The 90’s were wild.
I’m not talking about the absurd comedy, grunge rock, or impending doom that the year 2000 brought - I’m talking about the time whenever 3D games became mainstream, and brought gamers into a revolutionary space that was only a gift to be a part of.
The greatest of these treasures, is The Legend of Zelda - Ocarina of Time.
Super Mario 64 had been released and revolutionized platforming two years prior, but the minute I received Ocarina of Time, and inserted it into my Nintendo 64 that Christmas of 1998, my life was change forever. Immediately, I was immersed into Kokiri Forest, and by the end of the day I had beaten the Deku Tree. Grin on my face, little did I know just how industry-altering the game would be as I beat it again and again during the following months and years.
My brother and I played Ocarina of Time so much kids, we began to roleplay and create our own stories and interactions between them, placing ourselves as Link, or nearby him (although, off-screen and seen only in our imaginations). Majora’s Mask quickly entrapped us nearly just as much two years later, but, nothing came close to changing the way we saw games like Ocarina of Time did.
Fast forward decades later, I had the chance to play Ocarina of Time 3D with my son.
It took us some time (years, in fact - it was a file I had already started). As he got older and more into Zelda, we finally beat it. The game plays like a dream on the 3DS, although it does make one regretful for the inability to play this version on a television. The 3D graphics can be hard on the eyes, so we mainly played with it turned off - but the game is even better with the enhanced graphics, sound, and user interface.
It’s funny - I found the game more difficult as an adult than I did as a kid. The Water Temple seemed to take forever, an endless labyrinth of rising and sinking water levels. Some of the puzzles throughout the game are so clever, it’s hard to imagine a younger version of myself being able to complete them.
There are already countless perfect scores and reviews that have dubbed Ocarina of Time one of the greatest games ever made. My love for the game, and now my son’s, only reinforces that stance.
The 90’s - you had to have been there.
10/10
POSITIVES:
Legendary quality and legacy that Nintendo is famous for.
Still plays and controls like a dream.
NEGATIVES:
Small screen takes getting used to.
Unable to play on a bigger screen!
