The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is, hands down, my favorite video game of all time. I know that that is a statement that is beyond cliché at this point, but, from the bottom of my heart, it really is true. When I first played this game at the age of ten, after having borrowed a friends Nintendo 64, I fell in love with it at first sight. To this day, very, very few games have even come close to this game in my eyes. It wasn't until later that I finally got my own copy, but I was obsessed with the game from start to finish. I remember playing the game while my sister read from the strategy guide, and even getting my dad into it (he made it as far as the shadow temple.) Simply put, this game holds an insurmountable amount of memories. Hearing the beautiful music again always brings a tear to my eye, so you can imagine by now how special this video game is in my heart. When I first heard that there was going to be a 3DS remaster of Ocarina of Time, I was very excited. I held off buying a 3DS for a few years, but, eventually picked one up. It has taken me forever to work up the courage and discipline to write a review for this game, but now is the time to do it. I will tell you, right off the bat, that this version is, without a doubt, the definitive version of Ocarina of Time. Aside from just looking better than ever, the modest tweaks here and there make this game shine more than it has in years. I will warn you that this will be a lengthy, in depth review. Without further ado, let me get started in describing and sharing my love for this magnificent game.
Concept: The legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time takes place in the magical kingdom of Hyrule. Hyrule was created by three golden goddesses, who left a fraction of their power behind in the world before they departed for the heavens. This power is known as the triforce, and it contains the essence of the gods. The only way to come upon the triforce is through entering the sacred realm. One day, an evil man from the Desert known as Ganondorf goes searching for the entrance to the Sacred realm, and seeks out the three spiritual stones. When the guardians of the stones refuse his demand, he curses them. As it happens to be, a young boy named Link lives in the small forest guarded by one such guardian spirit, known as the great Deku Tree. The Deku Tree summons Link to exterminate the curse. Link, accompanied by his new fairy friend navi, venture forth to stop this great evil. While they succeed, the Deku Tree is still doomed to die. The Tree gives Link the spiritual stone, and, with his dying wish, instructs him to go to Hyrule castle and (literally) meet the girl of his dreams. Link goes to Castle town, sneaks into the Castle courtyard, and meets the princess of Hyrule face to face. The princess tells Link of the Temple of Time, and the Royal families royal treasure, the Ocarina of Time. She and Link plan to get the other spiritual stones in order to stop Ganondorf from getting his wicked hands on the triforce. Link goes to death mountain, home of the Gorons, and defeats the Dodongos infesting their cavern, then he goes off to Zora's Domain in order to save the Zora princess Ruto from being stuck in the belly of the fish god, Lord Jabu Jabu. Though Link is successful in his quest, Ganondorf finds out about Zelda and Link's scheme, and attempts to chase down the Princess. Zelda, in a last ditch effort, throws Link the Ocarina of Time, and teaches him the song of time. Link goes to the Temple of Time, places the stones in their proper location on the pedestal, and is given entry to the chamber of the Master Sword. After pulling the sword from the stone, Ganondorf sneaks into the Sacred Realm. Link then slumbers for seven years, and is awakened by the sage, Rauru. The sage tells Link that Ganondorf has laid waste to Hyrule, and has become a mighty, evil king. Rauru instructs Link to free the sages from the temples, and restore piece to the land. That is all I will say of the story in this review. All in all, The game's story does a fantastic job of immersing the player into the world, and making them genuinely care about saving the land of Hyrule. The unforgettable, memorable characters that you meet along the way on your journey also help make this a riveting tale. While the premise might not be the most complex in the world, it is still a very fun story-line, and offers a timeless tale of good versus evil.
Design and Presentation: Ocarina of Time had groundbreaking visuals back in its day. While the original N64 version of the game has held up better than many other games of its era, the new 3DS overhaul adds a more than welcome update. The game's visuals, simply put, look better than ever. Link, Zelda, Ganondorf, and even the bosses look really great now. The environments look absolutely beautiful, and simply put, pop. Everything from the lush and green kukri forest and the Lost Woods, to Death Mountain, Lake Hylia, to the Gerudo Valley, and, of course, the Temple of Time. everything in this game looks beautiful. Ocarina of Time 3D is such a beautifully crafted video game in all respects. I normally don't use the 3D effect on my 3DS, but I occasionally do use it for this game. The 3D effect adds even more life to this incredible, colorful, and vibrant world. The soundtrack in this game is absolutely magnificent. From Saria's song, to Zelda's lullaby, to the song of storms, to Gerund Valley, this game features more unforgettable songs than I can think of. While the sound design was great back in the day, it's a bit of a pity that Nintendo didn't overhaul the soundtrack with a full orchestral arrangement. that would have added so much to the presentation, and complimented the beautifully updated visual design. Even with that said, it's still a very great soundtrack. The menu system is also more slick and manageable than ever. The tweaks made to the system have streamlined certain sections in the game, the most notable being the water Temple. As someone who always liked the water temple, I could definitely see why so many found it frustrating. The new menu system alleviates lots of that and makes the whole dungeon more streamlined (the water temple probably benefited from the new menu system more than any other dungeon.) all in all, Ocarina of Time 3D's design is exceptional.
