The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (for the Nintendo 3DS) – review

“Because of the awesome 3D graphics, Alex!”–that’d be the answer I’d have to give to host Alex Trebek if I were on Jeopardy and was asked, “Why would anyone want to play the new, updated The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo’s 3DS system?” Of course, there are other reasons, too, but the amazing high def 3D clarity of this iconic Zelda game is really brought to life by this 3DS remake. It’s one of the best, if not the best, Legend of Zelda game ever, and now you can carry it with you! And, if/when you beat it, unlike the original, there’s a Master Quest game to conquer, to gain the title of a True Zelda Guru!

What is the Master Quest? Just like with the first Legend of Zelda game, which has a mirror version of the game you can play once you successfully win, the Master Quest is a mirror version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time with items in sometimes different locations. However, the Master Quest in the 3DS version is a little bit different: everything has also been flipped totally around. What was once on the left is now on the right. If you thought the original was challenging enough, just give the Master Quest a shot! I really like that this 3DS game added the Master Quest, which was first packaged in a non-3D form with Wind Waker pre-orders. I think it’s a great bonus, and I wish Nintendo would consider adding Master Quest versions of some of their other titles as bonuses. Games that had Master Quests, or alternate versions of the same game that you could play once you had defeated the game, would definitely be ones that I would think worth adding to my gaming collection.

But, as usual, I’m probably getting ahead of myself by talking about the Master Quest before going into details about the rest of the game. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS is basically a portable remake of the N64 classic of the same name, in which you can solve puzzles, break pots, chop grass, fly for short distances using chickens, free seven sages, and awaken the Master Sword once again. You also go on mini-quests, to accomplish goals that various villagers request you to perform.  You can kill gigantic spiders called Skulltulas, named for the white, bony plate in the shape of a human skull that forms the carapace of the spiders. You also get to walk underwater, with the help of special boots, and ride a horse around, among other cool activities.

Let’s assume you are familiar with the Nintendo 64 version. What else is new about the 3DS version that makes it a worthwhile game to play? Along with the improved 3D graphics, there are subtle improvements like the addition of three differently colored lines on the walls of the Water Temple. These help direct you to places where you can play Zelda’s lullaby to raise or lower the water level. Also, there’s a Boss Challenge Mode, and Visions you can experience, both of which are fun updates to the game.

In the Boss Challenge Mode, you can re-face any boss you have previously defeated and battle him again as many times as you want. You can access this mode by speaking to Link’s bed in his tree hut in Kokiri Forest. What’s more, this mode will also record how long it takes you to defeat each boss, so you can try to better your time and/or compare it to how long your friends take to do the same. And, once you unlock all of the bosses, you can battle them back-to-back in an all-out Death Match. Why would you want to face and beat Bosses you’ve already defeated? Why would anyone want to climb to the top of Mount Everest or K2? Because you can, and they’re there!

I mentioned that Link can experience Visions in this remake. Throughout the land of Hyrule, there are certain new stones called “Sheikah Stones.” If you crawl inside one of these, you gain access to a series of visions. These visions are basically Hint Movies that will help you with tricky parts of the game later on. You don’t have to view these Visions to beat the game–they’re optional–but they’re a way to prove to friends you’ve been to the stones and the hints can aid you in winning the game.

Is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS really as good as most of the reviews about it have so far said it is? You better believe it! Sure, it’s a remake, but it’s a remake of one of the best Nintendo games of all time, in 3D form. And, with all of the improvements I mentioned, and the addition of a Master Quest, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS is a game that will give you more fun for your buck than most games out there. It’s a great game fantastic system, one I highly recommend to anyone who has a Nintendo 3DS!