It's N64's greatest gift. Zelda: Ocarina of Time has been called, as Nintendo's television blitz rudely informed us during Corrie this weekend, "a masterpiece" (Edge), "pure undiluted genius" (GamesMaster) and, in the pre-skyscraper-advert magazine format of this very website, "the best game ever".
But let's face it, after years of technical and artistic advancement - plus a lot of lager - whenever this classic's been mentioned, we've probably been looking back with more than a morsel of nostalgia.
Or have we? Could it be that the game that wrote the rule book for open-world action games still casts its Miyamoto magic 12 years, two home consoles and three 3D series instalments after its release? After all, it and still holds the all-time crown on Metacritic with a stonking 99% score.
HERO OF TIME
Ocarina of Time 3D is brilliant. We love it. Lots. If you're one of the seven people involved in the hobby of gaming not equated with Link's time travelling adventure, you'll love it too - and covet the envy of all those who've previously seen the credits roll.
It feels a bit unfair to pour praise on a title so incredibly accomplished that even George Lucas would have trouble buggering up an update, but it's surprising how successful the 3DS version has turned out. Especially considering, as red-circled above, Ocarina has been succeeded three times by its own maker.
Let's be honest; Twilight Princess has the most inventive, surprising dungeons, Wind Waker holds a charm and sense of exploration beyond what was capable in 1998, while Majora's Mask's impressive persistent world surely would've improved the 64-biit opener. But somehow, Ocarina is still king.
When we picked up the N64 controller on that busy release day in December '98, the technical aspects - the framerate, blocky character models and robust game engine - never crossed our mind as we quickly became utterly engrossed by the memorable characters, deep, puzzling dungeons, massive boss fights and numerous sub-games.
All the elements for a pure, complete and (more importantly since) gimmick-free Zelda adventure are there: an origin story involving a boy, a princess and a mental bloke from the desert about to mess up a fantasy dynasty. A mythical Tri-Force, parallel game worlds and six sages hidden in the forest, on a mountain and over a vast river.
The magic moments N64 veterans cherish dearly return with newfound clarity on 3ds; that drama when Link first gazes on the vast expanse of Hyrule field (though it feels more snug these days), the catchy, magical melodies and the puzzles they solve, and the emotion when Link first tip-toes from the Temple of Time to see his childhood stomping ground in ruins...
Ocarina of Time is, even with the subsequent genre advancements by both third-parties and the Zelda series itself, all of Nintendo's creativity enriched in a single, series-defining quest.
A LINK TO THE PAST
For fans of the original the 3DS update has been intricately updated by Japanese developer Grezzo, with caverns that previously looked like blurrly, polygonal holes transformed into flaming, lava-filled beauties, in a colourful, charismatic and - pleasingly - immensely faithful update to the original art. The 3D effect arguably looks better in some environments than others (interiors look particularly striking), but returning adventurers will surely adore rediscovering the world of rock-eating Gorons and angry chickens all over again.
Comments
34 comments so far...
IbanezLewis on 14 Jun '11 said:
I'll be picking up a 3DS for this come pay day
milky_joe on 14 Jun '11 said:
I've told myself I'm going to hold off until later this year to buy a 3DS, when all the big games release. But this review is making me doubt my ability to hold out...
Spudfella on 14 Jun '11 said:
Mine is pre-ordered I hope it comes a day early.
BLARRG on 14 Jun '11 said:
"Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Review
A Link to the Past"
I c wut u did thar
runadumb on 14 Jun '11 said:
"The best version of the best Zelda"
Oh sorry guys. Seems your editor missed this mistake. No worries, I will correct it.
The best version of the SECOND best Zelda, after link to the past of course.
Goona on 14 Jun '11 said:
If it's so awesome, why only 9.4??
hollywood111 on 14 Jun '11 said:
I dont know, maybe because its a remake?.
ingy on 14 Jun '11 said:
Maybe because you have to play it on a piddly little screen?
monty_79 on 14 Jun '11 said:
Yeah, I think I may get this on Friday to play around with.
Gotta say, been playing 'Link's Awakening' on the 3ds and it is still brilliant. Probably still the greatest every handheld game.. Only Dragon Quest 9 compares for me.
richard99 on 14 Jun '11 said:
It'd be interesting to read a review from someone who hadn't played the original.
It's the top ranked game on one of my favourite sites at the moment http://www.unikgamer.com/ I think it's a good game but I do wonder how much of the praise it gets is down to nostalgia.
CriticalAndy on 14 Jun '11 said:
If you dont get this game Nazi is gonna bug the s**t out of you till you do
LLLIIISSSSTTTTEEENNNNN!!!!!!!!
Cazy008 on 14 Jun '11 said:
Getting on Friday. Have not played original = awsome.
Laughlyn on 14 Jun '11 said:
A Link to the Past will always be my favorite and if that comes up as one the 3D classics games then i'll be mightily happy. I'm picking this up since i never got chance to play the original version and i'm really looking forward to it. I'm just getting into Links Awakening on GBC VC which i picked up, yeah its £5 and its expensive but what tha hell i got caught up in all the E3 25th Anniversary hoohah and bought it. really enjoying it too, cant wait for Oracle games
Balladeer on 14 Jun '11 said:
togrtc on 14 Jun '11 said:
Played this game and loved it the first time round shelling out another 200 notes to do it again i do not think is a good deal
Balladeer on 14 Jun '11 said:
Your fault for being fobbed off by somebody selling it for seven times its market value.
But yes - don't want to pay Nintendo to have to play this again. And due to still having it on GC, don't have to.
razors edge on 14 Jun '11 said:
I would like to know what the 'easter Eggs' are, no matter how minor, but I will be buying this on Friday.
kimoak on 14 Jun '11 said:
I too would love A Lint To The Past to get a re-release on the 3DS. That will be a must buy for me. My fave also. Once I had finished OoT I was exhausted. I don't think I have the energy to go through it again. The extra colour sure helps though.
liveswired on 14 Jun '11 said:
I bought a 3ds on launch day and have definitely not regretted! Since the update I've been playing Super Mario Land and Links Awakening non stop. At £3.60 and £5.40 I initially wrestled with my thoughts having gotten used to picking up hit titles at 59p on the App store - its clear why the price difference. Both titles are more addictive, more polished with FAR, FAR better control than any of the best app titles - not to mention 3ds superior gaming battery life. I've never, ever become engrossed in any App Store title - no matter how high the rating ign throws at them. Real racing is fun for about one lap, Nova 2 is twitchy at best, angry birds would be far better with a stylus. 3DS IS KING and OOT is a must have!
potnoodle1 on 14 Jun '11 said:
Pay day isn't until Monday so I've gotta wait a few days after its release to play it. Pay day on a bloody Monday!??? Disgusting! I'll be popping down town once I'm done with work to pick this up.
charliecheswick on 14 Jun '11 said:
You get paid on a Monday! Hahahahahahaha,sorry potnoodle but that's funny brother!
Ror1984 on 14 Jun '11 said:
My ShopTo order was posted this afternoon, fingers crossed for a Wednesday morning delivery!!
Despite having it on GC, and owning a Wii (with the option of buying it on VC), I haven't played this since release on the N64. As my N64 still works (as does my GC, hell even my SNES! Nintendo build things to last!), I've considered re-playing it many times over the years, but never got round to it. That turned out to be a good thing, as this looks like the best way to relive one of my favourite games of all time. It's the main reason I bought a 3DS (I pre-ordered it, so it wasn't the only reason), and I can't wait to get stuck in. Right now, I have Saria's Song stuck in my head, and I haven't even heard it for ages! Ocarina truly is one of those rare few games that stays with you for a lifetime.
alan666 on 14 Jun '11 said:
had it on pre-order since it was announced
Ror1984 on 15 Jun '11 said:
Ahh, my ShopTo pre-order has just arrived. Bit shocked to find the manual is a cheapo fold-out thing though... What gives?
verynaughtyboy on 15 Jun '11 said:
I've completed this game twice - once on N64 and then on Gamecube - and I honestly don't understand the issues with the Water Temple. It's only since I've completed it that I've read a lot of hate for that level but I really thought it was very good. What gives? Why the hate?
Ror1984 on 15 Jun '11 said:
As I stated above, I've not played this since its original release, so some bits of it I can barely remember, while others I remember vividly. The Water Temple is one of the bits I can't really remember, but I also don't remember it being particularly annoying either. I think most people just had a problem with dipping in and out of the menu to equip and unequip the iron boots.
verynaughtyboy on 15 Jun '11 said:
I guess that's what it is. It seems that not everyone is as hardcore as you and me eh!
Ror1984 on 15 Jun '11 said:
I guess so! At any rate, people shouldn't have that issue with this version thanks to the touchscreen inventory, so hopefully no more bitching about the Water Temple!
potnoodle1 on 15 Jun '11 said:
No on the 20th, which unfortunately for this month is Monday
ghuk on 15 Jun '11 said:
Its absolutely brilliant, got it today from Shopto.net. I had forgotten just what an amazing game it was as I hadnt played it in years. Even better, I got nowhere near finishing it the first time so I look forward going right the way through it this time around........result!
liveswired on 15 Jun '11 said:
lol, the Water Temple was my favourite in 1999.
robbo666 on 17 Jun '11 said:
I was never a great nintendo fan (dont know why just never fell in love with them like other people have) but i do remember playing the original Ocarina of Time, and I fell head over heels for it, i realise this is a money making scheme by nintendo (not saying that in a harsh way, they are in this business to make money, so more power to them), but they are interesting me so much in the 3DS with releases like this that i dont know whether i will be able to hold out on them any more
I doubt i will be forking out my money just yet, not for just one MAJOR release im gonna need 4-5 more to make me hand over my cash, but if they keep pushing the format the way they have done with this re-release then i will be buying soon. And if they are successful, you never know we might just see a FFVII in hi-def come around the corner, because lets face it, nothing separates someone from their money like good old nostalgia 
Balladeer on 17 Jun '11 said:
I was sceptical about this, but it's great. Really feels new, even though it's not.
mandlecreed on 18 Jun '11 said:
If Navi asks me once more if I'm tired and I need a rest, I'm gonna set about her with one of those battery powered fly swatters and murder the bitch.
Apart from that, the 3D seems so fiddly on this game compared to others. Apart from that it's beautiful. And wasn't sixty quid like the last time I bought it (US import).