Controls and gameplay: The great things about Zelda: Ocarina of Time's controls is that they are so simple, but incredibly intuitive. Literally anybody, and I mean anybody, regardless of age, or skill level, can pick up and play, and have a complete and total blast with this game. The control set-up is absolutely effortless. To move Link is to use the joy pad on the 3-DS, You can move forward while pressing A in order to role. A is also used to open doors, talk to people, and more besides. Link can draw an swing his sword with the B-button. The game has a multiple sword moves that you can do depending on Link's angle. target an enemy, you use the L-button, or the left hand shoulder pad. to do a spin attack, hold down B and then release. To use Link's shield, press and hold the right shoulder button. To do a jump attack is to simply hold L, and press the a button. Jumping is done automatically, when you approach the edge of a building, or a platform, Link will automatically jump. X and Y buttons are used for Link's secondary weapons (bow, hookshot, bombs, etc.) New to the 3DS version are the touch item screens. This allows you to have two additional secondary items, allowing four in total. While the N64 style controller worked great back in the day, the new 3DS set-up is a definite improvement in many respects. For one, the menu system has been streamlined. In the original release, the Ocarina was set as an item, now, however, there is a separate pad on the bottom screen of the 3DS that you simply tap in order to bring up your Ocarina. You can either play the Ocarina with the button layout, or you can use the touch-screen to play the songs, which I think is really cool. Furthermore, certain items that were once set as gear (such as the iron and hover boots) are now mapped as items that can be equipped to x/y or one of the touch-screen items, and taken on and off at will. This makes playing certain sections in the game (such as the water temple) much more streamlined. The controls are more buttery smooth than ever before. This makes simple actions like controlling Link in a 3D space so much fun to do. Because of the simple, yet intuitive L-targeting controls, the combat and boss battles are also lots of fun.
The gameplay in this game is as darn close to perfect as any video game I have ever played. This game introduced the revolutionary Z-targeting back in the day. This was done in order to remedy the issues that a lot of early 3D action games struggled with. This made fighting fluid, fun, and immersive. This is a feature that so many games have adapted now, it's not even funny. The combat in this game is a lot of fun, you fight all kinds of enemies, such as man-eating plants, spiders, lizard and skeleton knights, ghosts, fiery dancers, and iron statues. There is no comparison with other games of its time, or even in many of the games in today's market. Moreover, even music is a huge component to the gameplay, as Link will learn several Ocarina songs throughout the game, each of them really cool and serving a different function. You even play music to solve certain puzzles, pretty wicked awesome if I do say so myself. Time Travel also plays a key role in the gameplay. As Link, you travel back and forth through time seven years. One of the cool things about this is that you can really see the change in certain areas in the game, specifically castle town, lon lon ranch, and kokiri forest. This adds lots of weight to the game as a whole. Some thigns you do as child Link will also have consequences as and adult, like going into one of the temples as a child and getting the silver gauntlets, which allows Adult Link to push and pull heavier objects. One thing this game has in abundance is variety. What I mean by this is that there are lots of areas that Link goes to, each on having its own unique feel and flavor. From the lush forest, to the city-like castle town, to the spooky graveyard, to the mountains and lakes, and the desert, each location feels completely different. This makes the world of the game feel alive, and it makes you want to see everything there is to see in the game. The dungeons in this game are nothing short of phenomenal. being the first 3D Zelda game, Nintendo had to really get it right on their first try. They did, and they hit it out of the park. The first couple of dungeons start out simple and basic enough, but are still well-designed and lots of fun. Soon, you'll be twisting and untwisting corridors in a the spooky forest temple, raising and lowering water levels, or using the eye of truth to find hidden passage ways in the Shadow Temple. Each dungeon has its own, unique feel to it, which provides excellent contrast between them. They also have their own puzzles and traps. The puzzle difficulty varies, but there're all a lot of fun. Every dungeon in the game is a master class in 3D dungeon design done right. This is a game that is great for gamers of any skill level. The game is definitely quite challenging at times, but it's never too frustrating, water temple aside. My personal favorite dungeon is, by far, the forest temple. I love the forest temple's atmosphere, level design, twisting corridors, mini boos fights, and, of course, its awesome climax. Everyone has their own favorite dungeon, and they all hold special memories for me. This game also features some awesome, and incredible boss battles. Like the dungeons, they start off simple enough, to introduce players to the very solid and refined mechanics, but get more complex as the game goes along. You fight everything from a one-eyed spider, electric anemone, a ghost riding in and out of paintings, fire breathing dragons, a disembodied spirit, and a pair of witches that you need to turn magic against to defeat. every boss is intricately designed and leaves the player in awe. the final boss against Ganon is arguably one if the best and most memorable bosses in gaming history. New to the 3DS version is the boss rush challenge. This mode allows you to take on the bosses in consecutive order, as you attempt to defeat all of them as quickly as possible. Outside of just the dungeons, there is a lot to do. Hyrule Field serves as a central area in the game. While it isn't as big as some other Zelda game's (Wind Waker or twilight Princess) it's still a lot of fun to run around, or ride around. Ocarina of Time is notable for being one of the first game's to feature a horse, you can ride through the fields of Hyrule on Epona to your hearts content (after you obtain her.) There at lots of optional quests, and even an optional mini dungeon. You can collect ten ghosts that haunt Hyrule field by shooting them with your bow on horseback, play the mask sidequest, go to the shooting gallery, the bombchu bowling alley, or collect all of the gold cursed spiders. You can even participate in horseback archery later on in the game, not to mention there is even a full fledged fishing minigame! There is so much to do in this game. I am continually amazed at the abundant activities you can partake in. The gameplay is so good here that I honestly forget at times that the game is going on twenty years old. The gameplay is, in a word, flawless.
