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. ToxicScarecrow
    Jul 2, 2020
    8
    The fist game that I've play in my life and the adventure when I was 5 years was amazing, still the game is empty and not much to do after you end the game. This is a magical game and deep down this game was the fundament of me liking the elder scrolls series.
  2. SaltySalmon
    Mar 29, 2021
    8
    The game is amazing but it does NOT compare to other great games that are scored similarly. The game has aged poorly but at the time it was good. I do not have nostalgia for this game and that is why I'm rating it at only an 8. If you want to play this game at it's best then play the 3DS version.
  3. BraxdonJ
    Aug 26, 2020
    8
    Ocarina of time is video game. That much must be said before the rest of this review, because of the almost insane amount of discussion this game has. When any piece of media is acclaimed as this, opinions tend to waver to two polar opposites. Either it‘s a masterpiece, or an abomination. I find that to be unfair. People judge this game not on the game itself, but the reception it’sOcarina of time is video game. That much must be said before the rest of this review, because of the almost insane amount of discussion this game has. When any piece of media is acclaimed as this, opinions tend to waver to two polar opposites. Either it‘s a masterpiece, or an abomination. I find that to be unfair. People judge this game not on the game itself, but the reception it’s garnered. With that said, I think Ocarina of time is a very good game. It has one of the best paced stories in any game I‘ve played. Not the best story, but the best pacing. You don‘t even really notice how the story progressively gets darker and darker until about halfway through the game. But it all feels natural and makes sense in the world. Speaking of, the world is a mixed match of quality. Some locations, like the peaceful Kakoriko village and Hyrule Castle Town are great locations. Full of things to do, PCs to talk to, and great music. But some locations, like Hyrule field, are empty plains, filled with nothing except a few holes in the ground with 20 in game dollars or something. I‘m sure it was great for the time, but today, it doesn’t hold up as nearly as it once did. Just like the gameplay. Gameplay takes some getting used to, with janky camera control, aiming, and jumping, but once you get used to it, it works fine. The levels, or dungeons are all masterpieces, (at least they all are on the 3DS) and are easily the best parts for me. They all have a very strong atmosphere filled to the brim with amazing puzzles and enemies to conquer.
    I love Ocarina of Time, and I think that it is one of the games any gamer has to play, but it‘s not perfect. I give it an 8/10 for one of the best paced stories of growing up, beautiful music, awe inspiring dungeons, but have to doc it some points for barren empty hubs, and clunky controls.    … Expand
  4. ZeldaKid64
    Oct 7, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's very flawed but I love it, there are instances where the game lags like crazy but nothing game breaking or anything, also this game's puzzles, really boring and easy,and the bosses are laughable, during one of my playthroughs, Phantom Ganon's boss fight stretched for so long that I was hoping for a game over. Other than that it's the best of it's time, but compared to nowadays, this game is **** 1 out of 10!… Expand
  5. TEG_17
    Jun 28, 2022
    8
    Прошел игру в 2022, играется довольно интересно, несмотря на то, что игра выглядит детской, тупил и не знал что делать довольно часто.
    Графика сносная, как и управление.
    Ну а музыка шикарна, хочется слушать и слушать. До этого не в одну часть серии не играл, так что знакомство довольно приятное.    Прошел игру в 2022, играется довольно интересно, несмотря на то, что игра выглядит детской, тупил и не знал что делать довольно часто.
    Графика сносная, как и управление.
    Ну а музыка шикарна, хочется слушать и слушать.
    До этого не в одну часть серии не играл, так что знакомство довольно приятное.
  6. Youngdonkeyy
    Dec 12, 2020
    8
    This was certainly a good game i loved every inch of it! but this game does come with it cons.
  7. Eugene245
    Dec 18, 2020
    8
    Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one of the best games in the series and in the world. but however for 2020 the schedule is not very good but tolerable. if you have a choice, it is better to play the remake on the nintendo 3ds. in the remake and the graphics are better
  8. da_one23
    Feb 23, 2022
    8
    smh my head nostalgia blinded nostalgia goggles living in the past get a grip move on times have changed get out of 1957 get out of your mums basement get a life get a girlfriend + ratio
  9. Wboy2006
    Apr 22, 2021
    8
    Kinda overrated, still a great game. But (in my opinion at least) games as Windwaker and Breath of the wild are better, the exploration is way better. And the story was was more captivating. Don't get me wrong: Ocarina of time is still an amazing game, especially for the time. But it is not as good as it was.
  10. Surleybutdirty
    May 17, 2021
    8
    This game is way to overrated it is a phenomenal game but its toooo overrated I recommend playing this game
  11. Robospy1
    Jun 28, 2023
    8
    This is a very good game, but this game is a bit overrated. At the time, of course, this game was revolutionary, but I didn't play this at the time, so I'm not reviewing it like I did. Looking at it compared to games now, however, it's still a very solid and fun game. The greatest game of all time, though? I would have to disagree.
  12. Saadthelegend
    May 23, 2022
    8
    ذا ليجند أوف زيلدا اوكارينا اوف تايم أعظم لعبة زيلدا بالنسبة لي وأشوفها أحد الأشياء الثلاثة العظيمة اللي سوتها نينتيندو بجانب جهاز القيمكيوب ولعبة لويجي مانشن
  13. WoopyBoi
    Mar 10, 2022
    8
    As a younger person this game is tough to get into cause of it's age but it has held up very well for it's age. Good music, fun gameplay, and one of the most influential games of all time.
  14. landonreviews
    Sep 12, 2022
    8
    I'm mixed on this since some people say they hate it or loved it with the more being love it. I've never played it because Nintendo doesn't re-release it, people today hate it because they say it hasn't aged well.
  15. Sicusino
    Oct 14, 2022
    8
    It's pretty good. I played this like 24 years ago I think. I have to make the review 75 characters.
  16. PSI_Mae
    Nov 10, 2022
    8
    Despite some qualities have aged, and I personally prefer breath of the Wild, it’s still a game everyone needs to play, the absolute bar of quality in my opinion
  17. django456
    Dec 14, 2022
    8
    Zelda was fun character but it didn't have any things to shoot with aside from lame bow with aiming from bad game. No guns, no Fortnite
  18. Slash1112
    Dec 15, 2022
    8
    I love this game, but as a completionist I find collecting all 100 skultulas a little annoying (not even going to mention the koroks on breath of the wild) but still enjoyable. The characters of Oot are fun but they don't quite live up to the characters in Majoras mask, still this is a great game and I highly recommend it.
  19. Yojimbo2015
    Mar 4, 2023
    8
    I was never a fan of turning everything 3D just because you could, and Zelda is a classic example. The 3D environment just meant that it takes much longer to get anywhere, hidden passages can be too hard to find and the maps can be very confusing making it too easy to get lost. Ocarina Of Time is still a technically great game judged on its own merits but the N64 incarnations just didn'tI was never a fan of turning everything 3D just because you could, and Zelda is a classic example. The 3D environment just meant that it takes much longer to get anywhere, hidden passages can be too hard to find and the maps can be very confusing making it too easy to get lost. Ocarina Of Time is still a technically great game judged on its own merits but the N64 incarnations just didn't have the charm of the best 16 BIT RPGs in my opinion.… Expand
  20. saplign
    Feb 1, 2023
    8
    coal‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
  21. WarioLandFan
    Feb 3, 2023
    8
    The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a good game, however it is not as good as Wario Land 4.
  22. wenas
    May 17, 2023
    8
    I played this game in 2023 for the first time and it was quite good. I do prefer other games like Skyrim BoTW or ToTK. But it's still a solid game. I really get the hype. Because many people are very nostalgic about it but I'm not. Still a solid/good game.
  23. laur_650
    Jul 24, 2023
    8
    it's good a tad bit over rated for what it is but still fun the water dungeon is not as bad as I expected and the bosses and items are all fun the story is nothing special but over all it's a solid game
  24. Achilles997
    Aug 17, 2023
    8
    An amazing feeling over all and a great game to be sure. Holds up extremely well today. Number 1 is too high up but it definitely is in the top 10 games of all time
  25. CatF.
    Apr 5, 2003
    7
    It's an enjoyable game that offers at most two plays through. However, the game is too easy and offers little action at points. Personally, I got bored of walking across the large Hyrule Field without finding anything to fight. What ever happened to the constant barrage of foes that was present in the previous Zelda games. The game has an excellent interface and the fighting is It's an enjoyable game that offers at most two plays through. However, the game is too easy and offers little action at points. Personally, I got bored of walking across the large Hyrule Field without finding anything to fight. What ever happened to the constant barrage of foes that was present in the previous Zelda games. The game has an excellent interface and the fighting is strikingly fun when available. The other area where Zelda fails is the plot. When the first Zelda came out, the whole "rescue the princess" cliche was overused enough in games. Nintendo added time travel into the third Zelda, and here we are doing the same thing over and over. The plot is the same, the towns have the same names, and the music is the same! Overall, I agree that this game is a lot of fun and is definitely worth playing. Unfortunately, it fails to reach the level of enjoyment it could have been. … Expand
  26. 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
  27. yedo
    Dec 11, 2010
    7
    A l'instar du Zelda II sorti sur Nintendo, Majora's Mask est un épisode qui se pose en porte à faux vis à vis de la série. Point question de sauver la princesse Zelda. Le héros prend place dans un monde totalement neuf, un univers parallèle à Hyrule. Enfin totalement neuf, mais plus pourA l'instar du Zelda II sorti sur Nintendo, Majora's Mask est un épisode qui se pose en porte à faux vis à vis de la série. Point question de sauver la princesse Zelda. Le héros prend place dans un monde totalement neuf, un univers parallèle à Hyrule. Enfin totalement neuf, mais plus pour très longtemps, car il est au bord de l'apocalypse, proche de l'implosion, si Link ne remets pas la main sur un petit lutin masqué, nommé Skull Kid, qui fout la pagaille aux quatre coins de la planète. On est ainsi balancé dans un nouvel environnement, qui change de nos bonnes vieilles habitudes. Enfin, pas tout à fait. Car, fidèle à ses préceptes, Nintendo a farci le jeu de références aux épisodes précédents. Majora's Mask ressemble même au meilleur cross over de la série. En premier lieu, le jeu est une refonte assumée d'Ocarina Of Time. La plupart des personnages de ce dernier sont recyclés, dans des rôles parfois différents, souvent différents même et des noms changés. Je pense aux sorcières, boss du Temple du Désert dans le précédent épisode, reconverties en marchandes de potions. Les relations qu'entretient Link avec ces différents personnage sont ainsi totalement inversées.… Expand
  28. Itsapaul
    Jan 15, 2011
    7
    I still don't see why this game is so good. You literally beat it the exact same way every one else who played it beat it; what's the point? It obviously didn't age well but I would rate Paper Mario and Shadows of the Empire way above this on gameplay anyway.

