Is OOT overrated?

[Midna666]

Do you think that now after ten years OOT is a little overrated.
It's number one in a lot of best video game lists.
Do you think that ten years later it is still the best game or do you think it's been surpass?

[Josh]

I tend to think it is overrated. The first time I played Ocarina of Time, I kind of went through it, trying to figure out what to do, and once I beat the game I beat the Game. I didn't really think anymore of OoT later on until I came onto forums, and realized that most people thought that this was the most brilliant game in existence, and apparently will forever be the favorite of most Zelda Game players (which would make a group called OoT fanboys btw), and I still see it pretty existent today. Until I can figure out why these people love this game so much and why I don't, I will think it is overrated.

[Claire]

I often think Nintendo realized how significant Ocarina of Time was, and by creating an entire fanbase centered strictly around one game could easily bring in the money - by selling the original game, collector's edition, and master quest. I think it is overrated when you view it in this aspect, because of how much has been spent around acknowledging a single game to boost it's importance. Although, this doesn't ignore that I find the game to be incredibly well done, and have no doubt in my mind why someone could call it the greatest game of all time.

[MrMosley]

I don't think its really all that overrated. Its a good game, and a lot of fans of the series as well as general gamers realize how good it is. Compared to the other Zelda titles, it is superior in many ways, but the other titles are all different to me. Each Zelda game has its own special significance and feel to it in my view. And yes, ten years later, this game still is quite good. There's a lot of crap thats released today too quickly, and we get a shell of a game when we were hoping for the whole deal.

When I think of overrated games, I think of things like Halo, and in no way do I feel that people obsessing over Halo is anything like someone thinking OoT is the best game ever. People liked Halo because of the online play, which is always good, but it dosen't make an entire game great. The story mode of a game is what makes the game, and OoT did itself justice without any addition online or multiplaying add ons for replay value. True, online wasn't even created for home gaming systems during OoT's time, but multiplayer was a big part of gaming during this generation.

Nintendo also seems to have a small reputation for making harder versions of games. As far back as Super Mario Bros., in fact, and the original Zelda as well, both had harder quests to undergo once the game was completed. This is sorta how I view Master Quest. It was a more challenging version of OoT, not just something created to milk the game for everything it was worth. They have done enough of that just releasing it over and over (N64 Collector's Edition, gray cartridge, game of the year edition, OoT/Master Quest CD, Zelda Collector's Edition Disc, Virtual Console). But hey, if people will buy it, why not sell it?

[linkman8]

I don't believe OOT was overrated. It's not like today where hype totally kills certain games, because even though a lot of people were looking forward to OOT, the hype wasn't overkill. That aside, the game did deliver on many of the factors that were considered "revolutionary" in the video game world. Granted that Mario 64 came before that, but even so, Zelda had never reached such an intricate level of gaming that included 3-D play.
On top of that, to this day people can still get the game on VC (or otherwise) and enjoy it just as much as they did in '98. So this leads me to believe that wasn't overrated in the slightest sense.

[adrock]

Ocarina is not over-rated at all. It deserves all the praise it gets. This coming from a guy who has played every Zelda since the original in 1986.

I might have to say that Twilight is over-rated. It has great aspects, design, etc, but if it were titled something other than Zelda (like if it were just some other game series) I would have stopped playing early on. It wasn't all that "fun". It doesn't suck by any means, don't misunderstand me, but no deserving of the hype.

I happen to think that WindWaker is the most UNDER-rated Zelda. It might be the funnest one yet. Its not "sophisticated", its just FUN and extremely well made. Revisit it after Twilight and you'll find it more enjoyable than before.

[Nemesis]

I think it's overrated, don't take me wrong, it's an awesome game :D, but it exists better Zelda games

[Midna666]

I happen to think that WindWaker is the most UNDER-rated Zelda. It might be the funnest one yet. Its not "sophisticated", its just FUN and extremely well made. Revisit it after Twilight and you'll find it more enjoyable than before.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you that Wind Waker is underrated.

[Kitsu]

I don't particularly think that Ocarina of Tim is overrated, at least not in comparison with many games today like Halo and the like. Many games now are so commercialized that they are "doomed by the hype", almost instantly. Now they are even putting the sponsor's advertisements in the games.

Nonetheless, I think that Ocarina of Time does indeed get a bit too much credit. Especially given that it seems to blot out the relevance of games like The Wind Waker and Majora's Mask.


And I agree, The Wind Waker is very under-rated, it was a great game, and yet it is hardly recognized.

[Link 2 the past]

If you look at it as just a game and ignore all the hype and how ground breaking it was, yes it is overated.

[Linkmaster]

I don't think it was overrated, but I don't think it was underrated either. I liked it, but it is a matter of opinion, not 100% fact.

[Midna666]

Here's something interest if you ask ten Zelda fan's what there favorite Zelda game is you will most likely get OOT as there answer.
But I bet if you ask ten Mario fan's there favorite Mario game is you will probably not get the same answer.

[Ver-go-a-go-go]

If you haven't figured it out yet, OoT is my all time favorite Zelda game. It's age is starting to show, but I'll always love it!:D

[kpllk]

It is an awesome game. It is overrated sometimes depending on who talks about it. I don't talk about it that much, so to me, it isn't that overrated.

[Midna666]

The problem that I have with OOT is that it seems to be the guild that is used to judge all of the new Zelda games.

[Kitsu]

The problem that I have with OOT is that it seems to be the guild that is used to judge all of the new Zelda games.

I think that seems to contribute to the whole "overrated" deal. When a game is so persistently compared and used as a sort of "bar-line", for new and up-coming games, I feel it takes away from both games.
Especially after the third or more time....

I feel this especially with games like Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. Both are so different from Ocarina of Time, that I don't feel it is quite right to compare them in such a manner. Whereas comparing stories and gameplay, I have no problem with, I think that their differences should be taken into account, rather a single game set the standard.

[chrisbg99]

Only in that there are people who think it is absolutely perfect and will go out of their way to bash any other game that comes up.

Be that as it is, it is still my favorite 3D Zelda and is still just as fun to play today as it was 10 years ago.

[Onilink89]

Well, personnaly i don 't have a fave zelda title, because for me every zelda title has his own unique thing.

So i don 't get the feel that a new title is released with better graphics and quality ect... that you don 't feel the older games outdated. Thats what makes OOT so good (also Alttp).

In N64 Generation, OOT was already amazing, with graphics and gameplay, storyline...pretty much everything. the first 3d zelda game, it made a huge impact.
And then they made a Gold edition, MQ version, GC version and then VC. i also see that as proof how great OOt is.

So no i don 't think its overrated.

[Midna666]

Now the people who like OOT,do they like it because it's a good game or do they like it for nostalgic reasons.

[MrMosley]

To me, OoT isn't necessarily nostalgic. I mean it is 10 years old, but I'm still kinda in the phase where everything that came before OoT is more nostalgic, like the NES and SNES titles. I still like it because it is a good game, and it does bring back good memories.

[chrisbg99]

Now the people who like OOT,do they like it because it's a good game or do they like it for nostalgic reasons.

Of course it is a good game. Great even. I just finished playing it last November again and I enjoyed playing the game then as much I did the first time I stuck it in my N64.

[Zemen]

honestly, and ill probably get shunned for this, but OoT is one of my least favorite zelda games. it has horrible replayability unless you wait 5 years to play it again. its not a game i want to play over and over at all. the other games i love to play over and over because there is so much to do in those games but the side stuff in OoT is not amazing at all. its basically you just stick to the story line with little digression. its the digression that makes a game continuely playable. the only games i would say are worse than OoT is the original zelda, CD-I zeldas and the original FS.

[Master94]

What. ocarina of time is my favourite game. in all of the games that i have played.
Then you say that i'ts almost terrible as cd-i.

[Midna666]

Now if and when Nintendo makes a Zelda game better then OOT,I bet that the OOT fanboys will still say that OOT is better simply for nostalgic reasons.
I personly think that Twilight Princess is better then OOT.

[Chris]

OoT has been the most popular game to come out in the Zelda series since 1999. I have never seen a more loved game ever in my life! I personally loved OoT when I got it. I would do anything to get my hands on it at first. My love for OoT still remains even after 4 years of it.

The question of if it will still be popular 10 years from now is a certain YES! This game is a massive creation considering it came out on the N64. I don't think people will lose intrest in it too fast.

[General Lee]

Ok don't get me wrong it is quite the game. On the other hand its quite over-rated. I mean sure its a great game and all, but still If you ask me its over-rated from what everybody says. I mean #! game EVER? I think easily top 10 maybe even 5 but not the best. Its just one of those games everybody has played, at thats what makes it fanbase so big. I mean Nintendo has released it 1...2...3...4 times? (N64, Collectors Edition, Master Quest, VC) I mean if you make that maybe ports of a great game, of course everybody will play it and it will get over rated. But again its still a great game, but not as great as everyone makes it out to be. And its all on opinion anyways, right?

[basement24]

I think it's hard to topple on a lot of "best" lists because of the benchmark it set for it's time. Taking away the story, the characters, the fact that it's Zelda, and you've just got a great game mechanic. It didn't just SET the bar, it MADE the bar for the potential of 3-D gaming. I've played brand new games in 2008 and 2009 that didn't come close to the quality of game mechanics that OoT had. That alone gives it reason to be so highly praised.

Then, add the fact that it's a Zelda game, and it adds a whole new level to why it deserves the praise it does to a lot of people. I don't have to say here of all places how much people can enjoy Zelda. So, if you take this wonderfully crafted game engine, and put a wonderfully crafted world and story in it, then you've got something really special.

I think, though, it deserves the praise either for it's time, or because of what it did for gaming back in 1998. If you want to judge it's graphics and music and such against games now, then it fails horribly. But then, so would the original Super Mario Bros, and I would put this game up around the levels of OoT because it was a milestone game.

When it comes to the general concept of what OoT is though, and how many innovative ideas it brought to the table, then no, I don't think it's overrated at all.

[Megamannt125]

Absolutely not.
Great Story.
Great Music.
Perfect balance of fun and difficulty.
Great Gameplay.
Great everything.

[Shnappy]

I would say that OoT is overrated compared to some other Zelda games. I'm not saying it was a bad game, I still think it is one of the greatest games of all time, I'm just surprised that some of the other Zelda games that were just as good and if not, better, got as much attention and popularity as OoT got. To give a personal opinion, I think that MM and ALttP were better games than OoT and should've gotten more praise, attention, and popularity.

[El Bagu]

I voted no. I recently saw a list on the IGN site (it was about the 100 best games ever made), they put Super Mario Bros as the best game ever, as number one (Yes I am talking about the first one in the series!). Is Super Mario Bros overrated? No I don´t believe so. I believe few games have done as much for the gaming industry as that game. Such things have to be taken into consideration. Do the same things apply to Ocarina of Time? Well, I´m not sure but I get that feeling. It is a fantastic game in every possible way and I believe it has had great influence on games that have come after. So I would say that it´s not overrated at all.

[UsayEldaZay]

No, just because a game title came out ten years ago doesn't mean we should just FORGET. It has CLEARLY earned its spot as the #1 Zelda title. Clearly. Well if we think it's so overrate then why don't we just ask for incredibly horrible Zelda titles? That way we wouldn't have to worry about this. Be thankful for games that are awesome like oot. And if you don't like it, then don't play it!

[Amelie]

Yes... it is over rated. But... it is a very good game. It was the first 3D Zelda... but it borrowed lots from AlttP which is why AlttP is better. The thing that made OoT great for me is how good it was made and that it was 3D... other then that... its more like a 3D AlttP to me. The time travel thing was very interesting... but it just not have the same replay as AlttP or even other Zelda games ^^

[basement24]

but it borrowed lots from AlttP which is why AlttP is better. The thing that made OoT great for me is how good it was made and that it was 3D...