Replayability: Ocarina of Time 3D has high replay value. There are lots of fun side quests to do, twenty heart containers to collect, one hundred spider tokens to find, plenty of item upgrades, as well as an optional quest to get a sword even more powerful than the master sword. There is a lot to do in this game. The 3DS version also features the Master Quest version of Ocarina of Time, but here, the enemies do double the damage, the world map is flipped (Think Twilight Princess Wii version) and the dungeons are slightly rearranged to make them more challenging. While it would have been nice to have this unlocked from the beginning, this is still a great incentive for veteran players to go back and re-experience this game. The one thing that I would have liked to see in Ocarina of Time 3D is an additional dungeon. This was not to be the case, but it's far from a game-breaker, Zelda is too much fun already! The main game will take you between 15-20 hours to beat, and every minute is a total blast and joy to play.
Verdict: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is, without a doubt, one of the highest achievements in gaming history. Ocarina of Time 3D manages to do the impossible, it improves upon the original and makes it look, feel, and play better than ever before. This is a thoughtfully crafted remaster that makes the necessary changes where needed, but leaves the original, timeless classic untouched. I am more than satisfied with this iteration of my favorite video game of all time. If you played, and loved the original game like I did, I would strongly suggest picking up a copy of this game. If you own a Nintendo 3DS, and you're someone new to gaming, or new to Zelda, then this game is a must buy. As far as I'm concerned, it has everything that makes Gaming great all packed into one refined, awesome package. This is without a doubt, my favorite game of all time (Video Gaming being my favorite past-time) and I wholly encourage you to undertake such a wonderful, epic, and timeless journey. So buy it, play, and strap yourself in for an epic, riveting adventure that will span even time!
"Gather the power of the seven sages, and add their might to your own."
-Rauru
Cons:
No extra dungeon
Music the same as the N64 version
Pros:
Incredible, flawless controls and gameplay
Epic, awesome boss battles
Beautifully designed characters and locations
Gorgeous art direction and improved visuals
New boss rush challenge
Unforgettable soundtrack
revamped item and map menu
expansive and fun world to see explore
Lots of side quests and fun mini games
Incredible dungeon and level design
Lots of gameplay variety
Unforgettable characters and moments
Timeless classic
Overall: 10/10
God Bless,
Dana
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From the manufacturer
The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D takes the Nintendo 64 classic – one of the most critically acclaimed games ever made – and returns it to the Nintendo 3DS system with the added depth and realism of stunning, glasses free 3D visuals. In this game, Link sets off on a legendary journey through time to stop Ganondorf, the Gerudo King of Thieves who is seeking the Triforce, a holy relic that gives its holder ultimate power. The graphical upgrades and three-dimensional depth breathe new life into the expansive world of Hyrule. An improved and intuitive interface, coupled with the easier navigation offered by playing in a world with 3D visuals, give players better control as they solve puzzles, travel through time and explore this immersive world. Whether you're a first-time player or a regular visitor to Hyrule, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is a new adventure for everyone.
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A Zelda classic now in glasses-free 3DAmazing 3D visuals and a complete graphical overhaul bring one of gaming's most beloved and celebrated franchises to life, putting the awe-inspiring world in the palm of your hand for you to explore whenever you like. |
New controls using the Nintendo 3DS system's technologiesThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D retains the analog control of the original with the Circle Pad on Nintendo 3DS, but greatly improves ease of use with a touch-based inventory system. |
Switching items has never been simpler or quickerPlayers can also use the first-person shooting (camera-controlled) feature utilizing the gyro sensor. |
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Reviews with images
Not the same box art, possibly region locked
Had ordered the Nintendo select and opted for a brand new copy which it came sealed and everything which is very reassuring but as you can see from the pictures it's not the same box art as a Nintendo select and it looks to be region locked which is very concerning it seems to play fine but I don't know if it's just a box art mishap or what I'm very confused
