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[Stafford]

I'm a 80s baby, 1982 to be precise and while me and my brother had the Nintendo 64 back then with of course OOT, we never finished it. In fact, we got stuck in the water temple and took a break, only to never return to it.

But as I always say, better late than never, right? It's amazing what a timeless game this proves to be and how ahead of its time it really was. The blocky visuals, the 4:3, framerate don't matter at all, it's the overall experience and it still works. Loved the temples with the puzzles, the ocarina itself, the characters, story, atmosphere, music.

It's when I was playing this that I once again realised that I miss actual hand crafted, unique temples/dungeons in Breath and Tears. Truly hope they bring that back, I don't mind a big open world, I mean OOT is open world, only on a smaller scale, and it's the unique locations that had me hooked. It's my game of the year, I don't give a fuck about "rules" as in it's not a game that released this year, but it trumps everything else I played.

Now I'm wondering if I should start with Majora's Mask right away or take a break for other games. It has a timer, right? Most of the time I hate it when games have that and that has me a bit reluctant, but I'll give it a chance.


Oh, and I still want a Zelda game looking like this, sheesh.

 

[Saber]

Just start Majoras Mask right away. Its best thing I ever did on games.

 

[TintoConCasera]

Replayed it a few years ago and yeah, it not just holds up, it's even better than most of the stuff coming out nowadays.

Consider all the stuff that's in the game: about 11 dungeons, each with it's own music, puzzles and great level design. Lots of side activities, a day night system, a fantastical but kinda mature at times story, lots of enemies and even horse riding in 1998, and all of this developed in what, 2 years?

OOT puts modern games to shame imo.

Now I'm wondering if I should start with Majora's Mask right away or take a break for other games. It has a timer, right? Most of the time I hate it when games have that and that has me a bit reluctant, but I'll give it a chance.

Played it for the first time earlier this year and had a great time! The timer can be a little bit annoying at the start, but once you get to play some more it's not so much of a chore. Amazing game for sure.

 

[diffusionx]

Played it on 3DS a few years ago and yea it’s amazing how well it plays and how good it is.

It really shows that this stuff about games being dated and needing to be remade says more about the games than the technology or game design evolution. Timeless classics do not get old there’s just very few of them.

 

[ZehDon]

Up there with Deus Ex as the best games ever made. Ocarina of Time 3D still gets milage on my 3DS to this very day.

There's something about the ending that's very bittersweet to me that makes the entire game so endearing. Stays with me all these years and replays later.

What a game.

 

[Soodanim]

It's nice when you play something that's almost universally praised and aren't disappointed. Things are so easily overrated or not to your taste.

If you ever get the chance, it's even better on PC as a romhack/decomp. Widescreen, better framerate, and most importantly many QoL upgrades. But even without all that it's still a Mount Rushmore game.

Majora's Mask has a timer, but there are 2 points for context that matter: before it starts to matter you learn how to slow it down, and the entire game is built around it. You may be frustrated here and there as is the nature of timed opportunities, but it's a fresh experience and there aren't many who love OOT but don't at least like MM.

 

[Punished Miku]

I'm jealous. Congrats dude. Playing this in the 90s was a transformative experience for me.

Majora's Mask is hardcore as fuck. If you want more Ocarina go now. Then take 4 months off and move on to Gamecube as you have 2 masterpieces there. Majora's Mask will put some hair on your chest. I think like 10% of the people who start it make it to the finish line. Be prepared for a radical departure.

 

[SiahWester]

It's when I was playing this that I once again realised that I miss actual hand crafted, unique temples/dungeons in Breath and Tears. Truly hope they bring that back, I don't mind a big open world, I mean OOT is open world, only on a smaller scale, and it's the unique locations that had me hooked. It's my game of the year, I don't give a fuck about "rules" as in it's not a game that released this year, but it trumps everything else I played.

I literally could not beat Tears of the Kingdom because of the dungeons. They ignored the feedback everyone was giving them just so they could reuse the same assets and map. If Nintendo can't figure it out with their next game the series is dead to me. It's just not Zelda without classic dungeons, it's something else.

 

[Stafford]

Just start Majoras Mask right away. Its best thing I ever did on games.