This is very true. (Something I find myself saying to your posts a lot, Amelie! :) ) If OoT was a 2-D sequel to ALttP, it wouldn't be at the status level it's at today. The fact that it was a benchmark in 3-D gaming puts it high on my list, and many others, but when it comes to overall content, I think ALttP did it best because it did it first.

[Kokiri Kid]

I might have to say that Twilight is over-rated. It has great aspects, design, etc, but if it were titled something other than Zelda (like if it were just some other game series) I would have stopped playing early on. It wasn't all that "fun". It doesn't suck by any means, don't misunderstand me, but no deserving of the hype.

I happen to think that WindWaker is the most UNDER-rated Zelda. It might be the funnest one yet. Its not "sophisticated", its just FUN and extremely well made. Revisit it after Twilight and you'll find it more enjoyable than before.

I disagree with what you said about Twilight Princess, I think if it didn't have Zelda's name, I would've kept playing interested. There was nothing boring about it to me, nothing too tedious like I'm finding most of the latest Zeldas to be. Wind Waker - The triforce Shard gathering, the sailing and the boring dungeons. Phantom Hourglass - the dreaded Temple of the Ocean King.

I think Twilight Princess is definitely up in my top 3.

Back to the thread, Ocarina of time, was a great game in it's time and I will always remember it as one. It was my first Zelda and made an impact on me. Though I can't deny time has ravaged it's looks, and even it's feel to me. I can't get into it anymore, and I'm actually kind of tired of hearing about it.

So I think it wasn't overrated back then, it deserved all the hype and praise. Now? I think it's getting tiring and yes, overrated.

[Axle the Beast]

Well, I wouldn't say it's been surpassed, exactly, although Zelda games have come out that I liked better, personally. Well, one. Majora's Mask.

OoT was the first 3D Zelda, so naturally it's going to be favored by some. But that's not why I think others (and certainly not me) think it's the best. It was just in general designs better in terms of plot, gameplay, layout, etc. At least in my opinion. The only other Zelda that competes, at least for me, is Majora's Mask. Every other Zelda before and after has lacked something.

But I don't personally think Nintendo should be trying to surpass OoT. Measure up to it, sure. But... I don't know. I think if they keep trying to surpass it they're going to run themselves into a dead-end.

[Kaynil]

Yes. It is overrated.
It has been for quite a time.
And I doubt that will change in a while.

OoT still gets way too much attention, I think MM, TWW are as well done as OoT, yet I rarely see hypes about it, nor merchandise...


So I think it wasn't overrated back then, it deserved all the hype and praise. Now? I think it's getting tiring and yes, overrated.
I missed this, but I think it is close to the way I feel.

[Amelie]

Its funny because to me TWW is actually better then OoT in some ways. If they added more dungeons and did not cut it short... it could have been truly great. It might have even been better then OoT to most.

And if TP had maybe a little harder enemies... not such a bland over world and a liner story and disign it could easily be better then OoT in my opinion. I would even say that MM is actually much much better then OoT in quite a few places ^^

[link to present]

I often think Nintendo realized how significant Ocarina of Time was, and by creating an entire fanbase centered strictly around one game could easily bring in the money - by selling the original game, collector's edition, and master quest. I think it is overrated when you view it in this aspect, because of how much has been spent around acknowledging a single game to boost it's importance. Although, this doesn't ignore that I find the game to be incredibly well done, and have no doubt in my mind why someone could call it the greatest game of all time.

Your so right about it because in my opinion zelda would never have sold as many game or made alot of money for nintendo if it was not for OoT

[Twilight Prince]

How can you say the OoT is overrated? OoT was like the best Zelda ever made. It's not all over-rated. It was perfect difficulty. Had a great lengh. And it was fun.

[Amelie]

Errr... because its are opinions. I personally think AlttP and even MM and TWW are much better games then OoT. I wish I could say the same about TP. I already explained it in my other post though.

It was 3D. Thats what made it so great to me anyway. Like others said. If it was 2D... it would have been basically a remake of AlttP.

[CuMcL]

I think it is kind of overrated. Maybe you don't get the same feeling from it if you don't play it until 10 years after it's released, but as I was playing it, even though I was really enjoying it, I couldn't help but think it often got a bit too much credit.

[LinkAlmighty]

No I do not think that OoT is overrated. It had many great aspects that still beats many games today.

It had a great story, many games today just don't have an interesting story that can compare to OoT's.
It's gameplay & engine set the standards for 3D games. Where would 3D games be today withhout OoT's target system?
It has some of the best music I've heard in a game. I find them more memorable than many other game's music.
Sure today's graphics destroy OoT's, but that's not really fair to a 10 year old game. Plus 10 years ago, OoT's graphics destroyed every other games graphics.
Finally there is the fact that without OoT, who knows what 3D gaming would be like today, it is the basis on which every 3D game after it is born.

And if you think I'm one of those "old school" OoT fanboys, think again. My favorite Zelda is WindWaker & I only got OoT for VC several months ago and I beat it in January. I grew up with the 2000s' games and OoT still made me realise how much it did for us. I'm just saying that it isn't overrated and that it has done more for 3D gaming than any other game, including my fav WindWaker. So I think it deserves its spot as one of the best games of all time.

[Midna666]

I think that Super Mario 64 probably did more for the world of 3-D gaming then Ocarina of Time did.
I think that it was more difficult to make a 3-D Mario game then it was to make a 3-D Zelda game.
I mean in some ways OOT is just a 3-D ALTTP, where Mario 64 was in some ways a new direction for Video games in general.

[Shadow Goris]

This game is overrated. I've played through it 3 times and it's getting slightly dusty.

[Yoshi_FTW]

I think that Super Mario 64 probably did more for the world of 3-D gaming then Ocarina of Time did.
I think that it was more difficult to make a 3-D Mario game then it was to make a 3-D Zelda game.
I mean in some ways OOT is just a 3-D ALTTP, where Mario 64 was in some ways a new direction for Video games in general.

OoT didn't necessarily do anything for the gaming world, but it did more for the Zelda world than most of the other games. It set a standard for 3D Zelda games, and MM, WW, and TP have failed to meet those standards. OoT is currently the only 3D Zelda game worth playing.

Yes, WW is the biggest insult to all things Zelda.

[Akiranon]

Through the years the game has started to show its age. Still, you have to keep in mind that at the time OoT was totally unique. It was the first 3D Zelda and it looked and played wonderfully.

It's just that when compared to modern games it's not all that amazing anymore. I wouldn't say it's overrated, the older Zelda fans just praise it too much. But that's because it was most likely their first introduction to the Zelda franchise. The 'current' Zelda generation (should you call it that) started with games like Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. And for them, Ocarina of Time just isn't that amazing as it was to us. :)

[ResidentZelda]

Heck no! the game deserves all it's fame! it is awesome!

[ChargewithSword]

Yes it is. OOT is just an ordinary game to me, it's simple just remove all the bloody "It's the first game" crap and you get a very good Zelda game. It is in no way comparable to Triforce of The Gods or Majora's Mask. It lacks things in a few departments. It lacks original main story; it's Alttp all over again. And it's pretty much Alttp that's in 3D. The graphic design is nothing to shake a hat at, but I will admit that it is very nice for a 64 game without the expansion.

Once again I am going to compare the story to an older Zelda game before it if anyone wants to use the "first" arguement. Compare this to Link's Awakening (1993) Link's Awakening was not just a game about saving the world from a dictator who has captured the Princess and is power hungry.
This time the villain might as well be YOU! You go to an island of happy inhabitants and you find yourself enjoying it but soon the happiness crashes into glass shards. If you want to leave the island you must pay a heavy price. You must kill all the people who had come to meet you and have fun with you, including your love (it is heavily implied.) Do you want to go on and pop the dream? Or would you stay on that island forever?

Now let's compare it to Ocarina. Save the world form destruction against an evil mad man who hurts people to get what he wants. You then find yourself having to save a princess and sages along the way in order to save the world. There are plot twists (two) and no real question of choice or feelings on those you left behind.

Don't use the 3D arguement on that, because if LA was in 3D I can tell you that you'd be very impressed at the story of LA in 3D.

Gameplay- Let's compare the core gameplay to that of older Zelda's. It's basically run around with no different change of controls in how you play. It's Alttp in 3D again.

This game deserves praise for bringing Zelda 3D with a bang, but in my opinion it doesn't deserve praise as the best Zelda of all time.

Don't treat OOT as the first 3D game and treat it as a normal Zelda or else you'll have to give the same praise to LOZ as the best game. Take off the "first time" glasses.
(Was around for when it was released so I am no new gamer.)

[Ver-go-a-go-go]

Yes it is. OOT is just an ordinary game to me, it's simple just remove all the bloody "It's the first game" crap and you get a very good Zelda game. It is in no way comparable to Triforce of The Gods or Majora's Mask. It lacks things in a few departments. It lacks original main story; it's Alttp all over again. And it's pretty much Alttp that's in 3D.

I'll never understand why people are always drooling all over their shirts for an "original storyline". Some people think that Zelda needs a good plot to make it a good game, which is utter nonsense to me. Go play Final Fantasy if you want a good storyline, and don't complain about Zelda not having one, because Zelda has never been about that. It would be ALttP in 3D just because the story is similar? I don't think so. There are many many differences between the two games that set them apart from each other. The layout of Hyrule, the different races, and different items.


The graphic design is nothing to shake a hat at, but I will admit that it is very nice for a 64 game without the expansion.

Again, you're complaining about something that Zelda had never been about. Zelda games have always been outdone by other systems at the time when it comes to graphics, so that argument falls flat on its face.


Once again I am going to compare the story to an older Zelda game before it if anyone wants to use the "first" arguement. Compare this to Link's Awakening (1993) Link's Awakening was not just a game about saving the world from a dictator who has captured the Princess and is power hungry.
This time the villain might as well be YOU! You go to an island of happy inhabitants and you find yourself enjoying it but soon the happiness crashes into glass shards. If you want to leave the island you must pay a heavy price. You must kill all the people who had come to meet you and have fun with you, including your love (it is heavily implied.) Do you want to go on and pop the dream? Or would you stay on that island forever?

Now let's compare it to Ocarina. Save the world form destruction against an evil mad man who hurts people to get what he wants. You then find yourself having to save a princess and sages along the way in order to save the world. There are plot twists (two) and no real question of choice or feelings on those you left behind.

You're just drooling over plot again. Is that all you look for in a Zelda game? If plot is your main concern, you really should play a game like Final Fantasy X. Its plot blows every Zelda game in existance out of the water.




Gameplay- Let's compare the core gameplay to that of older Zelda's. It's basically run around with no different change of controls in how you play. It's Alttp in 3D again.

Yeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhh, umm, that's what how it is in EVERY Zelda game, old and new. I don't think it was going to change just because of Zelda going 3D.


This game deserves praise for bringing Zelda 3D with a bang, but in my opinion it doesn't deserve praise as the best Zelda of all time.

Don't treat OOT as the first 3D game and treat it as a normal Zelda or else you'll have to give the same praise to LOZ as the best game. Take off the "first time" glasses.
(Was around for when it was released so I am no new gamer.)

Basically, you've just made the point that OoT didn't have a plot you liked, and that OoT shared the gameplay of every other Zelda game in existance. Believe me, my "first time" glasses have been off for a long while. OoT provided me with much more fun than any Zelda game I've ever played, and it has the title of Best Zelda from me. Fun > "original storyline" anyday in my book.

