The Wednesday letters page gives its reaction to the Zelda Nintendo Direct, as readers offer their comments on the Ocarina Of Time remake.
Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email [email protected]
Goldilocks paradox
I really enjoyed the Zelda Nintendo Direct. Link running out onto Hyrule Field looks absolutely fantastic, as it did when I was a 17 years old, years ago (I actually did a slight gasp when it came on today) but I wish they hadn’t shown it as it’s a moment that I would have liked to seen for the first time whilst playing the game.
Nintendo didn’t show enough of the game back in June then they went and showed too much of the game today, but even so it looks fantastic and I shall definitely buy it on release.
Arteta26Legend
Perfect timing
Well, the Ocarina Of Time footage didn’t disappoint
It looks to be staying quite faithful to the original, with only throwing in a few extra elements that shouldn’t detract from what made it such a great game in the first place.
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I’m not quite sure why the amiibo aren’t out until next year though?
The timing of the release is very strategic too, as we all know that there is the small matter of another game coming out the same month and there will be people who are no doubt fans of both franchises. This should keep them busy for a couple of weeks and give them the chance to play both without muddying the waters too much.
I absolutely adore young Link’s sulky little face too, with a hint of attitude on top, and it certainly makes you realise how young he is when he starts his adventure.
On another note, it would have been nice to have got a bit more of a glimpse of the theatrical release.
Although I wouldn’t wager against Nintendo planning to do a dedicated Direct solely for the film, like they’ve done with the Mario movies in the not too distant future.
freeway 77
GC: We’d say that was guaranteed.
Bonfire Night
Wow! Well, that was worth the wait, wasn’t it? Nintendo’s Zelda Direct. It was all I wanted and more. A sympathetic remake, with just the right amount of extras, previously static backdrops now fully realised, etc. More bustling vibrant locals. Dodongo? Check. Ghoma? Check. Gorons, Water Temple, Lord Jabu Jabu? Check, check, check… didn’t catch the screeching mummified ReDeads!? though it was six hours before the watershed so I forgive ya!
Really want a copy of the foil cover physical edition though.
Remember, remember the 5th of November… as the rhyme goes.
big boy bent
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Before and after
Am I the only person who would be happy with a 1:1 remake? Just do what they did with Star Fox and update the graphics, music and smooth out the edges.
If they are going to add a whole load of new mechanics, then I’d rather they just made a brand-new Zelda, as otherwise it isn’t really Ocarina Of Time. I know people will point to Resident Evil 4 and maybe Silent Hill 2 (although I wasn’t keen on that personally) but the Resident Evil 4 remake was the same game with improved graphics/updated bosses if you really look at it.
I can’t see what they could change in a game like Zelda without it just turning into a whole new game and I have gone back through it fairly recently and it still holds up. So, unlike a Resident Evil 1 remake, that needed it because the original was pretty unplayable, Ocarina Of Time doesn’t.
No one will agree with me, but I think a lot of people will be disappointed after the Zelda Direct (unless I am just completely wrong).
Simon
Well, I was very happy with the look of Ocarina Of Time. I honestly skipped a lot of it in the end, as I want to come across it all first hand and not have it all spoilt, but I am really looking forward to it.
Simon
GC: If you’re worried about spoilers, we really wouldn’t watch the trailer as it features lots of key scenes. For those reading, as you might gather, the first message was sent on Tuesday morning and the second after the Direct.
Wallet attack
Well, Christmas just got more expensive. And what did it for me wasn’t anything spectacular. The moment Link went into the shop and there wasn’t a loading screen I made my mind up. The quality of life features were spot on. It seems so simple but effective. Jump, dash, camera control, and time flowing. I can’t wait to play it.
Lots of familiar and new things to see. I can’t wait to be humming tunes into my Joy-Cons. Who am I kidding? I’ll probably buy the ocarina too. I really wish I didn’t watch it. 14 days before GTA too. I currently have Tears Of The Kingdom on Switch 1. I’ll bet that 40th anniversary console is going to cost a pretty penny too. My god it looks stunning. Why Nintendo? Why? Just when I think I’m out. They pull me back in.
Rob Taylor, Attorney at Bird Law
PS: I bet my house on Dynasty Warriors being game of the year too. Anyone got a spare room available?
Bumper crop
That Zelda Ocarina of Time presentation was a bit dry and didn’t do much to sell the game. I feel though that the trailer at the end was much more enjoyable and I now can’t wait to play.
However, already this year I’ve played through Resident Evil Requiem, Öoo, and Roger, 007 First Light, Pragmata, Mixtape, and Star Fox.