I actually did that, just now, haha. I still got tons of Xbox games waiting for me as well such as Witcher 3's second expansion and many more, but I'm still in the Nintendo mood.

There are actually more Zelda games I've never really played like Twilight Princess, only a bit from the prologue but very briefly. And I didn't play any of the handheld games and I think they are all on Nintendo Switch Online as well.

Replayed it a few years ago and yeah, it not just holds up, it's even better than most of the stuff coming out nowadays.

Consider all the stuff that's in the game: about 11 dungeons, each with it's own music, puzzles and great level design. Lots of side activities, a day night system, a fantastical but kinda mature at times story, lots of enemies and even horse riding in 1998, and all of this developed in what, 2 years?

OOT puts modern games to shame imo.


Played it for the first time earlier this year and had a great time! The timer can be a little bit annoying at the start, but once you get to play some more it's not so much of a chore. Amazing game for sure.

Yeah exactly, it's absolutely amazing how much content there is. It's the perfect length too, it never drags or anything like that. As for Majora's Mask, well the cool thing about Nintendo Switch Online is that it has save states, so I can save any time I want, so any annoying parts should be less bad already then.

I'm jealous. Congrats dude. Playing this in the 90s was a transformative experience for me.

Majora's Mask is hardcore as fuck. If you want more Ocarina go now. Then take 4 months off and move on to Gamecube as you have 2 masterpieces there. Majora's Mask will put some hair on your chest. I think like 10% of the people who start it make it to the finish line. Be prepared for a radical departure.

Cube has Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, right? I don't have a Gamecube but iirc TP is on Switch nowadays? So at least I can get started with that. I did finish Wind Waker on WiiU, loved it.

The next one hopefully has a perfect balance of open world with the awesome dungeons, and if they want to bring back the whole "build" stuff back, it's fine, but traditional temples are a must.

 

[Punished Miku]

Cube has Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, right? I don't have a Gamecube but iirc TP is on Switch nowadays? So at least I can get started with that. I did finish Wind Waker on WiiU, loved it.

The next one hopefully has a perfect balance of open world with the awesome dungeons, and if they want to bring back the whole "build" stuff back, it's fine, but traditional temples are a must.

Twilight Princess is not on Switch. Its on Wii U though. Best place to play if you have it. Map on the controller is great.

Twilight Princess is basically Ocarina 2. Majora's Mask is a very unique spin-off.

 

[Rawbutt Jellybean]

Still the best game of all time imo. Hits all of the sweet spots.

 

[spons]

Majora's Mask is excellent as well, maybe even better (but not as innovative).
God, the memories. I completed it as a kid, so you could probably make it as well.
Then again, as a kid I did daily runs of Contra on that weird fake NES thing, a Dendy or something?

 

[Tajaz2426]

Congratulations, good sir. What a damn game that my friend and I finished about a month before I joined the Corps in Illinois. Great memories.

Now go play the GOAT, “Shadowgate”. No need for personal thanks after playing for the next year or two. If you’d like to drop me a line about my polymathic self, please feel free to do on your own time. After you’ve had alone time with the game though, please.

Good day.

 

[Stafford]

Twilight Princess is not on Switch. Its on Wii U though. Best place to play if you have it. Map on the controller is great.

Twilight Princess is basically Ocarina 2. Majora's Mask is a very unique spin-off.

Damn. Weird ass Nintendo and their ways. They love their remasters, but not a TP one? Wtf man. Get on it Nintendo, jesus. I sold my Wii U years ago. TP is like Ocarina? Oh man, now I need to play that. Ah well, first it's MM time.

Congratulations, good sir. What a damn game that my friend and I finished about a month before I joined the Corps in Illinois. Great memories.

Now go play the GOAT, “Shadowgate”. No need for personal thanks after playing for the next year or two. If you’d like to drop me a line about my polymathic self, please feel free to do on your own time. After you’ve had alone time with the game though, please.

Good day.

I googled it. You mean the N64 game? I've never heard of this game before. But I'll look into it.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

It's really a great game, and one that has definitely held up over the years. I miss this take on the series. I don't like the new approach to Zelda, which is to basically not design a game. OOT, by contrast, felt so deliberate in how everything was laid out.

 

[Ogbert]

It’s the best game ever made.

By some distance, too.