[ChargewithSword]

I'll never understand why people are always drooling all over their shirts for an "original storyline". Some people think that Zelda needs a good plot to make it a good game, which is utter nonsense to me. Go play Final Fantasy if you want a good storyline, and don't complain about Zelda not having one, because Zelda has never been about that. It would be ALttP in 3D just because the story is similar? I don't think so. There are many many differences between the two games that set them apart from each other. The layout of Hyrule, the different races, and different items.



Again, you're complaining about something that Zelda had never been about. Zelda games have always been outdone by other systems at the time when it comes to graphics, so that argument falls flat on its face.



You're just drooling over plot again. Is that all you look for in a Zelda game? If plot is your main concern, you really should play a game like Final Fantasy X. Its plot blows every Zelda game in existance out of the water.





Yeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhh, umm, that's what how it is in EVERY Zelda game, old and new. I don't think it was going to change just because of Zelda going 3D.



Basically, you've just made the point that OoT didn't have a plot you liked, and that OoT shared the gameplay of every other Zelda game in existance. Believe me, my "first time" glasses have been off for a long while. OoT provided me with much more fun than any Zelda game I've ever played, and it has the title of Best Zelda from me. Fun > "original storyline" anyday in my book.

Now you are misinterpretting me. I don't look for awesome stories all the time I want gameplay that has differences between the many other Zeldas and so far only one Zelda has given me no new gameplay what so ever (TP.) However guess what, I played MM and found it to be much funner than OOT becsause of the different gameplay and the only reason I am not one of the people who say "The timer is a problem." It is because I slow down time and take advantage of time and events I have learned. Because of this I love MM to death all the way.
Wind Waker has the sailing mechanic and temples that really use the items in very fun and intuitive ways. And the Tingle Tuner is very fun and original (if you have the cable.)
OOT has not much varying gameplay in it at all. Alttp had varying gameplay because it was the first to use magic in the top down enviroments. It used the two world storyline first and it had the greatest bosses conceived in Zelda.
LA..... when I think about it, LA has not much in it that is original aside from the story. I still rate Zelda heavily on originality and story. So if you have a problem how I see how "I" think of Zelda's then you better just turn around and change someone else's opinion. Because I am not budging, I didn't find OOT as fun as other Zeldas and I think it's overrated, that's that.

[Ver-go-a-go-go]

Now you are misinterpretting me. I don't look for awesome stories all the time I want gameplay that has differences between the many other Zeldas and so far only one Zelda has given me no new gameplay what so ever (TP.) However guess what, I played MM and found it to be much funner than OOT becsause of the different gameplay and the only reason I am not one of the people who say "The timer is a problem." It is because I slow down time and take advantage of time and events I have learned. Because of this I love MM to death all the way.
Wind Waker has the sailing mechanic and temples that really use the items in very fun and intuitive ways. And the Tingle Tuner is very fun and original (if you have the cable.)
OOT has not much varying gameplay in it at all. Alttp had varying gameplay because it was the first to use magic in the top down enviroments. It used the two world storyline first and it had the greatest bosses conceived in Zelda.
LA..... when I think about it, LA has not much in it that is original aside from the story. I still rate Zelda heavily on originality and story. So if you have a problem how I see how "I" think of Zelda's then you better just turn around and change someone else's opinion. Because I am not budging, I didn't find OOT as fun as other Zeldas and I think it's overrated, that's that.

This is an argment I accept. If OoT isn't as fun to you as the other Zeldas, that's fine with me, and I can understnad you're way of thinking. That's a good reason to think that OoT is overrated, because I only look for fun in a game.

And I'm sorry if my above post was little harsh or if it felt like I was attcking your opinion. I'm not in the best of moods today. :D

[midnightokami]

I don't think Ocarina of time is over rated at all. I never heard of the zelda game series until my birthday back in the beginning of 2008. (My birthday present was a ds that came with Phantom Hourglass)

[Crystal Clair]

I'm going to say that Oot is overrated. It may have had memorable characters, a great storyline and that great backstory, not to mention great temples but the land was boring and empty and you can't honestly compare the characters to the ones from Majora's Mask.

[Detha]

It really isn't. Many newcomers jumping into it after playing Twilight might not accept the aging graphics, smaller world, less-refined control, and slow start-up, but the difficulty curve, the scope and scale of each dungeon, the efficiency of the world and the space it used, the pacing, the lack of filler, the dungeon-crawling/side-quests/secrets/exploration ratio was just so damned good. The story was also decent. I really didn't appreciate the game as much in my past as I have recently.

Basically, no - it is not.

[Immortal_One]

This game is more than ten years old and still considered one of the best games ever created. In it's time, it was ground breaking. Few people had faith in Nintendo making the puzzle-action aspect of Zelda to remain as solid as it was in previous games. Ocarina of Time not only exceeded expectations of many people, but is the game that usually gets new players to start loving the series.

Overrated games such as Halo and the like can be considered overrated because so many people love the game for all the wrong reasons. Like Dark Link said, flashy graphics and online play don't make a great game. In my opinion, gameplay, storyline, difficulty, soundtrack and graphics make the game. OoT created a beautiful balance in each of these. I don't feel as if it's any bit overrated.

[Zemen]

I'm going to agree with chargewithsword on one thing he stated. If you're going to say that OoT is the best because it started the 3D revolution for Zelda then you have to say that LoZ is the best because it started the Zelda revolution to begin with. OoT is always praised for being the "best" game. You are all bringing up how it started so much for the series and that's all fine and dandy, but that doesn't make it the best game. That just makes it a good start. MM was a much better game than OoT, IMO. I like many of the older handheld titles more than I like OoT. What makes a certain game the best is it's plot, gameplay, plot twists, etc..

OoT definitely does not have the best plot of the series. It doesn't have the best gameplay of the series. It has VERY FEW plot twists and the items are very plain. Yes, it's a good start, but based on what there is now, it is very overrated.

Many of you will say "compared to now, yeah, it is overrated, but it wasn't back then"

For those of you who will say that, this is my response. Stop living in the past, because it's in the past.

[Immortal_One]

I just feel like it got me into the storyline a lot more than pretty much any other game. ALttP gave a lot of insight into the storyline, but not near as much as any of the 3D Zelda games. I think it was just the little things that made me adore that game so much. Hearing the classic Master Sword sound bit play while I was watching Link take the blade in his hands was amazing.

I think the aspect of 3D gave the game a lot, not only in terms of graphics, but also in terms of conveying feeling. Looking at the game now, it's not all that pretty. Seeing Princess Zelda with her eyes closed and her hands clasped in front of her face while advancing the plot line doesn't seem all that breathtaking to us right now. Ten years ago, it was close to something out of a movie. I think that a basic 3D figure with text scrolling at the bottom evokes a lot more feeling than watching a still 2D pixelated sprite does.

I just think that it was the first game in the series to utilize the 3D view as a means to get into the story more. I think that if ALttP were to be made in 3D rather than OoT, everyone would revere it as a groundbreaking game taking Link to the next level. ALttP did seem to have a better storyline, better game mechanics and a pretty good soundtrack, but we saw it in 2D, which didn't engage our senses in way that we felt when we first walked onto Hyrule Field in OoT. It's not a purely graphical superiority that makes people like OoT better, but it's what the graphics help convey that we love.

[Kaynil]

Many of you will say "compared to now, yeah, it is overrated, but it wasn't back then"

For those of you who will say that, this is my response. Stop living in the past, because it's in the past.
Exactly my point. By saying OoT is overrated I am not denying all the stuff it did in its moment, more than a decade ago.

I can see all the good stuff it brought being the first 3D, I can remember the magic feeling it had to me and many of us that got involved to the Zelda Saga thanks to it, the emotion of those who where since the NES following it see the successful transfer of the dungeons and quests to a 3D Hyrule. I can see what it mean to many.

But I agree with Zemen and what Kokiri Kid said some pages ago, you cannot be hooked forever in the past. The Legend of Zelda had to jump to 3D at some point in order to keep on being competitive. A Link to the past was fine, why did they do it? Because they noticed things were changing and Nintendo adapted with them, and taht is what it is doing with each game, portatil or not.

OoT had a very well deserved glory, but by today standars, to insist other games are bad because they weren't like OoT only block us to enjoy more other games.

I also agree with the person tahn mention that it surprises him that inside the Zelda ratio, there are other games that also were as good, if not more, yet, they received way less praise, for example Majora' Mask.

[Ver-go-a-go-go]

OoT definitely did not have the best plot of the series. It doesn't have the best gameplay of the series. It has VERY FEW plot twists and the items are very plain. Yes, it's a good start, but based on what there is now, it is very overrated.

Hmm, just defending OoT here:

I wonder if a time-travel plot could have been played out any better. Of course, time travel is what made the plot so endearingly interesting, as Link would experience events and meet people as a child and then see the same things seven years later except to find out that everything had changed drastically, almost always for the worst. Because of the time travel as well, Link basically paved the way for Ganondorf to obtain the Triforce, and for him to ruin the world and people he knew as a child, which also lead to me finding myself absorbed in the plot, because I knew all the evil could be traced back to me ultimately . Link's best friends as a child also turned out to be sages because of Ganondorf's evil plans, and Link saves these friends and finds out they still care about him even after him abandoning them for seven whole years. This intrigued me, to find out that people Link met in the past would become key in his destiny, and that they would all ultimately owe him their lives. And even the characters Link didn't know as well, such as the fisherman in Lake Hylia, were played out quite well along with the major characters. Of course, there were more connections in the past than just Link's old friends. Finding out that I could use the past to alter the future was another amazing concept. Seeing Nabooru being captured by the witches in the Spirit Temple as a child is a very good example. Finding out that Nabooru had been a slave for years when it only seemed like seconds to me, was quite fascinating. The factor of "abandonment" also comes back in to what I was thinking at the time.

I've talked about characters, but the time traveling element of the plot brought around much more than changes of the characters. Seeing what Link's actions had caused to the the land geographically was very interesting as well. Seeing Death Mountain even fiercer than before because of Ganondorf's actions (Which were again, traced back to Link), Zora's Domain being completely frozen over for the same reason, and Kokiri forest overrun with monsters because Link wasn't able to save the Great Deku Tree are some prime examples. All this occurred because of the time traveling element which the plot of the game introduced, and as I said, I found it very absorbing. There are other examples as well, including the condition of Castle Town, and how Hyrule Castle had been uterly destroyed and replaced by the Evil King's Tower. Time travel is what made the characters and places very interesting in the plot (To me anyway), and it was played out perfectly. Even the minor things, such as how Lon Lon ranch was taken over, and how you freed it and Malon, contributed to it. And on the topic of the time traveling plot element, you also mention plot twists. Ocarina of Time had more than your typical Zelda game. For instance, the whole time traveling plot element itself acted as a plot twist. Your best friend, Saria, turning out to be "The girl from the forest", was made into a sage, even though she started out in the beginning of the game being only that, a friend. This also applies to Darunia, and to a lesser extent, Ruto. The Zelda/Sheik twist is, of course, the most famous in the series, and remains more popular than anything else in the series today. Along with these and more, you must take into account that the more recent Zelda games haven't produced as many stunning plot twists as the ones I've mentioned. MM and WW seemed to try, but none of them ever matched up to the "Wow!" factor, and Twilight Princess just seemed to downright fail with plot twists all together.

