Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D review: The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time 3D is a life-changing game, an experience that defines the medium it inhabits and if you have the chance to experience it afresh, it will even better.
This 3DS port repaints the Nintendo 64 original with a generosity and level of success that you could never have expected. Even for those intimately familiar with the original, the overhaul in what has become the handheld's first true must-have title, makes Hyrule feel entirely fresh to the touch. It's worth experiencing as if for the first time.
The textures are sharp and solid. Gone is the fuzziness of the original, in its place edges that you could cut a finger on, giving the world a solidity that has never before been there.
Piling On The Polygons
Link himself has piled on the polygons, and is now as smooth and defined as any contemporary video game character. Likewise, the colours that paint the world are shockingly vivid: rich, tasty greens underlining Sonic-blue skies which turn to pink and then black as the sun wheels to moon in the sky.
Then there's the addition of stereoscopic 3D. Ease the 3D depth slider upward and your 3DS screen becomes a real window into Hyrule. Fireflies hover in the near, middle and far distance while Navi circles you.
The 3D isn't particularly showy, but its been used in elegant, distinguished ways both in terms of the miniscule dust particles that hang in beams of sunlight indoors, and in the heft and majesty of the world's larger features, from the Deku tree to the mountain to the moon.
The enduring feeling is that this is the final true realisation of what the original game's development team were aiming for, a game world in true full bloom, having been watered by time and technology.
Thanks to the 3DS system's dual screens, the slightly cluttered HUD of the original has been stripped right back and the most pertinent information is now displayed on the touchscreen.
Sling and hook
Motion controls have also been utilised for this remake. In addition to Link's regular sword combat - which has its own repertoire of moves and attacks - first-person views come into operation when brandishing the slingshot, or bow, or when using the hookshot.
Now, instead of needing to poke at the D-Pad to line up shots, you can move the 3DS itself to adjust your view into the world. This makes shooting much more enjoyable throughout, although purists will be pleased to hear that the functionality can be disabled in the game menu.
Likewise, a series of new hint systems such as tutorial videos hidden inside the new Sheikah Stones and special trail lines that intersect the infamously demanding Water Temple to show where Link can raise or lower the water make the game more palatable to true newcomers.
Woah you've put it on the site ALREADY!?
It's only been out a week!
Anyway, great review and I totally agree with the score, 98% is the best thing to give it as if you give it 100%, then you can't give a game a better score which could happen one day!
Well done Simon Parkin!
there wasnt anything bad that could even bring it down to 99 but still good review, im happy with 98
Dear Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2,
We sincerely apologise for the disturbance that has been caused by the latest review of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D in which the score of 98% has knocked your Super Mario Galaxy's off the top spot, but to be fair and truthful, you know that the Ocarina of Time was near perfect, and anything that can be done, or an improved remake, will surely knock you off the top. Which it has, and to be fair, it should've done. Glad you made the right decision Simon!
Wow. Biased much?
Good stuff. Can't wait to get this tomorrow
I got it today and just finished the Forest Temple, there's no doubt that it's incredible and by far superior to to the other 3DS games. The graphics are incredible, the controls are beautiful and camera is incredible. The only flaw is...
...
I conclude.
tomorrow time to go to hell again just to see if it improved on original
the expected score.....infact exceeding my thoughts it would get the 97% but why argue over such a small margin lol cant wait to get my hands on it at long long last!!
Cannot wait for tomorrow!
I love how the graphics are now so alike to the art work that accompanied the game when it first came out.
Now I get to relive my most defining moment in gaming, in great 3D.
"Link, look, you're all grown up"
I'm getting this tomorrow or Saturday. I could've got it today, but Amazon mucked up the pre-order.
I only have majora's mask in the zelda series so I'd like to buy this game once I save up. Or else I win one in that competition onm's doing...
I got this game yesterday and i havn't been able to stop playin it and when i was at school i was thinkin about it alot and how i would get through the next cave
How did you come to that conclusion? I've already read 3 multiformat reviewers give this 10/10, so it's hardly biased.
Can't wait to play the remake. I was hoping it'd come early and come today as it was despatched Tue/Wed. At least it should come on launch! XD
I dropped my jaw when I saw the verdict score! 98%? Higher than both super mario galaxy 1 & 2? Awsome! I can't wait to get the game tomorrow!
So wait? The Sheikah Stones no longer tell you the in-game time? I always thought the mask side quest making the stones more useful was a good reason to actually do the side quest! It sounds like they've just gotten rid of that.
I hope that you are`nt bias and knock Starfox 64 3D down in score because it is a remake too!
I thought Simon Parkin was the guy who does the weather on Meridian Tonight? haha! I pre-ordered and usually get my stuff the day before but nothing today
My cousin who works at game said its not supposed to arrive the day before but sometimes it does - they tell the mail company not to deliver them until a certain date usually but sometimes they ignore it to clear up clutter in the depot. Now I won't get the CD LOL Nevermind.
You're mixing up the small Gossip Stones with the large stone with a green symbol that is now embedded into walls in some places, giving the option to get jumbled visions to hint at how to solve specific things - its for newcomers but you can't use them in the Master Quest mode.
...ONM. 98% is UNACCEPTABLE for Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It has to be 100%, no excuses!
I just got it in the post today! I'm really annoyed because i preordered it with game, thinking i would get the limited edition box & poster... nope. Even though i preordered it i didn't recieve it, even though it said i would. Also when i tried to register for the soundtrack on the nintendo website i entered all my details for it and then it lead to a 404 error page and crashed the internet on my ipod, so i have no idea whether i am getting the soundtrack or not, and because i have already registered the game i can't get back to the page where you register for the soundtrack!
