The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Extraordinary remake of a classic adventure -- now for 3DS.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is a puzzle game in which you play as a benevolent hero who is trying to rid his land of evil. There is a fair bit of violence with a little blood, and some fairy creatures appear in very revealing costumes. The graphics aren't crystal clear as it's a remake of a 10 year-old game, and it's very cartoon-like, so the combat isn't realistic.

  • The game is about good versus evil -- and you're fighting for the good guys. As Link, you're tasked with protecting the land from an evil being and his minions. This is a positive message, but there is plenty of combat and a little blood, too.  
  • Link is a good-hearted, affable character who uses his abilities for good. He is well-liked in his village and he doesn't abuse his sword-wielding skills or the Ocarina instrument for malevolent purposes. But Link does engage in combat against enemies, therefore he isn't a flawless role model.
  • The game is quite easy to play. Plus, for the first time in any "Zelda" game, you can access hint movies if you're stuck, which show you how to complete the puzzle. Simply visit the Sheikah Stone, located by Link's house in the Temple of Time, for the handy walkthroughs.
  • This game has a lot of combat but its against evil creatures, such as skeletons, wolf-like beasts, and giant crab boss characters. There is some blood, therefore you might see a brief plume after defeating enemies in a battle. Link uses his sword, bombs, slingshot, boomerang, magic, and other weapons to inflict harm. The violence, however, is very cartoon-like.  
  • Players will encounter female fairy characters that are dressed suggestively. Their skin tight costumes almost seem to be painted on their bodies.

What's it about?

The star of one of the most beloved console games from the '90s, Link, is back –- but this time he's in 3D. THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME 3D is now playable on the Nintendo 3DS and is capable of delivering eye-popping 3D graphics on one of its two screens -– without requiring any glasses to see the effect. The remastered classic also adds new controls -– including the use of the touchscreen and built-in motion-sensor -– as well as a few new challenges and a revamped hint system not found in the original Nintendo 64 cartridge. Gamers play from a third-person perspective as Link, a young pointy-eared boy who vows to save the land of Hyrule from the malevolent Ganondorf. You'll start the game performing simple tasks such as talking to characters who live in the forest, collecting heart containers, and learning to use your sword. This will all come in handy as you venture out to explore exotic locations including ancient ruins, dungeons, and the countryside; solve environmental puzzles; and engage in combat against enemies, be it with your sword, bow, boomerang, slingshot, bombs, magic, and other weapons.


Is it any good?

 

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is a blast, whether you're a longtime fan of the franchise or new to it. Link can run, climb, dive, ride, fish, and play an instrument called the Ocarina that performs functions such as teleporting between places, calling your horse, changing night to day, and opening locked doors. Gamers with a nostalgic connection to the original epic will no doubt have a blast rediscovering the magic of this well-crafted and beautifully executed remake.

Not only is it fun to play on a portable device that can slip into your pocket, but the 3D graphics add to the colorful, detailed world. Better depth and eye-popping effects help make this remake even more immersive than the 1998 classic. In fact, complete the main story and the Master Quest mode will be accessible, adding all-new puzzles and redesigned dungeons for an extra challenge and further replayability. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is a highly enjoyable game with great graphics, smooth control, and a ton of adventuring for gamers on the go.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how Nintendo re-releases older games for new platforms more often than not. Is this a good thing as a good game should be enjoyed by multiple generations -- like a great movie, song, or book -- or do you think Nintendo isn't coming up with any new ideas and simply recycling older ones?

  • Families can also talk about the impact of violence on kids playing these games.