With game play, of course it was a complete new field of expertise, that Eiji Aonuma would later call one of the most difficult projects he's ever worked on. However, time has proven that even though the first concept of something can be greatly improved with later games, doesn't mean that it won't stand a test of time and be completely over shadowed as newer games came along. Super Mario 64 of all games can teach this. Sunshine and Galaxy beat it in every possible way when it comes to game play, but this does not mean that Mario 64 can be trumped by Sunshine or Galaxy. A game's game play is what, in essence, can define it in every way possible. But, if this is kept true, how can some hold Mario 64 over Galaxy? The answer is quite simple: The style of the game play, even it can be made "better", might not be "better" to some at all. Many prefer Mario 64's game play just because it's their style of playing games, and it can't be made "better" to fit their style. I do believe the same can be said about, say, Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess. Twilight Princess obviously handles better, but like I said, "better" isn't always what changes someone's gaming style. Because of the two differences of game play between Ocarina and Princess, some may prefer the "better" game play of Princess, while some prefer the "inferior" game play of Ocarina.

It all comes down to how you like to play your games, which completely differs from person to person, and I believe this holds relevance to the current discussion. One person's "better" game play may actually be inferior to a certain person's preference, which is why I don't think it can be compared from game to game as time goes on and produces more installments, and which is why people sometimes prefer older game play to newer game play. If "better" game play is what rules all, then all recent games would be considered much better than their predecessors, which means Galaxy would always be considered better than Mario 64, and that Metroid Prime 3 (Which again, handles much better than the Prime games ahead of it) would always be considered better than the original Metroid Prime. It just doesn't work like that. Older game play is preferred over newer all the time, which further adds to the discussion of what is "better" and whether or not the term "better" is actually relevant at all.

Just my opinions really. There aren't meant to be accepted as fact or anything, and are just my views on those two brought-up game elements.

EDIT: The edit was just for you Charge. :D Let's see what you have to say.

[ChargewithSword]

Let me say this again, OOT is overrated in story and in gameplay.

For story OOT is good but falls short at how much story action there is present. Of course this is Nintendo following their “Gameplay before story” rule. OOT has many plot twists present but they lose a lot of their affect after you play the second time or play Twilight Princess or Alttp. Now, why I mention Twilight Princess is also why I think OOT falls short of Majora’s Mask. The problem is that OOT loses it’s charm when extras come around to take it’s place, that’s also why Alttp lost charm in it’s story because of how many remakes came, then came TP with the near exact same story as Alttp and OOT which causes the whole idea of the story to lose some heart. However, certain things in OOT are still memorable because of how they haven’t been done yet. For example: Darunia’s Dancing will always make me laugh, Bongo Bongo breaking out of the well is an awesome scene because no other Zelda did it. There are plenty of things in OOT that stand out to keep them fresh, however the story itself is tiring to see over and over.
Majora’s Mask is a game I like because of how original it was when it came to story. Link is looking for Navi (in the CT) after he had defeated Ganondorf and gets robbed of his horse and Ocarina by a thieving Skull Kid. When he catches up to the Skull Kid he is then transformed into a Deku Scrub in which he once again chases after Skull Kid. He then finds that he must save the world within the limit of three days before a moon crashes and kills everyone. You catch up to Skull Kid by the third day and you get your Ocarina back and turn back the clock at the same time. Now after you are back to normal you are free to save the world to your full potential and help everyone, before it all disappears.
I shall give an example to Majora’s uniqueness.
The first place you go is the Deku swamp which has lost it’s deity and thus the poison has taken over. The Deku princess has gone missing and the king is ready to kill anyone to save her. It seems like this is the end of the Deku kingdom as now they have no home and will surely die slowly and surely if they stay, and they have nowhere to go. It would seem Majora has chosen to slowly destroy the Deku’s before she would destroy them completely. It’s something like that that makes Majora one of the most unique villains and how she adds to the story. She is like a child who takes enjoyment in the deaths of everyone and doesn’t show much concern for who she kills and harms.
Ganondorf seems to be a villain who enjoys power and seems to keep his peons alive for his use. He also seems to have a care for life by keeping his people (Gerudo’s) alive. This gives him a side of kindness within him, especially in Wind Waker when he says that all he did was for his kingdom’s benefit. He also doesn’t seem to have a horrible regime as a king; while he rules his people with an iron fist he doesn’t seem to harm their ways of living unless they go against him and refuse to fall before him. Majora has no concern for life and rather enjoys killing them. However Majora just doesn’t kill them, she breaks their minds and hope before ending it all.
There are also plot twists in OOT that can be overshadowed by other games. The time travel twist is something that is more like a cool addition and makes you feel like “Oh yea, now we are getting somewhere“, but it’s a plot twist that gets you once because of how limited the surprise is. Let’s compare this to say, the biggest plot twist in Zelda History: Link’s Awakening.
You find yourself as Link who is on an idle quest to wake the guardian deity from his slumber so you can escape the island of Koholint. Nothing seems to get anywhere and you enjoy your time on the island. However, when on your quest you reach the Southern Face Shrine you find a most shocking discovery:
TO THE FINDER…
KOHOLINT ISLAND IS BUT AN ILLUSION…
HUMAN, MONSTER, SEA, SKY…
A SCENE ON THE LID OF THE SLEEPER’S EYE…
AWAKE THE DREAMER AND KOHOLINT WILL VANISH
LIKE A BUBBLE ON A NEEDLE…
CAST-AWAY YOU SHOULD KNOW THE TRUTH!

This is where the game is still shocking, you find that this island is all a lie which you must now destroy. This is no save the world quest, this is a genocide. This kind of plot twist gets you every time because of how it’s not just an upgrade to the story, it’s a bloody conflict of morals! Although the end it reveals that the island’s memory is the real story.
I agree that Time Travel adds to the story by giving different prospective and adds to character development. You find that your friends have become sages, however the first time or second time it can be kind of predictable after Darunia, because you expect the sages to be someone you knew from your childhood. OOT didn’t really focus much on the idea of sages though to much other than brief little pieces of dialogue which makes the characters less 3rd dimension. Nabooru was a really good idea to have as a sage and become a minion of Twinrova, it was a really good piece of plot twisting and worked well. The Zelda/Sheik thing was probably the second greatest twist in Zelda ever and I must say that every time Sheik is revealed as a dudette and not a dude I get surprised.
Another thing that time travel had that was used was the changes that would be made because of time. The thing is that Majora also had the same thing, everything changed because of time and would also go to normal poison because of a repeat in time. The thing that also influenced by time travel is who you can save. Even if you beat the game, you didn’t save everyone and they must go on like that.

Now, on the gameplay front I shall have to compare it to it’s closest counterpart which is Majora. Now OOT had revolutionized Zelda when it brought the gameplay to 3D. However, the problem is that OOT was not finished (if you think of what Ura Zelda was to be then OOT was incomplete.) OOT lacked in item usage and felt redundant whenever you were forced to never use an item when you were on a certain timeline where as in Majora’s Mask, all the items Adult Link could use was accessible by young Link. There was also the removal of items that could have been used if it had been finished which added to the stale factor.
There was also the dungeon design between it and it's counterpart. The dungeons themselves were small and lacked feasable puzzles in OOT. In Majora, the dungeons had been designed to challenge your mind and your reflexes even though there were fewer. The dungeons teased you with direct puzzles in MM and your skills of memory and common sense were put to the test. In OOT, it was very straightforward.
Now let me get to the over world and the levels designed around the dungeons. Often it feels like as if it’s all empty and not there, it just screams that there needs to be more, but there wasn’t. Majora felt finished and that you grabbed everything it could pull at you when it came to design, of course Majora was better since it had that expansion pack. In truth, OOT lacks a lot unless it had been given another year or perhaps that Ura Zelda was finished.

[Niko Bellic 817]

Prior to getting OoT, I thought that everything about it would be better than every game I played before. When I got the game, though I thought it was a very fun and challenging game, I didn't think it deserved the amount of attention it gets today. I think that the reason people like the game so much is because it was the first zelda they've ever played. Many people seem to criticize Twilight Princess, my favorite zelda game, because it used midis rather than orchestrated pieces and has Wii graphics that are compared to the gamecube. It feels to me that people judge a game too much by its graphics and like OoT more because its graphics were good for its time. I seem to like the NES zelda and Adventure of Link in addition to TP more than OoT, but that's only my opinion.

[Ver-go-a-go-go]

Let me say this again, OOT is overrated in story and in gameplay.

For story OOT is good but falls short at how much story action there is present. Of course this is Nintendo following their “Gameplay before story” rule. OOT has many plot twists present but they lose a lot of their affect after you play the second time or play Twilight Princess or Alttp. Now, why I mention Twilight Princess is also why I think OOT falls short of Majora’s Mask. The problem is that OOT loses it’s charm when extras come around to take it’s place, that’s also why Alttp lost charm in it’s story because of how many remakes came, then came TP with the near exact same story as Alttp and OOT which causes the whole idea of the story to lose some heart. However, certain things in OOT are still memorable because of how they haven’t been done yet. For example: Darunia’s Dancing will always make me laugh, Bongo Bongo breaking out of the well is an awesome scene because no other Zelda did it. There are plenty of things in OOT that stand out to keep them fresh, however the story itself is tiring to see over and over.

You keep mentioning that Ocarina of Time lost everything after an individual plays through it the first time. Personally, I see this as a weak argument. The "Wow" factor that games give you is never going to last a second time. You said the plot twists were very good. Of course they aren't going to be a surprising the second time around. That's how all games are made, to present you with a plot that will amaze you the first time, and to present game play that'll keep bringing you back for more. The point that Ocarina of Time provided more "Wow!'s" with its plot twists is a sign of very good development on Nintendo's part. Ocarina of Time was very loosely based on A Link to the Past, and you can't tell me that if you played A Link to the Past before Ocarina of Time, you were reminded of A Link to the Past the entire time you were playing through Ocarina. There are several very key differences, which again, sets Ocarina of time up for a fresh new experience. I do agree that Twilight Princess was based much more heavily around Ocarina, and therefor, the story did seem a wee bit worn, but that's not the topic here, and can be saved for another day.



Majora’s Mask is a game I like because of how original it was when it came to story. Link is looking for Navi (in the CT) after he had defeated Ganondorf and gets robbed of his horse and Ocarina by a thieving Skull Kid. When he catches up to the Skull Kid he is then transformed into a Deku Scrub in which he once again chases after Skull Kid. He then finds that he must save the world within the limit of three days before a moon crashes and kills everyone. You catch up to Skull Kid by the third day and you get your Ocarina back and turn back the clock at the same time. Now after you are back to normal you are free to save the world to your full potential and help everyone, before it all disappears.
I shall give an example to Majora’s uniqueness.

I would be a fool to say that Majora's Mask didn't introduce a completely new story to the Zelda universe. However, just because a story is different, doesn't mean it's always better. If this was the case, why do some prefer the Wind Waker's story to Majora's Mask's? Majora's Mask, to an extent, had an even more different story than did Wind Waker. By this way of thinking, a new story does not always mean that it's preferred. Majora's Mask's story was very fresh, so why do some like Wind Waker's better, even if it wasn't as fresh? The answer is simple: Fresh storyline is not always the better story line. Games like Wind Waker can come along with a not-as-fresh story, and yet walk away as certain people's favorite. The same applies to Ocarina of Time. Majora's fresh story line does not always beat Ocarina's time travel storyline.


The first place you go is the Deku swamp which has lost it’s deity and thus the poison has taken over. The Deku princess has gone missing and the king is ready to kill anyone to save her. It seems like this is the end of the Deku kingdom as now they have no home and will surely die slowly and surely if they stay, and they have nowhere to go. It would seem Majora has chosen to slowly destroy the Deku’s before she would destroy them completely. It’s something like that that makes Majora one of the most unique villains and how she adds to the story. She is like a child who takes enjoyment in the deaths of everyone and doesn’t show much concern for who she kills and harms.

