Reimagining Zelda: Ocarina of Time with Tears of the Kingdom's Ultrahand Mod

A modder has successfully incorporated Ultrand from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom into the classic Ocarina of Time, allowing players to now craft basic vehicles. Tears of the Kingdom gained immense popularity upon its release on the Nintendo Switch last May, thanks in part to the extensive freedom it offered players to explore the open world of Hyrule. While Breath of the Wild from 2017 also provided a similar experience, Tears of the Kingdom went a step further by introducing Link's Ultrahand power.

With Ultrahand, players can now manipulate objects in the environment and combine them to create new weapons, structures, and vehicles to aid them in navigating the world of Tears of the Kingdom and defeating Ganondorf to save Hyrule. Since the game's launch, fans have been sharing their creations online, ranging from speedy Tears of the Kingdom-made pickup trucks to powerful remote-controlled battle tanks. The ability to create in Tears of the Kingdom sets it apart from other Zelda games, sparking curiosity among players about using similar features in older installments.

Ocarina of Time Mod Brings Tears of the Kingdom’s Item Crafting to the Past

A talented modder and YouTuber by the handle of notChase recently answered this question in a creative video that features Tears of the Kingdom’s Ultrahand ability in Ocarina of Time. Just like he would in his later adventure, Link uses this power to pick up stray wagon wheels and attach them to a large wooden platform to make a crude vehicle to carry him across Hyrule. It also works on NPCs, as shown when Link uses Ultrahand to move the Kokiri leader Mido onto the makeshift wagon for a journey through windy deserts and fiery volcanoes.

Ocarina of Time may not allow players to build vehicles like Tears of the Kingdom, but it is widely regarded as one of the top games in the Legend of Zelda series and even considered one of the best video games ever. This 1998 classic on the Nintendo 64 introduced many features that later games like Tears of the Kingdom would improve upon. Fans still show their love for Ocarina of Time by creating impressive remake videos using Unreal Engine 5.

A screenshot of Link looking down at his glowing green arm in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. - The latest Legend of Zelda video from notChase takes things in the opposite direction, bringing the newer Ultrahand mechanic from Tears of the Kingdom into the older framework of Ocarina of Time to demonstrate how it would have looked on the Nintendo 64

In the newest video by notChase, a different approach is taken by incorporating the modern Ultrahand mechanic from Tears of the Kingdom into the classic Ocarina of Time game. This showcases how it would have appeared on the Nintendo 64. While not as intricate as the fan creations in Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, it still allows Link to create his own adventure through the challenges of Hyrule.

Editor's P/S:

The article showcases the ingenuity of the modding community and the enduring appeal of classic games. By seamlessly integrating Tears of the Kingdom's Ultrahand mechanic into Ocarina of Time, the modder has breathed new life into a beloved title. It's a testament to the timeless nature of great games that they continue to inspire creativity and innovation, even decades after their initial release.

The mod also highlights the potential for future Zelda games to incorporate similar crafting features. The ability to create custom vehicles and structures adds a layer of depth and customization that could significantly enhance the gameplay experience. As the Zelda series continues to evolve, it would be exciting to see how developers leverage these innovative ideas to create even more immersive and engaging worlds for players to explore.