Reading this gave me chills and so many warm, fuzzy, melancholically nostalgic feels. OoT was also my first and favorite Zelda, I can’t overstate how foundational that game has been both for how I game, but also how I see the world. Was going to write more here but I’ll probably end up writing a response, what you brought up deserves deeper engagement than what I could provide in just a comment. But suffice to say this deeply resonated with me on many levels (+1 to Ganondorf transforming into Ganon, that will likely forever be my bar for final boss intros).
I did want to mention another thing I feel is lamentably lacking in modern Zeldas (much as I still love them): the Triforce. As an archetypal symbol it is so sublime in its simplicity and the meaning it conveys, both in-universe and on a meta level(I have it tattooed on my wrist for good reason). The Triforce *is* the LoZ, and I really wonder why BotW + TotK de-emphasized it as much as they did.
Really happy you enjoyed it and read through haha, not exactly a short article but I can't cover a game like this with a 5 minute review, it's too good and means too much to me.
Me neither, it has virtually all the elements that make up what I consider a good video game and it tells its story in a way I don't think other mediums can achieve; for Ganondorf's treachery to truly sink in, you need those 3-5 hours as Child Link toiling away to get the stones. I'm glad other people resonate with the way this game makes me feel, I know 'Ocarina Of Time is the best' is a (for lack of a better term) 'basic bitch' retro gaming opinion but it's true, I'm not going to be a contrarian just to get views
+1 for the Triforce lacking too. As you know I haven't played SS yet but I also don't like how modern Zelda lore has to tie back to Malice and stuff, it sort of ruins Ganondorf for me
Haha, oh believe me, I'm the *last* person in the world in any position to throw shade at you for writing a long article lol. As an unapologetic longform writer, I love to see this. Real recognizes real, and props for giving this game the treatment it deserves.
They say your first Zelda is your favorite Zelda; obviously it's not always true for everyone, but it's certainly the case for me here. Is it *objectively* the best Zelda? No, of course not. But it's the best Zelda for me. And it's also so much more than that. As much as I love modern Zelda, I do think you're right, there's something about those old 3D Zeldas that's increasingly lacking. Makes sense, then, that the Triforce is increasingly de-emphasized in the newer mainline entries; as that old "spirit" fades away, it's reflected in the lore ("as above, so below"). Kinda sad. But the good news is, classic 3D Zelda will always be around to play and replay!
Having read your thoughts on Zelda so far, I really do think you're going to love SS. It's basically the last 3D Zelda of its kind, and very much bookends the era that OoT started. It's kind of a "last hurrah" for the age of Classic 3D Zelda, and it ends on a very high (I'd even say triumphant) note.
I remember when my buddy insisted I finally play through OoT on his N64 and kind of chuckling to myself at how much it reminded me of Ultima IX but for kids. Looking back at it now, OoT definitely holds up better, but not because of its performance or controls.
Control wise I think it stands above most N64 games but agreed on performance, I keep an N64 copy for historical reasons but only really like to replay it on the 'cube
Amazing article Scanlines. I was going to comment on it after reading last night, but was too tired - here it is in the daylight instead.
Ocarina of Time is also dear to me because it was my first Zelda, and I was there when it was released. Dylan mentioned the hype, he's correct - OoT was everywhere in the print magazines being hyped up. I was very lucky to get a copy Christmas 1998 because it was that in demand. It was truly foundational in mapping the 2D games before it into a 3D world, since no-one had ever really tried it at that scale before.
Even if it looks a little dated now, one of your screenshots of Hyrule Field reminded me of the scale it represented. Within the field, you can look to the horizon and see more of the world, like Death Mountain, just waiting for you to explore it. The transition from child to adult Link made me feel like the adventure just got serious, and the final battle with Ganon (with no subtitle like the other bosses - just "Ganon"), with the lightning in the background and your sword knocked out of your hand, made it all feel "end of the world" stakes.
Maybe it has been surpassed slightly, but it is a historical milestone in gaming history, and a game I really should revisit.
Even looking back it just puts a lot of other games to shame, the Nintendo 64 is a very flawed piece of hardware but Ocarina Of Time and Majora's Mask make it look £1M
That's a key element too, virtually every landmark you see can be explored. I've always felt this too and I love how Castle Town is a zombie wasteland in the future, really conveys how Ganondorf didn't just seize the Kingdom... he's obliterated it.
I recommend the 3DS remake if you're inclined towards handhelds, a lot of quality of life improvements
Playing this game when it came out was like nothing else. The hype was deafening. 10/10s everywhere. I really enjoyed it as a kid, but if I'm honest, it didn't feel life changing in the same way that Mario 64 did. I think I enjoy Ocarina's atmosphere and vibe more than I do the game itself.
Thank you! And I forgot to thank you for mentioning me the other day for the Substack Yellow Pages as well.
I think if I'd grown up in the era I might feel the same. Ocarina Of Time is my favourite but I think as an objective gameplay experience, A Link To The Past is better in the moment to moment action and in its bosses and dungeons; it's everything else where OoT succeeds.
