// KOTAKU — GAMING
The Best And Worst Parts Of The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
Nintendo 64Nintendo Switch 2The Legend of ZeldaThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
The remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time comes out tomorrow (tonight, if you’re a sicko like me staying up for it), and damn, those reviews look great. It’s a historic game, a classic that people rightfully remember and love for its incredible highs and, with hindsight, in spite of some of its weirdest lows. Having played the original recently, back in January, I can confidently say it’s mostly held up, though a remake smoothing out its roughest edges makes a lot of sense in 2026.
Ahead of that launch, though, why don’t we take a quick tour back through Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 64 and remember both its best and worst moments? Let’s get some perspective on just what’s in store for us tomorrow before it hits:
I mean, just look at him go! I hope this looks just as ridiculous in the remake.
Yes, Kaepora Gaebora, I did get all that! Why are your options swapped?!
Forget the Water Temple, this is the real worst dungeon in Ocarina of Time. Carrying Ruto around while enemies attack, her crying and returning to the start at the slightest gust of wind touching her, and her berating you the entire time…the bit where she totally gives up if she sits in water really drives me nuts. You’re a Zora! Learn to swim, geez!
Genuinely one of the most effective mood-setting moments I’ve ever encountered. Holy crap.
What do you mean they don’t allow children to have large wallets? What prompted this law?
God this room rules. How different it is from the rest of the temple. How eerie its emptiness seems. The way nothing happens until you cross the room. The structure draws your eye, so you check it out, and finding nothing, you turn to leave, only to see a weird movement near the tree at the center. Step forward and realize your shadow is gone. Navi’s incredible lack of any useful information. GOD THIS ROOM RULES.
Whee! She’s so fast compared to my normal running, and I feel so majestic clop-clopping through Hyrule Field! This is the best way to travel!