The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
Encyclopedia
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is an action-adventure
video game co-developed by Grezzo
and Nintendo
for the Nintendo 3DS
handheld console. The game was released on June 16, 2011 in Japan, June 17, 2011 in Europe, June 19, 2011 in North America and June 30, 2011 in Australia; however, it was released early on June 24, 2011 in some stores. The game features the original version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
and a mirrored version of the rearranged dungeons from the Master Quest version of the game, along with updated graphics
and added 3D effects
.
. Link sets out on a quest to stop Ganon
dorf, King of the Gerudo tribe, from obtaining the Triforce, a sacred relic that grants the wishes of its holder. Link travels through time and navigates various dungeons to awaken sages who have the power to seal Ganondorf away. Music plays an important role—to progress, the player must learn to play and perform several songs on an ocarina
.
originally maintained that Ocarina of Time 3D was merely a tech demo with the possibility of being developed into a full game, but Nintendo of America officially announced the production of a Nintendo 3DS version of Ocarina of Time via its Twitter page. Alongside Star Fox 64
, the title was chosen to be remade for the Nintendo 3DS
because they were two examples of games that they made for the Nintendo 64
that were limited by the Nintendo 64's hardware, and the developers wanted to make them on more advanced hardware. Series designer Shigeru Miyamoto
noted that timing was important in the re-release of Ocarina of Time, as they did not want to remake the game too soon. Another reason why he wanted to wait was so that the people who played Ocarina of Time when they were younger were now in their mid-20s. He also wanted players to experience the "majestic scenery of Hyrule in stereoscopic 3D" and provide the sense of "really being there". Ocarina of Time 3D runs at 30 frames per second, which is an increase over the Nintendo 64 version's 20 frames per second. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D was co-developed by Nintendo
and Grezzo
.
According to Grezzo's Shun Moriya, some of the original game's bugs
were intentionally left in the 3DS version, because they were so committed to deliver Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to 3DS just the way fans remembered. "As programmers, we wanted to get rid of bugs, but the staff members who had played the old game said the bugs were fun. It wouldn't be fun if your friends couldn't say, 'Do you know about this?' So we left them in if they didn't cause any trouble and were beneficial. If something simply could not be allowed to stand, we begrudgingly fixed it, so some bugs don't appear. But we left in as many as we could, so people will grin over that," explained Moriyama. Eiji Aonuma, producer of the original game, said that a desire to make Ocarina Of Time 3D more "formidable" was behind the decision to adjust The Master Quest for the remake of the classic Nintendo 64
adventure.
In Greece, anyone who pre-ordered the game from Nintendo's online store could receive 5 bonus items. The items were an ocarina, a baseball hat, a keychain, a sleeve for the 3DS, and a can of Deku Tree seeds.
In the UK, anyone who pre-orders the game will get the free game case with North American collectors cover and double-sides poster.
Anyone who pre-ordered the game from Play.com got a bonus slip case for the 3DS console featuring the same artwork as the UK game box. In the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand, anyone who registered the game through Nintendo's Club Nintendo
service had received a free copy of the game's official soundtrack. In Mexico, the first buyers received a T-shirt.
In June 2011, actor and comedian Robin Williams
starred in a commercial to promote the game along with his daughter Zelda Williams
, whom he named after the character from the series. In Japan, Nintendo had boy band Arashi
to advertise the game in television and print spots.
Nintendo ran TV adverts around the release of Ocarina of Time 3D, showcasing its new features. Online takeovers appeared on websites during release week, while a print campaign ran in specialist magazines. The game will be re-promoted throughout the season.
website.
The new 3DS version of the soundtrack contained 50 tracks, including all the original tracks from the US version of the soundtrack, as well as several more tracks from the Japanese edition, and a bonus orchestral medley. Although it was available in all regions, the soundtrack was only available to owners of the 3DS game who choose to register their game on Club Nintendo and was only available for a limited time. The cutoff date of the offer varied from region to region, but was generally several months after the release date.