Moving on to the topic of the villan, I see. Majora can be classified, in many cases, as a much more cruel and sinister villain than Ganondorf, but this does not necessarily make Majora better. To continue, you make the point that Majora added to the story unlike other villains. I tend to disagree. Ganondorf played a very important role in Ocarina of Time, and he displayed acts of evil that, although not as twisted as Majora's, showed his true cruelty. Preparing to feed the gorons to Volvalgia, freezing the zoras in their own domain, and literally destroying Castle Town are some key acts, and along with this, he contributed to the storyline just as much as Majora did. Finding out his story in Gerudo Fortress is what really got me thinking about how much he actually had to do with the story line. All the way from knocking Link down at the beginning, calling forth his own evil phantom, losing the respect of his own people, and ultimately "underestimating" the power of the Triforce of Courage that Link possesses. He did, in fact, contribute greatly.




Ganondorf seems to be a villain who enjoys power and seems to keep his peons alive for his use. He also seems to have a care for life by keeping his people (Gerudo’s) alive. This gives him a side of kindness within him, especially in Wind Waker when he says that all he did was for his kingdom’s benefit. He also doesn’t seem to have a horrible regime as a king; while he rules his people with an iron fist he doesn’t seem to harm their ways of living unless they go against him and refuse to fall before him. Majora has no concern for life and rather enjoys killing them. However Majora just doesn’t kill them, she breaks their minds and hope before ending it all.

Let me make it clear that when discussing Ocarina of Time, you shouldn't bring up more plot that came along in Wind Waker. We're just discussing about Ocarina of Time with no strings attached. And my response to this paragraph can mostly be seen above. Of course, I fail to see how an eviler villain contributes to a game's plot being better. In fact, Majora's mindless killing took AWAY from the plot, because it gave up the elements of manipulation and deceiving that Ganondorf had in Ocarina of Time. This overall makes Ganondorf a deeper villain, providing for more and better plot, which is what this whole part of the discussion is about.



There are also plot twists in OOT that can be overshadowed by other games. The time travel twist is something that is more like a cool addition and makes you feel like “Oh yea, now we are getting somewhere“, but it’s a plot twist that gets you once because of how limited the surprise is. Let’s compare this to say, the biggest plot twist in Zelda History: Link’s Awakening.
You find yourself as Link who is on an idle quest to wake the guardian deity from his slumber so you can escape the island of Koholint. Nothing seems to get anywhere and you enjoy your time on the island. However, when on your quest you reach the Southern Face Shrine you find a most shocking discovery:
TO THE FINDER…
KOHOLINT ISLAND IS BUT AN ILLUSION…
HUMAN, MONSTER, SEA, SKY…
A SCENE ON THE LID OF THE SLEEPER’S EYE…
AWAKE THE DREAMER AND KOHOLINT WILL VANISH
LIKE A BUBBLE ON A NEEDLE…
CAST-AWAY YOU SHOULD KNOW THE TRUTH!

This is where the game is still shocking, you find that this island is all a lie which you must now destroy. This is no save the world quest, this is a genocide. This kind of plot twist gets you every time because of how it’s not just an upgrade to the story, it’s a bloody conflict of morals! Although the end it reveals that the island’s memory is the real story.

Of course, I can add that this was the game's one and only plot twist, and that it made most gamers angry in stead of shocked and surprised. After all, it's the freaking last minute of the game. I also fail to see how this is considered the biggest plot twist in Zelda history. As I said, many were just downright upset that Nintendo used the "It's only a dream" excuse that's been recycled over an over. One example is the Mickey's Magical Quest game. It ended the same exact way, a dream, so should it be considered to have a better plot twist than all Zelda games? Of course not, becuae it's a constantly reused concept. At least Ocarina of Time's ending was new and fresh.



I agree that Time Travel adds to the story by giving different prospective and adds to character development. You find that your friends have become sages, however the first time or second time it can be kind of predictable after Darunia, because you expect the sages to be someone you knew from your childhood. OOT didn’t really focus much on the idea of sages though to much other than brief little pieces of dialogue which makes the characters less 3rd dimension. Nabooru was a really good idea to have as a sage and become a minion of Twinrova, it was a really good piece of plot twisting and worked well. The Zelda/Sheik thing was probably the second greatest twist in Zelda ever and I must say that every time Sheik is revealed as a dudette and not a dude I get surprised.

Yes, it does get predictable after Darunia, but the shock of finding out about Saria is something that first time players of Ocarina of Time remember very well. You mention brief pieces of dialogue, but you forget that that's the whole plot of every Zelda game. Brief pieces of dialogue that you get throughout the game, which feeds bits about the main storyline. There isn't much more to argue about this paragraph, because we agree on almost everything in this part.





Another thing that time travel had that was used was the changes that would be made because of time. The thing is that Majora also had the same thing, everything changed because of time and would also go to normal poison because of a repeat in time. The thing that also influenced by time travel is who you can save. Even if you beat the game, you didn’t save everyone and they must go on like that.

Yes, of course, but this didn't influence the main story line near as much as the time traveling plot element did in Ocarina of Time. While Majora's is just a few days, Ocarina of Time's is a massive seven years, which leads to much more drawn out consequences and more of an ultimatum feeling.



Now, on the gameplay front I shall have to compare it to it’s closest counterpart which is Majora. Now OOT had revolutionized Zelda when it brought the gameplay to 3D. However, the problem is that OOT was not finished (if you think of what Ura Zelda was to be then OOT was incomplete.) OOT lacked in item usage and felt redundant whenever you were forced to never use an item when you were on a certain timeline where as in Majora’s Mask, all the items Adult Link could use was accessible by young Link. There was also the removal of items that could have been used if it had been finished which added to the stale factor.
There was also the dungeon design between it and it's counterpart. The dungeons themselves were small and lacked feasable puzzles in OOT. In Majora, the dungeons had been designed to challenge your mind and your reflexes even though there were fewer. The dungeons teased you with direct puzzles in MM and your skills of memory and common sense were put to the test. In OOT, it was very straightforward.

I disagree completely. Ocarina of Time's dungeons walked the very fine line of challenging and fun, while Majora's Mask's went to flat out difficulty and frustration. You stated talking about lack of usage of items in Ocarina, which I think is completely false. If anything, Ganon's Tower was the ultimate test of how much you actually mastered your items throughout the game, and Majora's Mask presented no such opportunity. I also find it strange that you think Ocarina's Dungeons felt incomplete. Some of the dungeons were super massive, with plenty of floors and rooms that provided much more fun than did Majora's measly few. Another point, about Ocarina being straightforward. That might be the case with the first three dungeons (Majora's Mask throws you into difficulty the first chance it gets), but when you start to enter the temples for the first time, you'll find that the dungeon's aren't quite as easy. Note that I said first time. Dungeon's aren't made to challenge you every time you play, because that would turn the replay value way down. And with items being limited to Adult or Child Link, that's the beauty of it. You get a complete different arsenal of items every time you switch, which worked out perfectly for say, the Spirit Temple.



Now let me get to the over world and the levels designed around the dungeons. Often it feels like as if it’s all empty and not there, it just screams that there needs to be more, but there wasn’t. Majora felt finished and that you grabbed everything it could pull at you when it came to design, of course Majora was better since it had that expansion pack. In truth, OOT lacks a lot unless it had been given another year or perhaps that Ura Zelda was finished.

I feel that when people think of "over world" in Ocarina, they immediately think of Hyrule Field which was basically empty. But, they forget about the other places, such as Kokiri Forest, Death Mountain, Zora's Domain, Lake Hylia, and Gerudo Desert, all which were packed full of things to do, and were much more interesting that the places that Majora's Mask had to offer.

[ChargewithSword]

You keep mentioning that Ocarina of Time lost everything after an individual plays through it the first time. Personally, I see this as a weak argument. The "Wow" factor that games give you is never going to last a second time. You said the plot twists were very good. Of course they aren't going to be a surprising the second time around. That's how all games are made, to present you with a plot that will amaze you the first time, and to present game play that'll keep bringing you back for more. The point that Ocarina of Time provided more "Wow!'s" with its plot twists is a sign of very good development on Nintendo's part. Ocarina of Time was very loosely based on A Link to the Past, and you can't tell me that if you played A Link to the Past before Ocarina of Time, you were reminded of A Link to the Past the entire time you were playing through Ocarina. There are several very key differences, which again, sets Ocarina of time up for a fresh new experience. I do agree that Twilight Princess was based much more heavily around Ocarina, and therefor, the story did seem a wee bit worn, but that's not the topic here, and can be saved for another day.

Ocarina rehashed the sage concept of Alttp that hadn't been featured before. It also had brought out the existence of two worlds and the Sacred Realm which had been introduced in Alttp. It's very difficult to add to this argument because of a lack of story in Alttp. Alttp had the same concept as OOT and in truth was expanded in OOT instead of it being so much another game.
The plot twists introduced in OOT aren't of that many to wow you into playing again though, what people played in OOT was rather the gameplay which they found good. If OOT was a movie it would be shot down in comparison to say, a Majora's Mask or Link's Awakening movie. The reason is that plot twists must also be able to leave an effect on you, however in OOT the plot twists were nothing more than "SURPRISE. SOMETHING DIFFERENT HAPPENED!"





I would be a fool to say that Majora's Mask didn't introduce a completely new story to the Zelda universe. However, just because a story is different, doesn't mean it's always better. If this was the case, why do some prefer the Wind Waker's story to Majora's Mask's? Majora's Mask, to an extent, had an even more different story than did Wind Waker. By this way of thinking, a new story does not always mean that it's preferred. Majora's Mask's story was very fresh, so why do some like Wind Waker's better, even if it wasn't as fresh? The answer is simple: Fresh storyline is not always the better story line. Games like Wind Waker can come along with a not-as-fresh story, and yet walk away as certain people's favorite. The same applies to Ocarina of Time. Majora's fresh story line does not always beat Ocarina's time travel storyline.

The thing is that Majora has a story that branches out to many different individual fronts which allows for a broader look on stories. OOT was a straightforward zoom that was good for that. However, Majora made you think on what was happening and who you effected because of how you couldn't help everyone. There was also the different feelings given off from the normal Zelda formula which gave Majora's story a good plus from the majority of the fans.
In actuality, most people liked Wind Waker because it wasn't a simple carbon copy of OOT or Alttp. In truth it was a real game with pretty good character development. It had many moments in the game that made you awe because they were that good. The game was sort of like what "Lilo and Stitch" was for Disney. It was bunked on the original ideas and while being different it was like a throwback to the old style.




Moving on to the topic of the villan, I see. Majora can be classified, in many cases, as a much more cruel and sinister villain than Ganondorf, but this does not necessarily make Majora better. To continue, you make the point that Majora added to the story unlike other villains. I tend to disagree. Ganondorf played a very important role in Ocarina of Time, and he displayed acts of evil that, although not as twisted as Majora's, showed his true cruelty. Preparing to feed the gorons to Volvalgia, freezing the zoras in their own domain, and literally destroying Castle Town are some key acts, and along with this, he contributed to the storyline just as much as Majora did. Finding out his story in Gerudo Fortress is what really got me thinking about how much he actually had to do with the story line. All the way from knocking Link down at the beginning, calling forth his own evil phantom, losing the respect of his own people, and ultimately "underestimating" the power of the Triforce of Courage that Link possesses. He did, in fact, contribute greatly.