    HEY.

    LISTEN.
  29. BentheSmith
    Jun 18, 2013
    7
    Not very challenging. Very good story and innovative gameplay for the time. It has really good atmosphere. It's just not the best Zelda game. I can think of at least 5 that are way better. But seriously the puzzles and dungeons aren't challenging at all.
  30. KillerHot
    Jul 28, 2013
    7
    Love It.
  31. curzon_dax
    May 27, 2017
    7
    Extremely overrated if you're looking at it in 2017+. Of course I won't give it less than 7 because the game isn't bad per se but it hasn't aged well at all. The camera being non-controllable with the exception of the enemy targeting function, the battle system being still glitchy since it was the first attempt at 3D battle for Zelda so half the enemies can't even be targeted well withoutExtremely overrated if you're looking at it in 2017+. Of course I won't give it less than 7 because the game isn't bad per se but it hasn't aged well at all. The camera being non-controllable with the exception of the enemy targeting function, the battle system being still glitchy since it was the first attempt at 3D battle for Zelda so half the enemies can't even be targeted well without annoying the player (granted, that hasn't been totally fixed even in BotW) and the graphics being almost entirely bitmap based, have not done it any favors.

    In short the game is extremely badly aged. The graphics are extremely badly aged due them being low res and bitmap (vector graphics age better, which is why even A Link to the Past looks better better due to its simplistic flat colored 2D). The gameplay has aged badly too since it feels quite limited and at times cumbersome, especially due to enemy targeting even if that part of the Zelda gaming has not been perfected even today.