The thing I miss most in the Switch era Zelda games is the musicality of the N64 games. The gentle piano fits well with the open world exploration focus, but there are very few songs you want to listen to outside the game. Also I loved how the N64 games make learning songs and playing them a part of the gameplay. I’ve spent so much time listening to OoT and MM soundtracks and remixers like Zreo, Rozen, and Theophany. Have you listened to the Time’s End albums? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLTnvRoxfPk
Awesome review! I hope you’ll do Majora’s Mask too.
A quick follow up, I listened to a few of those songs and that album is fantastic work, I especially loved their version of Deku Palace.
I first played MM as an adult and not as a kid so my memories are quite fresh of my initial reaction, I remember thinking the whole feel of the Palace was very medieval British Isles and that was certainly noticed and dialled up to 11. Such a richly narrative listen too, I could picture scenes from the game as they were happening.
I keep hoping that they're going to port Twilight Princess and the 3DS OoT and MM to Switch. I might just have to buy myself a 3DS though.
"I could picture scenes from the game as they were happening". Exactly. Me too. Those albums are superb, but I think it's also a testament to Koji Kondo's work and the way it's used in those games.
There's something so... uplifting about this era of Zelda, Majora's Mask and A Link To The Past have it too of course but Ocarina is the most soulful of the franchise I would say. I feel the same way about modern Zelda music, it's also very very good but as an aside to what you're doing in-game.
I've not heard these before, let me give them a listen :) And I'm glad you enjoyed reading! I probably will cover MM but on the 3DS version, N64 Majora's Mask has a lot of things that bug me and the Gamecube port was badly botched
OOT’s legacy is crazier the more you think about it. It’s a 19-year run as **the** defining game for one of the industry’s biggest franchises. No game is as mechanically, narratively and structurally foundational as OoT
This review was already gargantuan so I didn't bring it up but there's a mini rivalry online between A Link To The Past and Ocarina fans (why you can't just love both I don't know, they're both amazing games) and I have to say I thoroughly disagree with the people that say ALttP was modern Zelda's foundation, Ocarina Of Time is the one, sure it isn't as good to play as ALttP but everything else: the story, world, atmosphere, lore etc. is miles better.
Not only was it the defining game for Zelda but for 3D action-adventure games in general, I can think of so many games that have Ocarina Of Time's DNA in them, Darks Souls probably being the most famous
Reading this gave me chills and so many warm, fuzzy, melancholically nostalgic feels. OoT was also my first and favorite Zelda, I can’t overstate how foundational that game has been both for how I game, but also how I see the world. Was going to write more here but I’ll probably end up writing a response, what you brought up deserves deeper engagement than what I could provide in just a comment. But suffice to say this deeply resonated with me on many levels (+1 to Ganondorf transforming into Ganon, that will likely forever be my bar for final boss intros).
I did want to mention another thing I feel is lamentably lacking in modern Zeldas (much as I still love them): the Triforce. As an archetypal symbol it is so sublime in its simplicity and the meaning it conveys, both in-universe and on a meta level(I have it tattooed on my wrist for good reason). The Triforce *is* the LoZ, and I really wonder why BotW + TotK de-emphasized it as much as they did.
Really happy you enjoyed it and read through haha, not exactly a short article but I can't cover a game like this with a 5 minute review, it's too good and means too much to me.
Me neither, it has virtually all the elements that make up what I consider a good video game and it tells its story in a way I don't think other mediums can achieve; for Ganondorf's treachery to truly sink in, you need those 3-5 hours as Child Link toiling away to get the stones. I'm glad other people resonate with the way this game makes me feel, I know 'Ocarina Of Time is the best' is a (for lack of a better term) 'basic bitch' retro gaming opinion but it's true, I'm not going to be a contrarian just to get views
+1 for the Triforce lacking too. As you know I haven't played SS yet but I also don't like how modern Zelda lore has to tie back to Malice and stuff, it sort of ruins Ganondorf for me
Haha, oh believe me, I'm the *last* person in the world in any position to throw shade at you for writing a long article lol. As an unapologetic longform writer, I love to see this. Real recognizes real, and props for giving this game the treatment it deserves.
They say your first Zelda is your favorite Zelda; obviously it's not always true for everyone, but it's certainly the case for me here. Is it *objectively* the best Zelda? No, of course not. But it's the best Zelda for me. And it's also so much more than that. As much as I love modern Zelda, I do think you're right, there's something about those old 3D Zeldas that's increasingly lacking. Makes sense, then, that the Triforce is increasingly de-emphasized in the newer mainline entries; as that old "spirit" fades away, it's reflected in the lore ("as above, so below"). Kinda sad. But the good news is, classic 3D Zelda will always be around to play and replay!
Having read your thoughts on Zelda so far, I really do think you're going to love SS. It's basically the last 3D Zelda of its kind, and very much bookends the era that OoT started. It's kind of a "last hurrah" for the age of Classic 3D Zelda, and it ends on a very high (I'd even say triumphant) note.
The triforce being missing bothers me too. It’s depicted various places but never mentioned.
