Improving upon perfection.

What’s old is new again. A fresh coat of paint has been applied to a 13 year old timeless classic. And what we’ve all played dozens of time before begs to be revisited again, at least one last time, on Nintendo’s 3DS.

There was no argument. Not then, not now, not the 13 years between. Nintendo achieved gaming nirvana in 1998 with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and to this day, it remains to be seen if any game will ever dethrone it as the greatest gaming experience of all time.

And now it’s 2011. Nintendo had quite a task to achieve when they decided to re-release Ocarina on the 3DS. Three challenges, to be exact. First, they needed to prepare for the inevitable backlash for “milking a franchise” and running it into the ground. It’s true, Nintendo does seem more content to re-release old classics than put their focus on new IPs. But in this one instance, that concern is irrelevant.

 

Secondly, they needed to take a 13 year old game and make sure gaming veterans and newcomers alike could enjoy the title the way is was meant to be enjoyed. Which further argues Ocarina’s timeless appeal.

And finally, Nintendo had to be extremely careful not to unravel the meticulously perfected masterpiece they created so many years ago. Ocarina of Time received perfect scores across more game sites, more publications and had more positive critical and consumer feedback than any game that came before or has come after it. So why risk it? Why make even the subtlest of changes and risk undoing all the good you’ve done? Because you’re fucking Nintendo, that’s why!

And now, after sitting down with the game myself, I can assure you the gamble was well worth it. Nintendo took its perfect game and made it even better.

Fortunately, they didn’t have to change very much. Building upon the greatest game ever made has its benefits after all. So what has changed that makes it so much better?

Let’s start with the obvious. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is now in fully realized, glasses-free 3D. And of crying to me that the 3D hurts your eyes, why don’t you go read a book instead? I don’t wanna hear it…

 

Ocarina in three dimensions is stunning. There is real draw distance, exquisite particle flight and much more detailed textures and environments. You been fishing at the pond at Lake Hylia yet? If not, go check out the babbling stream that feeds into the pond itself. Beautiful.

Coupled with the updated 3D graphics, Nintendo also improved character models and item sprites. Many friends and enemies are now sporting updated looks, less polygonal, pointy, etc. Even the Great Fairy’s “poke-your-eyes-out” pointy boobs have been rounded out. Her laughter, however,  is no less creepy…

The sounds and music of Ocarina of Time remains wholly unchanged. Which is perfect. Koji Kondo’s beautiful score needed no alteration. Yells, grunts, roars and screams have all been maintained, and it evokes a strong sense of nostalgia. And Song of Storms is still the best ocarina song EVAR!

Outside of the 3D upgrade, the biggest changes lie in the control and inventory schemes. And in my opinion, this is the most positive change made to the game in its entirety. While the rotating-box menu of the original Ocarina release was as efficient as Nintendo could get back in 1998, relegating the inventory to the 3DS touch screen was a stroke of genius. Swapping weapons and items has never been easier or quicker, and having the Items, Map and Gear tabs along the bottom of the screen make for a strategic layout, getting what you need and getting you back into the action faster. The ocarina buttons are about on par with their original orientation, and the map is about the only thing I would have changed. A moving arrow or a dot would have been nice, letting me know which area of a room I was in. But, oh well…

 

 

 

Finally, upon completion of the main game, players are treated to the much more challenging Master Question version of Ocarina of Time. Previously only released in the limited edition of Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo GameCube, Master Quest features remixed dungeons and more challenging enemies and bosses. It’s almost like having two full games in one. Oh, and be on the lookout for some Easter eggs around the game as well. Mario references, Skyward Sword posters. It’s very satisfying to find these hidden little extras.

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is, without question, the best reason to own Nintendo’s 3DS. And while it pains me to say it, it’s entirely possible that this is as good as it gets for the duration of the 3DS lifecycle. But hey, prove me wrong, Nintendo. Prove me wrong.

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