Reviving the Legend: Why Zelda: Ocarina of Time Needs a Remake Now More Than Ever

Nintendo may want to revisit some of its classic Zelda titles, such as Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, as they set the stage for a new era of the series. Despite previous remasters and 3D updates for the 3DS, these older titles still fall short compared to the impressive visuals of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on the Switch. Ocarina of Time, in particular, shows its age not just in terms of visuals but also in its gameplay mechanics, making it a prime candidate for a rework using more modern Zelda engines and combat designs.

Ocarina of Time as an Aging Masterpiece

Ocarina of Time and its sequel were groundbreaking games during the Nintendo 64 era, setting the template for nearly every Zelda title that followed. Their popularity even spawned similar Zelda-like games, such as Dark Cloud and more recent indie hits like Tunic and Death's Door. However, despite its impact and beloved status, Ocarina of Time has not aged gracefully in all areas. The controls feel antiquated, and the world design is minimal compared to newer games like Tears of the Kingdom. As technology evolves, older designs become overshadowed, but a game as impactful as Ocarina of Time deserves a remake to bring its classic style into the modern era of gaming.

Function over Form to Enhance Ocarina of Time's Gameplay

A Zelda remake should not simply rely on improved graphics, but instead take a ground-up approach, starting with a design philosophy similar to successful 3D Mario games. The gameplay should be engaging and fun, regardless of the environment. For Ocarina of Time, this means improving the ease of access to Link's tools and enhancing combat flow. Combat should resemble Tears of the Kingdom, with options for overwhelming guarding opponents, dodging their attacks, or parrying for a counterattack, as opposed to the more rigid combat of the original game.

The linear nature of Ocarina of Time should remain unchanged. While Tears of the Kingdom boasts freedom of exploration as its strongest feature, the success of Ocarina of Time lies in its linear progression. Link's ability to overcome previous obstacles with new tools at new locations is a progression model that can be improved with hidden locations, characters, and side quests on a new map that honors the original while incorporating modern game styles. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is currently available for the Switch.