The world's first review was published by Nintendo Power
, which gave it a rating of 9.5 out of 10, stating that the core gameplay held up impressively well, and that it never feels like a lesser game than what we've become accustomed to, but rather, it has a back-to-basics feel. Game Informer
rated the game 9.25 stating that "With Ocarina of Time 3D, one of the greatest games of all time looks and plays better than ever". They further stated that "This is the perfect way to introduce it to a new generation of gamers." Eurogamer
was very pleased with the title by awarding it with a perfect score, and even going as far as to say "This game is one of the greatest things that video games have ever achieved." Official Nintendo Magazine scored the game 98%, the highest they have ever given, calling it "a life-changing game, an experience that defines the medium it inhabits and if you have the chance to experience it afresh, it will be even better." Electronic Gaming Monthly
gave it 9.5 and stated the game is "still a transformative action-adventure after 13 years" and that "Ocarina of Time 3D is still a just as good as the original, though, and it's a must-play for any gamer who's somehow missed it up until now."
Computer and Video Games
gave the game 9.4 and stated that it is "still a classic, still an explosion of nostalgia. Ocarina of Time 3D is a blissful rediscovery for veterans and an unmissable opportunity for newcomers." VideoGamer gave it a perfect score, stating "We knew then that Miyamoto and co had made a classic, but it's only now that we can see just how revolutionary Ocarina of Time actually was." GiantBomb also gave it a perfect score, and going so far to say that "it's almost as important as a historical record as it is a game that's still enjoyable today."
CNN
stated that "this would be a great game for any gamer of any age." GameSpot
gave the game 8.5, stating "Though its roots show through from time to time, the improved visuals remove any barrier of entry that age may have posed. The new elements enhance the core adventure to create the definitive version of this classic game, making Ocarina of Time 3D the best way to embark on (or relive) this landmark adventure." 1UP
was less positive to the game, which gave the game B+, and stated "As a portable gaming enthusiast, I love being able to play a game of this quality on the go. I just wish as much attention had been paid to the nuts-and-bolts of the game as was lavished on appearance".
In the UK, Ocarina of Time 3D made it to No.2 in the chart upon its debut week, and according to GfK Chart-Track data was bought by over 20 percent of the handheld’s userbase in its first two days.
In North America, Ocarina of Time 3D lead cross-platform sales upon its debut week and debuted at No. 1 on the Multiplatform chart.
By June 30, 2011, it had sold 1.08 million units worldwide, making it the third 3DS title to breach the million units sold mark. 270,000 of those sales came from Japan.
Action-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game that combines elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements. It is perhaps the broadest and most diverse genre in gaming, and can include many games which might better be categorized under narrow genres...
video game co-developed by Grezzo
Grezzo
Grezzo is a Japanese video game developer. It was founded in December 2006. Koichi Ishii, known for his work on the Mana series of games by Square Enix, signed on as CEO and president of the company in April 2007...
and Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
for the Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo 3DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic 3D effects without the use of 3D glasses or any additional accessories. The Nintendo 3DS features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software...
handheld console. The game was released on June 16, 2011 in Japan, June 17, 2011 in Europe, June 19, 2011 in North America and June 30, 2011 in Australia; however, it was released early on June 24, 2011 in some stores. The game features the original version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
is an action-adventure video game developed by Nintendo's Entertainment Analysis and Development division for the Nintendo 64 video game console. It was released in Japan on November 21, 1998; in North America on November 23, 1998; and in Europe on December 11, 1998...
and a mirrored version of the rearranged dungeons from the Master Quest version of the game, along with updated graphics
Graphics
Graphics are visual presentations on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, computer screen, paper, or stone to brand, inform, illustrate, or entertain. Examples are photographs, drawings, Line Art, graphs, diagrams, typography, numbers, symbols, geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings,or...
and added 3D effects
Stereoscopy
Stereoscopy refers to a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by presenting two offset images separately to the left and right eye of the viewer. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3-D depth...
.
Gameplay
The gameplay for the remake is very similar to the original version, albeit with some modifications made to the game. One new feature is the use of the touch screen to switch out items, boots, and tunics. Also, the touch screen is used at times to play the Ocarina notes. The game uses the system's gyroscopic technology to look around and aim the player's bow, boomerang, and slingshot in first-person mode, unless the player chooses to use the classic analog stick control to aim. The 3DS version has the modified Master Quest dungeons and mirrored overworld in addition to the original game, and a new "Boss Challenge" mode that allows the player to fight all of the bosses one at a time, or in sequential order, while the Master Quest has its own version of the "Boss Challenge" mode, where the boss arenas are mirrored and enemies will do twice the usual amount of damage. Another new addition is the inclusion of optional brief video clips called "Visions" that serve as casual hints in case some new players get lost or have trouble solving the game's numerous puzzles. It was also revealed that the Stone of Agony is replaced with the Shard of Agony, which serves the same purpose, only with a sound signal to inform the players of secrets nearby. This is due to the fact that the rumble feature is not available with the 3DS.Plot
The player controls the series' trademark hero, Link, in the land of HyruleHyrule
The fictional universe depicted in The Legend of Zelda series of video games consists of a variety of lands, the most commonly appearing of these being , and was created by Japanese video game developer Shigeru Miyamoto.-Hyrule:...
. Link sets out on a quest to stop Ganon
Ganon
, anglicized Gannon in early Japanese materials, and also known as , is a fictional character who is the main antagonist of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series of video games. He is the final boss of most games in the series. He was first given a back-story in A Link to the Past...
dorf, King of the Gerudo tribe, from obtaining the Triforce, a sacred relic that grants the wishes of its holder. Link travels through time and navigates various dungeons to awaken sages who have the power to seal Ganondorf away. Music plays an important role—to progress, the player must learn to play and perform several songs on an ocarina
Ocarina
The ocarina is an ancient flute-like wind instrument. Variations do exist, but a typical ocarina is an enclosed space with four to twelve finger holes and a mouthpiece that projects from the body...
.
Development
Shigeru MiyamotoShigeru Miyamoto
is a Japanese video game designer and producer. Miyamoto was born and raised in Kyoto Prefecture; the natural surroundings of Kyoto inspired much of Miyamoto's later work....
originally maintained that Ocarina of Time 3D was merely a tech demo with the possibility of being developed into a full game, but Nintendo of America officially announced the production of a Nintendo 3DS version of Ocarina of Time via its Twitter page. Alongside Star Fox 64
Star Fox 64
, known in Australia and Europe as Lylat Wars, is a scrolling shooter video game for the Nintendo 64 video game console. It is a reboot of the original Star Fox, and the only game in the Star Fox series to be released on the Nintendo 64....
, the title was chosen to be remade for the Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo 3DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic 3D effects without the use of 3D glasses or any additional accessories. The Nintendo 3DS features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software...
because they were two examples of games that they made for the Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
that were limited by the Nintendo 64's hardware, and the developers wanted to make them on more advanced hardware. Series designer Shigeru Miyamoto
Shigeru Miyamoto
is a Japanese video game designer and producer. Miyamoto was born and raised in Kyoto Prefecture; the natural surroundings of Kyoto inspired much of Miyamoto's later work....
noted that timing was important in the re-release of Ocarina of Time, as they did not want to remake the game too soon. Another reason why he wanted to wait was so that the people who played Ocarina of Time when they were younger were now in their mid-20s. He also wanted players to experience the "majestic scenery of Hyrule in stereoscopic 3D" and provide the sense of "really being there". Ocarina of Time 3D runs at 30 frames per second, which is an increase over the Nintendo 64 version's 20 frames per second. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D was co-developed by Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
and Grezzo
Grezzo
Grezzo is a Japanese video game developer. It was founded in December 2006. Koichi Ishii, known for his work on the Mana series of games by Square Enix, signed on as CEO and president of the company in April 2007...
