The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS)

Evidence that 'Ura' Zelda fan To prove that 'Hyrule' at videogames, I'm playing Ocarina of Time 3D. This little gem is a complete and utter improvement over its original release back in 1998, and it s

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  • System: Nintendo 3DS
  • Also On: Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii
  • Genre: Adventure
  • Max Players: 1
  • Age Rating: Everyone 10+
  • US Release: June 2011
  • Developer: GREZZO
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Similar Games: Nier, Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Nier, Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Nier

ocarina3ds

Evidence that ‘Ura’ Zelda fan

To prove that ‘Hyrule’ at videogames, I’m playing Ocarina of Time 3D.

This little gem is a complete and utter improvement over its original release back in 1998, and it should be, given that they’ve had a million years to improve it. Enhanced graphics, music and gameplay have resulted in a more finished version of this game. On the downside, though, very little else has changed.

Wait—you don’t think that’s a problem?

The length of time between the Nintendo 64 version and this remake has given Nintendo and co-developer GREZZO ample opportunity to add the content cut from the original release due to time constraint. How about the two missing tunics, the cut magic spells or the planned Sky Temple? What a wasted opportunity.

Were they just sitting on their arses doing nothing for all this time?

Am I clutching at straws? Hell no. If Super Mario 64 DS could add an extra three playable characters, new stars and levels, then why can’t Ocarina of Time 3D do the same? This is not rocket science; if you’re remaking a game, go that extra mile and really rack up the amount of stuff you throw in.

997842_20110414_screen018 You’d swear the game always looked this good.

I am not going to let this go. Three years after Super Mario World came out on the Super Nintendo, a second version was released. The re-release added a full graphical update which resulted in Luigi having his own sprites, and no longer being a recolor of Mario. It also contained the entirety of Super Mario All-Stars. For the price of a new game, you got two. [Ed.: Actually, more like five!]

Give Nintendo a little while, and they’ll go out of their way to improve. Give them over a decade, and we get Ocarina of Time with a paint-job and some tinsel stapled to the edges.

To describe this game all you need to do is read any review for the Nintendo 64 version, and add a sentence at the end saying, “and the 3D effects were OK.” The game hasn’t changed. Jeff Day once asked me, “Why re-mold a perfect vase?” and all that. This is why, Day. There are standards now, because games have actually improved since 1998. Not just graphically, but also from a technical viewpoint, as well. Increasing the polygons and re-drawing the textures is nice, but the lack of new content really reminds us that Nintendo (much like Sega) is profiting from the past.

ZOOT_PR_050811_05-noscale Despite the 3D effects, Sheik is still flat-chested.

When You’re Ready

I hope you’ve been ignoring the advertising, hype and response from magazines. Once-respectable publications have been giving out perfect scores to Ocarina of Time 3D like they’re fashionable.

Perfect scores are not fashionable. One thing that appears to be fashionable, though, is re-releasing old games without anything new added. Yes, I am still bitter about this, 10 paragraphs later. All of the media output has been complete fanwankery. The writers involved in gaming publications where impressionable young’uns when the game came out, like I was. Their opinion is a complete bias.

997842_20110302_screen002 Fighting ‘Stale’fos. Get it? It’s funny because they’re boring to fight.

“But they fixed the game, Matt. You should be happy. Normally you complain that nobody patches anything.” Fine, you got me.

Only this once, mind you.

This release of Ocarina of Time isn’t some run-of-the-mill ROM and emulator package. For your forty bucks, you’re getting your forty bucks’ worth. You blow ten dollars on the Xbox Live Arcade version of Sonic Adventure and get a mediocre port, but the money you spend on this game gives you what you deserve, at the very least.

Many bugs have been removed (many others have been kept in by Nintendo’s request), and the game itself appears more sturdy and finished than its GameCube and Nintendo 64 releases. Like I said before, you’d have thought so, given the amount of time they’ve had.

997842_20110414_screen014You can’t come here ‘fishing’ for compliments, Nintendo!

So, should you spend your hard-earned money on Ocarina of Time 3D and a Nintendo 3DS? The answer to that question is the answer to this question: “Are you ready to play through Ocarina of Time again?”

  • Yes, I cannot wait to play Ocarina of Time again. Besides, I’m rich and stupid enough to consider buying a Nintendo 3DS.

Thank you for being honest with us about your elite fanboyism for the Legend of Zelda series. Go out and buy Ocarina of Time 3D, and I’m sure you will not be disappointed, since it’s the exact same game and all.

  • Yes, but I don’t have enough money to purchase a 3DS (or I do not wish to because it’s gimmicky bullshit).

Well, did you know that Ocarina of Time (and the superior Majora’s Mask) are available on the Wii Virtual Console at a significantly lower price? Also, seeing as so many copies were made, picking up a second-hand Ocarina of Time cartridge for your Nintendo 64 will be easier than you think.

  • No.

Then don’t consider this just yet. Wait until you feel the time is right. Hang around for a price drop and scan online retailers occasionally, because you never know when a good offer might change your opinion.

  • I haven’t played this game before.

This is the best opportunity you have to witness one of the freshest and most uplifting, enlightening, and exciting games of all time. I believe that it is your unwritten duty to experience this timeless classic and appreciate why so many gamers would blissfully award this game a perfect score.

Kaepora-Gaebora

“Would you like to hear what I said again?”

Yes. SHIT! No! Nooooooooono no no no no no no no no nono no no no no no no no no no!!

  • GameCola Rates This Game: 9 - Excellent
6 votes, average: 8.50 out of 106 votes, average: 8.50 out of 106 votes, average: 8.50 out of 106 votes, average: 8.50 out of 106 votes, average: 8.50 out of 106 votes, average: 8.50 out of 106 votes, average: 8.50 out of 106 votes, average: 8.50 out of 106 votes, average: 8.50 out of 106 votes, average: 8.50 out of 10 (You need to be a registered member to rate this post.)
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About the Contributor


From 2009 to 2016

They asked me to share a little biographical information about myself. My name is Matt. Good night, everybody.

8 Comments

  1. Enjoyed the article (it made me laugh), especially the end. Cannot count the times I’ve done that on accident. That’s pretty much my exact reaction, too.

  2. LOL, that Owl, but did the dialog default to “Yes, I want to hear what you said again?”

    I am confused as to why “Freedman” appears in this article.

    Also, while I understand that little content was added, how does the dual screen hold up? This seems to be a lot like the Chrono Trigger DS remake on the DS, although they did at least add a new ultimate boss, and two new areas to explore, a monster arena, and a retranslation, and the cut scenes from the PSX version.

  3. Also, whatchootalkbout 2 missing tunics? Space suit, perhaps? dolphin armor, Brithday tunic?

    Why do modern zelda games start link off in street clothes / pajamas. Give me a break.

  4. @Mark Whoops, that’s my bad. I swapped in “Jeff Day” for “Mark Freedman” since it was Jeff who originally made the comment, but I forgot to swap it in again later.

  5. I’ve never liked the idea of a “Young Link”; he seems like a much more fascinating – and powerful! – character as an adult.

    And when it comes to gimmicks, Apple is the king by a landslide, what with their “let’s forget about making computers, slap an “i” on typical electronic devices, and get rich! Then, let’s have the audacity to call ourselves revolutionary!”

    Anyway, always appreciate the sarcasm, candor and humor in your work, Matt.

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