The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Review – A Fairytale Worth Experiencing

Some games impress us with the sheer size of their worlds, complex gameplay systems, or punishing difficulty. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time isn't trying to compete in any of those areas. This is a classic fairytale adventure where exploration, memorable characters, and simply enjoying the world Nintendo has created take center stage.

Playing as Link, we set out on an adventure across Hyrule, meeting Princess Zelda, encountering all sorts of memorable characters, and facing a growing threat to the kingdom. The story draws heavily from classic fairytales, complete with castles, magic, monsters, and a young hero tasked with saving the world. It's a straightforward setup, but one that fits the game's identity perfectly.

Ocarina of Time never tries to be darker or more complicated than it needs to be. Its biggest strength is how effortlessly it pulls you into its adventure.

Hyrule Has Never Looked Better

The visual upgrade is one of the biggest achievements of this version. Nintendo hasn't simply bumped up the resolution and improved the textures. The world of Ocarina of Time has effectively been rebuilt while retaining the distinctive look and charm of the original.

The characters are incredibly expressive, with carefully crafted facial features and animations, while the environments are packed with detail and little touches that give every location its own personality. The lighting is equally impressive, particularly in the dungeons. Navi casts light across the surrounding environment, flames change the appearance of entire rooms, and certain areas look completely different depending on what's happening around you.

Every new location has something interesting to offer. Kokiri Forest feels warm and welcoming, Kakariko Village has a personality of its own, and the temples are intriguing enough to make you want to explore every corner. Hyrule Field is expansive and full of detail, while the differences between individual regions are reflected in their architecture, colours, and overall design.

The character animations and cutscenes have also received a considerable upgrade. Conversations feel more lively, while voice acting gives the characters even more personality. Despite not spending an enormous amount of time on screen, many of them leave a lasting impression.

All of this runs at a stable 60 frames per second. Considering the amount of detail on display, it's genuinely impressive how good the game looks and performs on a handheld console. There are some minor visual issues, including occasional shimmering in larger environments, but they do little to spoil what is otherwise a fantastic presentation.

A Soundtrack You'll Never Forget

Music is one of the most important parts of Ocarina of Time's identity. Every region has its own memorable theme, and many of these melodies will stick with you long after you've put the controller down.

That's hardly surprising, considering how closely music is tied to the story and gameplay. The Ocarina isn't just another item in Link's inventory. It's one of the most important elements of the entire adventure. Learning new songs allows you to unlock paths, solve puzzles, and interact with the world in different ways.

Nintendo has given the original compositions a careful refresh without changing what made them so special in the first place. The result is a fantastic soundtrack that fits the world perfectly. From the peaceful melodies accompanying exploration to the music heard during battles and inside dungeons, every part of the adventure has its own distinct sound.

This is one of those games where the soundtrack isn't simply background noise. It's an essential part of the experience and a major reason why so many locations and moments remain memorable.

Simple, Yet Incredibly Fun Gameplay

Exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat form the backbone of Ocarina of Time's gameplay. Throughout the adventure, Link discovers different items that allow him to open new paths, overcome obstacles, and reach previously inaccessible areas. Each item has a purpose, and the game gradually introduces new ways to use them.

Combat is straightforward and doesn't require particularly quick reflexes. The lock-on system allows you to focus on individual enemies, while sword attacks and various items make up the core of the combat system. Boss fights generally revolve around identifying an enemy's weaknesses and figuring out the right moment to strike. Don't expect particularly challenging encounters, but there's enough variety to keep them entertaining.

The same goes for the puzzles. Most won't give experienced players too much trouble, but they're cleverly integrated into the environment and often require you to make proper use of the items you've collected. Sometimes you'll need to revisit a previous room, pay attention to a small detail, or figure out how a particular mechanism works.

One of my favourite things about Ocarina of Time is how it handles exploration. There aren't countless map markers, glowing arrows, or constant reminders telling you exactly where to go next. You're expected to explore, talk to characters, remember information, and pay attention to your surroundings.

It's not particularly complicated, but it does require you to use your head. And that's exactly what makes discovering a hidden passage or figuring out a puzzle so satisfying. You're rewarded for paying attention and figuring things out yourself rather than simply following an objective marker.

I also think it's important to point out that Ocarina of Time isn't supposed to be a difficult game. Its challenge is perfectly suited to the experience Nintendo wants to deliver. It's accessible to a wide audience, particularly younger players who are just getting into adventure games. That doesn't mean older players won't enjoy it. Quite the opposite. Its simplicity was one of the things I appreciated most.