 

[Sleepwalker]

Still remember going to xmas dinner at my cousin's place and playing this for hours (and wcw), my kid mind was blown away and I knew I had to have a N64 with Zelda right there and then. I did get it and loved it from start to finish. It is probably the GOAT.

 

[mayham2199]

Me and my cousin played it together also an 80's baby (84). My cousin was 86. We loved it and took turns playing through the game. I never finished it but my cousin did. We got very far but I don't remember how far. I think I remember getting to the part where it's like the end of the world or something but that's about it. I really loved that game.

 

[violence]

I play it every few years. GOAT.

 

[Hawk The Slayer]

Still a awesome masterpiece and the second best Zelda after Majora's Mask. Would really like the next Zelda to be back to the dark fantasy art style of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask's art or the Wii U tech demo.

 

[PeteBull]

Oh, and I still want a Zelda game looking like this, sheesh.

According to the leaks switch 2 will be roughly ps4pr0 docked, ps4 base in handheld mode so ninny console will have enough performance to actually pull off similar graphics to what we see in that bullshot trailer, so dont lose hope, bro, nintendo likes money after all

 

[Stafford]

It's really a great game, and one that has definitely held up over the years. I miss this take on the series. I don't like the new approach to Zelda, which is to basically not design a game. OOT, by contrast, felt so deliberate in how everything was laid out.

Yeah, I mean I had a lot of fun with BotW when it came out for Wii U, the new systems, experimenting with world objects and everything but eventually something felt amiss and that's the traditional temples. It's a damned shame they didn't do that for Tears.

Still remember going to xmas dinner at my cousin's place and playing this for hours (and wcw), my kid mind was blown away and I knew I had to have a N64 with Zelda right there and then. I did get it and loved it from start to finish. It is probably the GOAT.

For me it was seeing Mario 64 at the store with my father. Seeing Mario in full 3D for the first time, that's a feeling we'll never ever have again and it's a memory I will cherish until it's my time to go. That's not to say OOT didn't feel amazing when we played it for the first time, it sure as hell was. The total freedom was incredible.

Me and my cousin played it together also an 80's baby (84). My cousin was 86. We loved it and took turns playing through the game. I never finished it but my cousin did. We got very far but I don't remember how far. I think I remember getting to the part where it's like the end of the world or something but that's about it. I really loved that game.

It's very worth finishing it. If you have a Switch and Nintendo Switch Online you can play it right now.

Still a awesome masterpiece and the second best Zelda after Majora's Mask. Would really like the next Zelda to be back to the dark fantasy art style of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask's art or the Wii U tech demo.

Damn, I'm in for a treat with MM then. I played a bit of the prologue just now and keeping the rest for tomorrow and coming days/weeks. Yeah the beautiful colors of Breath and Tears are great, but I dig a dark tone a lot as well. I really hope they listen to the complaints for the next Zelda.

But seeing the raving reviews for Tears, Nintendo could make a Tears 2.

According to the leaks switch 2 will be roughly ps4pr0 docked, ps4 base in handheld mode so ninny console will have enough performance to actually pull off similar graphics to what we see in that bullshot trailer, so dont lose hope, bro, nintendo likes money after all

I'd buy that Switch 2 immediately if we got a Zelda game looking like that, with that art style too, wow.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

I think it’s still the best game ever made, if it released today sure the graphics and some controls would be rough, but the content and gameplay is all top notch. It’s everything a video game should be.

 

[Markio128]

My fondest gaming memories come from the N64. OOT is still the best game of its kind I’ve ever played. Same goes for Mario 64. The N64 was a diamond of the generation and deserved much more success.

 

[amigastar]

Replayed it a few years ago and yeah, it not just holds up, it's even better than most of the stuff coming out nowadays.

Consider all the stuff that's in the game: about 11 dungeons, each with it's own music, puzzles and great level design. Lots of side activities, a day night system, a fantastical but kinda mature at times story, lots of enemies and even horse riding in 1998, and all of this developed in what, 2 years?

OOT puts modern games to shame imo.


Played it for the first time earlier this year and had a great time! The timer can be a little bit annoying at the start, but once you get to play some more it's not so much of a chore. Amazing game for sure.

That's why i haven't played Majoras Mask yet. I'm afraid of the timer, i don't like that stuff usually in games.