Majora added her role by indirectly having a point in the plot. She contributes many things using symbolism rather than spoken words. This adds mystery to the character rather than the monster. She changes many of the things featured in characters lives and made sure to hit it where they hurt.
Ganondorf only broke those who challenged his reign, that would be the Gorons and Zoras. If you look at towns such as Kakarico, you'll see how he leaves most of these people alone because of how they don't bother him. Also, the Hyrule Castle Town situation was probably his first invasion of the place in which he leveled it. It's more than obvious that he just did what every conquerer does to a kingdom's main city.
He did not really lose his people's respect aside from Nabooru though until the end. (Some of them still called him "The Great Ganondorf.")







Let me make it clear that when discussing Ocarina of Time, you shouldn't bring up more plot that came along in Wind Waker. We're just discussing about Ocarina of Time with no strings attached. And my response to this paragraph can mostly be seen above. Of course, I fail to see how an eviler villain contributes to a game's plot being better. In fact, Majora's mindless killing took AWAY from the plot, because it gave up the elements of manipulation and deceiving that Ganondorf had in Ocarina of Time. This overall makes Ganondorf a deeper villain, providing for more and better plot, which is what this whole part of the discussion is about.

Majora never mindlessly killed people, she tortured them to the brink of their core. She is no serial killer, she may enjoy killing people but she likes to see them squirm. She enjoys everything because of how she is a child and doesn't understand the consequences of her actions.
Ganondorf manipulated in one really surprising way in OOT. When he got the Triforce for himself, you did not expect that. His coup de tate of Hyrule was obvious, the Nabooru thing was Twinrova's doing.






Of course, I can add that this was the game's one and only plot twist, and that it made most gamers angry in stead of shocked and surprised. After all, it's the freaking last minute of the game. I also fail to see how this is considered the biggest plot twist in Zelda history. As I said, many were just downright upset that Nintendo used the "It's only a dream" excuse that's been recycled over an over. One example is the Mickey's Magical Quest game. It ended the same exact way, a dream, so should it be considered to have a better plot twist than all Zelda games? Of course not, becuae it's a constantly reused concept. At least Ocarina of Time's ending was new and fresh.

But the thing is that you are questioning yourself in LA. In the other games that normally said it was all a dream, it's just a silly way to say "This never happened my friend. This was a what if story." However LA was meant to see what you thought of killing off people of a dream whom you attached to. A child usually follows the concept of "Heros always win without losing." What if that concept was just shattered by morals of "Why, do I have to kill all these nice people. I'm supposed to save them..." Each boss begs you to stop your quest in order to protect the people of the world. No other game had done that yet.
OOT's ending of going back to a life where everything had never happened it was done and reused. OOT was simply put "A Happy Ending" even though Princess Zelda never got to reveal any feelings for Link, the world was saved without hope dieing.






Yes, it does get predictable after Darunia, but the shock of finding out about Saria is something that first time players of Ocarina of Time remember very well. You mention brief pieces of dialogue, but you forget that that's the whole plot of every Zelda game. Brief pieces of dialogue that you get throughout the game, which feeds bits about the main storyline. There isn't much more to argue about this paragraph, because we agree on almost everything in this part.

Agreed.







Yes, of course, but this didn't influence the main story line near as much as the time traveling plot element did in Ocarina of Time. While Majora's is just a few days, Ocarina of Time's is a massive seven years, which leads to much more drawn out consequences and more of an ultimatum feeling. [/QUOTE]

Yet, in those three days, so much had happened. The land had changed to things that shouldn't have been for how long. Ever since Skull Kid got that mask, and how long did he have it. If Kafei was gone missing for 3 months then that would probably mean that the entire environment was like that for that long.
Even Ganondorf's problems seem small if he managed to only do that. He froze a lake, so Majora poisoned an entire ocean. He was going to have the Gorons immediatly killed without much torture, in MM the Gorons were going to slowly freeze to death. So a few of his monster's broke into the Kokiri Forest, Majora poisoned a swamp and kidnapped the princess so the King would go mad.
Many things Ganondorf had accomplished in 7 years doesn't make me budge really.



I disagree completely. Ocarina of Time's dungeons walked the very fine line of challenging and fun, while Majora's Mask's went to flat out difficulty and frustration. You stated talking about lack of usage of items in Ocarina, which I think is completely false. If anything, Ganon's Tower was the ultimate test of how much you actually mastered your items throughout the game, and Majora's Mask presented no such opportunity. I also find it strange that you think Ocarina's Dungeons felt incomplete. Some of the dungeons were super massive, with plenty of floors and rooms that provided much more fun than did Majora's measly few. Another point, about Ocarina being straightforward. That might be the case with the first three dungeons (Majora's Mask throws you into difficulty the first chance it gets), but when you start to enter the temples for the first time, you'll find that the dungeon's aren't quite as easy. Note that I said first time. Dungeon's aren't made to challenge you every time you play, because that would turn the replay value way down. And with items being limited to Adult or Child Link, that's the beauty of it. You get a complete different arsenal of items every time you switch, which worked out perfectly for say, the Spirit Temple.

A lot of the rooms in OOT dungeons had almost nothing to do in them except a puzzle that usually consisted of timing or rushing the clock. I also never had trouble with the dungeons in OOT my first time because of how simple they were (except for that bloody water temple.)
Majora brought difficulty out of theses dungeons because it was a sequel. The developers of Ocarina knew that they had to challenge players of OOT with something harder than the original. The game was also adding replay value by having that difficulty, if the player managed to get used to it then they would adapt and grow better.
Now on that last part I really agree with you, I wish that the Spirit Tempe concept had been used for all Adult temples in order to make the game feel more complete.
Another thing is that you could consider the Moon as the Ganon's Tower of MM because of how it challenged your skill with the Masks that you used.





I feel that when people think of "over world" in Ocarina, they immediately think of Hyrule Field which was basically empty. But, they forget about the other places, such as Kokiri Forest, Death Mountain, Zora's Domain, Lake Hylia, and Gerudo Desert, all which were packed full of things to do, and were much more interesting that the places that Majora's Mask had to offer.

Great Bay, Southern Swamp, Termina Field, Clock Town, Ikana Graveyard, Ikana Canyon, Snowpeak, and Romani Ranch. Each of these places had things like minigames, rupees to collect, sidequests to participate in, story to add, characters to meet. They had more in them than Ocarina ever did, and Majora's Mask is longer if you try to complete the game at 100%

Then again this is all opinionated so I'll just shake you hand and be on my way.

[Ver-go-a-go-go]

Then again this is all opinionated so I'll just shake you hand and be on my way.

Agreed. Opinions are just that, opinions, and fact can't be the results of them at all. Thanks for the little "debate" we had here. In fact, I feel like playing MM now. :)

[Y2K3]

I think it's overrated and yet it's my favourite Zelda game. Does that even make sense?
Basically, (personally) I think it's a great game, just not as good as people make it out to be. Many people seem to judge how good the new games are by comparing it to OoT.
I don't agree with that, but that's a different topic.
Anyway, while I still do like to play it, it's not as fun as it used to be. I guess playing it over and over again takes it's toll with me and my games. This is more of how I think the game should be rated. Not by 'it's the first 3D Zelda' like some people do. Even 'It was good for it's time' isn't the greatest arguement. Yes, perhaps it was, but who knows what the games will be like in the future. Maybe even in 5 years, OoT won't seem so great next to the new games. Games do get old eventually. Then again, it still may have a spark that people love (I mean, SMB3 is still my favourite Mario game).

So, I may have gotten off the topic a little bit, but my point is that people should only like the game based off of it's entertainment value and not on something like, 'OMG 3D!' This is my reasoning behind why I think the game is overrated.

[Kybyrian]

I don't think the game is overrated at all. There are some people out there who are thinking it is overrated because they have a different opinion on the best game ever, and since so many people think this is the best game ever and they don't, those people think that is overrated. Don't get me wrong, some people probably do favor this game over others and still think it is overrated, but not very many people. I think the game is a rather great game, with great puzzles, and a great storyline. It is my all time favorite game, and it has remained so for many years, and it will be hard to beat in my opinion. The game has been way up there for a very long time, and not because people favorite it because so many people like it. It had to have a starting point. If there weren't a lot of people out there who already thought that it was the greatest game from the beginning it wouldn't have started it's trek to the best video game ever, and what many people are beginning to call 'overrated' simply because it is ranked so high in the charts.

[Zemen]

Hmm, just defending OoT here:

I wonder if a time-travel plot could have been played out any better.

OoA did a fine job with time travel. Sure, it wasn't 3D, but it still was based solely on time travel. It had the same basic idea; you can only travel between 2 times at a certain point (portals) and when you do in the past will affect the future. The only difference is that in OoA, future people were kidnapped and taken to the past. That doesn't happen in OoT. If OoA was made into a 3D game, I think it would have been better than OoT.

Also, MM had time travel in it. Do as much as you can in the time given and if you can't, travel back to the first day and start over from where you left off. I believe that MM is a much better game than OoT. It has a deeper story, it is darker and the villain is much more ruthless. Had it been the first game with OoT being second, this thread would be about MM being overrated and my argument would only be backwards in that respect. It's only because OoT was first that it's so praised. Being made first doesn't make it the best. LoZ anyone?

[Kybyrian]

OoA did a fine job with time travel. Sure, it wasn't 3D, but it still was based solely on time travel. It had the same basic idea; you can only travel between 2 times at a certain point (portals) and when you do in the past will affect the future. The only difference is that in OoA, future people were kidnapped and taken to the past. That doesn't happen in OoT. If OoA was made into a 3D game, I think it would have been better than OoT.

Also, MM had time travel in it. Do as much as you can in the time given and if you can't, travel back to the first day and start over from where you left off. I believe that MM is a much better game than OoT. It has a deeper story, it is darker and the villain is much more ruthless. Had it been the first game with OoT being second, this thread would be about MM being overrated and my argument would only be backwards in that respect. It's only because OoT was first that it's so praised. Being made first doesn't make it the best. LoZ anyone?

OoA did have more of the time travel aspect in it and had a bigger role than OoT, but that doesn't mean if made into a 3D game it would be better solely because it had a great Time Travel plot to it. OoA is my second-favorite Zelda game, after all.

Also, Majora's Mask's time travel seemed a little less obvious, like you weren't even doing it, and didn't really effect the game all that much, and wasn't really part of the main thing to it, besides making it more challenging and giving that sense of doom.

In regards to your statement about Majora's Mask coming first and Ocarina of Time coming second, I don't think it would be the other way around, but I may be wrong. I never liked Majora's Mask, and it certainly wouldn't have changed anything for me. A lot of people already say that they like Majora's Mask more than Ocarina of Time, so who really cares? I don't think that OoT coming first had THAT much of an impact on the popularity of the game.

[bellum]

Yes. I personally don't think it's such a good game, and that it shouldn't be getting as much credit as it is getting. Well, it was such a good game, but why do so many people favorite this game. It isn't really one of my favorite games anyway. Yes, I think it is very overrated.

[Ver-go-a-go-go]

OoA did a fine job with time travel. Sure, it wasn't 3D, but it still was based solely on time travel. It had the same basic idea; you can only travel between 2 times at a certain point (portals) and when you do in the past will affect the future. The only difference is that in OoA, future people were kidnapped and taken to the past. That doesn't happen in OoT. If OoA was made into a 3D game, I think it would have been better than OoT.

I seriously doubt it. A transition from 2D to 3D changes games in unimaginable ways, and you can't be sure of anything. Besides, you're mentioning a plot that is completely different, and completely susceptible to opinion. OoT did a great job of showing you what your actions in the past did to the future, which is so much more different than OoA's that your point hardly seems relevant in the slightest way imaginable. Plus, I don't care if it was the same idea. Being in 3D, OoT could use time travel plot elements better. Sorry, that's just the way it is, and OoA is not 3D.


Also, MM had time travel in it. Do as much as you can in the time given and if you can't, travel back to the first day and start over from where you left off. I believe that MM is a much better game than OoT. It has a deeper story, it is darker and the villain is much more ruthless. Had it been the first game with OoT being second, this thread would be about MM being overrated and my argument would only be backwards in that respect. It's only because OoT was first that it's so praised. Being made first doesn't make it the best. LoZ anyone?

lol, you're making me laugh. Did you even attempt to read the posts that ChargewithSword an I made? We cover all the points you mention, and in much MUCH better detail. Try reading before you post okay? Because I hate having to repeat myself. Like Kybyrian said, MM didn't provide near as much ultimatum feeling when it came to time travel as OoT did, and the villain's mindless killing trait only sacrificed more plot elements that Ganondorf had, such as deception and puppet-playing. But, like I said, I'm just repeating myself again. Read my posts on the last page and this one to get my full take on this.

Bringing up LoZ-isn't-the-best-and-it's-first? Again, read my other posts, and you'll see you're far too late in bringing up subjects I haven't already discussed.

[Avia Rayne]

Personally, I'm on the fence with this one. I've played OoT so many times that I know the game inside out (all the heart pieces, gold skulltulas, etc.) but it does feel like it's just a bit overrated.

Not because it was a sucky game getting a lot of hipe or anything like that, but I do know people that have played that and refuse to play other Zeldas to see how they are like, just because "they cannot be as good as OoT." In that sense, it's overrated. If it's your first Zelda game, I can see you loving it for that. And I loved it when it came out on the 64 back in the day! But over time, as more unique Zeldas came out I grew distant from OoT and that's probably a reason why I find it a bit overrated.

Quite honestly, I don't think Majora's Mask gets as much credit as it should.

[zzRICHzz]

Zedla OoT, NO it is not overrated. this truly is my favorite game

yes, because it was my first Zelda game
yes, because it is the first 3D Zelda
yes, because its graphics were better than others before it
yes, because of the story
yes, because of its music
yes, because in many ways, it had with it a lot of first time things that "set the bar" for future Zeldas and other games

i also enjoy WW, Alttp, and MM. i had more, yes more fun, than i did with OoT, but OoT is still my favorite because of my above reasons... if it wasn't for this game i wouldn't even be into the series...

yeah there are a lot of things that other Zelda's had that OoT doesn't, which add to story, gameplay, replay value, and just overall fun... but thats only because there not supposed to be the same game... they are supposed to have different and unique elements within them that seperate them from eachother..

so go ahead and talk about all things that another Zelda had that OoT didn't have... and i will agree with you...

but still... OoT is my favorite deserves just as much praise as it has gotten... i just wish other Zeldas, like WW for instance, had more of a chance... way too underated WW was awesome... go play it.

[derekoftime]

What made Ocarina of Time so great was how revolutionary it was. That can be taken for granted today, but back then, OoT was every Zelda fan's wet dream come to life. Nintendo seems to think that making an OoT clone (*cough*Twilight Princess*cough*) they'll get the same success. But that's not what it's about; it's about how groundbreaking it was. Make another groundbreaking Zelda game, not another OoT.

And no, I don't think it's overrated. I still have fun playing it to this day. It was considered one of the greatest games of all time back then, and I think it's still that good.

[Niko Bellic 817]

I think that people think of the game as overrated due to reviewers always comparing the game to new zelda titles. I don't agree with the comparisons and I also think people would think it was more deserving of its ratings if it wasn't compared all the time.

[Zeruda]

Yes. I do think that Ocarina of Time is overrated. But 'overrated' is not synonymous with 'bad'. OoT was a very good game, especially for its time. But is it the best Zelda game that the media makes it out to be? Hardly.

I think one major flaw is that it started out as a remake of A Link to the Past. Obviously, it took a different course and became a prequel to the games, but it still played on figures from ALttP. Because of this, we got things we already had, like Seven Sages (Wisemen) and 3 Pendents.

But is that a bad thing? No, not really. It allowed them to give us more background into who the seven sages were, which led us to information about Ganon's sealing, we found out there was a war prior to OoT, etc. etc.

I like to compare OoT to FF7 (which, btw, was originally intended for SNES, then N64). Both became popular mostly due to the fact that, above all else, they were 3D and many people's "first". It'd have been nice if they'd given us a little more to see, finally reaching 3D and all. Many area, Hyrule Field especially, were vast but quite empty save for a peahat or poe here and there. The dungeons were designed nicely, but they lacked any real difficulty.

There were some moments that really WOWED players. Sheik revealing his identity, watching The Great Deku Tree die, seeing the world in a destroyed state, and even seeing NPCs grow up were really special. But it lacked any lingering "wowage" for lack of a better term:
*** In LA, you find out that it's all a dream. And then there's philosophical discussions to be had.
*** In ALttP, you finally obtain the Triforce in its entirety, and the wish made is a perfect reflection of Link's good heart.
And those are only a couple examples.

We did get characters with personality, and what was great about that is that MM's characters, the parallels, were created to let us better know the characters of OoT. So really, we do get to better know the NPCs of OoT through its direct sequel. There were also emotional moments that really hadn't been touched that deeply. In ALttP, Link watches his uncle die before his own eyes. In LA, Link builds a relationship with Marin, only to have it stripped from him in the end. But OoT offered multiple emotional scenes:
*** GDT, Link's father figure, dying despite Link's efforts to save him.
*** Navi, his beloved friend, leaving him at the end of their journey.
*** Saria's sad but understanding gaze as Link leaves Kokiri Forest.
*** Malon put to work under the cruel Ingo.
*** Nabooru revealed as Iron Knuckle armor falls off of her.
*** Sky scene where Link and Zelda have their goodbye.
Are these enough, though? They were emotional at the time, but they didn't linger. Instead of one or two deeply emotional moments, we were given several less emotional moments.

The music was good- great even. But fantastic? Only a couple pieces, such as Gerudo Valley and Saria's Song. It didn't quite compete with the Series Overworld, the AoL Overworld, ALttP's OST, or even The Ballad of the Wind Fish. Other games have made much bigger impact, like MM with the Ballad remixed into The New Wave Bossa Nova, TWW's sailing music and introduction piece, and TP's Don't Want You No More.

Yes, Ocarina of Time was good and it did give us the birth of the timeline as well as gameplay tactics and so on and so forth. But those only make a game good, they don't make a game the best. The game is deserving of praise, no doubt about it, but it's not as incredible as it's made out to be.

[Sparky]

I feel it is overrated.
It's no fault of it's own, but it suffers from FFVII Syndrome.
It's a good game, it has its merits and its shortfalls like the rest of the series, but it's made out to be the best thing since sliced bread by most of the gaming population.

Don't get me wrong, its a great game, and it helped the franchise tremendously, however, there are still other Legends i'd rather play again than this one.

[Darknut]

Although many may disagree with this, I do think that OoT is overrated. Many games have been made in the past ten years and I'm sure many of them Zelda fans enjoyed more than OoT. I still love OoT, and it's near the top of my list, I just think better games have been made now. Not storyline wise, OoT won't be beat for a storyline like that in a looooong time, but graphic wise, yes, experience wise (as in you feel like your in the actually game), yes, and there are more things to do in other games too. I'm sure no one hates OoT, I just think better games have come up in these ten years.

[Zarom]

I think it's overrated, don't take me wrong, it's an awesome game :D, but it exists better Zelda games

That is my opinion too. :nod:

And I definitely agree with the people above me!

OOT was such a great game. But it is not my favorite Zelda. (not even my second one!) :cool:

So I have to admit it is overrated. :lol:

[dug428]

OVERRATED! I don't think it was actually that great of a gamer. I think Majora's mask was WAY BETTER!

[Alex_Da_Great]

The overrated comments are overrated! OOT is never overrated! :lol:

[Flagpole]

OK, first off, I have to admit I only own two zelda games (OOT and MM, but, hey! I started playing Zelda this year and own a N64, so...) so my opinion probably won't be as wise as the other opinions...

I don't think OOT is overrated.
You know guys, I've OOT since April from this year.
So, I actually have the experience to judge if OOT is better than today games...

First off, OOT is a fantasy game, while 70% of today games have no imaginiation at all (hey, just guessing...).
I'll tell you what I can see today:
Games full of violence or very/almost realistic.
This games have no imagination at all, and super-realistic graphics (which i myself hate).

So, these are today games, worst of all I've to live with this games...

What's OOT?
OOT is a game with almost perfect music, a good storyline (it surprised me sometimes, this is proof!), really good graphics (consider which graphics I like), and very full of imagination.
OOT has violence, but Zelda games are a mix of fantasy, violence, and much more.

As for the versions, if people keeps playing them, then nothing happens.
There is people without a N64 who really likes OOT.
Why?
Because the Zelda Series are the only series that will never get old, and always will have good quality games (unless Miyamoto dies :( )


So no, to me OOT is not over-rated.

[linktothefuture]

Maby it's overated a little bit but it is still a very good, influental game. People should stop comparing it to new zeldas though.

[elliotstriforce]

oot is my standard. if any game is not more fun than oot i do not play it at all after i have beaten it. oot was the first game i have ever owned, so it will stay in my heart forever as one of the best.

[Pocket Asian]

Sorry, but Ocarina of Time is overrated. Yes, it was the first 3D Zelda game and had amazing graphics in its day, but I just can't find myself playing it over and over again. It also set the standard for many other games that were like it. But because of all the praise and good reviews for it, it slowly became overrated. This is just my opinion.

[Brandikins]

I don't think so. For starters, it's the most popular Zelda game, and since the new ones can't match up to the old ones, it's most likely going to stay with that title. Even by most common gamers and several game companies it's considered the best game of all time.

[Ikana]

I don't think that OOT is Overrated,but thats my opinion.OOT is the game I grew up with and is one of my fav zelda game.

[linkguy]

While certainly not a bad game by any means, I'm getting sick of hearing about how it's the greatest Zelda adventure of all time.
I have to say, though there was a problem with the whole "Use an item in one dungeon and use it very little the next and even less in the field", TP has to be my fav., but this is the OOT forum.
OOT is still a pretty good game.

[Junehs]

Not overrated. I enjoy all the Zelda games besides Phantom Hourglass no offense). I enjoy OOT and MM the same way. But MM seems more depressing than OOT. Wouldn't you worry if your home was destroyed?

[CZG]

How come there be some list of best games anyway? How can you compare this to a racing game or something?
It's not overrated, many other games are underrated!

OoT IS quite epic if you don't play this game 20 times in ten years, but play it once each four or five years or so!

Awesome game, not really as important to gaming as the original Legend of Zelda NES game, not as replayable as A Link to the Past or even as The Adventure of Link, not as stunning as Majora's Mask, not as mysterious as Links Awakening, not as cool looking as The Wind Waker, not as inventive as the newer handhelds or as beatifull as Twilight Princess (not really fair is it?)

I don't know if it's the best in the series, problably not....
But it is the most recommanded game of all. OoT could make people love these games. To many people, Zelda games are too big, too much story, too lenghty, too complicated or too much work.

Where many friends failed to see the greatness of the whole Zelda series throughout the years, a bunch of them eventually got completely hooked on Ocarina of Time, stopping by my house at 2 o'clock at night to play! One of them bought a gamecube with only one game. You know which one I think...

Ocarina of Time is the most playable in the series, which was of great importance to it's popularity.

[Bigelover88]

No, I don't think it is overrated but I don't think it's the best game ever either. I love the game dearly but when I compare it to TP I think TP is better.

