The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

 Nintendo 64
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 8290 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7,394 out of 8290
  2. Mixed: 307 out of 8290
  3. Negative: 589 out of 8290
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  1. Kalchabear
    Dec 26, 2019
    5
    This. This is the very definition of overrated. Ocarina of Time’s game mechanics feel incredibly clunky and outdated. Ocarina of Time’s models and sprites DO NOT hold up in today’s world in the least.

    Even the games story, which is praised again and again, feels incredibly average. It’s good, but it doesn’t stand out when compared to the other Legend of Zelda games. It certainly doesn’t    This. This is the very definition of overrated. Ocarina of Time’s game mechanics feel incredibly clunky and outdated. Ocarina of Time’s models and sprites DO NOT hold up in today’s world in the least.

    Even the games story, which is praised again and again, feels incredibly average. It’s good, but it doesn’t stand out when compared to the other Legend of Zelda games. It certainly doesn’t come close to being the best.


    Overall, “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” is a game that’s aged poorly and is only rated so highly due to its nostalgic fanbase. It’s not bad, but certainly not “Best game ever” material.    … Expand
  2. brendo214
    May 21, 2019
    5
    Holy moley, this game is sooo overrated. This game is overflowing with terrible gaming designs, especially when it comes to the enemies. The graphics have aged horribly, although that isn't entirely the games fault, as the N64 didn't necessarily lend itself to great graphics. There are tons of puzzles that have needlessly obscure solutions. And don't even get me started on how this gameHoly moley, this game is sooo overrated. This game is overflowing with terrible gaming designs, especially when it comes to the enemies. The graphics have aged horribly, although that isn't entirely the games fault, as the N64 didn't necessarily lend itself to great graphics. There are tons of puzzles that have needlessly obscure solutions. And don't even get me started on how this game built up to a game of ping-pong.… Expand
  3. greninjaX
    Nov 21, 2021
    7
    bleh, kind of over rated. it's a good first step, but majoras mask is the better game
  4. rogge
    Apr 15, 2022
    6
    It's a good game and I understand why people like it. But I think it's time for them to move on...
  5. thenerdynerd99
    Jan 2, 2017
    7
    Best game of all time? PAH! Don't let critic reviews fool you, this journey through hyrule is FAR from perfect, but it's still pretty darn good! The story is immersive and lovely, the graphics are great...for 1998, and Link (the name of the hero but you can name him whatever you want) controls tightly and is pretty responsive, whereas Mario is pretty slippery. But the dungeon designs areBest game of all time? PAH! Don't let critic reviews fool you, this journey through hyrule is FAR from perfect, but it's still pretty darn good! The story is immersive and lovely, the graphics are great...for 1998, and Link (the name of the hero but you can name him whatever you want) controls tightly and is pretty responsive, whereas Mario is pretty slippery. But the dungeon designs are pretty dated and the gameplay can get...repetitive to say the least. Also, any "rek th0s n00bs" Call of Duty kid who just so happens to have and N64 will be put off by the dated graphics. If your one of those whiny little jerks who thinks a game is the spawn of satan just because the characters look like a mess of triangles, I reccomend the 3DS remake. While I don't think this game is as good as everyone says, I still think it's a solid puzzle/adventure game and it's worth checking out if you have an old N64 collecting dust… Expand
  6. amazingmold46
    Feb 17, 2020
    6
    I just don't get it.

    Am I the only one who doesn't really like this game? I'll be honest I've never completed it, the furthest I've gotten is the completion of Death Mountain and that's about it. There's nothing I can point to in this game being definitively bad or anything, I like the setting and characters, it's just that I personally find the game really boring to play. The combat is    I just don't get it.

    Am I the only one who doesn't really like this game? I'll be honest I've never completed it, the furthest I've gotten is the completion of Death Mountain and that's about it. There's nothing I can point to in this game being definitively bad or anything, I like the setting and characters, it's just that I personally find the game really boring to play. The combat is decent at best and the puzzles are pretty boring. I felt like I had to force myself to keep playing and as Reggie once said:

    "If it's not fun, why bother?"    … Expand
  7. StoopidPingas23
    Oct 18, 2015
    7
    This game is not as special as people say it is. Graphics, even if kinda basic, have aged decently, but the story is heavily borrowed from A Link To The Past and the gameplay is as vanilla as a 3D Zelda game gets. The dungeons are also not either as interesting as other Zelda games, but some of the puzzles are well designed. I think you can skip this one.
  8. vigen1
    Aug 22, 2015
    6
    As many others i played this game as a child and loved it, i later went back to it and oh my..