I’ve got Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced to beat. I traded in some games the other day and because of your glowing praise I stepped out of my comfort zone and got Star Wars Zero Company, which I’m loving so far. I also got Screamer (£21 at Argos and £18 at Smyths) which you also recommended, although I’ve not played much yet.
Yet also I’ve had my eye on Onimusha: Way Of The Sword after another positive metro review and after playing the demo. Also, there’s still Control Resonant, GTA 6, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, Silent Hill: Townfall, and Wolverine in addition to Zelda. I know it sounds daft, but I usually don’t play many new games but I kind of want to keep up so I have an opinion at the end of the year lists.
Frankly, though, with only three pay days left before Xmas I’m running out of time and spare cash. Therefore, I’m hoping slightly that Nintendo don’t announce anything too unexpected in the Direct later today. Also, if you could please keep your praise to a minimum for any new releases, so I don’t feel I’m missing out that would be great, thanks.
matc7884
PS: Just remembered there’s also The Witcher 3 remaster. D’oh. I never clicked with it before because of the combat and confusing inventory. However, I though the writing and storytelling was excellent so I hope the remaster might be better. Thankfully, I also have a Switch digital copy, so it won’t cost me.
The next Direct
I hope the Mario Kart World DLC rumours are true, as I still feel it’s lacking that something special. I never liked the 200cc mode on Mario Kart 8 but I feel that World would actually benefit from it, as the linked track races are just so long. Add in that missing Donkey Kong DLC and maybe a few surprises like only Nintendo can.
I’m hoping they do throw something like a Star Fox expansion at us, that would be perfect for another world existing off the current world to add DLC tracks. I’m looking forward to the Nintendo Direct.
I’ll be buying the Ocarina of Time game no matter what it ends up as. An all-time classic and the last time I completed it on the 3DS was just as good as when I first played it on the N64.
I’m probably actually one of the players that will play Zelda first and GTA 6 later when it’s got a 60fps mode, fingers crossed.
Nick The Greek
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Not quite everyone
What a missed opportunity this was, to give Zelda: Ocarina Of Time a truly modern remake. It looks beautiful and will clearly be the best way to play the game from now on but… I know the whole thing already like the back of my hand.
Better controls and presentation weren’t what I was looking for and having this as the main Switch 2 Christmas game when we’ve already had an identical treatment of an old and overfamiliar N64 game just a few months ago speaks to a problem with first party Switch 2 support.
Nintendo is implying they want to preserve the original’s apparently sacrosanct design with a ‘faithful interpretation’ but I’m not sure it isn’t just a resource issue that’s keeping them from something more ambitious and interesting. The very least this should’ve done is rejig the dungeons, so it wasn’t just the same torch lighting and block pushing that represented the early days of 3D gaming.
That failure was a big flaw with the Link’s Awakening remake in 2019 too. But this time they can’t even implement seamless transitions between key areas because it’s in the name of ‘preserving the essence’ of the original. I’ll need to remember that one when my wife asks me to do the dishes and take out the rubbish. I just want to ‘preserve the essence’ of the lovely day I’ve had so I’d rather not make the effort when it’s needed most.
The way they’ve handled this has been a massive fumble. If it was going to be as similar to the original, why not manage expectations and confirm this as soon as it’s announced? Then even the way they’re showed off the game was awful. Why give a walkthrough of gameplay and puzzles that everyone already knows so well? And in case you don’t know the original, it’s on Nintendo Switch Online right now, and has been for years.
On the plus side, it’s maybe for the best that they don’t seem to have added full voice acting for all the dialogue. And I suppose November 5 is sensible to give it a fortnight before Grand Theft Auto. But I’m afraid I won’t be buying this any time soon, unless it’s to sell it on after the 20 or so hours I’d need to go through the motions with it.
Based on this, what’s the big first party Christmas 2027 game going to be? A prettier version of the N64 Smash Bros. or Super Mario 64? Donkey Kong Bananza will be nearly two and a half years old by then, so you’d better sort it out, Nintendo.
Panda
Inbox also-rans
It just shows how fast time goes; I’m thinking why do we need a new Luigi’s Mansion already when 3 only just came out. However, it’s actually nearly seven years ago it was released. Getting old sucks. It is a series that I hold dear though, as my son and I have been playing the games together since he was five and he’s nearly 18 now.
Mark Matthews
Super happy with how Zelda: Ocarina Of Time looks. It was pretty much the approach I expected but I think they’ve made the right choices. The jumping does lose a bit of the original feel but I’m fine with it if it gets new fans on board.
Booker
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