    All in all: if you are a timetraveller from 1998: 9/10+. If you are looking at it today, do not expect more than 7/10. You will find it very ugly visually, you will be annoyed by the gameplay at times, be certain of that.    … Expand
  32. 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.
  33. 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
  34. 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
  35. TAFM17
    Apr 14, 2014
    7
    The game is pretty good. I will say that. But it really isn't the best game of all time. I'm not going to criticize the graphics, because although they look primitive now, they were good at the time. To be honest, the graphics were amazing for the time, and are still usable today.The music is brilliant and really fits in with the game."But!" I hear you scream at me from a passing car: "WhyThe game is pretty good. I will say that. But it really isn't the best game of all time. I'm not going to criticize the graphics, because although they look primitive now, they were good at the time. To be honest, the graphics were amazing for the time, and are still usable today.The music is brilliant and really fits in with the game."But!" I hear you scream at me from a passing car: "Why have you given it a 7 out of ten then?" And I will tell you why.
    1: The inventory system. Now, sure, it is good that the game even HAS an inventory system, but it is incredibly slow.There is nothing more annoying than when fighting an adorable deku shrub, you have to pause the game, and equip something. Surely there could have been an easier way to do this?
    2:The dungeons. The dungeons are awful. Lots of people will disagree, but The dungeons seem to repeat themselves. Solve a puzzle with a torch, open a door. Solve a puzzle with a moveable block, open a door. And the water dungeon? Wow. That was just an awful level.You have to agree on this.Possibly one of the worst levels ever.
    3: The age rating!! I remember playing this when I was about 5, the game being a 3+, or an E for everyone.So, I happily ran through kokiri village, trying to get to the deku tree. I was cautious when I got in. The music was pretty creepy, to say the least. I progressed, though, and slowly creeped my way around . Then, guess what? a huge spider jumped down from the ceiling! I sprinted downstairs! My Dad had to do the level for me! I was also scared of the stalchild.But, anyway, the village next to hyrule was my favourite place. I loved it. I wasn't bothered about the poe's that used to come out to the graveyard at night. I was curious, and decided to enter a house. House of skulltula. It was dark and quite creepy. Ominous music played. I had the courage to move forward. Suddenly, a 5 meter long skulltula Popped down from the ceiling! I screamed and wouldn't play it for days! Make it a 7+!    … Expand
  36. 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.
  37. Shadow1
    Apr 18, 2016
    7
    Best game on N64 and One of the best Nintendo games . This game brought popularity N64 . This game One of the First good game from Nintendo . This is best The Legend of Zelda game with The Legend of Zelda Wind Waker and Twilight Princess on GameCube . Beatiful graphics for 1998 , Best Levels on the N64 and Amazing Gameplay . 7/10 .
  38. 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
  39. mememan123
    Jan 14, 2017
    7
    I enjoyed this game, but I did not get much play time out of it. sadden :( memememememememememememememememememememememememememememememememememememememe
  40. Teagen
    Jun 15, 2017
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. personally i enjoyed the game it is a fun game of progression and knowing Zelda is stuck in her castle is always a motivation throughout the game that really makes you forget it is just a game. but it does have its flaws. half of the puzzles are easy along with the combat but there certainly are difficult parts but some of the difficult parts are either tedious or just out right annoying (water temple). And while this part I'm about to mention gets better when you become an adult but it is still a flaw of the game, all i can remember from the part of the game where you are a child is side strafing and rolling across Hyrule field because there was nothing to do in Hyrule field. It just felt like an empty space made to make the game feel bigger.

    Now don't get me wrong this game is still great but it is just little bit nostalgia based fun.    … Expand
  41. 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
  42. thenedbrown
    May 12, 2018
    7
    First of all, the game is great and was very revolutionary. It is very fun and has a pretty great story. But there are a great number of problems with the game. First, the game does not look good. Even for an N64 game. For 1998, this does not look good, especially considering that games such as Spyro the Dragon, and Banjo-Kazooie released the same year. Also, some of the dungeons weren'tFirst of all, the game is great and was very revolutionary. It is very fun and has a pretty great story. But there are a great number of problems with the game. First, the game does not look good. Even for an N64 game. For 1998, this does not look good, especially considering that games such as Spyro the Dragon, and Banjo-Kazooie released the same year. Also, some of the dungeons weren't the best(cough, cough, water temple and shadow temple). Also, Hyrule Field is way to big for it's own good, and it is pretty boring and long to run around in. Also, the kid section is pretty slow and the cut-scenes are long, visually uninteresting, and unskippable. Luckily, the 3DS port fixes most of these problems and streamlines the experience.… Expand
  43. GRIMISDEAD
    May 4, 2019
    7
    Sure The Game Is Great But It Has Flaws. People Say The Graphics Are Great When (Of Course) The Game Has Poorly Aged In That Sense. Yes It Was Made Back In The N64 Age But Many Other GameCube Games Exceed It In A Graphical Sense. Another Serious Issue Is That The Dungeon In Some Area Of The Game Kinda Suck. The Water Dungeon Is Absolutely Horrid, And Many Other Dungeon Have Issue CorrectlySure The Game Is Great But It Has Flaws. People Say The Graphics Are Great When (Of Course) The Game Has Poorly Aged In That Sense. Yes It Was Made Back In The N64 Age But Many Other GameCube Games Exceed It In A Graphical Sense. Another Serious Issue Is That The Dungeon In Some Area Of The Game Kinda Suck. The Water Dungeon Is Absolutely Horrid, And Many Other Dungeon Have Issue Correctly Guiding You And Makes The Player Feel Lost. Also Seriously Please Take Off The Nostalgia Glasses And See It Has Issue And Deserve's Too Be Remembered Fondly But Not Remembered As A Perfect Game. Now As For The Good Of The Game (Which Is A Fair Amount) The Bosses And Enemy Are Well Designed Even If They Don't Look The Best. The Sound Track Is Pretty Solid, And Navi (Is That How You Type Her Name?) Isn't Too Annoying. The Puzzles Have A Good Variety Of Them. The Game-play Is Of Course The Best Part Of The Game. The Combat Could Be Slightly Better And The Story Is Not Anything Special But Overall The Game Has Flaws But Is A Good Game.… Expand
  44. 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
  45. greninjaX
    Nov 21, 2021
    7
    bleh, kind of over rated. it's a good first step, but majoras mask is the better game
  46. ApertureJanitor
    Jan 4, 2019
    7
    Ocarina of Time WAS possibly the greatest game ever made. What I mean with that is that due to this game being on the Nintendo 64, the controls were bound to be horrible, and also there are some parts of this game that REALLY relied on Nintendo Power (or the internet) to be beaten (especially that temple, you know which one).
    But besides these techical issues that diminished the chances    Ocarina of Time WAS possibly the greatest game ever made. What I mean with that is that due to this game being on the Nintendo 64, the controls were bound to be horrible, and also there are some parts of this game that REALLY relied on Nintendo Power (or the internet) to be beaten (especially that temple, you know which one).
    But besides these techical issues that diminished the chances of this game standing the test of time, it's still really fun. The characters are distinct and alive, the world was groundbreaking for the time, and still manages to be ok in the current age, some of the scores on this will really get stuck in you head for some days, the graphics are great for N64 standards and the game has plenty of extra content to keep you busy if you get bored of the main story.
    Even though Ocarina of Time is a masterpiece burdened by some flaws due to hardware issues or Nintendo's need to sell Nintendo Power, you should definitely give this game a try on the new 3ds remaster, or if you're old school, just play it on the N64 and look past the annoyances that come with this version    … Expand
  47. Legozeldadude
    Feb 12, 2019
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I will not disagree with you that Ocarina of Time (Oot) is one of the most influential games ever mad. Is it an amazing game? Yes. Is it extremely fun? Absolutely. But is it perfect? Hell. No.

    Oot came out 20 years ago, and yet there are many things people flat out refuse to admit. The game is repetetive, often seeming like a fetch quest most of the time. The dungeons are under whelming if you ask me. The game often becomes boring at times, and most of it is due to one thing: the story.

    The story has a whole ton of potential. It could have been a touching story about a boy growing up too early. What we get is nowhere near that. The story is a halfassed string of coincidences. The pacing is terrible, as the game isn’t about exploring. Instead, its about dungeons. It’s linear as heck, the overworld is a barren husk, and your actions have very little impact on the world around you.

    However, the game for the most part is loads of fun. The areas and characters are very memorable. The music is for the most part great, at its worst being boring, and at its best been used in nearly every single Zelda game since.

    The best part of Oot is not the game itself, but instead, its impact on gaming. An aspect from your favorite games, if it came out 1999 onward, was likely started in Oot.

    It is a phenomanal game, but not the greatest game of all time. I love this game, but it would not be warrented any higher than a 7. I can’t do that. Great game with several flaws    … Expand
  48. 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.
  49. Tritonlol
    Jun 9, 2019
    7
    Nice, nice ! But why 99 for me this game not ideal! Yes it good but no 99 metacritic
  50. Kevin402
    Apr 20, 2020
    7
    great game at the time.
    This brings back many memories.
    To be number 1 on this site, I can see that.
  51. LonelyGeek
    Oct 24, 2019
    7
    Ever being one of the most rated 64's games the screen and the mechanics doesn't help at gamplay time, but the history compensates the game controls and limitated mechanics
  52. TheRAIDANSTARK
    Dec 7, 2021
    7
    Глупая игра на сотни вечерков, сюжет и характер недораскрыты. Ещё и самая лучшая игра за всю историю. Да пошли вы
  53. HylianBran12
    Jun 11, 2020
    7
    The year is 2020, and yes, "Ocarina of Time" is not the best game ever made. With visuals well below the standards of it's own time, many dated mechanics, often overly obtuse progression, awkwardly written dialogue, pacing issues, etc, etc, ETC. I can go on with the many poorer aspects of the game. Looking at it 20+ years later, the issues with the game are far more noticeable. Even withThe year is 2020, and yes, "Ocarina of Time" is not the best game ever made. With visuals well below the standards of it's own time, many dated mechanics, often overly obtuse progression, awkwardly written dialogue, pacing issues, etc, etc, ETC. I can go on with the many poorer aspects of the game. Looking at it 20+ years later, the issues with the game are far more noticeable. Even with all of that though, the great dungeon design (particularly in the adult half), an amazing soundtrack, effective story, engaging atmosphere, some fun side activities, and much more allow this one to still stand tall as a fun but very flawed game, and one that every gamer absolutely NEEDS to play for its undeniable impact alone. This one is still a keeper.… Expand
  54. 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.
  55. Emerald3ME
    Mar 24, 2023
    7
    A really great game that has an even greater soundtrack as well as atmosphere. Whilst I do not agree with the general consensus of the game being flawless. I do agree that this is a pretty damn good game.
  56. andres_disez
    Nov 11, 2021
    7
    Si bien el juego fue extremadamente importante para la industria e historicamente merezca mas nota, actualmente considero que le falta para ser perfecto. Los secretos de la pradera de Hyrule son bastante aleatorios y poco intuitivos (con agujeros al lado de arboles random) y el control de apuntado bastante tedioso. Recomiendo que si se quiere jugar se use el remake de 3ds, que mejora elSi bien el juego fue extremadamente importante para la industria e historicamente merezca mas nota, actualmente considero que le falta para ser perfecto. Los secretos de la pradera de Hyrule son bastante aleatorios y poco intuitivos (con agujeros al lado de arboles random) y el control de apuntado bastante tedioso. Recomiendo que si se quiere jugar se use el remake de 3ds, que mejora el apartado gráfico, el apuntado es mejor, tiene ciertas ayudas como las canciones de la ocarina a tu disposición mientras tocas, y lo mas importante de todo: las botas son objeto de acceso rapido y no hay que entrar en el menu para cambiarlas (templo del agua, sí, te miro a ti)
    igualmente no podia poner menos nota porque invento una gran cantidad de cosas que aun hoy en dia se usan en videojuegos en entornos 3d    … Expand
  57. Longtime4321
    Nov 13, 2021
    7
    If you're gonna play this one, play a rom hack that lets you fast forward the dialouge, becuase the original speed is enough to ruin the whole game
  58. Magic_Matt
    Dec 28, 2021
    7
    It is a solid game and still holds up quite well.

    I played oot on the switch so there could have been some controls that maybe were better on the N64 but I didn't encounter any issues really. For example the water temple is tedious because of the switching in your inventory with the iron boots. Jabu Jabu's belly was also an annoying dungeon 'cuz you had to carry princess Ruto    It is a solid game and still holds up quite well.

    I played oot on the switch so there could have been some controls that maybe were better on the N64 but I didn't encounter any issues really.

    For example the water temple is tedious because of the switching in your inventory with the iron boots.
    Jabu Jabu's belly was also an annoying dungeon 'cuz you had to carry princess Ruto around.
    I generally don't really enjoy Zelda dungeons that much, they are sometimes confusing and difficult or it is not clear what you have to do to progress the game.

    The day night cycle is a little on the short side which is just a nuisance (yes the song of the sun helps but it is still annoying to have to play it every 2 and a half minutes.

    The side quest for the Biggoron sword is difficult with the timed delivery quests, but worth it in the end.

    The time travel mechanic is unique but I would've loved to see it be explored more like in the spirit temple where you do half as a child and the other half as an adult.

    I had to look up a bunch of stuff like for example how am I supposed to know that you can only enter the well as a child or how do I know that you have to drop a fish in front of Jabu Jabu.
    I feel like it was normal to not know what to do in older games the first Zelda has this very much, but it is just annoying that i had to do the water temple while having a tutorial open.

    I do love the story in this game and the characters like Zelda, Sheik and Ganondorf of course.

    This game is very much the basis of other 3D Zelda games and I loved finding stuff that was referenced from this game.

    The music for the game was fantastic: Hyrule field and Gerudo desert being the most iconic.

    The wallet mechanic that was introduced in this game I absolutely despise because if i would collect rupees my wallet was immediately full even with the giants wallet there was just nothing to do with your rupees except for buying the occasional fairy or arrows.

    The bosses were original but many didn't have a second phase or multiple attacks which is understandable for a game made in 1998.

    Oh and than you have Ganons castle, from the point you beat the last the dungeon the game starts to become really fun.
    The 6 barriers that had to be broken was an actually fun dungeon and the climb to the top was very atmospheric and exciting, and then there is Ganon...
    playing his own theme song! And him turning around throwing his cape is the most epic thing.
    I absolutely love Ganons character in this game just how he is delivered, this is something botw misses in my opinion.

    It is a good game but just doesn't hold up to botw for instance.
    It shouldn't be a fair comparison between oot and botw but it is very close.
    Though for me botw is better game even though many people swear by ocarina of time as best game of ever made.

    Standard setting Zelda game
    7/10    … Expand
  59. 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
  60. VSLazer360
    Jan 6, 2023
    7
    Let me preface this review by saying that I do have massive respect for this game and the innovations it made for gaming as a whole. It is irrevocably a good game and I'm not here to deny that. All this being said though, does it truly deserve the title of Best Game of ALL Time? I seriously doubt that. I get the idea of not judging games from the past to modern standards and I'm not gonnaLet me preface this review by saying that I do have massive respect for this game and the innovations it made for gaming as a whole. It is irrevocably a good game and I'm not here to deny that. All this being said though, does it truly deserve the title of Best Game of ALL Time? I seriously doubt that. I get the idea of not judging games from the past to modern standards and I'm not gonna try and do that here, but to say this was where gaming peaked, that no game that has ever come after this has ever come close to Ocarina of Time's heights would be a severe disservice to 24 years worth of absolutely incredible games. I could go on about this point alone except for the fact that it wouldn't be much of a review if I didn't discuss the merits of the game itself, so let's get into those.

    Graphics- I wasn't alive in '98 when this game came out so I have no idea how "Great for the time" the graphics in the game are. Playing it today though, they hold up pretty well and you can generally tell what everything in its blocky glory is supposed to be. to have any complaints here would simply be foolish and ignorant.
    Music- I think Ocarina of Time's incredible music is by far its strongest trait. The music is always fitting of the kind of environment it's trying to portray at any given moment. Moreover, every track is excellent and about 90% of the soundtrack will get stuck in your head and never leave. I have no complaints here at all and am willing to admit that the people who praise this game's soundtrack as one of the best of all time are right.
    Story- To be honest I've never seen the appeal of Ocarina of Time's story. It's a simple hero's journey story of a boy with tremendous courage who's forced to grow up too fast, it's a simple story but works in favor of the world and gameplay. Some would argue that the story is masterfully told and drenched in depth and symbolism and that's a big part of what makes it the best game ever made, honestly though even within its own series Ocarina of Time is beat out in that department by great stories like those seen in Majora's Mask or Link's Awakening. The story in Ocarina of certainly is good, but heavily overrated when compared to much stronger ones.
    Gameplay- This is where most of my gripes with Ocarina of Time come from. Zelda games have always had big and lively versions of the titular Hyrule to explore and such is the case in Ocarina of Time, the only difference here being that this Hyrule feels like the blandest and most empty in the entire series. Outside of it's key locations, Ocarina of Times version of Hyrule just feels empty. For Instance, many have cited the first moments of leaving Kokiri Forest and entering Hyrule Field as the magical first steps of an incredible journey, but in my first playthrough and experience with this moment all I felt was underwhelmed. Before me laid a completely barren field that I was expected to traverse by walking or rolling until I reached the next location where the story would continue, and rinse and repeat this for whenever you need to reach another key location. In terms of the dungeons, they have certainly been far better in the series history, sure there are unforgettable ones like the forest temple of the shadow temple, but the rest are either tedious in their puzzles or just plain forgettable. There are moments where the game feels lively, like when entering a new town and meeting all the charismatic and fun NPC's there but apart from these shining moments the game leaves a lot to be desired.