    If you actually play this critically nowadays this game is dead set in mediocrity. The combat is stale and centered around waiting for you enemies. The World is vast and empty. And the puzzles are centered around utilizing 3d space(because it was new) and NOTHING else! Worst of all the    As many others i played this game as a child and loved it, i later went back to it and oh my..

    If you actually play this critically nowadays this game is dead set in mediocrity.

    The combat is stale and centered around waiting for you enemies.
    The World is vast and empty.
    And the puzzles are centered around utilizing 3d space(because it was new) and NOTHING else!
    Worst of all the whole world is centered around 3d objects set in a 2d recipe and it does not match! Enemies will at time appear on top of you or behind you and the camera is no use at those points it's only good for targeting.

    Now i wouldn't go as far as to say that this game is bad but to me time has revealed a badly aged and poorly designed "classic"    … Expand
  9. GuyWhoExists
    Mar 3, 2017
    5
    To be honest, I find this game to be mediocre at best, but that may be just because of my playstyle. There's way too much waiting, and it calls "find an eyeball on the wall" a puzzle. Also, you have to wait for the game to tell you WHY you want to go somewhere, even though you just want to go there. I really don't want to seem like a hater(in fact, I love Wind Waker), but I just don't likeTo be honest, I find this game to be mediocre at best, but that may be just because of my playstyle. There's way too much waiting, and it calls "find an eyeball on the wall" a puzzle. Also, you have to wait for the game to tell you WHY you want to go somewhere, even though you just want to go there. I really don't want to seem like a hater(in fact, I love Wind Waker), but I just don't like this game… Expand
  10. GAMERGUYCASUAL
    Jun 1, 2018
    6
    While this game was great for the time, I'm tired of people acting like this is the best game of all time, it's not. This game has aged horribly, in terms of game design controls and graphics, nobody should play the N64 version, but instead should play the remastered 3DS port. Even then the 3DS port only adds minor improvements to the game so yet again not worth the play through. The storyWhile this game was great for the time, I'm tired of people acting like this is the best game of all time, it's not. This game has aged horribly, in terms of game design controls and graphics, nobody should play the N64 version, but instead should play the remastered 3DS port. Even then the 3DS port only adds minor improvements to the game so yet again not worth the play through. The story is decent at best, but nothing to go on about.… Expand
  11. Dangerswlf36
    Jun 28, 2019
    5
    I dont really like ocarina of time. I just think the puzzles are way too hard and you never know what to do, so I look it up and then I think "WHO THE F**K WOULD EVER THINK OF THAT" while in breath of the wild when I see a video of someone doing a puzzle, I say "ooooohhhh why didnt I think of that" and I also dont know where to go when I finish certain dungeons like when I finshed the fireI dont really like ocarina of time. I just think the puzzles are way too hard and you never know what to do, so I look it up and then I think "WHO THE F**K WOULD EVER THINK OF THAT" while in breath of the wild when I see a video of someone doing a puzzle, I say "ooooohhhh why didnt I think of that" and I also dont know where to go when I finish certain dungeons like when I finshed the fire temple, I had no idea where to go so I checked everywhere until I saw zoras domain frozen, so I looked but I still didnt know that I had to go to the ice caverns until I looked it up. And also the world is EMPTY, I once saw someone saying that breath of the wild is empty and he wants more like ocarina of time and twilight princess. Twilight princess was literally criticized for having a large world that is empty. I had to look up pretty much all of the things that I needed to do to progress because it was confusing, I had to this when I played majoras mask on my 3DS as well but the difference is majoras mask was enjoyable and had a better story and I didnt have to look up nearly as many things as I did in oot. All around ocarina of time is INCREDIBLY overrated and does not deserve the praise it gets, I get the fact that its an important game that revolutionized gaming but that doesnt mean its a GOOD game, its bad, I still recommend playing it if you havent but I did not enjoy it and I have done every temple except for the spirit temple but I didnt enjoy the game I just played all those temples TRYING to enjoy the game but I just cant enjoy it at all the game lacks side quests and things to do and you will basically NEVER know what you have to do next and it doesnt let you know anything that you need to know to progress. This is just my opinion but there are still plenty of people that have the same opinion. If you wanna say anything to me like reply to my review, please feel free to DM me on my insta @poketurjoman36
    P.S breath of the wild is my favorite game of all time so thats why I always reference it    … Expand
  12. luke_hartmann1
    Sep 21, 2018
    7
    Overall a solid Zelda game, but not as spectacular as many say. Many of the dungeons are streamlined, easy, and predictable, the story moves very slowly, and combat against normal enemies is mostly waiting. Yes it was revolutionary for its time, and yes, it's core gameplay is what all sequel Zelda's have built off of, but now it does not hold up against later installments in the seriesOverall a solid Zelda game, but not as spectacular as many say. Many of the dungeons are streamlined, easy, and predictable, the story moves very slowly, and combat against normal enemies is mostly waiting. Yes it was revolutionary for its time, and yes, it's core gameplay is what all sequel Zelda's have built off of, but now it does not hold up against later installments in the series such as Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and Majora's Mask.… Expand
  13. Grayson66
    Jun 5, 2020
    6
    What are you people on??? This game is incredibly overrated and I just don't see how you people think it's so good. My first time playing it, I loved it, I thought it was great. But then I did a second playthrough and I was like "yeah it's still good but kinda slow" and then on my third playthrough I thought "Ok, I don't need to talk to them or them, that room is useless, ok now sheik isWhat are you people on??? This game is incredibly overrated and I just don't see how you people think it's so good. My first time playing it, I loved it, I thought it was great. But then I did a second playthrough and I was like "yeah it's still good but kinda slow" and then on my third playthrough I thought "Ok, I don't need to talk to them or them, that room is useless, ok now sheik is talking to me mash A" the game is so incredibly tedious and pointless once you understand where your going, all the charm is lost and everything becomes so boring. Arin Hanson put it a great way saying something along the lines of "Why can't I go there, that's what I want to do". Once you've finished the game, everything becomes so annoying. I know the progression routine my head but when I play its so much **** longer. All the chicken **** and talking to sheik or Zelda every 5 minutes, it's infuriating! If you haven't played this game, play it once, maybe twice, and then don't play it again, it will ruin the magic of this game.… Expand
  14. MrCatus
    Oct 9, 2020
    7
    Over rated at best OoT has aged a lot and it shows if you still enjoy playing this title on this day and age then it's time to take off those rose colored glasses. And if think I'm full of it? Replay the original water temple. Yeah that's what I thought.
    But don't get me wrong this game did a great job with quests and mechanics especially for it's time.
  15. Jlxjkkkapdhiddh
    Feb 28, 2021
    6
    I dont think this is the best game ever made because I have some complains like the backtracking and the design of some dongeons like lord jabu jabu belly and the watet temple. I really hate them so much
  16. Idk2006
    Jan 28, 2021
    6
    It’s a fun experience sometimes, but constantly pulling out my phone for a walkthrough because there’s no hint system seems like bad game design.
  17. lennyi
    Jan 5, 2022
    6
    Game sucks ass bro idk how people say that this is the best zelda game. Game functions, it is pretty impressive for n64 but oh my god is it not fun.
  18. Tanky86
    May 1, 2022
    5
    “its open world, so it must be good!” -every gamer ever
    yeah yeah it’s revolutionary or whatever but this game does nothing to captivate my interest.gameplay is boring. donkey Kong 64 better.
  19. Thibaudelaire
    Mar 28, 2023
    5
    Vjgggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggvgvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
  20. Lev
    Aug 23, 2009
    7
    I played this game only recently, 11 years after it's release, to see what the Zelda hype was about. And I have to say I was satisfied, more or less. The story is very generic and very weak, but I found the gameplay so much fun that eventually I couldn't put it down until I finished it. There are just so many things to do in this game,that, despite the lack of story or character I played this game only recently, 11 years after it's release, to see what the Zelda hype was about. And I have to say I was satisfied, more or less. The story is very generic and very weak, but I found the gameplay so much fun that eventually I couldn't put it down until I finished it. There are just so many things to do in this game,that, despite the lack of story or character development, it never really bored me. It lacks real depth, but who cares when it's this much fun to play.… Expand
  21. AngerIssuez
    Sep 14, 2019
    5
    This is the single-most overrated game of all time. There is nothing that makes this game better than any other Zelda before or after it. Do not go out of your way to play it.
  22. lidwang
    Jan 8, 2022
    7
    The pass from 2d to 3d was almost flawless in terms of mechanics, but sadly the world feels extremly empty(i am looking at you hyrule field) and the story is nothing to celebrate.
  23. firewarrior2112
    Dec 11, 2013
    7
    I know you won't believe this, it's hard to accept i know, but this game does not get a 10/10. I know the gods of gaming will smite me where i stand, but that's just how it is.
    Browsing the scores on this site, i get the feeling the hardcore fans don't understand what a 10/10 means. "despite it's flaws, its a great game. 10/10" this is not at all what a 10/10 is for. a 10/10 signifies    I know you won't believe this, it's hard to accept i know, but this game does not get a 10/10. I know the gods of gaming will smite me where i stand, but that's just how it is.
    Browsing the scores on this site, i get the feeling the hardcore fans don't understand what a 10/10 means. "despite it's flaws, its a great game. 10/10" this is not at all what a 10/10 is for. a 10/10 signifies perfection, a word lost in a language that overuses powerful words to the point of them becoming meaningless. A perfect game has no flaws, so if some review site or some person gives a game a 10/10, I completely ignore them and all they have to say about the game, because rational thought has left their brain pan before the conversation started.
    "but what about the game, you blasphemous old crone?" you watch your tongue, you. I'm getting to that.
    lets start this by saying I'm new to the N64 and the Zelda franchise, I bought my console and a bunch of games a couple of years ago because i wanted to know what all the fuss was about, "ocarina of time" this, "goldeneye" that. I thought i was really missing something, and i was! i have N64 parties and just play games all night, its loads of fun to just mariokart and goldeneye all night.
    But this ocarina, I don't know about it. I was struggling to stay focused, the camera angles and ambiguous graphics, not to mention the outrageously laughable controller really takes it's toll on the fun-o-meter. i simply can't have fun when I'm frustrated with the basic elements of game design.
    The point of a good game, i think, is to be good regardless of age. ultima 4, super mario bros. and populous weren't just good in the 80s, they are still classics and staples of good game design. nostalgia is not an adequate reason to be a great game. i played some games i thought were awesome as a child, and replaying them, I still enjoy them. But as i got older, i started breaking the mechanics and general game structure down and analyzing them, those games wouldn't really hold up. If i gave someone a copy of that game and told him it's the best game of all time, i don't think he would agree with me.
    But anyway, aside from the obvious problems with camera angles and the god awful controls, which were far better than most N64 titles, i went on my way. I found the plot hooks very weak and unattractive, and the villain had very poor motivations. The dungeons were fairly easy, but there were some "WTF that's what i supposed to do?" moments, which are never good in any game. the combat mechanics, are surprisingly good! the programmers could wrestle with this beast of a controller and actually accomplish something nearly usable with it. so i appreciate the effort for that. most of the puzzles are fine, but some require trial-and-error to accomplish, which defeats the purpose of a puzzle, you may as well roll a die if that's how its going to work. the jumping puzzles sometimes like to bite you in the ass, but overall i've seen worse.
    It's not that the game is bad, its not, its just not that good. its just OK. its just a run of the mill psuedo-rpg that lots of people happen to have nostalgic connection to. its got a charm to it that is matched by other games. The datedness of it gives a sterile and bland aura to it, buts that's just it. bland. I simply couldn't be bothered playing it anymore, it just got too unengaging and i just stopped playing and that was it.
    overall It's worth a try, maybe you will be one of the many followers of it, but this game has not aged well at all. But what do i know, go out there and find games you do like and stop reading this silly review.
    but seriously, i enjoy listening to the music more than the game.
    9/10 music
    6/10 visuals
    8/10 game play
    6/10 story
    4/10 re-playability
    5/10 atmosphere
    6/10 controls    … Expand
  24. Kharnivore2099
    Feb 26, 2020
    5
    Though treasured by many and often cited as being one of the best games ever made, Zelda OoT is not without it's flaws despite being a reasonably enjoyable game for the most part. There is a reasonably large world to explore, if a little barren. interesting people to engage with, if few and far between. Plenty of weapons and special items to use, if all a little awkward to use most of theThough treasured by many and often cited as being one of the best games ever made, Zelda OoT is not without it's flaws despite being a reasonably enjoyable game for the most part. There is a reasonably large world to explore, if a little barren. interesting people to engage with, if few and far between. Plenty of weapons and special items to use, if all a little awkward to use most of the time.

    As most of the 10 responses show, there are a lot of personal investments in this game, whether due to nostalgia or a deep love of the franchise or even Nintendo. Some even seem overtly defensive. I like the game and enjoy the series, but there are better titles to be played within the series itself. Never mind other franchises.

    Great music and a generally pleasant world to explore are marred by awful camera angles, terrible controls, ugly graphics and just a sense of very little to actually do. I'd rather play Link to the Past or Link's Awakening instead, as they are just far better games.    … Expand
  25. Bendypencilz
    Jan 7, 2014
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. okay I'm no hater but... Ocarina of Time is OVERRATED! im not saying it's bad but it's not too good either. I'm no hater I really do like this game it's just people have only been criticizing Zelda games ONLY to this game! Majora's Mask came oh no one liked it because it was only compared to OoT! And Majora's Mask is MUCH better than Ocarina. The Oracle games come out, it's only compared to OoT. AGAIN. Wind Waker, Four Swords, Minish Cap? All such underrated games cuz OoT. I understand that people love this game but it's been 18 years since this game came out. Also it wasn't original. Oh. Same villain as the last 4 games, oh look time travel, seven sages, a princess that Link has never even met before. Also they really just made it REALLY obvious on what the sages are. The first and second they just tell you, the third is trying to take your place and save his people, the fourth you know who it is she's a water lady going to the water temple, the fifth is also given to you, the sixth the Gerudos tell you, and the seventh was pretty obvious. I mean CLEARLY Shiek was Zelda.… Expand
  26. Br8y2020
    Nov 8, 2017
    7
    Ocarina of Time is NOT a bad game by any means, but it is EXTREMELY overrated. After playing through every single 3D Zelda Game, Ocarina of Time is my 2nd to last favorite, in front of Skyward Sword. The controls and everything are fine, but the fact that the world is so empty, the story is short and has no depth, and the fact that each boss is extremely easy compared to others in theOcarina of Time is NOT a bad game by any means, but it is EXTREMELY overrated. After playing through every single 3D Zelda Game, Ocarina of Time is my 2nd to last favorite, in front of Skyward Sword. The controls and everything are fine, but the fact that the world is so empty, the story is short and has no depth, and the fact that each boss is extremely easy compared to others in the series. I never felt connected to Link because he had no emotions or connections to other NPCs like in Majora's Mask. Personally, Twilight Princess was the superior game.… Expand
  27. Slayer_365
    Aug 3, 2020
    6
    Para ser de su tiempo fue muy innovador eso del mundo abierto, pero hoy en día el juego es muy olvidado y ya están llegando mejores, ya no se merece el puesto del número 1, hay juegos mejores
  28. Pinkaminks
    Feb 23, 2022
    7
    I'm thoroughly convinced everyone who still gives this any score higher has not played another game in their life, not even future Zelda titles, because both Majora's Mask and Twilight Princess are much, much better games, not even mentioning stuff like Okami. Despite being one of the first games I ever got to play, I thankfully avoided the ruby quartz prescription lenses, and don'tI'm thoroughly convinced everyone who still gives this any score higher has not played another game in their life, not even future Zelda titles, because both Majora's Mask and Twilight Princess are much, much better games, not even mentioning stuff like Okami. Despite being one of the first games I ever got to play, I thankfully avoided the ruby quartz prescription lenses, and don't subscribe to the idea that games can coast forever on "well it was cool at the time". OoT prototypes a lot of mechanics and concepts that have extend to today, and many of them are reviled, but for whatever reason people don't acknowledge those simply because it was the first one to do it. That said, I wont pretend the game isn't enjoyable, cause it certainly is far and away better than a lot of games you could dump dozens of hours into (assassins creed) but there's also plenty of MUCH better games you could also be playing, including ones that have aged far more gracefully than this game. If you want a good comparison, OoT is the video game equivalent of the OLD classic disney movies like Snow White or Cinderella. There's a lot to like, and it was groundbreaking at the time, but in the grand scheme of things you're really just there to see how things used to be.… Expand
  29. Shadowstar
    Oct 30, 2013
    7
    Yes I will not deny this is a good game.Maybe even a great game,But I think a lot of people talking about this game are blinded by nostalgia and it simply came out at the right time.
  30. monnomest
    Nov 24, 2016
    5
    This was my first Zelda game, and it was pretty fun... until I got the Master Sword. After that, the game just became very obscure side quests that are necessary to complete the game and bad dungeon. The music is amazing as is some of the bosses, but it is far from being one of the best game of all time.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best N64 Game of 1998
1
#1 Most Discussed N64 Game of 1998
1
#1 Most Shared N64 Game of 1998

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
99

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. My Gamer
    Mar 24, 2016
    94
    The player will be drawn into the Zelda fantasy world from the moment the opening sequence bursts onto the screen, and the game won't let go-not even after finishing the quest.
    Read full review
  2. Happy Puppy
    Mar 24, 2016
    90
    Realism is one of the major reasons this title is so amazing. After playing for a while it feels as though you have actually been to Hyrule.
  3. Gaming Age
    Mar 24, 2016
    95
    Featuring unparalleled 3D environments, a deep and involved quest, brilliant and intuitive play controls, and a well-developed cinematic quality that enhances rather than overwhelms the whole game experience, Miyamoto's latest soon-to-be-classic title deserves to be played by each and every person who might deign to consider themselves a fan of great games.
    Read full review
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