[Seth]

No. I think it is truly on of the best games of all time. An epic story line, great dungeons, and tons to do outside of the dungeons. It's a game I never get tired of. I play it maybe once a year, that works great for me and each time is as fun as the last. I think it is the best Zelda game, but not by much. Just my thoughts, for a game to remain on top 10 charts for over 10 years after it's creation is one heck of an accomplishment, and I think it shows that it isn't overrated.

As far as people thinking it is a rehash of ALLTP, I think that is BS. It has many different elements to the story, both are unique. As far as reusing the sages/wise men thing, that is because it was meant to explain the back story of ALLTP, so they compliment each other.

Just my thoughts...I also agree WW is underrated, that is a wonderful game.

[LegendZelda]

I do not consider it to be overrated. The Ocarina of Time is still a lot of fun to play as it has a lot of good gameplay that I have not really seen replicated in other zelda games. The dungeons have a unique feel to them that I would like to see again some time in the future. For instance Desert Collosus and the Shadow Temple. I cant think of many dungeons that required portions to be done in 2 different states (Stone Tower Temple was another). The dungeons just got way too linear since then and things have been in a rut.

OoT also had one of the better plots from the game and it was constantly providing more details and plot points.

Overall OoT is one of the best zelda games in my opinion.

[athenian200]

I think it's a little overrated, but it's understandable why.

Before Ocarina of Time, Zelda was kind of a niche series that was on the verge of being forgotten by Nintendo (they hadn't released a Zelda game in 5 years at that point). Sorry, but it's the truth... OOT put Zelda on the map for the majority of gamers today who've played a Zelda game. If it's overrated today, it's because of what it accomplished on release. It not only resurrected a series that was thought to have seen it's heydey in the early 90s and now gone, it ended up being one of the best games in its generation, and made the series more popular than ever. Not many games have ever done that.

As far as the game itself, it's really not much different than other recent 3D entries in the series. But those games haven't done what OOT did, largely because Zelda is "established" now and they haven't had the chance. In other words, I bet that if WW or TP (especially TP) had been released instead of OOT (assuming the N64 were somehow able to handle them), it would be just as popular as OOT is. OOT isn't overrated because of what it is, but because of when it came out and what it did for the series.

[Hiroshi Mishima]

Ugh, long threads are always hard to contribute to, because I don't wanna go over every last post in here. Like others I just wanna say my own bit and move on. But since it's me here, this'll probably be a drawn out post again...

Short answer, do I think Ocarina of Time is over rated? Yes.
Short answer, do I think it's a great game? Yes.

Now for the long answer/explanation:

When Ocarina of Time first came out, I'd had it preordered and was eagerly awaiting it's release. I could hardly contain my excitement when I first got it and started playing. It was beautiful, the most was incredible, and the storyline was epic... back then. But let's look at a few things. I bought Ocarina of Time when it first came out on the day it came out, so when did I beat it? 2007. That's right, over 7 years after it came out. Why? Because when I got to the Shadow Temple the first time (did Spirit first), my save got corrupted and I had absolutely NO desire to go back and start over. No matter how fun it was, no matter how good, it just didn't have the pull to keep me going back after I lost my save. Go a couple years later and I tried again. I tried again several times actually, between it's release and 2002, I always ended up stopping midway through and forgetting to go back. It just couldn't hold my attention long enough.

So finally I get my hands on the Collector's Edition and can play it on my GameCube with a far better controller (I still hate the N64 controller). I go through and get everything and beat it. And I see the ending. And I weep, for it was one of the worst endings I've ever seen in a 3-D game. Final Fantasy 7's BS riddled cliff-hanger ending was better th.. actually I can't really say that, so I'll say that Megaman Legends' ending was far superior. Yes, I really enjoyed playing through OoT after about 5 years of not even glancing at it. I loved playing it through to the end, swearing during the god-awful minigames and cussing whenever Gannondorf's protectile passed through my sword swing. I love the soundtrack and still listen to it. But when all is said and done... it let me down.

I looked back at other games from the time, and then at games from today, and I came to one conclusion: This was a great game, but it just didn't age well. Not for me. Maybe if I'd never played Majora's Mask during those following years, maybe if I'd finished Ocarina of Time when I first got it, it might have had a better impact. But I wouldn't bet on it. The game itself feels epic because it is large and it did translate pretty well into 3-D. The music is memorable, as are the main characters... to a degree. The music is fine, that isn't my issue. My beef is with how flat and under developed everyone was.

As a Zelda game, and certain of the time, the character depth and development wasn't really bad. But after seeing Majora's Mask and how deeply everyone was created, their personalities and lives, etc, I just couldn't believe this was in the same league as Ocarina of Time. What I could believe is that it was under rated because it was ridiculously hard at time with unforgiving and unbalanced minigames. But everything else, the storyline, the music, the visuals.. it all blew Ocarina of Time right outta the water. So for me, Ocarina of Time is great gameplay wise, but falls short everywhere else. Even the music in OoT, while great, didn't carry the emotion or feeling that MM had.

So long story short, did I really like playing Ocarina of Time? Yeah, I did.
Do I think it really held up after all these years, compared to other games such as Link to the Past, Majora's Mask, or other games of its time? ...not really.

Also before anyone asks, no, I don't think Majora's Mask is the greatest Zelda game of all time, either. I just think it fixed almost all the problems that Ocarina had.. with the exception of far too many stupid and brutal minigames.

[yann]

Obviously, compared to similar games out now it doesn't really stand much of a chance.
However, what you have to remember is that OoT was very much a foundation for games afterwards to improve upon.
It set the standard for games at the time.
I love it.

[LozzyKate]

Even though OoT was popular after MM came out, there were still thinks about the game that made you wonder if MM was better jn more cases than none.

[GaFF]

Ocarina of Time laid the foundation for what a lot of games of this type would be doing in the future, especially Zelda of course. I don't for one moment think it was overrated. Mainly because I love the game and I'm a massive Zelda Mark so it doesn't matter. Majora's Mask suffered because it had to follow the greatest of Ocarina and ended up falling into the shadow. Windwaker is very underappreciated, it's one of those good Gamecube games that people don't give enough credit to.

[Kid Buu]

It being the first 3D Zelda brought a lot of fans in, but it's all based on opinion.

[blubb]

While I think that it's a great game, I wouldn't say it's the best Zelda of them all, so yeah, it is a bit overrated.
I see the reason for the high rating in the jump from 2D to 3D, which admittedly is a great step forward especially gameplay-wise, but if you look beyond that I think it didn't bring that much new things to the series (IMO aLttP introduced many more things).
And on top of that, it had some unlucky flaws. Unlucky because I think many shortcomings were caused by the 32 MB limitation of the N64 cartridge. Not having a light temple or a full ice temple (+ Zora's Domain unfreezing) as initially intended by the developers somehow made the game feel uncomplete. Same goes for Hyrule Field which - with its emptiness - rather reminded me of a moonscape than an actual field.
Having said all that I still enjoyed the game a lot and I even replay it from time to time, but IMO it's definitely not the "greatest game evar".

[Epona]

No, I don't think it's overrated. It was extremely important in its new ways after the first three games, so I do think it's one of the best games.

[Dr3W21]

Do you think Ocarina of Time is overrated? It is a fairly simple question, but you must think hard to actually get an honest answer.

I, personally, think it got a proper amount of hype for its day, during its day. I don't, however, believe that the game was so good that people still say it is the best Zelda game/video game of all time. There have been Zelda games that greatly resemble Ocarina of Time, and are better in just about every aspect, that are paid no attention.
Look at Twilight Princess and Wind Waker as examples. The games are practically modern copies of Ocarina of time, just with different storylines. The stories are very in depth (moreso than OoT), the cutscenes and the games themselves are very cinematic (more than OoT could dream of), the art styles are very distinct, the graphics are much better (if that counts), and there are more characters. Still, these two games don't even stand a chance against Ocarina of Time's popularity.

Please discuss your thoughts on this topic.

[JMsmash1118]

I don't think so. Even though the game came out over 10 years ago it's still fantastic. In my opinion.

[Zleda]

Haha, this is a risky topic man. I personally think Ocarina of Time is the best Zelda game. I own it on all three platforms, and have beaten the game numerous times, just like I'm sure we all have. The thing about this game that I think really stands out is the fact that it doesn't age. It's like going to a car show: you see all these old cars from the 70's, 80's... and they all look brand new! The same goes for Ocarina. It was the first of it's time, and people who were already Zelda fans just fell in love with the series even more with every Skulltula they killed and every time they took/put back the Master Sword from it's pedestal. Honestly, I do enjoy playing Wind Waker and Twilight Princess better than Ocarina, but only because the mechanics are more streamlined. That's why I can't wait to get my hands on OoT 3D :) but thats for another topic.

I guess my point is, people still love Ocarina for the same reason they love the Grateful Dead; it's classic, and will always be so.

[zeldafreak101]

In my opinion it is but that may be cause the first game i played was ALttP and prefer the 2d titles of the series over the 3d ones

[Axelotl38]

I am going to prepare myself for flame, but I do reckon it is Overrated today. Back when it was first released, it deserved all of they Hype. It was fun, innovative and had a great
OST. And to this day, it is one of my favourite games. But since Ocarina of Time, I reckon all of the 3D Zelda has improved on what was already great. Personally, i found Wind
Waker, and Twilight Princess to be better in almost all aspects. And Majoras Mask was just as good. Don't get me wrong, I love Ocarina of Time, it is one of my favourite Zelda's and one of my favourite games, i just reckon TODAY it is a BIT overrated. Have been wanting to say that for a while.

[GustJar88]

I hardly think it is overrated.
I too enjoy 2-D games more than usual, but OoT has a place in my heart as being in my Top list!

[link9]

OoT is not overrated. Not by a long shot. It is still a great game.

[RegalBryant]

Now if and when Nintendo makes a Zelda game better then OOT,I bet that the OOT fanboys will still say that OOT is better simply for nostalgic reasons.
I personly think that Twilight Princess is better then OOT.
The reason they will say it's better is because they think it is better. Also, nostalgia only comes from happy memories, so the reason for the nostalgia is because they spent alot of time playing it because they they think it's a good game. Some people enjoy the N64 graphics, myself included.

EDIT: This post made a lot more sense in my head.

[Teal]

It isent not that overatted but it does deserve to be titled one Masterpiece of an title it is also one of the first 3D games to ever come out thats why its so welcomed.

Tael.

[biggreenhawk35]

Of course not i mean it changed gaming and even with its graphics it is still know as one of the best games of all time i mean there wouldn't be a 3d remake or the collectors discs on gamecube if oot was overrated

[GoldenWolf12]

It isn't my favorite Zelda game, BUT, if this makes any sense, it's the best game in history.
In the world of GoldWolf12, favorite and best are very different. Best is, well, the best all around. Favorite is the game witch I enjoy playing the most. Pretty obviously OoT falls short drascically compared to Twilight Princess for example. However, OoT is greater than Twilight Princess and almost any other Zelda game because OoT has the greatest appeal. Anybody can pick up a controller and find something that he or she likes. There's a water temple for people who like a challenge(a really annoying challenge), there's the shadow temple for people who like dark, creepy things, there Jabu Jabu's belly for people who like running... Around... in whales..intestines....... Well I think you guys get what I mean. The older games had that but OoT perfected it. Also, the game is just good. Even today, the gameplay is great the story is awesome and it provides a good challenge. Another thing, put yourself in the shoes of someone when OoT came out. The last Zelda game we had was Link's Awakening. This game blew gaming history up. It introduced so much to gaming in general that it would take hours just to right them all down. In my opinion, OoT is UNDERATED. In parts maybe overrated but it remains to this day a treat to anybody that picks this game up. So, no. OoT is NOT overated in my opinion.