The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D

Go straight to the game's trailer.


This year the The Legend of Zelda saga celebrates its 25th birthday. On this occasion, and to try and help out the ailing 3DS, Nintendo has decided to return to the legendary episode, Ocarina of Time. It remains to be seen if it still has the same draw after more than twelve years!

Content: a rich and varied adventure

Everything begins in the world of Hyrule, or more precisely in the village Kokiri, where the young Link, still in short trousers, is woken from a nightmare by the little fairy Navi. Mojo, the tree, needs him to break the spell that's destroying him and Link leaves in search of the Triforce, coveted by the evil Ganondorf (see image above), who's hungry for power and responsible for all these goings-on.


After this chapter, which serves as an introduction and an opportunity to learn the movements and basic techniques, we leave to meet Princess Zelda deep inside her castle. Of course, a princess, a castle, an evil baddie! We know the story and it could only finish badly. It's up to Link to work out how to save her and put things to rights.

The adventure takes us through different places in two different eras, thanks to a very particular instrument: the Ocarina of time. This means you get to play from the point of view of Link, the child, and then Link the adult, seven years later. The story hasn't changed, though some of the dialogue has been updated from the original version.


As has become customary with Zelda games, the adventure is particularly long and the difficulty level well pitched. You're rarely blocked for too long, especially as this new version now includes help in the form of visions, which unveil very practical tips to help resolve the enigmas and succeed in the "Boss Challenges". This feature is useful for beginners but thankfully optional for those who prefer to find out for themselves.

To the good twenty hours or so required to get to the end of the adventure (less if you know the game very well, more if you take your time) can be added the "Master Quest" which allows you to rework the game, adding new, more difficult dungeons. The fights against the bosses you've already beaten can also be reworked in the "Boss Challenge" feature.

Gameplay: touchscreen to the rescue

Ocarina of Time was originally designed to be played with the Nintendo 64 analogue stick. It's no surprise, then, to see that the game has been so well adapted to the Nintendo 3DS. Controlling Link is fluid and precise, the buttons fall easily under the thumb and only the triggers behind the console pose any real problem (fatigue, accessibility). You have to be able to use all the buttons without changing the position of your hands because the trigger on the left side is used to lock down enemies while the one on the right serves to protect you with the shield.

The touchscreen however brings something to the gameplay in the sense that everything is centralised, visible and constantly accessible. The display on the upper screen is thus freed-up. You can also attribute objects to the X and Y buttons, as well as two additional touch buttons (I and II). The B button is used for attacking with the sword, while you use the A button to jump and interact with your environment.


The gyroscopic technology is well used for taking aim with the sling and observation of places. It's practical and very natural, though only optional. You can still manipulate the camera with the analogue stick, which makes more sense in 3D. So as to make the most of the 3D effect, you need to stay in line with the screen. If you're looking around and taking aim, you still have to stay in line with the screen, which isn't as easy and not as natural.

Graphics: nice 3D, revised and corrected graphics

More than the changes in gameplay, it's the graphics which have been most improved for the 3DS version. The notorious fog that was such a feature of Nintendo 64 games has disappeared, which frees up your field of vision. The textures are also finer and less pixelised, while numerous light effects have been introduced. The game is now a lot nicer to look at. It is in fact a real pleasure to walk across the great plains and cities that have been so nicely redesigned.

The modelling of the characters and objects has also been reworked, as have the animations. Link has become more lively, more engaging.


We were certainly convinced by the 3D effects. The depth is very nicely handled and it's a real pleasure to contemplate this universe. The sun rays that seem to come out of the screen at you and characters are well defined against the decor. As usual, the stereoscopic effect is dispensable and really only there to make the game look better. While we enjoyed the 3D experience, which we found natural enough, we did find ourselves turning it off at times so as not to be hampered when using the gyroscope to take aim (see gameplay section).


How can we sign off without mentioning the superb music that comes with Ocarina of Time. Soft and deep, it's perfectly adapted to the environments of the game. The calm of the walks on the plain is replaced by faster melodies during combats, with nice transitions that take you smoothly from one stage to the next.

Trailer: