Ocarina of Time 3D is, on paper, a remake of the original game, which appeared on the Nintendo 64 over 12 years ago. Nintendo has been pitching the game in two ways. For one, they're selling it as the current killer app for the 3DS. The second selling factor is the only parts of this game that were remade are the graphics, controls, and menus. Everything else in the game, including the glitches, made it into this version. It definitely is a winner in these departments. It appeals to the original fans of the game, while being modern enough to appeal to people who haven't played it.

That leads me to talk about the first noticeable change in the game: the graphics. Ocarina of Time 3D may exist on a smaller screen, but it looks fantastic, especially for a handheld game. Everything in Hyrule has been retextured and sharpened, and all of the prerendered backgrounds from the original game are now rendered in real time. The biggest point the developers wanted to make with the graphical change, is that they weren't able to take full advantage of the concept art with the Nintendo 64's limited abilities. They went back to the archives and made everything more true to the art, especially Link himself. Both young and old Link have new models.The game still retains its charm and atmosphere, and all of the level design is intact. In my experience with the 3DS, I haven't really played any games with the 3D turned on the whole time, but this game is an exception. The FPS never drops, and the depth really adds to the game. Oh, and this game is now running at a beautiful 60FPS. You may not have noticed it, but the original game ran at 30, and in 1998 that was completely normal, but now, you'd definitely notice it.

The music has been remastered, but it's still the same as the original version. I find this to be a bittersweet point, because they arranged one track for the game with a full orchestra, and it leaves me asking for more. I think it would have been perfect for the entire game to have a fresh soundtrack, done by that orchestra, but at the same time, I feel like the old music is too nostalgic to pass up.

For people that have never played a Zelda game, I will explain a few things about the series. Most of the games count as separate entities, story-wise (with the exception of Ocarina of Time-->Majora's Mask, and Wind Waker-->Phantom Hourglass.) Somehow all of the games have a relation, but Nintendo hasn't revealed the timeline, so it has left fans to speculate. Each game involves Link exploring an overworld, finding dungeons and collecting items, some of which are weapons that he requires to complete the puzzles and objectives of parts of the game. If you've played one Zelda game, you'll be familiar with the aspects of most of them.

The most important part of any game is the gameplay, and the 3DS version of the game has actually enhanced the gameplay that some call perfect. This is done with the 3DS's touch screen and tilt sensor. While the gameplay is pretty much identical, the item screen has been moved to the touchscreen, effectively eliminating any frustration created by having to press start all the time. The ocarina stays on its own dedicated icon in the lower left hand corner of the touch screen at all times, letting you free up a slot for another item. The game lets you equip four items now, instead of three, with quick access at all times. Also on the touch screen is the map, your health, your magic meter, your money, and how many keys you have n the dungeon. It's all extremely convenient, especially for the Water Temple. I won't say why, because there will undoubtedly be newbies playing this game. The tilt sensor helps you aim some items, like the hookshot and the bow. It seems like a gimmick, but it becomes more natural and accurate than using the joystick. The only problem this leaves is that if you tilt the 3DS the wrong way during gameplay, you will be unable to see the 3D effect, assuming you leave it on. However, that's a minor problem, and an issue with the hardware itself.

Ocarina of Time is a lengthy adventure, with many collectibles, secrets, and unlockables. The dungeons, puzzles, story, and the combat system, all hold up strongly in 2011. And all of that, working in harmony, is the true beauty of the game. Nothing feels out of place, and no bit of gameplay feels unusual, unnatural, or unwanted. The new enhancements have made an amazing game even better, and with the inclusion of Master Quest (a version of the game with a mirrored map, harder puzzles, and harder enemies) as an unlockable, this package is a must-have for any 3DS owner, and will undoubtedly be a console seller for many people. If you've never played Ocarina of Time, or if you just own a 3DS, you owe it to yourself to buy this game.

9.5/10