    Overall, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a landmark game in the history of gaming and deserves respect from all those who enjoy modern open world adventure games of the same vein, but the claims that it's the "Best Video Game Ever Made" are unfounded and deserve a serious and critical second look.    … Expand
  61. GamerXD
    Feb 22, 2023
    7
    This game is great and all and I love The Legend Of Zelda series but this one in particular never stuck with me mainly the controls Link just feels so bad to control now i'm not one to complain about a game's control but this is just bad control feeling for me. The graphics i can't complain about, they are alright for the time but the dungeon design and this is an issue I have with modernThis game is great and all and I love The Legend Of Zelda series but this one in particular never stuck with me mainly the controls Link just feels so bad to control now i'm not one to complain about a game's control but this is just bad control feeling for me. The graphics i can't complain about, they are alright for the time but the dungeon design and this is an issue I have with modern Zelda games every time a new generation of consoles release the graphics and power increase meaning you need to start paying attention to every little thing if you want to get through the dungeon. I am mainly a fan of the pixel Zelda games, they are simple and complex at the perfect balance. But the game's good none the less but I personally can't give it higher or lower than 7/10.… Expand
  62. Zelton
    Jul 21, 2023
    7
    OoT is a good game. No one in their right mind would say it isn’t. But to give it a 99 is steep. The game is fun and the story is great, but I think clouded by nostalgia. I understand that it was revolutionary for its time, but it isn’t it’s time anymore. The fact that it still is enjoyable 30 years later is an achievement, but I think this game is heavily overrated looking back at it inOoT is a good game. No one in their right mind would say it isn’t. But to give it a 99 is steep. The game is fun and the story is great, but I think clouded by nostalgia. I understand that it was revolutionary for its time, but it isn’t it’s time anymore. The fact that it still is enjoyable 30 years later is an achievement, but I think this game is heavily overrated looking back at it in 2023. This doesn’t mean I don’t like the game though, I especially enjoyed the adult link portion of the game. But I don’t understand how majora’s mask is rated lower, it is so much more fun and the mechanics are better in my opinion.
    I still give OoT a 7.5/10    … Expand
  63. duckypwns
    Dec 9, 2011
    6
    This game is a bit above average but it's vastly over rated in all honesty. This is often considered to be the best game of all time. It is nowhere near there. There is a lot of filler material, such as having to traverse Hyrule field multiple times. All you're doing is holding the stick forward, no enemies to fight, nothing to do. The puzzles are extremely basic. For example, there willThis game is a bit above average but it's vastly over rated in all honesty. This is often considered to be the best game of all time. It is nowhere near there. There is a lot of filler material, such as having to traverse Hyrule field multiple times. All you're doing is holding the stick forward, no enemies to fight, nothing to do. The puzzles are extremely basic. For example, there will be a ledge that you want to get up to, but it's too high, and there is also a box nearby. I'd make a sarcastic remark but that doesn't translate very well through text so I'll just say it literally - The puzzles are pretty much "just put two and two together". There are next to no side quests in this game, and the biggest one is just a tedious fetch quest. The combat isn't particularly amazing either. The game is so, so easy. The world and the lore is interesting but why settle for that, when you can have an actual good game on top of that as well? If you want a real 3D Zelda game, go for Majora's Mask or Skyward Sword.… Expand
  64. Blahguy126
    Mar 8, 2013
    6
    This game is okay and all, but a 99/100? Really? I don't think it deserves that. As with most games on the n64, the graphics and gameplay haven't aged well at all, and although it is a good game expirence, the replay value just isn't there. I think that Majora's Mask was a much better sequel, but how did that score 4 entire points lower than this? Unless you have some sort of rabies forThis game is okay and all, but a 99/100? Really? I don't think it deserves that. As with most games on the n64, the graphics and gameplay haven't aged well at all, and although it is a good game expirence, the replay value just isn't there. I think that Majora's Mask was a much better sequel, but how did that score 4 entire points lower than this? Unless you have some sort of rabies for nostalgia, don't bother with this; skip straight to better titles like Banjo-Kazooie or Conker's Bad Fur Day.… Expand
  65. GoldenSilver
    Aug 23, 2022
    6
    For the modern generation, this was the first proper Zelda (and for veterans, the first not-Zelda). The game’s strength is in its precision-tooled design of the world, with exceptional attention to detail in the presentation of its purposeful and beautifully shaped narrative; obviously every situation and event in this game is the product of deep consideration. But despite these merits,For the modern generation, this was the first proper Zelda (and for veterans, the first not-Zelda). The game’s strength is in its precision-tooled design of the world, with exceptional attention to detail in the presentation of its purposeful and beautifully shaped narrative; obviously every situation and event in this game is the product of deep consideration. But despite these merits, the pacing is very slow. The labyrinths, a main draw of this series, are over-designed to a fault, with excessive emphasis on solving puzzles—something that was much less significant in the earlier Zeldas. It becomes tiring after a while, and as a result later entries like The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess are more relaxing and enjoyable to play.… Expand
  66. 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
  67. caj27
    Oct 24, 2018
    6
    When my freshman-college buddies rented this game from Blockbuster on the release date, we were very excited. We split into 4 teams and played at all hours of the 24-hour day until the N64 console overheated. To remedy that, we rented a replacement console and kept playing Zelda around the clock. Pretty intense circumstances. I played the game with my team every few hours for a coupleWhen my freshman-college buddies rented this game from Blockbuster on the release date, we were very excited. We split into 4 teams and played at all hours of the 24-hour day until the N64 console overheated. To remedy that, we rented a replacement console and kept playing Zelda around the clock. Pretty intense circumstances. I played the game with my team every few hours for a couple weeks, and then I suddenly lost interest. During those years, I preferred to play other games, like Age of Empires (PC), Half-Life (PC), Golden Eye (N64), and World Cup Soccer '98 (N64). I never beat this Zelda game, although I did beat the SNES Zelda (Link to the Past) the summer before this one was released. Since then, I have enjoyed other action adventure titles with a bit more grit to them and greater character customization: games from franchises like Mass Effect or Diablo. Or games with more interesting mechanics, like Half-Life 2 and Portal. The puzzles in Zelda are rarely satisfying for me: either too arbitrary (random shapes in a sequence) or too repetitive (talk to every NPC and put hints together). I recently acquired Breath of the Wild and Wind Waker for Wii U. I gave it to my boys. I played the games a bit but grew tired of the Zelda games after a few days. I have professional challenges to attend to, and mentally taxing games are not for me now. I would like a game based in the Zelda universe that I can play for just about 25 minutes a day over a year. Maybe something like the casual flow of a adventure/story game like The Walking Dead. I am more often playing a game like Clash Royale, nowadays. When I want a really immersive experience I put on a VR headset and playing something crazy scary like Dread Halls. Nothing against those who enjoy the game, but it doesn't fit into my life.… Expand
  68. CaptainCool420
    Jan 14, 2016
    6
    Meh, Undertale was better, plus i never grew up with nintendo so i dunno what's with all the love for this game, honestly, undertale should take the cake for best f-ing game on metacritic.
  69. SuperMarioBro
    May 15, 2016
    6
    Actually i must say, what critics make right choose about this game)) Cool gameplay, normal storyline, normal graphics for 1996, and normal opening world. Nintendo - you the BEST :)
  70. 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
  71. Meta1234
    Apr 20, 2018
    6
    Reviewing this game many years later with a settled down opinion:

    Overall it was a pretty good effort with the dungeons and the puzzles. Critic goes to the water temple boots removal tiring sequence. Critic also goes to the graphics which were too foggy even for that age. Critic also goes to the replay value. This game was entertaining when playing it but I never felt like playing it    Reviewing this game many years later with a settled down opinion:

    Overall it was a pretty good effort with the dungeons and the puzzles.