.
According to Grezzo's Shun Moriya, some of the original game's bugs
Software bug
A software bug is the common term used to describe an error, flaw, mistake, failure, or fault in a computer program or system that produces an incorrect or unexpected result, or causes it to behave in unintended ways. Most bugs arise from mistakes and errors made by people in either a program's...
were intentionally left in the 3DS version, because they were so committed to deliver Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to 3DS just the way fans remembered. "As programmers, we wanted to get rid of bugs, but the staff members who had played the old game said the bugs were fun. It wouldn't be fun if your friends couldn't say, 'Do you know about this?' So we left them in if they didn't cause any trouble and were beneficial. If something simply could not be allowed to stand, we begrudgingly fixed it, so some bugs don't appear. But we left in as many as we could, so people will grin over that," explained Moriyama. Eiji Aonuma, producer of the original game, said that a desire to make Ocarina Of Time 3D more "formidable" was behind the decision to adjust The Master Quest for the remake of the classic Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
adventure.
Marketing and release
In Australia, anyone who pre-ordered the game from EB Games could receive the Ocarina Edition, which included a playable ocarina that sports the Triforce symbol and two music sheets featuring songs from the game, and also a poster.In Greece, anyone who pre-ordered the game from Nintendo's online store could receive 5 bonus items. The items were an ocarina, a baseball hat, a keychain, a sleeve for the 3DS, and a can of Deku Tree seeds.
In the UK, anyone who pre-orders the game will get the free game case with North American collectors cover and double-sides poster.
Anyone who pre-ordered the game from Play.com got a bonus slip case for the 3DS console featuring the same artwork as the UK game box. In the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand, anyone who registered the game through Nintendo's Club Nintendo
Club Nintendo
Club Nintendo is the name of several publications and a more well-known customer loyalty program provided by Nintendo. The loyalty program is free to join and is committed to providing rewards in exchange for consumer feedback and loyalty to purchasing official Nintendo products...
service had received a free copy of the game's official soundtrack. In Mexico, the first buyers received a T-shirt.
In June 2011, actor and comedian Robin Williams
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...
starred in a commercial to promote the game along with his daughter Zelda Williams
Zelda Williams
Zelda Rae Williams is an American actress and the daughter of actor and comedian Robin Williams and Marsha Garces. She was named after Princess Zelda of The Legend of Zelda series of video games. Her first big role was that of Melissa Loggia, the main character's teenage love interest in the 2004...
, whom he named after the character from the series. In Japan, Nintendo had boy band Arashi
Arashi
is a Japanese boy band formed under the Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates, which announced the formation of the group on November 3, 1999 in Honolulu, Hawaii...
to advertise the game in television and print spots.
Nintendo ran TV adverts around the release of Ocarina of Time 3D, showcasing its new features. Online takeovers appeared on websites during release week, while a print campaign ran in specialist magazines. The game will be re-promoted throughout the season.
Soundtrack
To coincide with the release of the Game as well as the 25th anniversary of the release of The Legend of Zelda, Nintendo freely released, via mail out redemption, an updated CD version of the original soundtrack through the Club NintendoClub Nintendo
Club Nintendo is the name of several publications and a more well-known customer loyalty program provided by Nintendo. The loyalty program is free to join and is committed to providing rewards in exchange for consumer feedback and loyalty to purchasing official Nintendo products...
website.
The new 3DS version of the soundtrack contained 50 tracks, including all the original tracks from the US version of the soundtrack, as well as several more tracks from the Japanese edition, and a bonus orchestral medley. Although it was available in all regions, the soundtrack was only available to owners of the 3DS game who choose to register their game on Club Nintendo and was only available for a limited time. The cutoff date of the offer varied from region to region, but was generally several months after the release date.