 

[TintoConCasera]

That's why i haven't played Majoras Mask yet. I'm afraid of the timer, i don't like that stuff usually in games.

Yeah it can be annoying some times, but it's also used in clever ways and offers puzzles like no other Zelda game has.

When I played it I was skeptical at the beggining, but ended up loving it.

 

[amigastar]

Yeah it can be annoying some times, but it's also used in clever ways and offers puzzles like no other Zelda game has.

When I played it I was skeptical at the beggining, but ended up loving it.

Cool, i have the 3DS version, i'll make sure to try it out.

 

[TheGodfather07]

THE Greatest game of all time! That intro with the music has more soul than most other games in their entirety that release these days.

 

[nkarafo]

I loved the og N64 version. 3DS version has some artistic changes i didn't like, personally.

Same goes for Majora's Mask. I hated what they did to the Moon's face.

IMO, the best way to experience OOT today is the PC port. Not so much because of the high resolution but mostly because you can lock it at 60fps without issues.

There's also Nerel's HD texture pack which is as authentic as possible.

 

[The Pleasure]

Quest 64 was better.

 

[nkarafo]

Now I'm wondering if I should start with Majora's Mask right away or take a break for other games. It has a timer, right? Most of the time I hate it when games have that and that has me a bit reluctant, but I'll give it a chance.

That's why i haven't played Majoras Mask yet. I'm afraid of the timer, i don't like that stuff usually in games.

I was worried about that too but trust me, it's not an issue because the game gives you the tools to control it (including slowing it down) after a while. This is when the real game starts.

So, it doesn't really serve as a time limit to make you hurry. The reason the limited time exists is because it's the only way to design the NPCs scripted "real life" schedules and base their quests on those. The NPCs live their lives and do their thing in real time during this. Obviously, you can't do that if the game world doesn't have the concept of time. And also obviously you can only program enough schedules and paths for a fixed amount of time.

You can quote me afterwards because i'm telling you, these quests are the best thing about this game and in the end, you will be glad the game is designed the way it is.

 

[Werewolf Jones]

Wouldn't put it in my top 3 Zelda's personally but it set the standard and the template for the series moving forward.

I remember defending Majora's Mask to the death on this board when I said it was better. Now that's the common opinion. lol.

 

[amigastar]

I was worried about that too but trust me, it's not an issue because the game gives you the tools to control it (including slowing it down) after a while. This is when the real game starts.

So, it doesn't really serve as a time limit to make you hurry. The reason the limited time exists is because it's the only way to design the NPCs scripted "real life" schedules and base their quests on those. The NPCs live their lives and do their thing in real time during this. Obviously, you can't do that if the game world doesn't have the concept of time. And also obviously you can only program enough schedules and paths for a fixed amount of time.

You can quote me afterwards because i'm telling you, these quests are the best thing about this game and in the end, you will be glad the game is designed the way it is.

Nice, can't wait to play it.

 

[Dirk Benedict]

I'm jealous. Congrats dude. Playing this in the 90s was a transformative experience for me.

Majora's Mask is hardcore as fuck. If you want more Ocarina go now. Then take 4 months off and move on to Gamecube as you have 2 masterpieces there. Majora's Mask will put some hair on your chest. I think like 10% of the people who start it make it to the finish line. Be prepared for a radical departure.

Man, fuck Majora's mask.It's not a bad game, just frustrating and... I still need to beat it! Progress and all of that...

 

[Deerock71]

Yes, I want it all, and I'm not being facetious; I want sprawling open worlds AND grueling dungeons that make me earn my tools of progression.

 

[Zephyranthes]

The term "revolutionary" gets thrown around a bit too readily, but Ocarina of Time is a game that truly deserves the title. It fundamentally changed what people understood to be possible from video games as a medium.

 

[Stafford]

It's nice when you play something that's almost universally praised and aren't disappointed. Things are so easily overrated or not to your taste.

If you ever get the chance, it's even better on PC as a romhack/decomp. Widescreen, better framerate, and most importantly many QoL upgrades. But even without all that it's still a Mount Rushmore game.

