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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Review for Nintendo 3DS

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Review for Nintendo 3DS

The Legend Lives On!

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is widely regarded as one of the best games of all time. Although Nintendo has been criticized in recent years for pandering to a more casual audience, The Legend of Zelda has always been there to keep the hardcore coming back for more. I predict the same sort of following for Ocarina of Time 3D. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the 3DS finally has a killer hit.

It’s easy to cynically look at Ocarina of Time 3D as a cheap cash-in to capitalize on poor nostalgic gamers like myself. However, when you see the love that has been put into it, it’s hard to really look at it as anything other than the return of an old friend. The game plays and feels the way it did when it was originally released, but the new visuals alone are enough to make this a trip back to Hyrule that you won’t ever forget.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Screenshot

Even if you aren’t a big fan of 3D, you can still appreciate the care taken with this new version of Ocarina of Time. The game has been lovingly re-mastered, and even with the 3D off, the visuals are just breathtaking. However, it’s when you turn the 3D on that the magic happens. The 3D effects add some amazing depth to the world of Hyrule. You can look off at the castle in the distance, watch as chickens cluck in the foreground, and attack enemies in a 3D space that you only imagined you had in the original. The 3D effect in this game adds so much to the original experience that it’s worth jumping right back into, no matter whether it has been two or twelve years since you last played Ocarina of Time.

But before we veer too far off into nostalgic territory, let’s talk about what is new in Ocarina of Time 3D. The biggest improvement to the gameplay comes in the form of the new 3DS interface. The 3DS’ dual-screens work perfectly well here, and this menu scheme feels just as intuitive as the original N64 version. All of the equipment and weapon info has been moved to the bottom screen, which leaves the top screen almost completely un-marred by icons. This is perfect if you want to sit back and enjoy the 3D visuals. The bottom left-hand corner of the top screen shows a simple map, and the right side shows the current function of the action button. The rest of the top screen is completely free to showcase the gorgeously remastered visuals of Ocarina of Time 3D.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Screenshot

It is the bottom screen that holds most of the meat of the new interface. The bottom screen features five equipment slots that you can access with a simple touch of the stylus, as well as a larger map to view and a persistent ocarina equipment slot. Having the ocarina in its own slot is certainly convenient, as you no longer have to fumble through menus and different equipment slots just to play a song.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Screenshot

The streamlined feel of the interface also carries over to the game’s new control elements. Though most of the control feels similar to the N64 version (press A to attack), there are a few notable changes. The 3DS’ motion control features are used in two very interesting ways. The first is an active camera system that allows you to go into a special “view” mode, during which you can move your DS around to see what Link sees. This feature is very cool, and allows you to get the best view of tough puzzle and dungeon areas. It is also surprisingly intuitive. The other motion control element allows you to aim your slingshot or other ranged weapon in the same way as you would look around. You wouldn’t think that moving your DS around to see the virtual world of Hyrule or aim your weapons would be all that useful—after all, you can use the circle pad to aim and move the camera as well—but I felt that the motion control features helped the game feel that much more immersive.

In addition to the new 3D visuals, interface, and controls, Ocarina of TIme 3D has a decent amount of new content as well. If you have never played Ocarina of Time before, the game has an all new “hint” mode that allows you to see “visions” (small video clips) of the future that depict the solution to some of the game’s tougher puzzles. In order to access these hints you will need to touch “Sheikah Stones” that lie unobtrusively around the landscape. These stones won’t give you hints all the time, and if you are having trouble with one specific area they may not be all that helpful, but if you are in an area that the game has identified as difficult, you will be able to see at least part of the solution during the vision-based video clip.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Screenshot

Of course, if you are a veteran, you won’t need silly hint stones to get through the story mode. But don’t worry, there’s some new content in Ocarina of Time 3D for you too. First up is the game’s boss mode, which is like a time-trial mode. You can go straight to all of the game’s bosses, and you will be able to enter your best times on a personal leaderboard. This is a great way to re-experience pivotal battles and refine your gameplay style.

However, what will probably be most exciting to old players of the Zelda series is the Master Quest mode. This mode features re-designed dungeons and new puzzles, and is presented as a mirror image to the regular quest. Even if you already have experienced the Master Quest mode, the reversed setting should provide a new challenge so even the most die-hard fans won’t feel like they’re just going through the same game over again.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is more than just a re-make. Sure, the story is the same, and if you’ve played it before, everything will feel instantly familiar. But if you fell in love with Ocarina of Time when it originally released, the revamped visuals, new interface, and bonus content will be enough to get you back into the game. Ocarina of Time 3D truly shines on the 3DS, and even though this version is optimized for handhelds, it is definitely the ultimate version of the game. If you have never experienced Ocarina of Time before, this is a great place to jump in. If you’ve already been through the game several times, get ready to say hello to an old friend made new. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is truly the first “must-have” game for the 3DS.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 4.8 Graphics
Ocarina of Time looks better than it ever has, and the 3D effect is used to grand effect here. 4.7 Control
Controls are tight overall, and motion controls work surprisingly well. 4.7 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The score sounds just as good as it ever has, and you’ll certainly get that nostalgic feeling all over again. 4.9 Play Value
Even if you have already experienced the Ocarina of Time, the new gameplay interface, 3D visuals, and bonus content make this an adventure worth having all over again. 4.8 Overall Rating – Must Buy
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 – 1.9 = Avoid 2.5 – 2.9 = Average 3.5 – 3.9 = Good 4.5 – 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 – 2.4 = Poor 3.0 – 3.4 = Fair 4.0 – 4.4 = Great 5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

  • A graphically re-mastered Zelda classic now in glasses-free 3D: Dynamic glasses-free 3D visuals and a complete graphical overhaul bring one of gaming’s most beloved and celebrated franchises to life, putting the vivid world of Hyrule in the palm of your hand.
  • Experience the foundation of the legend with new enhancements: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D retains the analog control of the original via the Circle Pad. Players can use motion controls by moving the Nintendo 3DS system to aim their slingshot or bow at an enemy with speed and accuracy. This also allows for seamless equipment and item changes with an added touch-based inventory system.
  • Master Quest: Players who finish the main story can look forward to the Master Quest – a second quest with revamped puzzles and redesigned dungeons that feature the same graphical and interface upgrades as the main game.
  • Hint movies: For the first time in a Zelda game, players can access a hint movie if they are stumped by a particular puzzle. Hint movies can be accessed by visiting the Sheikah Stone, which is located by Link’s house and in the Temple of Time. When a new movie is available, the Sheikah Stone glows green and allows the player to choose from a menu of available movies.

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