can be overwhelming, the sense of achievement and the final reward—a unique figurine of Link with the King of Red Lions—remains a coveted goal for die-hard fans.

The game’s presence on Nintendo Switch Online further cements its legacy, inviting a new generation to tackle one of the series’ most infamous completion challenges. Whether you choose to play through The Wind Waker casually or are determined to achieve 100% completion, mastering the art of pictography is essential.

For more in-depth guides and official resources, consult reputable walkthroughs and leverage the save-state functionality offered by Nintendo Switch Online.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker continues to captivate on Nintendo’s platforms, exemplifying both the joys and tribulations of a true collector’s quest.

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