Just got my copy in the post theres nothing like hearing the calm music of Kokiri Forest, gets me everytime i play.
98% i could agree with that but a 99% would have been nice.
So Nintendo don't new content and its worthy of an almost perfect score? Well.
Love the game it is amazing I give it 100 percent
100%? No. What would you give a game that comes out and is better?
This review is perfect. 98% is an excellent score for the game. The magazine review is even better, with a fantastic intro. One of the best I've seen in video game journalism. Excellent work.
Call Nintendo and ask. Also, send GAME an e-mail. If you ordered the special edition, you are entitled to it, no question. They should send swap it, or just send you the posters and stuff.
Fantastic, that review is actually better than the one in the mag, as it skips the mega spoilertastic preamble and just explains why you should buy it - I stopped reading the one in the mag the second I realised it was ruining bits that would be awesome to discover for myself as one of the series' few newcomer
Don't forget, we're not allowed to like something if it's good
To anyone else that pre-ordered with GAME, did your copy arrive through the royal mail today or yesterday? I live in Crewe, we have the worst postal service in the UK, but it was dispatched on the 14th, other stuff I ordered from Amazon 2 days ago arrived today, so i'm slightly put out that it's still not arrived...
I'm so annoyed it was supposed to come today and it didn't I'm away for 2 weeks now so wont be able to play it for ages.
dam you play.com
I'm sorry, but I honestly didn't like the original. For me, the levels were too large and confusing, and gave little indication of where I had to go or what I had to do next, which means that I was aimlessly wandering around and mostly traveling in circles around the areas for hours, which I honestly found boring. Also, I found that the dungeons and puzzles were also too gigantic, hard and confusing, and got in the way of any real action, such as boss fights. Is there something wrong with me? because I seem to be the only person on the planet who wasn't enjoying playing the game...
I probably won't be getting this. Shock and horror, I know! It's just that, at the very heart of it, this game has already been made. Skyward Sword, however, is new. So, I shall be spending my measly skint student pittance on that. Don't get me wrong, I love this game, but I own it on two different formats, one of which contains the Master Quest mode that also features in this game. I also prefer this game's Link to simpering-smiley-farmer Link from TP.
i agree then that stupid navi would say hey listen every 5 seconds mario is much better
I'm normally the first to cry bias at an ONM review but if Galaxy 1 and 2 get 97% then the best game of all time (remake or not) gets higher.
I still don't see why I should bother buying this game if I can still play the original.
It a rather amazing game!
Although my Link has failed already.. He dunks his empty bottle under water, and fails to collect any! Is there something I'm doing wrong? Pleas PM me if you can help, anyone? Thankyou!
the only flaws i've found are that climbing on top of a moveable blaock can be iffy (it doesnt always give teh climb command) and using the gyroscope function to look around is too fiddly and u lose the 3d sweet spot very easily. should have just left it out and kept it just using the analogue slider, its a lot easier
My favourite game is no longer a home console title, but a hand-held game! Truly, truly stunning in every way. I'm just about to tackle the Forest Temple. The best game ever.
I have to agree with ONM on this. I just finished the game for the first time (The 3DS verison!!) and loved every second of it! The new credits are sick!!!
By the way if you register the game on the Nintendo website before the 30th of june you will get a free zelda sound track.
I'll be honest, when I first read the review in this month's magazine, I started to roll my eyes. Surely a game couldn't be that good? Today, after finally getting Ocarina of Time 3D, I was proven wrong. This game is amazing. The story is beautiful, and every single character has a tale to tell, albeit some have small ones, it doesn't matter; each one causes the player to feel something and leaves an unforgettable mark. The graphics are just unbelievable! Those game-play stills can in no way represent the smooth and vivid occurrences on the 3DS' top screen. Then, throw in perfect 3D, and you can't help but keep playing. It's a delight to play. Even though I saw the "Game Over" screen quite a few more times than I would have liked to, I was motivated to keep playing; to see just one more segment of Ocarina's blissful tale. It feels mature, yet so silly and fairy tale-like. Without a doubt, it deserves this score of 98%.
I'm really enjoying this game so far. I've played lots of other Zelda games but I missed out on this one so it's great to finally get to experience it! Am only a little way in so far - about to go into Jabu-Jabu's belly I believe... Also, thanks for this -
I'd almost forgotten to register my copy and I get bonus stars for saying I was gonna get it in advance too yay!
I wish they added more to this game to warrant the purchase a little more. Perhaps like a new area or side quests or something. If they did this would be a 10/10 game for me, it's a 9.8/10 at the moment. I'm still going to buy it though, once I can afford a 3DS
Just to add to my previous post... I finally got round to buying & reading this month's ONM and I'm actually really glad I started playing the game before reading the review else the whole start of it would have been less interesting for me. I did enjoy reading the review and the style of writing was interesting, but if you really hadn't played the game before, like I hadn't, I feel it kinda ruined it a bit when you start playing... Ah well, can't please everyone
Anyone else feel that this should have been made portable a long time ago...? Like, as a launch title for the original DS?
This game without a doubt has the best 3D Visuals I have seen in a 3DS game.Period.
oh my god now that is not fair! Teasing the miajority without 3ds' with perfect games. I might just cry... need a 3ds nowwww...
It is a really good game, but 98% is too high for me, it should be more like 94%, I understand that lots of people like it and I have no problem with that, but I didn't bother finishing it, I guess it's not really my type of game.
Looks amazing, can't wait till I get it ;3!
The review at 98% is very good, but the 3ds version can never be better then the classic on the N64
With all the hype that went with this I was so pumped... I had to force myself to finish it, plus master quest. A real dissapointment. Majora's Mask sounded a lot better. I'd rather they revamped that one.