Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D Review (Nintendo 3DS)

Written by Sunnee Heera on June 28, 2011 · Filed under Games, Review 

Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is a remake of the original game which was released on the N64 in 1998. Many consider the N64 version to be one of the best games of all time. This game was the first in the Zelda series to be a 3D polygon world and it was also the first game that introduced the left trigger targeting system, which has since been used by everything from third person actions games to role playing games.

So What’s Different?

One of the major differences is the actual graphics themselves. The Nintendo 3DS version isn’t just a simple port of the N64, but more of a repainting. The game’s visuals have been completely revamped by Japanese developer Grezzo, but the game has kept the same gameplay engine. Grezzo’s intention was to try and make the game look like the original concept art rather than to make it look like Zelda Twilight Princess.

The animations, models and all of the muddy textures from the N64 version now have detail and look much sharper than they ever did before, making the game feel very new. The game now runs in a smooth 30 frames per second as opposed to the 20 frames per second on the N64 version, and has a 3D effect that actually works well.

I am very much the kind of gamer who will turn 3D off if it is not useful, unless the actual game benefits with the 3D turned up like Ridge Racer 3D and Pilot Wings. However, in Zelda the 3D works very well. Fairies fly past. When you smash and break things, the parts will fly out at you. Together with the depth of the scenery, it all really makes the game look stunning.

Gameplay & Improvements

Like I have mentioned above, the gameplay is like the N64 version keeping Ocarina of Time completely authentic to the first experience. For somebody who hasn’t played a Zelda game, the game is a huge adventure experience with lots of puzzles to solve and fast paced battle sequences that usually involve some sort of puzzle solving.

The game’s added motion controls are now put into play when aiming with the bow/sling and works very accurately, however, can disturb the 3D effect. The motion controls are not essential as you can always just use the thumb slider instead. However, I have been playing this game at work and spinning around on an office chair while holding the Nintendo 3DS in front of you works really well! I highly recommend it!

The bottom screen of the 3DS is where all the items are now stored and can now easily be accessed with touch controls. This is something that the developer Eiji Aonuma wanted as he felt that the worst part of the N64 version of the game was the water temple section where you would have to constantly pause the game to take out the iron boots.

Now with the touch screen the game keeps the gamer playing without having to stop and pause constantly. Even though it’s subtle, this feature has really helped the pacing of the game, not just with the water temple section.

Summary

For the past month I have ranted on about how much I dislike the Nintendo 3DS as I felt there were never really any good games apart from Super Street Fighter 4, which I have been playing on the PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles for the past two years anyway.

Well thankfully this is that amazing 3DS game as it’s a nice refreshed version that brings back so many memories from the amazing soundtrack to the epic boss battles for experiences players, as well as an extra master quest mode which will keep you gripped for hours.

Alternatively, for the gamers who missed out first time round on something that’s considered Nintendo’s best work, you can finally play a more modern version that can be appreciated in this generation of gaming.

Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D gets a great 5 out of 5 stars!