I remember when my buddy insisted I finally play through OoT on his N64 and kind of chuckling to myself at how much it reminded me of Ultima IX but for kids. Looking back at it now, OoT definitely holds up better, but not because of its performance or controls.
Control wise I think it stands above most N64 games but agreed on performance, I keep an N64 copy for historical reasons but only really like to replay it on the 'cube
Amazing article Scanlines. I was going to comment on it after reading last night, but was too tired - here it is in the daylight instead.
Ocarina of Time is also dear to me because it was my first Zelda, and I was there when it was released. Dylan mentioned the hype, he's correct - OoT was everywhere in the print magazines being hyped up. I was very lucky to get a copy Christmas 1998 because it was that in demand. It was truly foundational in mapping the 2D games before it into a 3D world, since no-one had ever really tried it at that scale before.
Even if it looks a little dated now, one of your screenshots of Hyrule Field reminded me of the scale it represented. Within the field, you can look to the horizon and see more of the world, like Death Mountain, just waiting for you to explore it. The transition from child to adult Link made me feel like the adventure just got serious, and the final battle with Ganon (with no subtitle like the other bosses - just "Ganon"), with the lightning in the background and your sword knocked out of your hand, made it all feel "end of the world" stakes.
Maybe it has been surpassed slightly, but it is a historical milestone in gaming history, and a game I really should revisit.
Cheers! Better late than never, eh? ;)
Even looking back it just puts a lot of other games to shame, the Nintendo 64 is a very flawed piece of hardware but Ocarina Of Time and Majora's Mask make it look £1M
That's a key element too, virtually every landmark you see can be explored. I've always felt this too and I love how Castle Town is a zombie wasteland in the future, really conveys how Ganondorf didn't just seize the Kingdom... he's obliterated it.
I recommend the 3DS remake if you're inclined towards handhelds, a lot of quality of life improvements
Excellent post.
Playing this game when it came out was like nothing else. The hype was deafening. 10/10s everywhere. I really enjoyed it as a kid, but if I'm honest, it didn't feel life changing in the same way that Mario 64 did. I think I enjoy Ocarina's atmosphere and vibe more than I do the game itself.
Can't deny that this is a landmark title, though.
Thank you! And I forgot to thank you for mentioning me the other day for the Substack Yellow Pages as well.
I think if I'd grown up in the era I might feel the same. Ocarina Of Time is my favourite but I think as an objective gameplay experience, A Link To The Past is better in the moment to moment action and in its bosses and dungeons; it's everything else where OoT succeeds.
The thing I miss most in the Switch era Zelda games is the musicality of the N64 games. The gentle piano fits well with the open world exploration focus, but there are very few songs you want to listen to outside the game. Also I loved how the N64 games make learning songs and playing them a part of the gameplay. I’ve spent so much time listening to OoT and MM soundtracks and remixers like Zreo, Rozen, and Theophany. Have you listened to the Time’s End albums? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLTnvRoxfPk
Awesome review! I hope you’ll do Majora’s Mask too.
A quick follow up, I listened to a few of those songs and that album is fantastic work, I especially loved their version of Deku Palace.
I first played MM as an adult and not as a kid so my memories are quite fresh of my initial reaction, I remember thinking the whole feel of the Palace was very medieval British Isles and that was certainly noticed and dialled up to 11. Such a richly narrative listen too, I could picture scenes from the game as they were happening.
I keep hoping that they're going to port Twilight Princess and the 3DS OoT and MM to Switch. I might just have to buy myself a 3DS though.
"I could picture scenes from the game as they were happening". Exactly. Me too. Those albums are superb, but I think it's also a testament to Koji Kondo's work and the way it's used in those games.
I'd rather see that than a modern remake, I think better technology would cheapen, not enhance these games.
Koji Kondo is our industry's greatest composer as far as I'm concerned
There's something so... uplifting about this era of Zelda, Majora's Mask and A Link To The Past have it too of course but Ocarina is the most soulful of the franchise I would say. I feel the same way about modern Zelda music, it's also very very good but as an aside to what you're doing in-game.
That being said, the Gerudo Town Night Theme from BotW is one of my favourite pieces of music in the entire franchise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqin32STHd8&list=RDDqin32STHd8&start_radio=1)
I've not heard these before, let me give them a listen :) And I'm glad you enjoyed reading! I probably will cover MM but on the 3DS version, N64 Majora's Mask has a lot of things that bug me and the Gamecube port was badly botched
OOT’s legacy is crazier the more you think about it. It’s a 19-year run as **the** defining game for one of the industry’s biggest franchises. No game is as mechanically, narratively and structurally foundational as OoT
This review was already gargantuan so I didn't bring it up but there's a mini rivalry online between A Link To The Past and Ocarina fans (why you can't just love both I don't know, they're both amazing games) and I have to say I thoroughly disagree with the people that say ALttP was modern Zelda's foundation, Ocarina Of Time is the one, sure it isn't as good to play as ALttP but everything else: the story, world, atmosphere, lore etc. is miles better.
Not only was it the defining game for Zelda but for 3D action-adventure games in general, I can think of so many games that have Ocarina Of Time's DNA in them, Darks Souls probably being the most famous