Reception
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D has received universal acclaim from critics. The game had a lot of hype to live up to being a remake of a Nintendo 64 game widely considered the greatest game of all time. Reviewers praised the mirrored version of the rearranged dungeons from the Master Quest version of the original game, along with the updated graphics, visuals, controllers, the new "Boss Challenge" mode and the added 3D effects. The game was available to the public at Nintendo's Nintendo World 2011 event; the title attracted significant amounts of attention, with longer wait times to play than any other featured title.The world's first review was published by Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power magazine is a monthly news and strategy magazine formerly published in-house by Nintendo of America, but now run independently. As of issue #222 , Nintendo contracted publishing duties to Future US, the U.S. subsidiary of British publisher Future.The first issue published was...
, which gave it a rating of 9.5 out of 10, stating that the core gameplay held up impressively well, and that it never feels like a lesser game than what we've become accustomed to, but rather, it has a back-to-basics feel. Game Informer
Game Informer
Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations...
rated the game 9.25 stating that "With Ocarina of Time 3D, one of the greatest games of all time looks and plays better than ever". They further stated that "This is the perfect way to introduce it to a new generation of gamers." Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
was very pleased with the title by awarding it with a perfect score, and even going as far as to say "This game is one of the greatest things that video games have ever achieved." Official Nintendo Magazine scored the game 98%, the highest they have ever given, calling it "a life-changing game, an experience that defines the medium it inhabits and if you have the chance to experience it afresh, it will be even better." Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
gave it 9.5 and stated the game is "still a transformative action-adventure after 13 years" and that "Ocarina of Time 3D is still a just as good as the original, though, and it's a must-play for any gamer who's somehow missed it up until now."
Computer and Video Games
Computer and video games
A video game is an electronic game that involves human interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. The word video in video game traditionally referred to a raster display device, but following popularization of the term "video game", it now implies any type of...
gave the game 9.4 and stated that it is "still a classic, still an explosion of nostalgia. Ocarina of Time 3D is a blissful rediscovery for veterans and an unmissable opportunity for newcomers." VideoGamer gave it a perfect score, stating "We knew then that Miyamoto and co had made a classic, but it's only now that we can see just how revolutionary Ocarina of Time actually was." GiantBomb also gave it a perfect score, and going so far to say that "it's almost as important as a historical record as it is a game that's still enjoyable today."
CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
stated that "this would be a great game for any gamer of any age." GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
gave the game 8.5, stating "Though its roots show through from time to time, the improved visuals remove any barrier of entry that age may have posed. The new elements enhance the core adventure to create the definitive version of this classic game, making Ocarina of Time 3D the best way to embark on (or relive) this landmark adventure." 1UP
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
was less positive to the game, which gave the game B+, and stated "As a portable gaming enthusiast, I love being able to play a game of this quality on the go. I just wish as much attention had been paid to the nuts-and-bolts of the game as was lavished on appearance".
Sales
In Japan, Ocarina of Time 3D helped 3DS to take the top spot on the hardware chart after 12 weeks. Ocarina of Time 3D debuted at No. 2 with 164,110 units sold in its first week in Japan. Media-Create say this amounts to 90.02% of all copies of the game that were sent out to retail shops for selling. It’s rumored that stock in Zelda was a bit low in Japan for the reporting period, as the title was only available for three days of the week reported.In the UK, Ocarina of Time 3D made it to No.2 in the chart upon its debut week, and according to GfK Chart-Track data was bought by over 20 percent of the handheld’s userbase in its first two days.
In North America, Ocarina of Time 3D lead cross-platform sales upon its debut week and debuted at No. 1 on the Multiplatform chart.
By June 30, 2011, it had sold 1.08 million units worldwide, making it the third 3DS title to breach the million units sold mark. 270,000 of those sales came from Japan.