Topic: Do you think Ocarina of Time is overrated?

[RichterB]

I don't really think so, no. The only 3D Zelda game that rivals it is Majora's Mask, which is sort of the other side of the coin, having the elements that OoT was missing. That right there is basically a toss-up. Those two games are by head and shoulders the best 3D iterations, IMO. But I found Twilight Princess, while ambitious and attractive, to be too scatterbrained and too empty. In addition, it retread too much old ground and didn't focus enough on Link being Link. Meanwhile, even as they tried to innovate, Wind Waker had too much water and awkward pacing, and Skyward Sword was too restrictive and linear.

Now, is OoT overrated when compared to the entire pantheon of 2D Zelda games? A little bit, yes. But when I really think about it, it can deservedly be in the conversation of best Zelda because it successfully captured the essence of A Link to the Past, which is one of the most definitive Zelda games, in 3D.

[shelverton.]

I was never the biggest fan of Ocarina but I can totally see why it was such a big deal when it was new. I didn't play a lot during the N64 era so I missed out on it then. I did however play A LOT of video games in the early 90's so the greatest Zelda ever made was always A Link to the Past for me.

I did play Ocarina on my 3DS last year though, ans while I've played parts of it on that Gamecube collection years ago, the 3DS remake was my first serious attempt at it. And I ended up liking it a lot. I still feel that Twilight Princess is better. Skyward Sword is not though. Neither is Wind Waker, IMO.

But in the end, I prefer 2D Zelda. Which is why I honestly think a game like Minish Cap beats the hell out of every 3D Zelda to date. A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening are even better. Looking forward to the new one.

So, is Ocarina overrated? Yes, and no. It was a big deal to a lot of people, but much like FF7, it was also the first game in the series for a lot of people. Of course they're gonna call it the best ever.

[zangetsu468]

Ocarina was great for its time and it was the first 3D Zelda game with the more realistic combat we now love. Overrated? Maybe a bit, I think there are better games out there but then even after the release of WW, I found myself more immersed in OOT's world.
Overrated, underrated are all just terms, OOT lives because it has the Nostalgia of being the series first (and successful) 3D transition. The same reason Metroid Prime is highly rated, and so many other games which underwent similar transitions.

As somebody previously stated - I think when people romanticise about Zelda, their first thought is still most likely ALTTP, then probably OOT or WW.
Why? Because these games hold high levels of nostalgia and inconicism in the Zeldaverse.

[Rugal]

Wind Waker is terrible in my opinion. I don't know why the bothered to do an HD update with it because the game looks almost exactly the same save for some blooming effects. I would have taken a Majora's Mask remake any day over that tripe.

[zangetsu468]

Wind Waker is terrible in my opinion. I don't know why the bothered to do an HD update with it because the game looks almost exactly the same save for some blooming effects. I would have taken a Majora's Mask remake any day over that tripe.

That's a really beautiful concept, I would so burn my whole wallet for that

WW didn't need a remake, they gave it a facelift and fixed certain parts of the game, it was to boost Wii U sales because console sales go up with Zelda releases and Zelda U won't be here until 2015.

I also agree that WW imo is not a great Zelda game - it's my least favourite.
I actually would have purchased it if they'd included the original dungeons which were deleted though. Kind of like WW Master Quest, that would have been boss.

[silvaring]

ZELDA OCARINA OF TIME IS THE MOST OVERRATED GAME OF ALL TIME, TOP 5 AT LEAST> EVERYONE SAYS ITS SO GREAT BECAUSE THE REPUTATION IT HAS, BECAUSE THEY'RE OVERLY NOSTALGIC, OR BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO POOR TO PLAY OTHER GAMES AND CONSOLES AND GOT HOOKED ON IT THROUGH TIME INVESTED. I wrote a piece comparing Zelda OOT and RE2 - http://playerversuscpu.blogspot.com

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

Holy All-Caps, Batman!
Stop screaming, will ya?

[Abnormal Freak]

Not clicking the link, but OOT vs. RE2? A wide-open fantasy adventure game versus a claustrophobic survival horror game. Brilliant and apt comparison.

Personally, between the two, I'll take OOT.