Multiple opinions have been thrown into the ring surrounding the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Many are thrilled and over the moon, while others are either disappointed or neutral. Why neutral? There is a subset of the gaming community that feels, as one of the objectively greatest video games in existence, Ocarina of Time does not need a remake. Regardless of how you feel, the remake is coming this November, and with several ways to play the game, will the shiny new remake become THE definitive way to play The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time?
I ask this question because my eyes and ears are close to several Zelda communities, passionate about the franchise more than the casual gamer, and a fair amount are lukewarm about the remake. The feedback isn’t necessarily that the remake looks bad, but rather, they believe the game didn’t need a remake. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is currently available on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is available on the Nintendo 3DS. The game, also, being of the highest caliber of quality, is viewed as very playable in its original or 3D state. Lastly, some would even argue that the remake doesn’t carry the same level of importance and impact as the original.
Personally, I do feel that the remake will replace the original and the 3DS version as the definitive way to play Ocarina of Time. There are several reasons for this. First of all, not everyone has NSO + Expansion Pack, and as an online service, access could be terminated at any time.
Image Credit: Nintendo
The 3DS version will eventually become obsolete as the handheld continues to age, and the game will then become less accessible.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina (2026) will make a suitable replacement especially since Eiji Aonuma confirmed this is a faithful remake. During his demo, I could tell it was nearly 1 for 1 with the location of enemies and puzzle sample in the Deku Tree. The differences observed were primarily aesthetic in nature or slightly modified to make more “logical” sense (e.g. a wooden bridge versus a random floating platform). Because Nintendo’s intent is to remain faithful, then it can absolutely become the definitive version to play because it respects the one that came before it.
Lastly, the remake is meant to appeal to both the aging Millennial as well as the younger generation of gamers, the ones that may have already started their Zelda journey with the Wilds Era titles, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. They are used to modernized controls, and this remake will be the most welcoming version for them.
Do you think The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake will become the definitive way to play the game moving forward? Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.
Nintendo Pow Block – A Nintendo Podcast by Boss Rush
Nintendo Pow Block is a weekly Nintendo podcast hosted by Edward Varnell, Corey Dirrig, and their friends from around the internet. Each week, they dive into the latest Nintendo news and rumors for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, new and upcoming releases, updates to Nintendo Switch Online and the Nintendo Music app, and discuss what they’ve been playing in the Playing with Power segment.
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