Majora's Mask has a timer, but there are 2 points for context that matter: before it starts to matter you learn how to slow it down, and the entire game is built around it. You may be frustrated here and there as is the nature of timed opportunities, but it's a fresh experience and there aren't many who love OOT but don't at least like MM.

Sadly I don't have a PC, do have a laptop but I doubt it's strong enough for emulators. I did see what Breath of the Wild for example can look like and play like with emulators on PC and it's crazy, but PC gaming I've left that behind many years ago.

I've already begun with MM, and I love how it all starts, already so very different from OOT. My intention was to get back to my Xbox backlog after OOT but it seems that will have to wait, unless I juggle between a few games but I'm not sure that works for me.

But for the love of God, can Nintendo remaster Twilight Princess already? The only ways to play it is by either buying a (cheap) Cube and good luck finding a cheap copy of TP, the other way is buying a Wii and having to cope with the motion controls, no thanks. Damn.

 

[od-chan]

remaster Twilight Princess already

They actually did. I'm not surprised you didn't recall though, since it's jailed on a platform no one bought (runs great on emulator though)

Have fun with MM! I remember playing that as a kid and somehow I was too retarded to solve the bomber code at the start (I'm coping to this day by telling me it was a "bug"), but I remember being soooo let down because I honestly at the time couldn't figure out what was wrong and I loooved Zelda back then already with all my heart, so this was really destroying poor little 8 year old me. I tried it again a couple a days after and the "bug" resolved itself, man I love this game. The side quests are to this day unmatched, I replay it every few years.

 

[keefged4]

I mean this has been said enough already, but it is the greatest game ever made. Nothing has topped it.

 

[Crispy Gamer]

Great thread! My first time playing it was on the 3ds many years back and I couldn't believe how good it was it's definitely one of the best games ever made

 

[Putyouinmyoven]

it’s the GOOT.

 

[Stafford]

So I "died" for the first time in Majora's Mask. But obviously I had the code to get into the astronomer room and sure enough it works. I don't have to do the whole "find fairy, hide and seek with the kids etc", or well, that is until I want to be able to have the shoot bubbles attack again.

This definitely takes some adjusting.

I was cheering way too early. I do need thaf attack because a big balloon blocks the ladder to the astronomer, sigh.

 

[Hookshot]

MM has some serious jank that people ignore when praising it.

OOT is the better game and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

 

[Bruno_Arrais85]

congrats, it's one of the most important games ever.

 

[JPSLotus97T]

Majora's Mask is the better of the two when compared to OOT imo. Much more interesting story and game design concept for me. I absolutely loved the experience of Majora when compared to Ocarina.

 

[evanft]

I played through the PC port w/mods earlier this year, and it's stunning how well it has held up.

 

[Hero_Select]

Still the GOAT

 

[Syphon Filter]

I played it late in 2003 (about 5 yrs later) and found it amazing. i'd imagine if i played it in '98 it would be double that.

 

[Don Carlo]

I'm a 80s baby, 1982 to be precise and while me and my brother had the Nintendo 64 back then with of course OOT, we never finished it. In fact, we got stuck in the water temple and took a break, only to never return to it.

But as I always say, better late than never, right? It's amazing what a timeless game this proves to be and how ahead of its time it really was. The blocky visuals, the 4:3, framerate don't matter at all, it's the overall experience and it still works. Loved the temples with the puzzles, the ocarina itself, the characters, story, atmosphere, music.

It's when I was playing this that I once again realised that I miss actual hand crafted, unique temples/dungeons in Breath and Tears. Truly hope they bring that back, I don't mind a big open world, I mean OOT is open world, only on a smaller scale, and it's the unique locations that had me hooked. It's my game of the year, I don't give a fuck about "rules" as in it's not a game that released this year, but it trumps everything else I played.

Now I'm wondering if I should start with Majora's Mask right away or take a break for other games. It has a timer, right? Most of the time I hate it when games have that and that has me a bit reluctant, but I'll give it a chance.


Oh, and I still want a Zelda game looking like this, sheesh.

oh how I envy you right now. One of the finest experiences I've ever had.

 

[Kamina]

Welcome to the Family!

Glad you enjoyed OoT. I would strongly recommend MM right away. The Time mechanic is very light, especially when you learn to slow it down, so don’t let that be a showstopper.
After that, if you haven’t played it yet, play Twilight Princess.