    Critic goes to the water temple boots removal tiring sequence. Critic also goes to the graphics which were too foggy even for that age. Critic also goes to the replay value. This game was entertaining when playing it but I never felt like playing it again after some time. Critic also goes to the reused storyline. Triforce and Zelda and Ganon again.

    Finally critic goes to the exploitation of nostalgia that had some players purchase the game 3 or 4 times across multiple consoles and at a high price every time without actually replaying the game.

    N64
    Gamecube with Master Quest
    Wii VC
    Ocarina 3DS
    Wii U VC    … Expand
  72. Ace-909
    Feb 2, 2019
    6
    This game may have been revolutionary when it came out, but nowadays it doesn't hold up that much
    Traversing through the oversized and empty overworld is the most annoying thing ever without Epona,instances where looking up a walkthrough is probably the only way you'll figure out what to do (like the Hookshot side quest in Kakariko and that one temple everyone hates) and other antiquated    This game may have been revolutionary when it came out, but nowadays it doesn't hold up that much
    Traversing through the oversized and empty overworld is the most annoying thing ever without Epona,instances where looking up a walkthrough is probably the only way you'll figure out what to do (like the Hookshot side quest in Kakariko and that one temple everyone hates) and other antiquated design choices that kinda hamper the experience a little, and I can't really connect with any character because almost all of them are 2D cardboard cutouts with the exception of Zelda herself probably.(And not mentioning that most sidequests are just painful slogs.)
    It's definitely not an awful game by any stretch but some things done in this game have been done better in other Zelda games. (My favorite thing is of course is the soundtrack, definitely one of the game's saving graces.)    … Expand
  73. 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
  74. Fraccio
    Apr 27, 2020
    6
    The biggest problem with this game, besides the boring and repetitive gameplay, is the fact that you'll spend most of the time figuring out where to go because this game gives you no indication, even though navi should help you, resulting in uselessness.
  75. 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
  76. 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
  77. Graymann
    Aug 19, 2020
    6
    Couldn't make it past child link. I even had a hard time getting anywhere without tons of help. It's an ok game.
  78. 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.
  79. 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
  80. Imapigtoo
    Aug 4, 2021
    6
    It's alright, pretty dated at this point. I think you're kidding yourself if you give this game (or pretty much any game) a 10/10, but it's certainly not bad.
  81. 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.
  82. Spleenicus
    Mar 16, 2022
    6
    To anyone living in the 90's: this game is a 10/10 masterpiece and you need to play it right now!

    To people living in 2022: This game, like Half-Life and Halo, are great games, but have, since their release, begun to show their age. The rapid improvement of the medium means that everything from aesthetics like sound quality and controls to game content itself has been exponentially    To anyone living in the 90's: this game is a 10/10 masterpiece and you need to play it right now!

    To people living in 2022: This game, like Half-Life and Halo, are great games, but have, since their release, begun to show their age. The rapid improvement of the medium means that everything from aesthetics like sound quality and controls to game content itself has been exponentially scaled in the past 20 years, and though Ocarina of Time is a masterpiece for its time and still is a showcase of excellent game design, its age makes it difficult to place among the greats of the current generation without admitting to some level of nostalgia blindness. Tl;dr if you love zelda games, this is one of the best, and worth your time despite its age.    … Expand
  83. 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...
  84. Mr_Kong
    Sep 5, 2022
    6
    I mean... It's fine I guess. I get why people like it, it's just that it needs MORE. DIDDY KONG.
  85. jimlake
    Feb 26, 2023
    6
    its an ok game but I've recently seen nostalgic biases giving the game a 10 out of 10, but good game id say pretty buggy and it was good like 20 years ago, and this is the best rated game on Metacritic. you based biased critic babies. sorry for going a little crazy on ya'll but 6 out of 10. But stop being bias baby critics ok please for our sake
  86. JosePorta
    Jun 3, 2023
    6
    El trabajo del crítico es sencillo en más de un sentido. Arriesgamos muy poco, y sin embargo usufructuamos de una posición situada por encima de quienes someten su trabajo y su persona a nuestro juicio. Prosperamos gracias a nuestras críticas negativas, que resultan divertidas cuando se las escribe y cuando se las lee.
    Pero la cruda verdad que los críticos debemos enfrentar es que, en    El trabajo del crítico es sencillo en más de un sentido. Arriesgamos muy poco, y sin embargo usufructuamos de una posición situada por encima de quienes someten su trabajo y su persona a nuestro juicio. Prosperamos gracias a nuestras críticas negativas, que resultan divertidas cuando se las escribe y cuando se las lee.
    Pero la cruda verdad que los críticos debemos enfrentar es que, en términos generales, la producción de basura promedio es más valiosa que lo que nuestros artículos pretenden señalar. Sin embargo, a veces el crítico realmente arriesga algo, y eso sucede en nombre y en defensa de algo nuevo.
    Anoche experimenté algo nuevo, una comida extraordinaria hecha por alguien único e inesperado. Decir que ese plato y su cocinero pusieron a prueba mis preconceptos equivaldría a incurrir en una subestimación grosera, cuando lo cierto es que ambos lograron conmover lo más profundo de mi ser.
    Antes de este suceso, nunca escondí mi desdén por el lema del Chef Gusteau: “cualquiera puede cocinar”. Pero, me doy cuenta, recién ahora comprendo sus palabras. No cualquiera puede convertirse en un gran artista, pero un gran artista sí puede provenir de cualquier lugar.    … Expand
  87. Robert8
    Jun 28, 2023
    6
    The game is Good but I dont see it as one of if not the best game of all time the gamplay lacks but the tracks are all bangers I cant dissagree with the music that is the best part of the game hyrule Field is empty it was not really a fun time the story is good but when I play the game I dont enjoy playing the combat is oițdated dont forget about the water temple and jabu jabu belly uh isThe game is Good but I dont see it as one of if not the best game of all time the gamplay lacks but the tracks are all bangers I cant dissagree with the music that is the best part of the game hyrule Field is empty it was not really a fun time the story is good but when I play the game I dont enjoy playing the combat is oițdated dont forget about the water temple and jabu jabu belly uh is a good game and if you are a zelda fan wich I am why not its ok… Expand
  88. Bookmaster
    Oct 3, 2011
    5
    I'mma let you finish Ocarina of Time, but Majora's Mask is the best Zelda game of all time, of all time! All jokes aside, there is a serious review here. Ocarina of Time is hailed as one of the best games of all time, given it's own private seat at the table of awesome games, and is treated as royalty to the point a complete remake of this treasured classic is a no-brainer purchase, notI'mma let you finish Ocarina of Time, but Majora's Mask is the best Zelda game of all time, of all time! All jokes aside, there is a serious review here. Ocarina of Time is hailed as one of the best games of all time, given it's own private seat at the table of awesome games, and is treated as royalty to the point a complete remake of this treasured classic is a no-brainer purchase, not unlike Disney's HD releases of it's old movies. Then what is my problem with this game? It's.. well...er...bland! Okay, there! I said it! The environments strike me as bland here and there, the game starts slow, goes slow through the middle, and ends slow. I really, really, REALLY, want to love this game, but I can't. Action: For it's time, the combat is perfect, and there's nothing more I can ask for.. except a more rational magic system..
    Plot: Cliche beyond all compare.. Nah, I'm kidding! The princess grows up to be pretty awesome.. if she helped much beyond being an ocarina instructor for poor Link, the villain is two dimensional with no true reason to want to be doing anything he is, but the fantasy land is inspired with plenty of unique creatures and environments.. Graphics: ANYONE WHO SAYS N64 GRAPHICS HOLD UP ARE LYING AND YOU KNOW IT...
    Music: Okay, THE MUSIC IS PRETTY GREAT.