Not every game needs to make you repeat the same boss fight ten times or spend hours trying to solve a single puzzle. Sometimes it's enough to sit back, explore, and enjoy the adventure. Ocarina of Time understands that perfectly.

The Dungeons Are Still Brilliantly Designed

The dungeons are arguably the most interesting part of the adventure. Each one has its own theme, visual identity, and mechanics, so you never feel like you're exploring the same collection of rooms with a different coat of paint.

The Forest Temple stands out thanks to its atmosphere and clever use of lighting. The Fire Temple revolves around flames and explosive obstacles, while the Water Temple requires you to keep track of water levels and understand the layout of its rooms. The Shadow Temple takes things in a darker direction, with puzzles that play tricks on your perception.

Some dungeons can be confusing, but they rarely cross the line between an enjoyable challenge and genuine frustration. The Water Temple is a good example. Its layout and water-level mechanics still require some careful thinking, even with the changes made compared to the original. You'll need to remember where you've been and how to get back to specific switches.

There are some adjustments to dungeon layouts and puzzle solutions, but they're generally minor enough that the overall experience remains intact. Returning players will find a few surprises, while newcomers will have a complete adventure that feels perfectly cohesive.

What makes these dungeons particularly enjoyable is how different they are from one another. Completing one never feels like simply ticking another level off a list. Each feels like its own little adventure within a much larger journey.

Modern Controls Without Unnecessary Changes

One of the biggest improvements in this version is the updated control scheme. Nintendo has preserved the core gameplay of the original while getting rid of many little inconveniences that could slow things down.

The camera is now fully controllable, making exploration and navigation much more comfortable, particularly in areas that previously relied on fixed camera angles.

The item management system has also received a significant upgrade. The Iron Boots, Hover Boots, and Lens of Truth can now be assigned to the D-pad, meaning you no longer have to open the main menu every time you want to equip or remove them. Other items can be accessed through a menu opened with the right bumper, with recently used items conveniently appearing near the top.

Gyro aiming is another welcome addition, especially when using the bow and other ranged weapons. Aiming feels much more natural, and the combination of the updated controls and free camera makes controlling Link more comfortable than ever.

The addition of a dedicated jump button and sprinting might sound like a major change, but neither feature plays a particularly important role in the actual gameplay. The game hasn't really been redesigned around these mechanics, and there are no puzzles or platforming sections that make meaningful use of them. Still, they're welcome additions that bring the experience closer to modern standards.

Most importantly, Nintendo hasn't tried to fix something that wasn't broken. Instead, it has improved the way we interact with the game, allowing us to focus on what really matters: the adventure itself.

A Perfect Game for What It Wants to Be

When everything comes together, Ocarina of Time is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be. Its story is straightforward, combat isn't particularly demanding, and most puzzles are designed to be solved without too much frustration. The visual presentation, soundtrack, and world exploration are what make this experience special.

I can easily see younger players, particularly those around the ages of 10 to 14, falling in love with Link's adventure. For them, this is an opportunity to discover a fantastic world, meet memorable characters, and experience a story that has everything a good fairytale should have.

But that doesn't mean the experience is reserved for kids. I'm well past that age, and I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it. I wasn't sitting there wondering whether the combat should be harder, whether the puzzles needed to be more complicated, or whether the game needed more content. I simply wanted to keep playing.

And that's probably the biggest compliment I can give it. I found myself smiling throughout the entire adventure, whether I was exploring a new location, listening to one of its fantastic melodies, meeting a new character, or solving a puzzle. It's not every day that a game manages to maintain that feeling from beginning to end.

In fact, I think this is one of those games that are even better when shared with younger players. Imagine sitting down with your child, niece, or nephew and taking them on their first adventure through Hyrule. Showing them how to solve puzzles, discover hidden passages, and appreciate every little detail. Then watching them experience something completely new, even though you've known it for years. Those are the moments that make gaming special, and they're often more memorable than simply reaching the end credits.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time gets a perfect 10/10 from me. Not because it has absolutely no flaws, but because it's almost flawless at what it sets out to achieve. A beautiful world, an incredible soundtrack, memorable characters, brilliant dungeons, and an adventure that keeps you smiling from beginning to end.

It doesn't need to be harder, darker, or more complex. It's perfectly happy being exactly what it is.

Sometimes, that's all we need from a video game. To sit down, pick up a controller, and simply have a good time. And it's even better when you get to share that experience with someone who's just discovering the magic of gaming. Ocarina of Time is one of those games you'll happily return to, but also one you'll want to introduce to an entirely new generation.