Happy Birthday Ocarina of Time

[Pro A.]

Hard to believe, but on this day ten years ago Ocarina of Time was released to an almost unheard-of hype. The critical and commercial smash went on to set a number of sales records, racking up numbers that were remarkable for a gaming community that probably was half the size it is today. The game sold 2.75 million copies in less than forty-five days and went on to be named Game of the Year by just about every major publication. It is, I think, the N64's best game and second overall in the Zelda canon (A Link to the Past holds slightly more sway). Ocarina demonstrated the pinnacle of the 3-D action adventure genre with brilliant gameplay, game design, and a number of remarkable moments that have become iconic in both the Zelda series and in the general gaming scene (those of us who know video games, at any rate).

Who can forget...

-The opening shot of Navi traveling Kokiri Forest with the charming music in the background?
-The scene between Zelda and Link at the castle?
-Darunia's dance?
-Saria giving the Ocarina to Link?
-Winding up in a giant fish?
-The weird, exotic-looking giant fairies?
-Time-traveling, anyone?
-The revelation of Sheik.

And many, many more. Happy b-day to Ocarina.

[tokoshi_x]

Yeah, I have way too many memories of Ocarina of Time and its one game I don't mind playing over and over again. Definitely one of my all-time faves. Happy b-day OoT!

[Pro A.]

After doing two Zelda marathons in seven months (both of which had me playing OOT at breakneck speed) it might be a while before I play the game, but the fond memories don't dissipate. I remember the first night I got it I think I got all the way through Hyrule Castle and then I was ordered to go to bed. I was 12 at the time, so I didn't have a whole lot of say in the matter.

[Hisham]

Meh, LTTP was better.

:-D

[HolyPaladin]

Happy birthday to the game that is still the highest-rated game of all time (http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/simpleratings.asp) ten years later.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2475344382_cf247389ec.jpg

[Bsack]

Meh, LTTP was better.

:-D

Honestly there's no way that's true.

[Pro A.]

I'm with Hisham on this one. I thought the level design was incredibly shrewd in ALTP and the fact that we got thirteen dungeons (plus the Ganon fight) has been unparalleled (unless you count the two quests in the original Zelda). All of the dungeons were brilliantly designed and remain extremely fresh. That, and there is the idea that it came first. Much of the Ocarina formula derives itself upon ALTP's concepts and designs. Granted, Ocarina made a number of new wrinkles and ideas, but ALTP, I think, did it just a little better with game design and challenge.

[Dwhitten]

I beat it too many times to count. Wait what are we talking about again?


lol just messing. This is one game where I felt like I accomplished something when I beat the game and graphics blew me away when playing it at the time. Ocarina of Time set the standard at the time to what a great video game should be.

[Hisham]

I'm with Hisham on this one. I thought the level design was incredibly shrewd in ALTP and the fact that we got thirteen dungeons (plus the Ganon fight) has been unparalleled (unless you count the two quests in the original Zelda). All of the dungeons were brilliantly designed and remain extremely fresh. That, and there is the idea that it came first. Much of the Ocarina formula derives itself upon ALTP's concepts and designs. Granted, Ocarina made a number of new wrinkles and ideas, but ALTP, I think, did it just a little better with game design and challenge.

Yep, I agree fully.

OOT is a good game, LTTP is better.

[Viper]

Standing in the middle of a very much alive Kokiri Forest is a moment in video gaming history i will never forget.

I knew at that moment, I was playing something very, very special.

[dork]

c'mon, hisham. just go with the flow for once. you know you want to.

[Boggy700]

Yeah, don't make me disagree with you again!