    Overall: It's... meh. Bland for me, though apparently you guys get kicks out of lighting torches to open doors, making Link go through puberty just to improve his archery, and having to mow the lawn with your sword just to buy some new bombs. I wish I could see why you guys enjoy this game...    … Expand
  89. Melopahn
    Nov 17, 2011
    5
    It is an amazing game... However it is the same game as 4 of its predecessors and was followed by one of the best and most original games in the series since Link to the past. Ocarina of time did the same thing as link to the past but cut out substance for graphics. Fewer items, fewer side quests, fewer dungeons, fewer secrets, less varied world and less manipulating the game for speedIt is an amazing game... However it is the same game as 4 of its predecessors and was followed by one of the best and most original games in the series since Link to the past. Ocarina of time did the same thing as link to the past but cut out substance for graphics. Fewer items, fewer side quests, fewer dungeons, fewer secrets, less varied world and less manipulating the game for speed runs (without the hacks) and had most of the same bad guys. It was than followed by Majora's mask which was original with a new story, a new villain, new items and some of the most exciting side quests I've seen. Not to mention the fierce Deities mask which was and is my favorite item in the series thus far.… Expand
  90. Breegullbeak
    Jan 23, 2013
    5
    I'm conflicted here. To say I didn't enjoy anything in this game would be a lie, but to say I enjoyed all of it would be too.

    The story is simple, and has a predictable ending and an underwhelming final boss battle. In fact most of the boss battles are forgettable. The areas are simple themed areas with the most bland getting a second run once you take a 7 year nap. The game is    I'm conflicted here. To say I didn't enjoy anything in this game would be a lie, but to say I enjoyed all of it would be too.

    The story is simple, and has a predictable ending and an underwhelming final boss battle. In fact most of the boss battles are forgettable. The areas are simple themed areas with the most bland getting a second run once you take a 7 year nap.

    The game is really dated. Only those who played it at launch could give this game 10s. The puzzles are easy, the combat is really simple, and the gear is game breaking or useless outside it's first appearance.

    As the first and only game in the franchises I've played and beat, this game has entirely turned me off of the franchise. And no it wasn't the water temple.    … Expand
  91. 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
  92. gyro4445
    Mar 7, 2015
    5
    The game is playable, but too difficult to proceed in certain sections for younger gamers, which will lead to frustration at being stuck. A Zelda game like Majora's Mask has less situations in which players are unable to continue past a certain spot. Hopefully going forward, Nintendo will lean more on the Majora's Mask model than on Ocarina of Time.
  93. 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.
  94. 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.
  95. 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
  96. hl2episode2
    May 29, 2018
    5
    I want to love it so much, but something about it feels wrong. I loaded up the game and went inside the deku tree, it wasn't bad. But it doesn't tell you anything about what your items can do or what your goal is. Games like portal and the talos principle make it easy to know what your items are capable of and where you are trying to go. The difficulty is trying to figure out planning outI want to love it so much, but something about it feels wrong. I loaded up the game and went inside the deku tree, it wasn't bad. But it doesn't tell you anything about what your items can do or what your goal is. Games like portal and the talos principle make it easy to know what your items are capable of and where you are trying to go. The difficulty is trying to figure out planning out the placement of everything. Ocarinas puzzles are the opposite. The difficult part is that you have no idea how anything works. It is easy and boring once you figure out all along a stick could burn a cobweb. Later in the game I was just trying to complete the part in dodongo's cavern and ended up not having any idea what i was even meant to do. And then, the drag. The tedious feeling of time being wasted was everywhere. I gave up after barely figuring out dodongo. I would say some parts are better than others. I will give it a 5 for innovation despite what feels like terrible design.… Expand
  97. 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
  98. megaman_mx
    Feb 23, 2021
    5
    juego sobre valorado. no es malo pero tampoco es un antes ni un después. eso lo marco Mario 64 y no lo sobrevaloran tanto como este.
  99. 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
  100. ZidaneLionheart
    Dec 13, 2020
    5
    The most classic video game of all time. Technically perfect. The definition of an adventure. The game that made my childhood. Not my favorite game, that would be Final Fantasy IX for emotional connection. But this is undoubtedly a better experience to play for most people. There may always be “better” games, but nothing will ever be this great. Shout out to Majora’s Mask, it really is asThe most classic video game of all time. Technically perfect. The definition of an adventure. The game that made my childhood. Not my favorite game, that would be Final Fantasy IX for emotional connection. But this is undoubtedly a better experience to play for most people. There may always be “better” games, but nothing will ever be this great. Shout out to Majora’s Mask, it really is as good, but different, and also second.… Expand
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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

All reviews »
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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