This review was written by Marc Saltzman
Adult
June 22, 2011
 
The best game of all time? You tell me...
I think most of us adult reviewers have grown up with the original version of this game. Zelda: Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 64, has inspired 3d platforming in order to create the newer games today. Though with a remake of an old game, is it possible the mechanics are considered outdated? I for one can play this game over and over again, and still won't be bored. Though, one of my friends who got this game has never experienced the original. She was shocked with the game mechanics, and the stunning 3d environments. Even for a remake, she found this game to be quite impressive, especially with all of this in the palm of her hand! This remake retains its original style, and does so successfully. The protagonist Link, is a good role model aside from solving problems with his blade, arrows, bombs... though he never uses his arsenal of weapons for evil. The environments in this game are all interesting in their own way, along with a very appealing soundtrack to boot. If you have experienced the original already, don't pass this masterpiece up! This is NOT your basic nostalgic Zelda port on the go. Most remastered games have major flaws such as horrible sound, graphic, and storyline interference. Thankfully, this game keeps most things the same to ensure even children can experience our old memories the way we viewed them. You don't need to worry about clunky controls, or stiff camera angles anymore either. To save you time as well, you can now use the touchpad in order to swap between boots, the main reason why the water temple was difficult was due to the constant menu swapping in the past. Also, after you beat the original quest, you can play an even more difficult master quest! This master quest offers more challenge such as, revamped dungeons, double damage, and the maps are mirrored! This will keep you, and your child entertained for quite a long time. I should also mention you can fight previous bosses in a boss challenge mode, which is basically similar to time trials from Mario Kart. Finally, I would also highly recommend this game for kids 10+ like the official rating. Though today, we have 12 year olds playing shooters... so this game could be for some 8 year olds. Hell, most people I know played this game when they were 5. Let me tell you something first though, this is NOT a happy fairytale with a sword wielding boy. Even for 10+, this game does have many dark elements which you SHOULD be aware of. One major example takes place in a dungeon known as, "The Shadow Temple" which has given many players nightmares in the past. This area has disturbing music, and comes with a dark setting loaded with torture devices, some blood, bones, and even guillotines. The enemies in this area can range from basic undead enemies, to decomposing flesh which attacks you with its infinite hands (in the original this enemy had dry blood stains, though the advanced graphics doesn't make this more pleasant). Aside from that segment of the game, one character known as the "Great Fairy", is seen with little to no clothes. It's nothing major, but she also appears in seductive poses while she levitates over Link. Another character known as "Princess Ruto", flirts with Link as a child, and adult. She also appears naked as well, but at least Nintendo has covered her up a bit more in this version. I hope you take all of this into consideration, don't let Nostalgia overtake you to buy "the greatest game of all time", for someone who is 3 years old. Also, don't think that because you've never played the original, you're left out. The main goal of a video-game is to have fun, and this game has been doing that for years, and once again it does not disappoint to deliver the same factor.

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Teen, 17 years old
July 3, 2011
 
It's ok!
I've been playing this since 3rd grade (I had it on Zelda: Collector's Edition on Gamecube, then got it a little while later on Nintendo 64). It's pretty good, but if you keep beating the game and playing it over and over again, it gets boring. Fine for kids- just the typical save the princess and the world kind of storyline. I've not played the 3DS version yet, but I suppose the graphics are far better, which adds more to the gameplay environment, because the graphics were pretty bad on the original. The original was intended to look like this minus the 3D, but because the Nintendo 64 Disc Drive was a failure, the game had to be ported to cartridges, which lowered the quality significantly.

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Kid, 11 years old
July 7, 2011
 
Best game ever
This is my first time playing a version of OOT, and it is the best game I have ever played! 3D is great, aswell as gameplay, story,controls, graphics, and everything else! Parents, the E10 rating isnt necesarry, as other versions are rated E. Another note to parents, Make sure to get the 3DS version, because it is much brighter than the other versions.

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Kid, 10 years old
July 9, 2011
 
super game
super every one can play even first time zelda fans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Teen, 16 years old
July 20, 2011
 
