20-plus years later, Ocarina of Time still stands the test of time. It was heralded as the greatest game of all-time for so long for a reason, but after playing it for the first time in 10 years, I finally understand why. And I’m not talking about the 3DS version – the N64 version is the way to go. There’s a charm to the simplicity yet sophistication of its story, yet at the same time, its puzzles are superb and the best of any Zelda game. The dungeons are the best. I’ve named Skyward Sword as my favorite Zelda game, but that’s only because I hadn’t experienced Ocarina in such a long time. There is no doubt in my mind: Ocarina of Time is both the greatest Zelda game of all-time, but also the greatest game of all-time. It’s managed to stand the test of time unlike any other game ever made.
Ocarina of Time was not only revolutionary for its time, but there has never been another game like it since. Its Ocarina and time travel mechanics are legendary, and hasn’t been matched in over 20 years. Almost every single Zelda game (except Breath of the Wild) has tried to play off of the nostalgia of Ocarina of Time, such as Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker, great games in their own right, but without Ocarina, they wouldn’t be nearly as good as they are story-wise. Ocarina set the standard, and still does today. Why do so many people still clamor for full-blown dungeons in the next Zelda game, Breath of the Wild 2? Because Ocarina had such superb dungeons and set the standard for what a Zelda game should be. The puzzles are unmatched in any Zelda game.
The story in Ocarina is simple, yet executed so perfectly. It has a hidden depth to it and arguably has the best story of any Zelda game, sans Skyward Sword. The Ganondorf present in Ocarina is the best villain in video game history, no question. Link goes through a very personal journey during the course of the game, and grows up, quite literally. The cinematography in the game also gets overlooked in the game. The shot above is one of my favorites in the in the game, and literally gives me goosebumps. The music has themes that reappear in almost every subsequent Zelda game, showing just how impactful Ocarina is to the rest of the series. The bosses are also some of the most memorable in the Zelda series, especially the final boss, which is arguably the most epic boss fight in video game history. It’s a fun game, but can be challenging in its own right. Ocarina isn’t the greatest game of all-time because it was revolutionary; it legitimately stands the test of time and there is still no game like it after over 20 years.
Ocarina of Time is a gem that only comes around once every generation. It still stands as the greatest game of all-time. With its mind-twisting puzzles, memorable boss battles, excellent music, and one of the greatest gameplay mechanics to ever grace a video game, it’s still unmatched. It’s a very personal story, and while the story is somewhat simple, it is executed so well that it has a depth to it that is often overlooked.
Ocarina of Time is both the greatest Zelda and game of all-time. I only wish I didn’t wait 10 years in between playthroughs, though I’ve beaten it at least 20 times in my youth. It is a truly unforgettable experience.