By JESSICA LAMOUREAUX
Contributing Writer
This summer, I took the leap that many gamers have been unwilling to make: I bought a 3DS. It was my first handheld since the GameBoy Pocket, and although I had borrowed the intermittent SP, I found that this was a whole new world of possibility. Currently, there are only a few 3D titles out, and of those there is only one that has made much of a stir on the consumer side–The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The action/adventure title is a remake of a classic N64 game that is still hugely popular with serious and casual gamers alike. In it, a young boy named Link must journey to save Hyrule, his home, and Princess Zelda. By exploring rich landscapes, battling through dungeons, and facing off with countless enemies, Link must attempt to restore balance to his world.
I was initially hesitant about buying the game. After all, I still had my old cartridge kicking around somewhere, and it seemed like a waste. A demo in my local GameStop convinced me otherwise. The opening title brought me back to the days of N64 controllers, rumble packs, and that weird yellow microphone from Hey You! Pikachu. The last time I played Ocarina of Time was years ago, and I was concerned for the sake of nostalgia. The 3D remake immediately blew any doubts I had out of the water – the designers who worked on this project definitely did the original justice and then some.
However, this game is definitely not a carbon copy of its predecessor. Updated controls provide easy-access to items that were an absolute headache in the 2D title (iron boots, anyone?) and motion controls on the 3DS allow the player to aim more accurately when sighting in first-person. The 3DS analog stick and general layout replicate the familiar N64 controller, something that those who played the original are sure to appreciate. Using the stylus can be awkward, but most of the controls are button-based. The 3DS screen is heat sensitive, so you can use your fingers for those quick touches anyway.
Additionally, details of the game environment have been updated significantly, now sporting richer colors and more-realistic backdrops than ever before. The emotions and
movements of characters are much less wooden, and the care taken in crafting them is evident. Of course, this is without taking the 3D component into consideration. Personally, I only played with the 3D on when I noticed that it would particularly suit the stage of the game I was in. Sweeping expanses, new locations, and cut scenes all acquire a different feel when
played through the 3D lens, but in excess it can put a strain on your vision. Navi, your fairy guide, will be the first to tell you that after fifteen minutes you should take a break and rest those tired eyes.
The graphics and controls weren’t the only thing to get an update. New elements have been added to improve gameplay and help to adapt it to the 3DS. Master Quest, a harder version of the storyline, allows players to begin the story again in a mirror world. Additionally, a Boss Mode has been added where Link’s bigger battles can be replayed. Those who are new to the game are sure to appreciate the addition of the Sheikah Stone, a rock which offers “visions of the future” – hints that can help guide the frustrated player through a dungeon or explain how to reach a hidden item. Other “Easter eggs” can be found throughout the game, but those are definitely more fun to find on your own.
So, is it worth the money? If you already have a 3DS, then yes, you should seriously consider this game – actually, you probably already own it. If you don’t have a 3DS, then the choice depends more on what you already own. Earlier DS owner? Trade it in. There are great deals running now in most stores, especially because of the recent system price drop. Don’t own any of Nintendo’s newer handhelds? This season’s lineup of 3D games is loaded with heavyweights that promise to be big with fans, including a handheld Super Smash Brothers title, a new Paper Mario, and more.
The long and short of it? Get this system and get this game. You won’t be disappointed.