WHAT??? Read the review, there's no title ( i never understood that dumb "title" idea anyways. why does a review need a title, and why are you still wasting your time reading this?)
okay let me tell you the story of how i found out about the best thing EVAH PPL. Well, my reviews are usually kind of insane but i'll make this one LESS CRAZY (i'm not promising anything, specially for you saria and link shippers!) so please read it!!! You know, if you're a true zelda fan you'd know that when they released that they had a link poster at gamestop, i was like who the heck is that and my bff (her commonsense username is like coolhalfblood girl or sumethin' anti saria and link) said it was link and she forced me to buy the game. THANK HYRULE. ITS SO AMAZING. If you don't like zelda, there is seriously something bad GOING ON IN YOUR TINY peanut brain. This is even better than harry potter, no offence but someday, somehow, someone was going to say this because it's simply the truth. I don't want people to make a zelda movie because it's gonna suck and the hylians are gonna be ugly. The zoras will look pathetic (and the gorons, kokiris, etc.) I was jus' lookin' thru UTUBE lately and why are people so obsessed with us kids playing the 3ds vers. SO MUCH BETTER AND KOOL AND AWSUM! It's like your in hyrule ( i wanna go there this summer, i mean, winter). Now let's move on to the stuff the game has. You probably already have the idea of how awesome and better than any other wannabe game series this zelda is, but if you don't, i repeat. WARNING. IT'S TOO AWSUM AND THE MUSIC IS MORE EPIC THAN PERCY JACKSON. Type in "ancient hero" on youtube (just do it non zelda fan idiots!!!!) and you'll want to be the next link or something. And zelda's lullaby is better than like, any classical music in the world and is better than crap like miley circus, justin beaver, cody imps on, and hannah barfana, all put together (man, i just wish link could beat the crud out of them). I would be the happiest hylian in hyrule...i mean happiest human on earth :<. Now, moving on to the game because i already told u how amazingly, awesomely, epically, justin bieber butt kicking this game is. No sexy stuff. Except I HAVE a message for all you saria and link supporters: DUMB! Lol, calm down, i'm just kidding, bur obvs u have no idea what ur talking about cuz saria is a kid. ZELDA AND LINK ARE NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT (I REPEAT A HUNDRED TIMES), NOT RELATED!!! Link is not in love with midna or saria... deal with it. KKK.... calm down i know that made some people mad, but why waste your time being mad??? Be outgoing and speak the truth like me people!!! More about how awesome this game is: It kicks percy jackson's and harry potter's butt in its sleep with its hands tied together....LOL. I was just kidding, my lil sis (ARYLL! I need to play some wind waker after i'm done writing this review...phew. I still have a long time to go...I plan on writing a few more things, like about the theories and such anti things). OK, that was too long so i'll go back to what i was saying. My lil sis forced me to write that thing about PJO and HP. I kind of agree...NO OFFENCE! i mean....*whispers* when will there be annabeth's lullaby...LOL *goes back to normal*. People have theories about this zelda thing. The stupidest one i read was that link and malon had TP link. HA! That could be true...But i mean, its kind of funny to think about it...Cause my theory is, ***SPOILER ALERT!!*** Link and Tetra are spirit track's Link's parents. I mean, link doesn't even know zelda yet in da beginnin' and he doesn't have hero clothes and he lives in NEW HYRULE and a pic of tetra is at zelda's castl. You probably know that i think link and zelda make a better couple than link and saria, but i don't have anything against "salinkers". You actually have a pretty creative mind, i guess. Creepy thing is, the healing song backwards is a slow-mo version of saria's song!!!! i hope people agree with me. Oh, crud. A redead is behind me and i have to fight it....*types extra fast* Well i gotta go cuz i promised to play WW and the redead!!! Argh!!! Bye!!! Now my signature, dear fans: Barbie girl sucks. Zelda kicks butt!PEACE OUT LOVERS!

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Teen, 14 years old
July 20, 2011
 
love it
awesome game!

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Teen, 14 years old
July 10, 2011
 
Finally I'm able to enjoy this epic adventure.
A few notes before I delve into this review: 1. I haven't played a version of OoT until this point. 2. I just beat Dodongo's cavern (meaning, I'm not all that far into the game yet) 3. I have seen walkthoughs of the game before, and I know what it contains, I haven't done anything with it head-on, though. Ok, review time! First of all, let me say the 3DS is indeed amazing, and this is the first blockbuster title to come out for it. One of the things I hate about being born in the late 90's was that I never got to truly experiance the "golden-age" of entertainment. Ocarina of Time being part of that. Once I got my hands on this game, I was estatic. Finally, I'd be able to embark on the epic adventure I'd missed as a younger child. The graphics are very much improved over the N64 version, but there are still some block-y textures. But, for an update after nearly 13 years, I'm not complaining. The story and gameplay are also similar to the original (the difference between this and the N64 version is that Master Quest, a mirrored and more challenging version of the game, appears after beating the game). Ocarina of Time is a classic game that deserves to be played for many generations to come. I hope that any kid out there who hasn't played this game yet will give it a try, and be amazed at what Nintendo can still produce. I give this game a 9.5/10, simply because it is not perfect. Controls work well (though the motion controls for me were a bit fidgety, but that's because I have slightly unsteady hands), graphics are nice, gameplay is at a perfect level of exploration. It's just not perfect.

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Kid, 12 years old
September 17, 2011
 
Amazing!
As a long time Zelda fan, I loved this game! I never got a chance to play the original and I had heard good things about it. I reccomend it.

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Kid, 15 years old
July 9, 2011
 
Makes the world a much better place
Awesome game. It is even better in 3D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Kid, 11 years old
August 21, 2011
 
Another score for Nintendo...
First off Common Sense, graphics don't matter!!! "Not crystal clear"!? Honestly! I love Zelda games, I'm currently on the Fire Temple.

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This review was written by Marc Saltzman
Platforms:Nintendo 3DS
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Action/Adventure
Developer:Nintendo
Release date:June 7, 2011
Price:$39.99
ESRB rating:E10+ for Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes

This review was written by Marc Saltzman

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